Colostrum:
Liquid Gold
The importance of high quality colostrum cannot
be over-emphasized. Colostrum is so important that it is sometimes
called "liquid gold."
All mammals produce colostrum. It is the thick,
yellowish, first milk produced by the female after parturition.
Colostrum is rich in energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Most
importantly, it contains maternal antibodies that help protect the
newborn from disease pathogens during the early part of its life.
The type of antibodies colostrum contains depends upon the antigens
to which the dam was exposed by disease exposure  or
vaccination. Ewes and does should be vaccinated for overeating disease
(Clostridium perfringins type C & D) and tetanus (clostridium
tetani) in late pregnancy so that they will pass the antibodies
for these important diseases to their offspring.
All newborn mammals need colostrum. While it is possible for a lamb
or kid to survive without colostrum in a relatively disease-free
environment, the likelihood of disease and death is much higher
in lambs and kids that do not receive adequate colostrum.
Orphan lambs and kids are often more susceptible
to diarrhea and pneumonia because they did not consume enough high
quality colostrum.
Newborn lambs and kids have limited energy reserves and need rapid
access to colostrum to maintain body temperature and survive, especially
those born when it is cold. Lambs and kids are born with low vitamin
A reserves. Colostrum is usually rich in vitamin A and helps to
build stores in the newborn. Colostrum is also the first source
of Vitamin E for the lamb or kid. The iron content of colostrum
is 10 to 17 times higher in colostrum than normal milk. Colostrum
also has laxative qualities and helps to eliminate fecal matter
in the newborn's digestive tract.
Research has shown that livestock vary in the quantity and quality
of colostrum that they produce. Younger females tend to produce
less colostrum than mature females. Inadequate nutrition during
late pregnancy can reduce the quantity and quality of colostrum.
In most underfed ewes, the lambs' needs for colostrum often exceed
the dam’s production, whereas females which are well-fed in
late pregnancy usually produce more colostrum than their babies
need.
Lambs and kids should nurse as soon after birth as possible in order
to receive adequate colostrum. After parturition, it is a good idea
to strip each teat to remove the wax plug and make sure the ewe
or doe has enough colostrum to feed her offspring. Antibodies are
large protein molecules that can only cross the intestinal wall
and enter the bloodstream of the lamb and kid during the first 24
to 36 hours of life. Absorption is most efficient the first few
hours after birth.
Lambs and kids that are too weak to nurse can be fed colostrum with
a nippled bottle or stomach tube. It is recommended that newborns
receive 10 percent of their body weight in colostrum within 24 hours
of birth. This means that a 10 pound lamb should receive one pound
(16 ounces) of colostrum. Colostrum should be fed at blood temperature,
2 to 4 ounces, at 3 to 4 intervals.
Sources of Colostrum
The best source of colostrum is the newborn’s dam. If this
is not possible, fresh or frozen colostrum from other females in
the flock can be used. It is always a good idea to milk out ewes
and does that have extra milk (colostrum) and to freeze it for later
use. Females which give birth to singles often have enough colostrum
for a second baby. Colostrum from females in your own flock is the
best because it will have custom-made  antibodies.
When using colostrum from another flock, try to choose a flock with
a similar disease status.
Cow colostrum can serve as a substitute for lamb and goat colostrum,
but because cow's milk is not as nutritious as ewe's milk, more
volume (about one third) must be fed to lambs. Milk from the colored
breeds is better because it is higher in fat.
Though Johne's disease is not as common in sheep and goats as it
is in cattle, it is advisable to get cow colostrum from a herd that
has tested Johne's-free.
Frozen colostrum should be thawed slowly in a warm water bath. Do
not use direct heat or this will destroy the antibodies. It is best
to freeze colostrum in small quantities because once frozen colostrum
is thawed, it cannot be re-frozen. Frozen colostrum can be stored
for up to 12 months without losing its antibodies, whereas fresh
colostrum can only be refrigerated for a week before quality declines.
There are numerous commercial colostrum products on the market.
