Agricultural Databases for Decision Support
 

Title: Developing support resources for sheep and goat producers

Scope:  Regional Marketing

Objective: The goal of the project is to address the information, education and decision support needs of the nations sheep and goat producers through national cooperation of the existing small ruminant specialists in the land grant universities. The project module will specifically develop Decision Array web systems for both the Goat and Sheep species of current available materials from the Sheep and Goat InfoBases. The funding will help in the process of moving the current Sheep and Goat InfoBases from the Folio format delivery system to the Decision Array based on the Microsoft Internet Information Server (MSIIS).

Result: The work plan on the Sheep and Goat InfoBase is progressing but behind schedule. The data structure and application delivery structure have been developed and successfully tested for the decision array concept for the Sheep and Goat InfoBases. Final graphical interface will be determined by the final topic and sub-topic areas provided by the species coordinators.

The data structure and application structure have been developed to utilize content delivery through Active Server Pages (ASP) and Microsoft Internet Information Server (MS IIS). A parallel InfoBase application for Dairy can be viewed to demonstrate the applied delivery and technical concepts of the technology. (www.adds.org website and chose the 3 month trial signup for the Dairy InfoBase.).  Draft topic and sub-topic areas and graphical presentation of the decision array for the Sheep and Goat have been developed. The technical aspects are completed and awaiting content population of the decision arrays. Testing of the populated decision arrays will be conducted to ensure fitness and technical functionality before public launch in August 2004

Currently the two (2) coordinators for each of the Sheep and Goat species are working on proper categorization of content in the topic and sub-topic areas in each species' decision array. Due to schedules and available time this will be completed by July 12, 2004. These coordinators are: Dave Thomas, University of Wisconsin, Sheep; Jim Oljten, University of California - Davis, Sheep; Steve Leng, Langston University, Goats and Irene Brown Crowder, private industry New York, Coats.

The content of articles, fact sheets etc. will be loaded into specific decision array topic and sub-topic areas as determined by the coordinators. There are approximately 200 articles for each the Sheep and Goat decision arrays at this time.

The Sheep information will be supplemented with the Sheep Industry Handbook content to be supplied by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). The ADDS Center has been in contact with ASI for several months. In early April, 2004, the first electronic test files from ASI were delivered to the ADDS Center. These electronic files are being evaluated for usability and functionality in the decision array environment. It is anticipated the entire set of electronic files of the Sheep Industry Handbook will be provided to the ADDS Center in early summer 2004. The entire Sheep Industry Handbook content will be utilized to populate the Sheep decision array along with other current materials.

The updated Goat Handbook files are being sought for use from the CSREES project collaborator. The paper and electronic files have gone through several physical moves and computer changes over the content development covering several years. If the availability of these updated files is not possible then the previous Goat Handbook files will be used for content population of the Goat decision array.

Colorado Wool Growers Assn.
 

Title: Rocky Mountain Natural Lamb

Scope:  Regional Marketing

Objective:  The Rocky Mountain Natural Lamb Program is a unique strategic alliance between the Colorado Wool Growers Association, Colorado Lamb and Wool Promotion Authority, Iowa Lamb Corp., State Department of Agriculture and the American Culinarian Federation. This marketing program is a unique collaboration involving producers, processors and chefs designed to increase consumer demand for American lamb meat and establish a specialty market for mountain-finished lambs. Colorado produces a significant number of high-quality, mountain-finished lambs that are ready for slaughter when they are gathered off the range in the fall of the year. Target marketing this unique, natural product to restaurants will focus the industry disadvantages of marketing a large number of lambs in the fall into a marketing opportunities that will benefit all segments of the U.S. lamb industry. The Rocky Mountain Natural Lamb Program will be featured through an arrangement with the chefs network as a value-added, branded product complete with a quality seal.

