Sheep Industry News August 2023

SheepIndustry Volume 27, Issue 8 August 2023

News

August 2023 Volume 27, Issue 8

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President’s Notes

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Market Report

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ASI Member Listing

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Breeders' Directory

Industry Calendar

ON THE COVER: This month we take a look at how genetics projects are pushing the industry forward.

A Journey in Sheep GEMS The GEMS in Sheep GEMS means Genetics, Environment,

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Management and Socioeconomics.

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30 The Potential Value of International Sheep Evaluations In the United States, the five breeds with the greatest number of Na tional Sheep Improve ment Program records are Katahdin, Polypay, Targhee, Rambouillet and Suffolk.

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Pedigreed Sheep in the Digital Age In this digital age of technology, one breed has stepped forward to offer exciting potential to not just its members, but also to the greater sheep industry.

Wyoming Festival Celebrates State’s Sheep Culture On a warm, bright Saturday in early July, the Wyoming sheep industry was on full display for anyone passing by Herschler Triangle Park in Kem merer, Wyo

Moving Forward in the American Sheep Industry Sheep Genetics USA is thriving and moving forward with a number of innovative projects.

President’s Notes BRAD BONER ASI PRESIDENT

Advancing the American Flock

I n January of 2020 at the ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., an impromptu meeting took place to discuss a new direction for genetics in the American Sheep Industry. Bill Schultz, Tom Boyer, Rusty Burgett and Ben Lehfeldt had put to gether an initial concept of forming a genetic clearing house – if you will – with the vision to put into overdrive the genetic advancement of the American flock. Prior to that meeting, genetic research was a hodgepodge of smaller research projects that went in many different directions and seemed to mostly get lost in the shuffle of the day-to-day sheep business. As I’m sure most of you will agree, the American sheep industry has trailed the other proteins in its efforts to genetically improve its animals. Uptake of Estimated Breeding Values and other tools was slow and even non-existent in many areas with only isolated pockets of producers who were willing to embrace new tools that helped improve the efficiency and productivity of their flocks. One such pocket was in Montana, where the Montana Targhee Association had enrolled many of its seedstock flocks in the National Sheep Improvement Program and had been collecting and submitting data for several years. Enough data had been collected to develop EBVs for many of the important economic traits for the Targhee breed. EBVs for number of lambs born, milk weight, post weaning weight, yearling weight, loin eye area, yearling staple length, fiber diameter and fleece weight were being printed in their ram sale catalog and they had developed an index from these EBVs called the Western Range Index. The Montana Ram Sale began to see much higher averages than many of the other ram sales across the country. Sheep pro ducers saw the huge benefit of seedstock that had data to help them identify individuals that would improve their flocks. Most importantly, they were willing to pay more for them versus for animals that just looked pretty on sale day. The reason I men tion the Montana Ram Sale is because I had the opportunity to personally witness what happened there during a 10- to 15-year period. To say the least, I was impressed. Jumping back to the 2020 ASI Convention, out of that meeting a new entity was formed – Sheep Genetics USA. In the last four years, SGUSA has put its grass roots structure in place, secured much needed seed money through the generous support of ASI and the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center and more recently has helped put in place and support several research initiatives. One such project is Dr. Ron Lewis’ GEMS project. Another is a successful grant for Texas AgriLife on a project similar to one being done in Australia called BredWell FedWell. BredWell FedWell is a practical, one-day introductory workshop on how productivity and profitability can be improved through good breeding and feeding during the livestock production cycle, with a specific focus on profit drivers. We hope to mirror this program in other regions across the United States in years to come. A “Young Guns” retreat – sponsored by SGUSA – will take place in Colorado in August to get the upcoming generation an op portunity to bring its ideas to the forefront on how best to improve production efficiencies and profitability through targeted research projects. I would be remiss if I didn’t send out a HUGE THANK YOU to Peter Orwick, Erica Sanko and the ASI Executive Board for being so incredibly supportive of the Sheep Genetics USA effort. ASI was instrumental in SGUSA securing its startup seed money, providing staff to support the development and ongoing work of SGUSA and graciously allowing the annual dedica tion of the August issue of the Sheep Industry News to focus on genetics. Without this critical support, SGUSA would not be in existence today. Until next time, keep it on the sunny side.