Be sure to read the labels of these products carefully. Most of
these products do not contain sufficient quantities of antibodies.
They are nutritious and should be fed if no other source of colostrum
is available, but they cannot replace high quality colostrum.
There are a few cattle products on the market which are “true”
colostrum replacers or substitutes. When fed, they are able to raise
the blood concentration level of antibodies to the species standard.
Lamb or kid milk replacer is never a substitute for colostrum.
Diseases Transmitted Via Colostrum
Some diseases are transmitted from the dam to the offspring via
the colostrum and milk. Both ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) and
caprine arthritic encephalitis (CAE) are transmitted in this manner.
These diseases are very similar. Lambs that consume colostrum from
a CAE-positive doe can test positive for OPP. Similarly, a kid that
consumes colostrum from an OPP-positive ewe can test positive for
CAE.
To prevent the transmission of either disease from positive dams
to offspring, the offspring should not be allowed to nurse or consume
colostrum from positive dams. They should be fed pasteurized colostrum
or cow colostrum. The bacteria that causes Johne's disease can also
be transmitted through colostrum, though it is not the primary mode
of transmission.
Read full article at www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/colostrum.html.
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New Fair and Show Regulations for Maryland Livestock Exhibitors
Rules for the 2007 fair and show livestock exhibition season are
now available from the Maryland Department of Agriculture's (MDA)
web site, www.mda.state.md.us/animal_health/.
Hard copies will be available soon and can be picked up at one of
MDA's five regional animal health diagnostic laboratories as well
as the headquarters office in Annapolis. New regulations this year
include:
- Maryland exhibitors need to contact their veterinarian within
60 days of their first show to have their animals inspected and
an Intrastate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) completed.
- The Intrastate CVI is now valid for up to 180 days from the
date of approval.
- Submit the appropriate copies of the CVI for approval to any
of the regional MDA Animal Health Laboratories or the headquarters
office in Annapolis within 30 days of inspection. One copy will
be retained by MDA, the other returned to the exhibitor.
- Self-certification of animal health. On the reverse side of
the exhibitor's CVI hard copy or as a separate document down-loaded
from the MDA web site is the "Livestock Exhibitor's Self-Certification
of Animal Health" form. This form is to be filled out by
the exhibitor prior to transporting their animal(s) to a fair
or show stating that the animal(s) show no signs of contagious
or infectious disease.
Contact MDA's Animal Health Office or any of their regional animal
health facilities with any questions.
MDA Health Offices & Labs
Annapolis Animal Health Office - 410-841-5810
Centreville Animal Health Diagnostic Lab - 410-758-0846
College Park Animal Health Diagnostic Lab - 301-314-1870
Frederick Animal Health Diagnostic Lab - 301-694-1548
Oakland Animal Health Diagnostic Lab - 301-334-2185
Salisbury Animal Health Diagnostic Lab - 410-543-6610
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Performance Testing
Western Maryland Meat Goat Performance Test
Last summer, a pasture-based meat goat performance
test was initiated at the University of Maryland’s Western
Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville.
The purpose of the test was to measure genetic differences
in meat goats consuming a pasture diet with natural exposure to
internal parasites (especially Haemonchus contortis/barber
pole worm) and to give producers a perspective on performance under
typical commercial conditions.
The only similar performance test in the United States for goats
is a 200-day range test in Texas which is sponsored by the American
Meat Goat Association. Other performance tests for small ruminants
feed concentrate diets out of feeders and do not measure resistance
to internal parasites (worms).
 This
year’s meat goat test will begin on June 9 and end on October
6. Up to 50 goats will be accepted from consigners from any state.
The test is open to male goats of any breed, born between December
15, 2006 and March 15, 2007 (inclusive).
The goats must be weaned for at least two weeks and
have received two vaccinations for clostrium perfringins
(overeating disease) and tetanus prior to the test. Health papers
issued within 30 days of the start date are required.
Goats with abscesses, sore mouth, foot rot, or signs of any other
contagious disease or poor health will be refused entry to the test.