Result:   The diverse management team for this project included producers from the Colorado Wool Growers and the Colorado Sheep and Wool Authority, upper management from Iowa Lamb (In Colorado) and Chef Walt Hawley who was the Liaison for the Culinarians of Colorado.  The team worked closely on a very regular basis to implement the many objectives of this project.  The goal of the project was to take 500 “mountain finished” Colorado lambs completely through the marketing process and market them to restaurants as Rocky Mountain Natural Lamb, primarily in the Denver and front-range areas.  The marketing strategy included production, some product development, processing and marketing the whole lamb.  Coordination was critical, as many elements of the project were moving forward simultaneously.  For example, the contacts with the restaurant chefs and staff were taking place while the lambs were being raised and the promotion materials were being developed.

The Team initially coordinated with 16 restaurants that would feature the Rocky Mountain Natural Lamb providing plenty of lead-time so that they could get it on their menu when the product became available.  The public relations part of the project was kicked of with a “Rocky Mountain Natural Lamb Signature Dish Contest” at one of the Culinary Schools in Denver.  A training manual for restaurant staff was developed and Chef Hawley spent a great deal of time working individually with various restaurants' staff.  In addition to the training manual, promotional materials including post cards, print ads, table tents and banners were developed and used throughout the process.

During the design of the specifications for the lamb the team took a trip to the Iowa Lamb processing facility in Hawarden, Iowa where the producers and retailers on the team got a real hands on education about the challenges that confront a commercially viable processing facility. The producers involved in the project made a commitment to furnish the lambs needed for the project.  When it came time to begin shipping the lambs that met the specifications of the project,  there was an unexpected learning curve. Some of the most seasoned lamb handlers in the industry had a difficult time selecting project lambs as the lambs ran down the chute in the high mountain sorting corrals.  The lambs that did not meet the specifications were processed at market price.   When the lambs were shipped and processed the vacuum packaging of lamb from Iowa Lamb was outstanding and there was no purging of packages throughout the entire process.  The quality and the appearance of the lamb received unanimous rave reviews.  The group learned that the consistency of the lamb rack, loin, deluxe shank, and fore shank is critical for the restaurant trade because they need to develop and maintain a plate cost for each item.  Overall response to the projects cuts, packaging, and presentation has been outstanding.

The management team spent a great deal of time and learned a great deal about packaging and marketing lamb.  The group discovered that selling the entire carcass in “blocks of cuts” was more challenging than they originally anticipated.  Another observation made by the group was  that the issue of a “frozen product” was much less of an issue than they originally anticipated.  They found that customers ordering lamb did not ask about  that state of the product as long as it was properly packaged, immediately frozen and properly stored. 

One of the unexpected benefits of the overall project was the discovery of markets on the Western Slope of Colorado, which is where many of the larger range producers are located.  The group discovered that several restaurants in this area were looking for this type of product and became customers that embraced the locally grown product.  They also found a market through a retail outlet in the same area, which was also an unexpected benefit.

At the conclusion of the grant period several restaurants on the Western Slope were continuing to purchase the RMNL with some of them including the RMNL on their menu.  The group reported that “This was educational for our management team.  Labeling lamb for retails sales was tedious and required up to five additional labels on each package; and, working with restaurants and chefs was also interesting.  A well-versed lamb chef can network with other chefs and provide creative ideas for alternative cuts.  Therefore, our original philosophy of working with a knowledgeable lamb chef is still in place.”

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Assn. (ECLSA)
 

Title: Real Time Internet Auction

Scope:  Regional Marketing

Objective:  Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is a cooperative owned and controlled by it's patron/owners with a primary focus on marketing livestock. They have developed and continue to improve their real-time Internet auction software and Internet web sites.
Equity has been a leader in computer auction technology and is poised to integrate existing systems to provide sheep and goat buyers audio and video capability for real time internet auctions. The project funds will be used to make modifications that will allow audio and video representation of sheep and goat producers, provide better livestock information and eventually lead to email capabilities that can target interested sheep and goat buyers as well as producers.

Results:  Equity Cooperative Livestock used the grant monies to merge two distinct database technologies and eliminate integration issues and improve the dissemination of sheep and goat livestock information.  Equity contracted for a new database design that eliminated the previous integration issues, which resulted in a streamline entry of sheep and goat information into the internet web sites and provided for faster delivery of the information to qualified sheep and goat buyers.  In December 2002 ECLSA held an online, real-time auction that consisted of  2,400 head of goats.  In 2002 Equity sold over 42,000 sheep  online in a real-time internet auction.  Equity will continue to enhance and refine the software to provide buyers high quality livestock information  to make buying decisions.  The NSIIC funding of the project is complete.