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SheepIndustry NEWS August 2023: Volume 27, Issue 8

AMERICAN SHEEP INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION INC. 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360 Englewood, CO 80112-2692 Phone: 303-771-3500 • Fax: 303-771-8200 info@sheepusa.org • Sheepusa.org

EDITOR/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Kyle Partain COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Parand Rezaei

ASI Office Staff: Peter Orwick, Executive Director Rita Kourlis Samuelson, Deputy Director/Wool Marketing Larry Kincaid, Chief Financial Officer Zahrah Khan, Operations Manager Erica Sanko, Director of Analytics & Production Programs Christa Rochford, Wool Marketing Programs Manager Heather Pearce, Wool Production Programs Manager Chris Jones, Administrative Assistant The Sheep Industry News is published monthly as the official publication of the American Sheep Industry Association Inc. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Payment of member dues in an ASI affiliated state organization entitles a member to a subscription. For non-members, the subscription rate is $50 per year. ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Rates available at Sheepusa.org. Deadline is the fifth of the month preceding the cover date. All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume all liability for their advertising content. Publisher maintains the right to cancel advertising for nonpayment or reader complaint about service or product. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in Sheep Industry News.

A Tradition of Integrity

Call us about selling your wool at our sales or by Private Treaty. It’s not just our motto, It’s our reputation. mwc1983@roswellwool.com www.roswellwool.com 1-800-624-WOOL Mike Corn, Manager

The American Sheep Industry Association is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send to info@sheepusa.org

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Market Report

DAVID ANDERSON, PH.D. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Some Good News in Lamb Markets

W hile prices continue to be below a year ago in some markets, other markets are seeing improving prices to points higher than this time last year. Data points like trade, stocks and weights indicate some bullish news, as well, heading into summer’s dog days. PRICES Prices for heavyweight slaughter lambs (100 to 150 pounds) reported at Sioux Falls, S.D., have been on an upward trend almost all year. They climbed to $208 per cwt. by the first week of July, up from $133 per cwt. at the beginning of the year. The huge price slide beginning in May of last year means that prices today are 68 percent higher than they were at this time last year ($123 per cwt. for the first week of July 2022). The national negotiated live lamb slaughter lamb price is another market where prices have climbed to be at least equal to a year ago at $182 per cwt. Other markets have not fared as well, with prices flat to lower since Easter and continuing to be lower than a year ago. In early July, wooled and shorn lightweight slaughter lambs from 60 to 90 pounds in San Angelo, Texas, were about $210 per cwt., which was

about 85 to 95 percent of their price a year ago. Prices for the same weight slaughter lambs at New Holland, Penn., averaged about $276 per cwt. in early July, 10 to 20 percent lower than last year. During the 2017-2021 period, heavyweight slaughter lamb prices have tended to peak seasonally in about June. The increase in price this year roughly mimics that normal pattern so far this year. But it’s worth remembering that some other factors – includ ing lamb demand – have impacted prices. On the meat side, wholesale cut prices have tended to continue to drift lower. Racks have dropped dramatically in recent weeks. For example, medium boxed lamb racks have declined from $11.88 per pound to $10.53 per pound in the last eight weeks. The cutout has drifted lower all year, hitting $431.45 per cwt. at mid year, almost $120 per cwt. below a year ago and about $40 per cwt. lower than in January. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s retail lamb featuring price data has indicated a lot of volatility in retail lamb prices during the last several months. An April average price of about $8.03 per pound soared to about $10.30 per pound in May. June retail prices dropped about $2 per pound to about $8.20 per pound.

PRODUCTION Lamb and yearling slaughter and meat production hit their seasonal, Easter peaks back in March and April. But slaughter and production have moved in slightly different directions this year. Lamb and yearling slaughter is up 5.5 percent this year com pared to last year. During the last six weeks, slaughter is 3.8 percent above the same period last year. While the year-over-year gap has narrowed a bit, slaughter is still running higher than a year ago. For the year to date, lamb meat production is about 0.5 percent lower than last year. In the last six weeks, production is 3 percent lower than last year. The differ