Upon arrival, the goats will stand in a foot bath. They will be
dewormed and treated for external parasites. During the first few
days of the test, the goats will be treated for coccidiosis in their
water.
Management and data collection will be the same as last year. The
goats were rotationally grazed as a single herd among five 2-acre
paddocks composed of a variety of cool season grasses, including
chicory. One of the paddocks containing Kentucky 31 tall fescue
is being replaced with Max Q® tall fescue. An acre of pearl
millet will be planted to provide additional summer forage.
The goats will not receive any supplemental feed, but will have
access to free choice minerals containing Deccox®. Minerals
are being provided by Summit Minerals, Pulaski, VA. The goats will
have continuous access to a central laneway containing three 6 x
11 ft. port-a-hut shelters, mineral feeders, fresh water, and a
handling system.
The goats will be handled every 14 days to determine FAMACHA©
eye anemia and body condition scores and the need for selective
deworming. Fecal samples will be collected on days 0, 28, and 56
to determine worm egg counts and evaluate parasite resistance. The
goats will be weighed every 28 days and will be scanned with ultrasound
to determine carcass characteristics.
A blog (http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com)
has been created to enable consigners and other interested persons
to follow the progress of the test. The test protocol and nomination
form can be downloaded from this web site or obtained from the Western
Maryland Research & Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road,
Keedysville, MD 21756, (301) 432-2767 x343 or
sschoen@umd.edu.
The nomination period is April 1-May 15. There is a $20
nomination fee for each goat. An additional $55 will be due at the
start of the test. The goats must be delivered to the test site
between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 9, unless prior arrangements are
made.
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Just for
Youth:
Sheep and Wool Skillathon
There will be a Sheep & Wool Skillathon at the Maryland
Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday, May 6, 2007 from
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any youth between the ages of 8 and 18 is eligible
to compete as an individual and as a member of a 3 or 4 person team.
There will be junior (8-10), intermediate (11-13), and senior (14-18)
age divisions. The top ten individuals and top three teams will
be recognized.
A skillathon provides youth with the opportunity to blend knowledge
and skills acquired in livestock judging, demonstrations, and care
and exhibition of livestock into a single activity. The Sheep &
Wool Skillathon will  consist
of a series of stations where youth will be tested on their knowledge
and abilities related to sheep and wool.
In 2006, the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival hosted its first
Sheep & Wool Skillathon for youth. Seventy (70) youth from four
states and eight Maryland counties competed.
The winning junior team was from Harford County (MD). Mark Holloway
(MD) was the high individual. The winning senior team was from Carroll
County (MD). Claire Bennett (MD) was the high individual.
The registration deadline for this year’s Skillathon is April
20. There is no registration fee. For information or to register,
contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
Photo by: Kate Bennett (L: Dean Bennett; R: Meagan Purdue)
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/skillathon/skillathon.html
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NRC Requirements Updated
The National Research Council (NRC) publishes a series of publications
on the nutrient requirements of domestic animals. Requirements for
energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and water are defined, based
on scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed technical sources.
Feeding standards, developed from nutrient requirements of the
animals and nutrient composition of feedstuffs, provide readers
with the knowledge and means to adopt proper feeding practices.
Periodic updating of these publications is needed as new research
information accumulates and new needs surface.
Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants: Sheep, Goats, Cervids,
and New World Camelids (2007) combines revisions of The Nutrient
Requirements of Sheep (1985) and The Nutrient Requirements of Goats
(1981), with considerations of other small ruminants and ruminant-like
species addressed for the first time.
The sheep portions update the 1985 edition in that a greater range
in body size, litter size, and milk production were considered.
This edition updates the requirements of sheep based on recent research
and a need to consider higher levels of productivity by larger and
improved genotypes.
The quality and accuracy in the goat section greatly exceed those
contained in the first edition because of the large amount of research
efforts invested since the document was first published in 1981.
However, many requirement issues in minerals and vitamins have not
been resolved for goats. Rather, requirements were estimated from
values derived for sheep and cattle studies.