Louisiana State Univ., Ag. Center
 

Title: Improving goat marketing channel Communications

Scope: National Meat Marketing Standard.

Objective: The marketing channels for much of the meat industry in the US are well established with standards that have been well developed over time. This is not true with goat meat marketing that is an emerging industry segment with tremendous growth potential. This project will develop clear and concise information on classification systems and cut specifications for use by all industry segments. Specific objectives are to:
     - Assemble and consolidate information on live goat selection classifications, carcass evaluation techniques, and meat goat Institutional Purchase and then print the specifications in a brochure and compact diskette for industry distribution.
     - Develop specialized presentations on the classification and cut systems for each market segment of the industry.
     - Compile and distribute a source document listing the information and available training resources to trade associations and governmental agencies.

Result:   The team of experts is finalizing the media materials.  Once that process is complete the manuals, diskettes, will be available to the goat meat industry as a standardized reference. The industry groups to whom the presentations have already been given have been very enthusiastic about the project so we are anxious to se the completed product.  A draft copy of the material is available at: http://www.boergoats.com/clean/articleads.php?art=308

National Lamb Feeders Assn.
 

Title: Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School

Scope: National Industry Education

Objective:  The leadership school provides a unique educational forum designed to provide current and future sheep industry leaders a comprehensive understanding of the production, feeding, marketing and promotion practices currently being utilized. The school’s goal is to stimulate the attendees’ awareness of new technologies and enhance their problem solving abilities through an intense hands on and academic training program. This proposal will enhance the outreach of the leadership school and increase participation in the leadership school during the 2002 and 2003 programs.

Result: Broadening participation in the school began earlier than usual for 2002  and continued in earnest in 2003 with an industry media campaign and the distribution of over 2,500 brochures.  The grant provided for better media coverage in industry publications as well as the addition of coverage from media that is not traditionally targeted toward agriculture.  The 2002 leadership School was held in Greeley, Colorado and the 2003 school held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Both sessions saw an increase in participation.  The goal of increasing awareness and participation without weakening the focus and intensity of the week long school was met.   Due to the grant the school is in a stronger position to continue recruiting participants as well as improving educational programs.  The project is complete.
 

Producers Marketing Cooperative, Inc,
 

Title: Wool and Mohair Marketing and Promotion

Scope:  National Marketing

Objective: Producers Marketing Cooperative (PMC) is a grower owned and operated organization dedicated to alternative marketing options for wool and mohair. PMC created a product line in 2001 known as TEXSA^™  that includes such items as socks, blankets, throws and other items made from mohair and wool. The group's next goal it to implement a comprehensive national marketing campaign that will include Internet, direct customer (in-store) visits, trade show presentations, direct mailings and product samples. The group's ultimate objective is to establish a new market for mohair and wool with the profits going back to the producer/members in the form of dividends. The grant is targeted toward marketing and promotion that will help move the group past the product development and business development stage.

Result:   Product development has been completed and the group has begun their aggressive multi pronged marketing plan.  The group has attended trade shows in Denver, Houston, Santa Fe and New York, with the best response in New York and Denver respectively.  TEXSA^™ has been featured in a home furnishing magazine article as a result of the shows and the web-site http://www.texsalp.com continues to be a cost effective marketing channel.  Sales projections were met in 2002 and a special sale is planned for winter 2003-04.  The group is continually updating their marketing material and product line responding to changes in fashion and color trends.  The grant funding has been completed and the project will continue.

Texas Rambouillet Superior Genetics
 

Title: Improving the Rambouillet through shared genetics

Scope:  Regional Genetic Improvement

Objective: The Texas Rambouillet Superior Genetics (TRSG) was organized in 1999 as a collaborative effort between industry professionals, ranchers and industry leaders to create a breed improvement program based on the "nucleus flock" concept. TRSG has established an extensive and inclusive gene pool to sustain and further improve the Rambouillet breed, which currently is in danger of destructive fragmentation. The nucleus flock will be used to share genetics with established traits and goals. This funding comes at a critical phase in the development of the organization.