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ence between slaughter and production is, of course, weights. Fed erally inspected dressed weights have been below last year almost every week this year. At the end of June, dressed weights averaged 64 pounds compared to 69 pounds a year ago. Larger slaughter than a year ago is likely keeping some pres sure on live lamb prices while reduced meat production is helping

and imports down 19 percent this year, imports are making up a smaller share of total lamb supplies. Lamb and mutton in cold storage amounted to 25 million pounds in May. While more than the 22 million pounds in storage last year, it is almost 10 million pounds lower than the five-year average. Lower imports and less in storage certainly paints a better picture

to keep lamb meat prices higher. Slaughter is likely to decline season ally in the coming weeks while light average dressed weights cuts produc tion. This combination should work to boost live prices. IMPORTS & STORAGE USDA published the latest import data – for the month of May – on July 7. The data continued to show lamb imports lower than last year. May imports totaled 17 million pounds, 29 percent below May 2022. For the year, lamb imports are down 19 percent. In fact, imports in April and May were below the 2017-2021 five-year average. With domestic production only down half a percent

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August 2023 • Sheep Industry News • 7

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for total supplies to begin the second half of the year. Both should point to some opportunity for improved prices.

WOOL Since the last article, the 2022-23 Australian wool marketing year has ended and the 2023-24 year has begun. The marketing year tended to end with slumping prices across all grades. For example, 21-micron wool quoted in U.S. dollars per pound was $3.91 per pound for the week of June 30. That was 16 percent below the same week a year ago and 7 U.S. cents per pound below the week before. Finer quality wools experienced larger week-over-week price de clines than did coarser wools. For example, 17- and 18-micron wool declined by more than 20 U.S. cents per pound while 26 and coarser wools declined from 1 to 4 U.S. cents per pound. There continues to be large supplies on the market pressuring prices lower. The Eastern Market Indicator dropped to $3.39 U.S. per pound for the week of June 30. That was its lowest level since October 2020, when it was $3.30 U.S. per pound. The market at that time was on its way up while today prices have been on a downward trend. As usual, week-to-week fluctuations in exchange rates do impact relative prices between the United States, Australia and other coun tries. But, likely more important to overall price levels are expecta tions for consumer demand. Some countries continue to struggle with weak economies and relatively high inflation rates. Expecta tions for better economic growth in Europe and China would likely improve prices, but those positive expectations have been lacking. SUMMARY On balance, there are a number of positive factors in the lamb market. Reduced imports and less lamb in storage than compared to the five-year average indicates some supply reduction. While domestic slaughter is above a year ago, lighter weights are cutting production. The overall supply situation is improved and is pro viding some support for prices. The key for prices will be growing demand as the economy improves.

Committed to the farmer. Committed to the flock.

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Council Gets Look at Pendleton Mill

HEATHER PEARCE ASI Wool Productions Program Manager A SI Wool Council members from across the United States converged in Washington for the summer Wool Council Meeting in mid-July. While the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss and approve a budget for ASI that will now be sent to the ASI Executive Board and Board of Directors for approval, the Wool Council didn’t miss the chance to also visit Pendleton Woolen Mill. Located next to the Columbia River, the Mill in Washougal, Wash., has inviting mill buildings with an upscale outpost type store next door. Everything is in the classic “Pendleton” style. Walking into the mill is surprisingly quiet…at least as far as mills go. This is mainly due to Pendleton's lean initiative, which is working to reduce waste and be more efficient. For the last few years, the mill has been introducing new spinning, warping and fulling machines. Next will be the new carding machines that will replace the work of three of the old, massive carding machines. Pendleton truly is investing in its future – as well as wool’s. Pendleton utilizes 27 different wool types from around the world from fine wool to carbonized wool. Of the raw wool used, 600,000 lbs. annually will be American wool – much of it coming from local producers. Pendleton likes to use healthy, high-quality wools that will work for their equipment and products. “We can be testing little lots of wool all the time to see if they will work,” said Pendleton’s Dan Gutzman. Large lots are also helpful to ensure consistent dyeing and processing. While Pendleton scoured its own wool years ago, American wool is now scoured at Bollman in San Angelo, Texas, and then returned to Washington. Following scouring, bales of wool are picked for a specific product and bound for one of the 12 card ing machines. Flowing through teeth that align and homog enize the wool, it flows out in sliver and is then stretched into roving. Roving is sent to the new and efficient spinning frames, creating yarn just the right weight and with just the right amount of twist. At this point, the scoured wool has already been in the Pend leton processing chain for three weeks and incurred most of the cost. Yarn is then sent to warping and weaving – parts of which take place at the mill in Pendleton, Ore. – after which it will be checked for any quality issues. If too many issues are found, the fabric will not continue to the finishing stage. Pendleton only