You can purchase Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants: Sheep,
Goats, Cervids, and New World Camelids from Amazon.com or the National
Academies Press at http://books.nap.edu/
(Note: Type in “small ruminants” in the Discovery Engine
window.
A Free Executive Summary can be viewed at http://orsted.nap.edu/execsumm_pdf/11654.
Note: Dr. Brian J. Bequette, University of Maryland Animal Scientist,
served on the committee to revise the nutrient requirements for
small ruminants.
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Comings and Goings
COMING - Dr. Dahlia Jackson
 Dr.
Dahlia Jackson was recently hired as the Small Ruminant Specialist
at Delaware State University in Dover, DE. She started her new position
on February 12th.
Dr. Jackson was born in St. Catherine, Jamaica. She grew up on her
grandparent’s farm where they raised cattle, hogs, chickens,
and goats.
She received all of her agricultural degrees at the University of
Maryland Eastern Shore. Her M.S. degree focused on improving reproductive
efficiency in meat goats and involved examining the influence of
melengestrol acetate (MGA) or kid removal to induce breeding during
the late non-breeding or postpartum period in goats.
Her Ph.D. research focused on the influence of breed and nutrition
on growth, parasite resistance, carcass traits, and meat quality
of crossbred Katahdin lambs. It included synchronizing estrus in
ewes and managing females during pregnancy, lambing, and lactation.
Dr. Jackson has also been involved in projects involving the use
of poultry litter as a nitrogen source in small ruminants and anthelmintic
resistance.
GOING - J. Willard Lemaster
 J.
Willard Lemaster is no longer with Maryland Cooperative Extension.
Willard served as the 4-H Animal Science Specialist for seven years.
During his tenure, he was very supportive of sheep and goat programs,
such as the Sheep & Wool Skillathon and lamb carcass contest at
the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, 4-H/FFA Meat Goat Show at the
Maryland State Fair, and the Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance
Test in Western Maryland.
Willard's expertise in ultrasound scanning will be sorely missed.
We wish him well in his new career.
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UMES Update from Dr. Niki Whitley
 We
are basically done with lambing (some yearlings left that we bred
later than the main flock) and kidding will start any time now.
I’ll give a full update after kidding, but things went much
better for lambing than last year and I am looking forward to seeing
the kids we get this year.
The current research focus at UMES is alternative dewormers and
other parasite control methods to decrease chemical use, with projects
funded in part through Northeast SARE (for more information see
http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/index.html
). UMES was also asked to be involved in projects from two other
grants that are being submitted involving parasites – one
with Dr. Dahlia Jackson at Delaware State University and the other
with Dr. Tom Terrill at Fort Valley State University.
While grazing animals for parasite research, we will also work with
Virginia State University on a project looking at the impact of
wild birds on diseases like Salmonella and Listeriosis in small
ruminants.
If you would like to give your opinion about the type of research
you would like to see conducted in small ruminants (sheep/goats),
please do not hesitate to contact me at 410-651-6194 or nwhitley@umes.edu.
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2007 Sheep and Goat Inventory
All sheep and lamb inventory in the United States
on January 1, 2007, totaled 6.19 million head, down 1 percent from
2006, but still 1 percent above 2005. After two consecutive year-to-year
increases, inventory growth was hampered by extremely dry weather
in the Southwestern part of the United States.
Ewes one year old and older, at 3.71 million head, were 1 percent
above last year. The 2006 lamb crop of 4.09 million head, was down
1 percent from 2005. The 2006 lambing rate was 112 lambs per 100
ewes one year old and older.
Shorn wool production in the United States during 2006 was 36.0
million pounds, down 3 percent from 2005. Sheep and lambs shorn
totaled 4.85 million head, down 4 percent from 2005. The average
price paid for wool sold in 2006 was $0.68 per pound.
Goats up 3% in U.S.
All goat inventory in the United States on January 1, 2007, totaled
2.93 million head, up 3 percent from 2006. Breeding goat inventory
totaled 2.44 million head, up 3 percent from 2006.