Result:  The nucleus flock has been established along with the selection index.  Using independent culling levels, selection index, and production data results the project is in the process of applying strict selection pressure to the program ewes and rams.  A very limited number of ewes and rams have been offered for sale to help cash flow the project.    NSIIC funding of the project is complete.

Virginia Tech
 

Title: Hair Sheep Genetics Resources

Scope:   Genetics, Production and Marketing

Objective: This is a multi-university effort looking at the production, genetics and marketing of hair sheep, which are becoming more prevalent throughout the U.S., especially in the southeast. Hair sheep do not require shearing and express substantial levels of resistance to internal parasites and high levels of lamb and ewe vigor. In addition a widespread, but poorly documented, perception of superior meat flavor and tenderness in hair sheep meat suggests a potential to use hair sheep to establish profitable niche markets and expand consumer acceptance of lamb products.

          This project will evaluate the potential of hair sheep breeds. The project includes four objectives:
    (1) Taste panels and chemical composition of hair sheep at the University of Georgia.
    (2) Performance recording and genetic evaluation of Dorper and Katahdin breeds.
    (3) Includes new Barbados genetics into the US.
    (4) A parasite resistance study.

Results:

Final Report
Comparative Evaluation and Further Development of Hair Sheep Genetic Resources
D. R. Notter^a, S. Wildeus^b, S. A. Duckett^c, and S. P. Greiner^a
aVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, ^bVirginia State University, and ^cUniversity of Georgia 

This report summarizes final accomplishments of the project, including those completed by the original ending data of the project (May 31, 2004) and summarized in our 2004 Progress report as well as those associated with the one-year extension approved last year. 

Objective 1: Comparative evaluation of carcass characteristics, meat quality attributes, and sensory characteristics of hair sheep, wool sheep, and hair x wool crosses—COMPLETED 5 /31/04 

Analyses of meat tenderness, eating quality, and fatty acid composition were conducted on loin chops from 148 carcasses produced in 2000 through 2002 and representing Dorset crossbreds, Dorper crossbreds, straightbred Suffolks, straightbred Katahdins, and hairsheep crossbreds (St. Croix x Barbados Blackbelly).  Results were presented at the 2004 and 2005 Annual Meetings of the American Society of Animal Science and have been summarized for the industry as a part of a larger review article prepared by Susan Duckett and published in the Shepherd magazine (April, 2005).  In brief, grilled loin chops from Dorper crosses were more tender than chops from Dorset crosses of straightbred Suffolks.  Chops from Dorper crosses, Katahdins, and hairsheep crosses were similar in tenderness.  Differences in flavor intensity were not observed among the groups. 

Objective 2: Importation of semen of Barbados Blackbelly sheep to enhance American hair sheep genetic resources—NOT COMPLETED 

As outlined in our request for extension last year, in spite of Dr. Wildeus’ efforts, we were not able to arrange for importation of Barbados Blackbelly semen from either Barbados or Trinidad and Tobago.  Drs. Wildeus and Notter made a site visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 2003.  We were pleased with the quality of the animals, and encouraged by discussions with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on the potential to develop protocols to import semen from the Caribbean region, but could not obtain final approval for the importation from either Ministry of Agriculture. 

Objective 3: Establishment of programs for performance recording and genetic evaluation in American hair sheep breeds—COMPLETED 5/31/04 

Funding was provided to defer a portion of the initial cost of participation by the Katahdin breed in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP).  An investment of $750 contributed to development of an active program of performance recording in this breed.  The number of Katahdin flocks participating in NSIP and the number of ewes recorded  has increased steadily from 10 flocks in 2001 to 22 flocks and 1,042 ewes in 2004. 