provides the highest quality products that can last a lifetime. Dyeing can take place at any given time from stock dyeing (dyeing scoured wool), dyeing yarn and piece dyeing (dyeing fabric and products). To ensure everything is dyed to the exact color – black is surprisingly hard to achieve – Pendleton uses a color photospectrometer. Finishing the fabric is where the magic really happens. Stiff fabric is turned into luscious, soft fabric that you’ll want to curl up with next to the fire. Not only does finishing the fabric change the handle and appearance, Pendleton can now offer an easy care line that is machine washable. Finally, finished fabric makes its way to the cutting and sewing department where a team works to cut the fabric, finish the edges, apply the recog nizable Pendleton label and fold it nicely into its package, ready for sale. Seven thousand blankets are made every year here by Pendleton’s team of 100 mill employees. Watching blanket patterns that most in the industry have come to know and love work their way through the equipment is both thrilling and humbling. In fact, Pendleton develops 400 new patterns every year – more than one every day – to cover its products and showcase with that iconic Pendleton style. During a special panel discussion with Pendleton leaders, in cluding CEO and President John Bishop, President of Sales and Marketing Bob Christnacht, Gutzman, and others, both Bishop and Christnacht noted how Pendleton’s customer has changed. The company’s main focus originally was on women’s wear. But blankets and home goods are far and away the most sold items now, followed by men’s and finally women’s wear. First opening a mill more than 100 years ago in 1909, Pendleton continues to evolve with the times, while never loosing the company’s high quality, classic style “We had a fantastic meeting with signs of optimism, and good discussions. It was a great opportunity to visit Pendleton and meet with company leaders about the challenges they face in manufacturing wool products,” said American Wool Council Co-Chair Anne Crider of Illinois. “It was a productive meet ing that provided valuable information to council members. We were all impressed by the extensive equipment investment Pendleton has made in recent years.” The Wool Council heard updates from Chargeurs, Groe newold Wool & Fur, and Fibershed on its Climate Beneficial Grant, as well as on domestic wool production programs – in cluding ASI’s American Wool Assurance Program. Updates also included discussion of military programs as the U.S. military is the largest domestic user of American wool.

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Clockwise from top left: 1. Pendleton Vice President of Manufacturing Rolan Snider and Wool Council member Max Matthews show off Pend leton's most popular Chief Joseph design. 2. The Wool Council toured the Pendelton Woolen Mill. 3. The blanket manufacturing process. 4. Pendleton executives take part in a panel discussion with the Wool Council. 5. Pendleton's Dan Gutzman answers a ques tion for Wool Council Co-Chair Anne Crider.

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TOM BOYER SHEEP GENETICS USA

Moving Forward in the American Sheep Industry

S heep Genetics USA is thriving and moving forward with a number of creative and innovative projects. In January, the group welcomed Karissa Isaacs to the board of directors as Bill Shultz retired. Welcome Karissa, your talents, energy and enthusiasm will be invaluable as the organization moves forward. We honor and recognize the profound impact that Bill has had on the American sheep industry, including his contributions to the seedstock sector and genetics projects including the creation of Sheep Genetics USA. Thanks Bill. We have several new projects moving forward including a Well Fed/Well Bred Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant that was submitted by Reid Redden, which will be imple mented in the coming months. The execution of this grant will include field days on producer operations that will focus on the combination of parasite control, as well as genetic and nutrition strategies to maximize production and profits. A wise man once indicated we need to lengthen our stride, reach a little higher and move a little faster. Such a goal is not as easily accomplished by us grey hairs as it once was, thus we rely on those of the younger generation to push the industry forward. The great news is we are blessed with a tremendous group of young folks in a variety of sectors including producers, extension, research, teaching and sheep specialists. Grand things are about to happen given the expertise, energy and talent in this group. Based on this group, we have created a Young Guns sympo sium which will occur later this year. This grand event will bring together young folks from various sectors to establish what they see as needed priorities to advance the industry. No grogs or grey hairs will be permitted to attend. We are also planning a number of webinars that will occur on a regular basis that will bring vari ous aspects of the genetics world directly to you from industry leading presenters. They will be geared for all producers at an over the corral fence level that will be both easy to understand and yet filled with exciting new genetic advances. The groundbreaking GEMS project continues to move forward under the direction of Dr. Ron Lewis. This grand project has the potential to make a paradigm shift in the way we view and incor porate genetics into routine management. Like the entire field of genetics, sheep genetics is changing with increasing speed as new technology increases and associated costs continue to decrease. Gene editing can assist in the creation of disease resistance, the development of climate related traits, parasite related issues, the elimination of long tails and scur