Milk goat inventory increased 2 percent to 296,000 head, while Angora
goats were down 8 percent totaling 238,000 head. The 2006 kid crop
totaled 1.92 million head for all goats, up 4 percent from 2005.
More sheep and goats in Maryland
In Maryland, the sheep and lamb inventory increased 5 percent.
The 2006 lambing rate was 120 lambs per 100 ewes. But, number of
sheep shorn and pounds of wool produced declined by 11.8 percent.
Maryland wool prices averaged 51 cents per pound in 2006, below
the national average (due to differences in wool type), but above
all nearby states.
Sheep numbers increased in Virginia (+7%) and West Virginia (+6%),
but declined in Pennsylvania (-2%) Meat goat numbers increased by
15 percent in Maryland. Meat goat numbers also increased in Virginia
(+7.3%), West Virginia (+10.5%), and Pennsylvania (+2.7%). Delaware
sheep and goat statistics are not reported individually.
Source: USDA NASS, February 2, 2007
Read
full NASS report.
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2007 Maryland Wool Pool
The Maryland Wool Pool will be held on Wednesday,
June 20, 2007, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, MD.
Wool may be delivered to the pool between the hours of 8 a.m. and
2:30 p.m.
 Grades
at the Maryland Wool Pool include: choice clear white faced; medium
white faced; coarse white faced; and non white faced. Wool in these
grades must have a minimum staple length of 3 inches; otherwise
it will be placed in the "short" grade, which also includes
wools that are excessively dirty.
Producers who bring their wool to the pool baled receive a 5 cent
per pound incentive. Baled wool is easier to handle and takes up
less space. The Maryland Wool Pool, Inc. has two Lyco Wool Balers
that are available to sheep producers who would like to bale their
wool in preparation for delivering it to the Maryland Wool Pool.
Those who should consider consider pre-baling their wool should
have a minimum of 300 pounds of uniform graded wool.
For information about the wool pool and/or baling, contact the
pool manager Dr. Rich Barczewski at (302) 857-6410 (daytime); (302)
659-1211 (evening); or by e-mail at rbarczewski@desu.edu.
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SFCP, NSEP and NAIS - What’s
the real deal?
USDA acknowledges that there has been
some confusion about the NAIS and how it interacts with existing
scrapie eradication programs such as the voluntary scrapie flock
certification program (SFCP) and the national scrapie eradication
program (NSEP). Here are some facts will, hopefully, help to clear
the confusion.
For this reason, at the federal level, enrolling in the SFCP or
requesting official tags as part of NSEP does not register your
premises in the NAIS. Conversely, choosing to register your premises
in the NAIS does not affect your flock identification number or
your status in the SFCP. The three programs compliment each other,
but are distinct.
- The NAIS is voluntary. SFCP is voluntary. Complying with the
identification requirements of the national scrapie eradication
program is required by a regulation that has been in place since
August 2001.
- Producers are not required by USDA to participate in the NAIS
in order to either enroll in SFCP or to get the official eartags
provided free to producers through the NSEP.
- Some of the NAIS approved eartags have also been approved for
scrapie program use. This allows producers to participate in all
three programs using the same eartag. As with other NAIS tags,
premises registration with NAIS is required to purchase these
tags.
- Continued grassroots input is critical to the success of the
NAIS. Accordingly, USDA and its state and industry partners have
established NAIS working groups to provide recommendations and
input as we move forward with the system.
- Each species working group membership consists of representatives
from various levels and segments of their industry.
- The sheep working group has recommended that sheep producers
who decide to participate in the NAIS be allowed to use the identification
devices the numbering systems currently used for SFCP and NSEP.
- The recommendation does not mean that producers participating
in SFCP and NSEP will be registered in NAIS. Only that those who
choose to register would have the option to continue to use SFCP
and NSEP identification devices.