Objective 4: Comparative assessment of genetic mechanisms controlling parasite resistance, muscling, and fiber characteristics in crosses of hair and wool breeds—COMPLETED 5/31/05 

Parasite resistance in 53 crossbred lambs of 50, 62.5, 75, and 100% hair sheep breeding was assessed at around 90 days of age in summer, 2002.  Significant differences in fecal egg count and packed cell volume were not observed.  These results contradict previous results comparing hair and wool lambs at ages of 120 to 150 d.  There are two possible reasons for this discrepancy: 1) 50% hair sheep breeding may be adequate to produce levels of parasite resistance that approach those of purebred hair sheep or 2) differences among genetic types in parasite resistance may be smaller and less easy to demonstrate in younger lambs.  There is some evidence to support the second possibility, and we recommend caution in attempting to evaluate genetic differences in parasite resistance in lambs that are less than 120 d old.   

For the period 6/1/04 to 5/31/05 (i.e., the period covered by the extension of the project), we have developed experimental designs and protocols to study gene expression in the gut lining and lymph nodes of parasite-resistant St. Croix hair sheep and parasite-susceptible wool breeds.  Funding from NSIIC provided opportunity for collection of important preliminary information.  In December, 2004, 10 St. Croix lambs were sacrificed at 3 or 27 days after infection with H. contortus; 4 lambs served as controls.  Tissues were harvested from abomasum and abdominal lymph nodes and frozen for subsequent analysis of gene expression.  Funding ($12,000) for those analyses and for a larger study to compare gene expression in 24 St. Croix and 24 wool sheep lambs in summer, 2005 has been obtained from the Virginia Agricultural Council.  Thus we will continue this area of study using other sources of funding. 

Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative

Title: Improvement of the quality of lambs in the upper Midwest

Scope:  Regional Marketing

Objective:  This project is a cooperative effort between the producers, predominant marketing entity and academia to test the practical use of ultrasound to determine carcass quality. This joint effort is between the producers, Equity Livestock Sales and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Ultrasound scans of live animals will be used to provide estimates of live carcass traits, with an emphasis on fat. That information will then be used as selection criteria for replacement stock. Recommendations for the production of quality lambs will be developed in both written and electronic formats for distribution to the lamb meat industry.

Result:  The grant has allowed the group to start a project with ultimate goal of improving the quality of market lambs in the upper Midwest.

The group has reported the following results during the first year, or up until the time that the grant monies were expended.  They purchased an ultrasound machine and associated equipment and became proficient in its use.  They have been able to obtain correlation between ultrasound measurements and carcass measurement of .60 or better, which have been reported in the literature for experienced operators.  The have demonstrated the use of ultrasound to many adult and youth sheep producers and presented the possible application of ultrasound measurements for improvement of market lamb quality.  Ultrasound measurements have been taken on rams at the Wisconsin Ram Test Station and the lamb crops of a few purebred and commercial sheep producers.  These ultrasound measurements can be used in the selection of new sires and replacement ewe lambs by individual flock owners.  A performance lamb class was established at the Wisconsin State Fair that uses growth rate and carcass traits along with visual evaluation to determine a final placing.  This class demonstrates to youth the value of economically important traits to market lamb production that are often lost in the traditional market lamb show.

There also are several activities that have been started for which there are no results or only preliminary results at the present time.  The analyses of recent historical data for lamb marketing in Wisconsin will allow producers to modify their flock management to increase the probability of receiving a higher price.  There are several areas where the groups activities will continue including:

1) The current trial on monthly ultrasounding of lambs during their growing/finishing period that may result in better weight-adjustment factors for ultrasound measurements which, in turn, would improve the accuracy of selection on ultrasound measurements. 

2) The trials on commercial farms comparing lambs from sire with superior ultrasound measurements to sires with unknown ultrasound measurements promise to provide results that will encourage commercial sheep producers to use ultrasound measurements in their ram purchasing decisions and encourage purebred sheep breeders to use ultrasound measurement in selection of their replacements.

The Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are committed to the improvement of market lambs in the upper Midwest and will continue this project for at least one additional year to complete the above projects that are in progress.  The ultrasound equipment and training of UW-Madison staff in its use will have long lasting benefit to the Wisconsin sheep industry well into the future.