horns, antimicrobial resistance, well, the list is long of economi cally important traits. Expected Progeny Differences or Estimated Breeding Values are a widely utilized tool in making genetic deci sions centered around breeding objectives. With the progression of DNA technology, the industry is now starting to incorporate genomics based on EBV data. Prior to inclusion of genomic information, we relied on pedigree-based relationships that operate on averages. The lack ing component of historical genetic assumptions is accuracy. As a ram sires more offspring and those records are reported, the EBVs change to reflect offspring performance and accuracy in creased. By including genomic information in EBV calculations, the performance accuracy of younger sires is increased. For EBVs with large amounts of records, genomics can be the equivalent of already having a significant number of records submitted on that sire prior to the first breeding. Data, data, data – it’s all about data. Speaking of data, a recent article indicated data is the new oil, everyone needs a data strategy, and all of us should be collecting performance data. But really in one sense, there is no such thing as data, and it’s not worth anything, in fact it’s not oil, it’s really more like sand. Technology is full of buzz words, but one of the loudest is data. In fact, data alone isn’t worth anything as the value is in the flow of activity around it and the software used to transform it into a management system. We need to take a new look at the existing genetic data man agement systems, and ways we can create more value through new and improved software systems. In other words, more data means more software. We recognize and are seeking ways to create software that is user friendly, effective in transforming data numbers into usable systems and accomplishes this rather formidable task in an economically feasible way. How many lamb crops will you produce in your lifetime – 40 or maybe 50? Each one of those has or will have an impact on your future – some good and some bad, hopefully none that are devastating. As demonstrated in crops, genetics can create a paradigm shift in productivity and now we are seeing the begin nings of a similar shift in the sheep industry. The genetic make-up of your flock will have a direct impact on your profitability. Log onto SheepGeneticsUSA.org and join one of our teams today. Together we will find creative solutions, innovative strategies and create an exciting new future.

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10 th Annual Ewe Sale September 13, 2023 Social 5 PM, Sale 6 PM 98 th Annual Ram Sale September 14, 2023 Lunch 11 AM, Sale 12 PM

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Find more details at www.MTSheep.org Online catalog will be available by September 1st Questions? Contact: Christian Posbergh, sale manager 406-823-9615

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Meet the Research Leaders at NSIP

NSIP TECHNICAL COMMITTEE A s most of you know, the National Sheep Improve ment Program has been the seedstock and commer cial producers' go-to source for estimated breeding values and technical support for more than 35 years. Much like the American sheep industry, NSIP has seen a lot of changes since first debuting under the leadership of Dr. Doyle Wilson and Dr. Dan Morrical in 1987. Back then, breeders would physically mail in data to a team of people at Iowa State University in the form of hand-written records or floppy disks (look it up, Gen Z’ers). Having had the plea sure of transcribing many historical lambing barn notes to a digital format ourselves, we wonder what kind of colorful language to describe a ewe’s lack of maternal ability those NSIP data translators ran across. In those early genetic evaluations, traits were limited to number of lambs born, body weight through yearling age, total weight of lamb weaned and yearling fleece traits. Traits were analyzed independently to derive within-flock Esti mated Breeding Values, meaning breeders couldn’t reliably compare EBVs of animals that performed in different flocks and the genetic relationships between traits weren’t accounted for. Despite these limitations, these EBVs were still the best predictor of genetic merit the American sheep industry had encountered to that point. Later, improvements were made at Virginia Tech under the stewardship of Dr. Dave Notter, including an across-flock analysis that accounted for genetic correlations among traits – beginning in 1994. Additional traits were included in the evaluations, such as number of lambs weaned, fecal egg count as an indicator of gastrointes tinal parasite resistance, and ultrasound body composition, which were further developed into several multiple-trait selection indexes in the years to follow. NSIP evaluations were transitioned to LAMBPLAN in Australia in 2011 and have had continued oversight by the NSIP Technical Committee in collaboration with the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit in Armidale, Australia. Recent developments include a more streamlined data entry process, more frequent data runs and incorporation of genomic infor mation to improve the accuracy of EBVs – beginning in 2021 for Katahdins. Leadership of the NSIP Technical Commit tee has also changed hands through the years, with its most recent transition in June 2023. Going forward, Tom Murphy will serve as chair while