NAIS contact in Maryland:
Marilyn Bassford
(410) 742-6023
nais@dmv.com
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2007 MD-DE
Sheep Shearing Schools
A Beginning Sheep Shearing School will be held Friday and Saturday,
March 16 and 17, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Thompson Farm in
Westminster, MD. The school is open to anyone in Maryland, Delaware
and surrounding states who wants to learn to shear sheep. 
The minimum age is 16. Each registrant will receive an ASI Shearing
Notebook and instructional DVD. Participation is limited to the
first 25 people who register by March 9. The registration fee is
$80. Checks payable to the Carroll County Extension Advisory Council
(CCEAC) should be sent to David L. Green, 2014 White Hall Road,
White Hall, MD 21161-9712, e-mail: greelamb@bcpl.net.
An advanced sheep shearing school will be held on Saturday, March
31, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Thompson Farm in Westminster,
MD. The advanced school is for persons who have attended previous
schools or sheared more than 150 sheep and want to refine their
skills and increase their speed. Participation is limited to the
first 10 people who register by March 23. The registration fee is
$25 and should be sent to David Green. The ASI Shearing Notebook
and instructional DVD are available for $30.
The New Zealand method of sheep shearing will be taught. The instructors
will be David Green, Rich Barczewski, and Aaron Geiman.
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Sheep and Goat Research Update
Southern Section, American Society of Animal Science
Summary of Small Ruminant Section
by Susan Schoenian
Recently, I attended the annual meeting of the Southern Section
of the American Society of Animal Science in Mobile, Alabama. There
were more abstracts pertaining to small ruminants (sheep and goats)
than any other subject matter. While much of the research utilized
meat goats and hair sheep, most of it relates equally to all types
of goats and sheep.
Here is a summary of some of the research abstracts that were presented.
Small ruminant research at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
(UMES) is under the direction of Dr. Niki Whitley, a regular contributor
to this newsletter. Dr. Whitley and her students presented several
abstracts.
- There was no difference in feedlot performance or digestibility
of diet in meat goats fed a diet supplemented with probiotics.
Dr. Whitley suggested that probiotics would be more likely to
have a beneficial effect on highly stressed animals, such as those
purchased at a sale barn and co-mingled in a feed lot.
- Meat goats receiving high-tannin grain sorghum (milo) in their
diet did not have different fecal egg counts, packed cell volumes,
or FAMACHAŠ scores as compared to goats fed low-tannin grain sorghum.
High tannin forages such as sericea lespedeza have been found
to reduce fecal egg counts in small ruminants. However, Dr. Whitley
stressed the point that all tannins are not equal and that some
will not suppress internal parasitism in small ruminants.
- A 4-year study to compare the differences in Katahdin crossbred
lambs sired by Suffolk, Dorper, or Texel rams was recently completed
at UMES. Suffolk sired lambs grew faster than Dorper and Texel-sired
lambs, while Texel-sired lambs had greater parasite resistance
than Suffolk and Dorper-sired lambs. Regardless of sire type,
grass-fed lambs had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) in their meat and a more favorable ratio of omega-3
to omega-6 fatty acids.
Thirty-one male meat goats from six states completed the first
Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test in 2006.
The goats gained on-average 0.19 lbs. per day and required 1.65
anthelmintic treatments (each) during the 112-day test. Boer x Kiko
kids required fewer dewormings than Kiko and Boer kids.
Researchers at Virginia State University documented a modest periparturient*
rise in fecal egg counts in hair sheep ewes, though there was no
difference between Katahdin and St. Croix ewes. Nor did fecal egg
counts, packed cell volumes, and FAMACHAŠ scores of the ewes suggest
the need for deworming prior to lambing, as is a common recommendation
in sheep. (*Periparturient means around lambing/kidding time).
Researchers at Langston University in Oklahoma found a low incidence
of infertility in young bucks that completed the Langston University
Buck Test from 1999 to 2006. Only 3.8 percent of bucks failed to
pass a breeding soundness examination. The researcher concluded
that there is a low rate of infertility in well-managed buck kids
older than six months of age. However, bucks were not evaluated
for breeding capacity (libido).