working closely with co-chairs Luiz Brito and Andrew Hess and other NSIP Technical Committee members. We wanted to use this article to introduce ourselves and reflect upon past successes and future challenges/opportunities of our national genetic evaluation program. Dr. Ron Lewis is a professor in the Animal Science De partment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His past experiences as a sheep geneticist spanned the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom industries, and he served as chair of the NSIP Technical Committee from 2016 to 2023. During that time, he led efforts to introduce innovations such as genomic technologies to improve the accuracy of EBVs, refine genetic evaluation methods and selection strategies, verify pedigrees and report genetic conditions. He and his team also assessed genetic relationships – con nectedness – among flocks, defining strategies ensuring a robust genetic evaluation. They conducted the Mickel Broth ers’ project, demonstrating the economic value of improv ing weight and muscle traits through NSIP. Ron is retiring in January 2024. During his career, he played major roles in advancing sheep industries and developed teaching tools focused on sheep – i.e., CyberSheep. He’s mentored many students and young professionals along the way and his vast knowledge of animal breeding will be missed. Dr. Lewis will continue to oversee the Sheep GEMS project through its completion. “I enjoyed my time as technical advisor to NSIP. With sup port (funding), I am confident the new NSIP Technical Com mittee has the enthusiasm and wherewithal to ensure NSIP flourishes," Lewis said. Murphy is a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. During his Ph.D., he conducted the first genetic evaluation of North American dairy sheep. While an assistant professor at Montana State University, he led some of the first studies to evaluate the economic impact of udder health in range sheep. He continues these efforts in Clay Center, Neb., where he oversees USDA genetic reference flocks to more broadly characterize novel traits associated with ewe longevity, lamb feed efficiency and carcass quality. Brito is an associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University. A native of Brazil, he carried his passion for small ruminants through his gradu ate studies in Canada and New Zealand, where he conducted some of the first genomic studies in dairy goats and com posite sheep breeds. His current research program in West

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Lafayette, Ind., exploits quantitative genetic and genomic principles to better understand traits associated with welfare, behavior and resilience in multiple livestock species. Hess is an assistant professor in the Department of Agri culture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences at the University of Nevada-Reno. After completing his Ph.D. at Iowa State University, he spent four years in New Zealand, where he conducted genomic studies in sheep and other species for AgResearch. He currently oversees research priorities of the Rafter 7 flock, where he has implemented strategies that uti lize precision livestock tools to identify sheep resilient to the challenges of extensive management through a combination of production, health and behavioral traits. While members of the new NSIP Technical Committee leadership team were all born after NSIP was founded, we have tremendous appreciation for those early pioneers that laid the foundation. We know there are many challenges that currently restrict growth in NSIP and the greater industry. We’ve seen market volatility, increased competition from foreign industries, domestic infrastructure contractions and a loss of sheep research programs across the country.

Participation in NSIP needs to grow, with recording and evaluating a wider range of traits. Routine elements of the ge netic evaluation, such as adjustment factors, heritabilities and correlations, and selection indexes demand ongoing attention to ensure updated services. Well-structured reference popula tions need to be constructed before genomic selection can be applied for standard and novel traits important to the indus try and its consumers. Solutions to these challenges come at a cost. But the one constant that will always be integral to the success of NSIP is sheep producers, scientists and industry personnel working together toward a common goal. We wanted to leave you with a quote from the book Sheep Industry of the United States , published in 1892 that still rings true today, “…I contend that it requires more patience, more practice, more experience, more ability, more brain power to take care of a flock of sheep than it does to take care of a herd of cattle. It is more of a study, and when the flock of sheep gets that attention there is no class or kind of stock on the face of the globe that will pay greater returns year in and year out.” We look forward to interacting with you at sheep industry events in the future.

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August 2023 • Sheep Industry News • 15

Data Management for the American Sheep Producer

SHEEP GENETICS USA D igital technology has permeated every aspect of our mod ern lives. Almost everyone has a computer in their pocket, one more powerful than those used at NASA to put astro nauts on the moon. Pickups and tractors need more IT support and less mechanics turning wrenches if something breaks down and a se ries of satellites orbiting the planet can tell you within inches where those pieces of machinery are and exactly what they are doing. People can order almost anything by tapping on their cell phone a couple times and it magically appears at their door in mere hours after a whole host of logistics were figured instantaneously through technology and Artificial Intelligence. Admittedly, technology can be a real hassle at times and information-overload is real, however, there is true power and opportunity for sheep producers to improve productivity, increase labor efficiency and be more profitable by harnessing the power of data in their operations. Sheep Genetics USA recently sat down with Superior Farms Director of Producer Relations Karissa Isaacs and National Sheep Improvement Program Director Rusty Burgett to discuss strategies to advance the sheep industry through the power of data and tech nology implementation at the producer level. SGUSA: Most producers are aware that recordkeeping and data collection is important to their operation, but what is the main benefit to that effort of managing data? Burgett: The benefits are going to be different for each producer, based on what industry segment they are in, what type of operation they run and a whole host of factors. Using data for genetic selection decisions to advance the flock is just the tip of the iceberg. Utilizing production records, we can also evaluate our management systems to see what is working and what isn’t and that can help us to solve a ton of problems if we just look at the right data and analyze it in the right way. Isaacs: There seems to be a stigma around recordkeeping and data collection. No, the amount of phenotypic or genomic data you have on an animal does not determine its worth, but it can help you to make better management decisions. Whether or not you choose to keep detailed records of your flock, solely affects your bottom line. The main reason any producer should utilize records and data is to make your business progressive toward your operation standards. It should be based off your goals for your flock and your operation. It is important to set benchmarks around genetics, performance and

ultimately profitability.

SGUSA: Are there any additional benefits that might play a more pivotal role as we progress in the industry?

Burgett: As technologies advance and become more accessible, we can benefit in so many more ways. Our genomic tools – like Flock54 and the Ovine GGP 50K array – can now tell us if our flocks are susceptible to certain diseases. Research teams are finding some of those traits might be linked to overall immune response and are trying to develop tools to evaluate longevity, hardiness and climatic resilience. More basically, we can also use these tools for traceability, which is important for value added supply chains and if/when we have to deal with a disease issue. Isaacs: In the past five years, we have seen genomic technologies and data management software become more readily available to the sheep industry. The true value of these tools will be found as we continue to have more producers collecting phenotypic data and in turn utilizing genomic tools. With genomic tools – such as Flock54 or Ovine GGP 50K – they become more powerful as more animals with vast phenotypic data are tested. Genomic and phenotypic data are mutually beneficial as the phenotypic data can be analyzed to help researchers find correlations and relationships among traits. When new markers for genomic tools are discovered, they can then be validated with phenotypic data provided. The addition of carcass markers to the Flock54 panel this fall is a result of analyzing large accurate sets of data from the camera grading system at our harvest facility in Dixon, Calif., along with those lambs genotyping data from Flock54. SGUSA: The hot topic in genetic selection in recent years has been genomic evaluations that can generate thousands of data points from one sample. How can producers implement that vast amount of information from those tools into their flocks in a reasonable manner? Isaacs: From my perspective, a farm or ranch should not need to worry about the thousands of datapoints generated from a genomic evaluation. At the farm level, producers should build their focus around traits that will improve their production and performance of their animals. Be sure to engage with sheep geneticists and produc ers already utilizing genomic tools and reach out to Rusty or myself to talk through the reason you might want to utilize tools such as the Ovine GGP 50K array or Flock54 to benefit your flock.