In a multi-year study at Tennessee State University, data is showing
that sire and dam breeds interact to influence kid weights at birth
and weaning. For 781 kids, birth weights were highest for Boer-sired
kids and lowest for purebred Kiko and Spanish kids. Data from 635
kids showed that 90-day weaning weights were heaviest for Boer x
Kiko and Kiko x Kiko kids and lightest for Boer x Boer and Spanish
x Spanish matings. The kids were not creep fed in this study, and
males were left intact. Previous data documented the superiority
of Kiko does for fitness and performance traits as compared to Boer
does. Spanish does tended to be intermediate in most traits, but
had the highest efficiency ratio, expressed as litter weight divided
by doe weight.
At Kentucky State University, supplemental feeding (at 2.5% of body
weight) of fall born Boer cross kids on endophyte-infected tall
fescue pastures improved performance, but did not affect body condition
or FAMACHAŠ scores. The researcher suggested that improvements in
forage quality through introduction of desirable legumes or browse
species and forage management strategies may produce similar results,
since grain supplementation may not be economically feasible.
At the Grazing Lands Research Laboratory in Reno, Oklahoma, purebred
Katahdin lambs fed a concentrate diet were found to have higher
concentrations of CLA in their meat than Suffolk lambs. The ratio
of omega-6 to omega 3 fatty acids was lower in Katahdin lambs as
compared to Suffolk lambs. These results were reflected positively
in the crossbred Katahdin x Suffolk and Suffolk x Katahdin lambs,
suggesting that the Katahdin may be a good breed to use in crossbreeding
programs to improve the fatty acid profile of lamb meat. In the
future, the researchers plan to look at the fatty acid profile of
grass-fed lamb.
Under the direction of Dr. Joan Burke, various studies are being
conducted at the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville,
Arkansas, to evaluate different strategies for controlling gastro-intestinal
parasites in small ruminants. Dr. Burke has previously presented
papers on the efficacy of copper oxide wire particles to control
barber pole worm infection in small ruminants.
- Boer and Boer x Spanish doelings were used to evaluate the
interaction between protein supplementation and copper wire oxide
particles in the control of parasites. While the copper wire oxide
particles (2 g bolus) were effective in the control of existing
parasite infections, there was no advantage to supplementation
with cottonseed meal (41% CP) as compared to a corn/soybean supplement
(14% CP) fed at 0.48 lbs/day.
- Yearling Boer does were used to evaluate the interaction between
copper oxide wire particles and grazing sericea lespedeza in the
control of H. contortus. None of the does treated with copper
oxide wire particles (5 g bolus) required treatment by day 28
vs. 56 percent of the untreated does. Fecal egg counts were lower
for the does that had grazed sericea lespedeza for 21 days as
compared to does that grazed tall fescue for the same period.
- Different doses of copper oxide wire particles were administered
to Boer x Spanish kids to determine their effect on internal parasites.
A dose as low as 0.5 grams was effective at reducing fecal egg
count in the kids, but an additional treatment was shown to be
necessary within 4 weeks, according to Dr. Burke.
Dr. Jim Miller, a parasitologist in the School of Veterinary Medicine
at Louisiana State University, conducts various studies related to
the control of internal parasites in small ruminants.
- Grazing sericea lespedeza and feeding it as hay has reduced
fecal egg counts in sheep and goats. Results of a study conducted
in Louisiana showed that ground sericea lespedeza hay reduced
fecal egg counts of existing parasite infections, which could
help to reduce pasture contamination with worm larvae.
- Another study looked at the effect of pelleting on the anthelmintic
efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay against gastro-intestinal parasites
in goats. Pelleting did not reduce the efficacy of sericea lespedeza
hay against parasitic nematodes and may facilitate the broader
use of this forage in small ruminant parasite control programs.
- Another study looked at the effect of vaccination of goats with
H-11/H-gal-GP antigens from intestinal membrane cells of Haemonchus
contortus. In the UK, vaccination of sheep with the antigens has
been effective at reducing barber pole worm infections. The results
of this study were promising as multi-vaccinated goats had lower
fecal egg counts and higher packed cell volumes compared to unvaccinated
goats.
Field application of liquid nitrogen fertilizer was not effective
at reducing gastro-intestinal parasites in weanling meat goats. The
study conducted at North Carolina State University was ended after
33 days when the majority of the goats began developing bottle jaw.
The University of the (US) Virgin Islands, under the direction of
Dr. Bob Godfrey conducts various studies using hair sheep.
- Dorper x St. Croix ewes performed as well in an accelerated
lambing system as native St. Croix ewes. They produced fewer lambs,
but weaned more of their lambs and produced lambs with heavier
weaning weights.
- A twice-a-day feeding regime increased feed consumption and
decreased weight loss in lactating ewes grazing native pastures
during the cool season, but did not influence milk production
and litter weaning weights as compared to once a day feeding or
no grain supplementation.
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Table of Contents
Calendar
of Events
March 16-17, 31 - Sheep Shearing Schools
Thompson Farm, Westminster, MD
Info: David Greene e-mail: greelamb@bcpl.net
(see Sheep Shearing article for details)
March 22 - Dairy Goats 101
Washington County Extension Office, Boonsboro, MD
Info: 301-791-1304 or jsemler@umd.edu
or sschoen@umd.edu
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/07shortcourse.html
March 24 - Maryland Dept. of Agriculture Open House
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD
Info: 410-841-5882 or http://www.mda.state.md.us
April 3 - Wool Sheep 101
Washington County Extension Office, Boonsboro, MD
Info: 301-791-1304 or jsemler@umd.edu
or sschoen@umd.edu
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/07shortcourse.html
April 28 - Maryland Ag Day
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Info: mmddayhelp@umd.edu
or http://www.marylandday.edu
April 28 - Meat Goat Marketing Workshop
Ag Science and Industry Building
Penn State University, State College, PA
Info: Gene Schurman at (724) 465-3880 or exs10@psu.edu
May 5-6 - Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD
Info: 410-531-3647 or info@sheepandwool.org
May 19 - FAMACHA©/Integrated Parasite Management (IPM)
Workshop
Hunterton County, New Jersey
Info: Andrea Holladay at 908-537-2265 or dancingwatersfarm@att.net
June 9 - Western Maryland Meat Goat Performance Test Begins
Western MD Research & Education Center, Keedysville, MD
Info: 301-432-2767 x343 or x301
sschoen@umd.edu or cmason@umd.edu
June 16 - Fecal Egg Counting Workshop
Western MD Research & Education Center, Keedysville, MD
Info: 301-432-2767 x343 or x301
sschoen@umd.edu or cmason@umd.edu
June 20 - Maryland Wool Pool
Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
Wool may be delivered to the pool between the hours of 8 a.m. and
2:30 p.m.
Info: Rich Barczewski at (302) 857-6410 (day) or (302) 659-1211
(evening) or rbarczewski@desu.edu
Calendar
of Events at SheepGoatMarketing.info
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Table of Contents
 Wild
& Woolly (formerly The Maryland Sheep & Goat Producer)
is published quarterly by University of Maryland Cooperative Extension.
It is written and edited by Susan Schoenian, Sheep and Goat Specialist
at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center. To receive
the newsletter, contact the Western Maryland Research & Education
Center: 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756, (301) 432-2767
ext. 343 or 301, fax (301) 432-4089; or e-mail: sschoen@umd.edu
or cmason@umd.edu. The cost of
receiving the newsletter by mail is $10 per year payable to the University
of Maryland. The newsletter is free when accessed via the Internet.
You can be added to a list to receive an e-mail message when a new
newsletter has been posted to the web at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/news.
Comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter are always welcome.
References to commercial products or trade names are made with the
understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement
by Maryland Cooperative Extension is implied. Articles may be reprinted
with permission of the author(s). Article submissions are encouraged.
More information on sheep and goats can be accessed at http://mdsheepgoat.blogspot.com
and http://www.sheepgoatmarketing.info.
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