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Isaacs: There is really no need to feel overwhelmed by data. By taking it one step at a time and utilizing others in the industry to answer questions, the data can be simplified. As you develop benchmarks and a genetic improvement plan for your flock, the focus should be on overall production efficiency and profitability. This is different for every producer due to varying end goals, feed availability, markets, etc. Once you have identified traits of impor tance, create a system that works for you to collect the phenotypic data that has correlations or potential to improve your productivity and performance of your flock. For some, this might be utilizing devices such as management software and an animal handling system. For others, it might be Excel spreadsheets transcribed from barn notebooks from data that you are collecting. Just as different data management tools exist, so do genomic tools. Make sure to educate yourself on what genomic tool fits your opera tion’s needs. The power of the large genomic evaluations comes from the geneticists in our industry that can take data from 50,000 or more SNPs and create EBVs and indexes that the producer can utilize. Many NSIP seedstock producers find power in this tool as they generate G-EBVs. The smaller, targeted panel really focuses on single-marker traits, validating sire performance and parentage verification. COMPLETELY UPDATED Sheep Production Handbook Fully Searchable USB

I highly encourage each producer to establish a genetic improve ment plan or operation benchmarks to help to determine what tools are best to maximize your flock performance and profitability. SGUSA: With all the information available, it can be overwhelming at times to actually use some of this data. How can we avoid information overload? Burgett: Even though there are tons of Estimated Breeding Values and genomic markers available to everyone, most producers should pick just a handful of traits to put an emphasis on when they are making selection decisions. Those traits that are going to have the biggest impact on their flock’s profitability or where they need the most improvement. The key is having an efficient system to collect and analyze the data that is important to you. On farm or ranch, we need a way to track change and progress. We can collect all the data we want, but if we don’t actually use that data to make changes, then we are just spinning our wheels. I’ve seen some people join NSIP and use all the genomic tools merely as a marketing opportunity, but the producers that are most successful are those that actually use those tools to make a more profitable sheep flock. Just because a ram has EBVs or has been geno typed doesn’t make it better than another. That ram has to have the right EBVs for your flock in your management system. We’re committed to you. The rancher, the family and the flock. We partner with you to protect and nurture the American lamb industry so that together we can provide consumers a quality lamb product.

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August 2023 • Sheep Industry News • 17

Seedstock Producers Adopt Emerging Technologies

SHEEP GENETICS USA R ambouillet breeder Beau Chapman of South Dakota and Hampshire breeder Mark Roembke of Wiscon sin have both implemented the use of genetic and genomic technologies to improve their flocks. They visited with Sheep Genetics USA to discuss their use of these im portant tools in their breeding programs. SGUSA: Could you briefly describe the markets that you have developed for your breeding stock? What are your buyers looking for in breeding stock? Chapman: The markets developed for our breeding stock began in 1967 with my grandparents, Lenard and Margaret Chapman. They built a reputation for producing high quality, registered Rambouillets that excel out on the range and in the show ring. Today, we raise polled and horned genetics and offer registered stud rams, range rams, ewes and ewe lambs, as well as commercial ewes, ewe lambs and feeder lambs. We consign stock to several sales throughout the year, such as the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association Online & National Sale, Wyoming State Ram Sale, Newell Ram Sale, National Ram Sale, North Star Bred Ewe Sale and privately off the place. Buyers are looking for various traits, but most of our cus tomers choose Rambouillets for their superior wool quality, longevity, fertility, flocking instinct and mothering ability. A growing number of buyers are asking about the raw data we collect as well as National Sheep Improvement Program Estimated Breeding Values, which allow our customers to know more details about the traits they find important. Roembke: Our primary focus is producing moderate frame, terminal sire rams for commercial producers that excel in gain and carcass traits. Rams are primarily sold in the NSIP Online Sale, NSIP Center of the Nation Sale, and privately off the farm using NSIP EBV data. Sound rams with high Carcass Plus EBVs have been the main driver of purchases. Producers indicate that they want post-weaning weight gain over carcass traits (post-weaning eye muscle depth) or vice versa. Those raising lambs for ethnic markets want rams with

higher weaning weights, but that is the novelty of NSIP data, it is all there. Producers state that lambs grow so fast they have to market them a month earlier than they have in the past and if they are on a grid system they have higher dressing percentage. I believe that is a testament to NSIP data working and doing what it is intended to do. SGUSA: You both have been heavily involved with data collection and NSIP in the past several years. What have been the challenges you have faced and what are the largest benefits that you have experienced? Chapman: Prior to NSIP, genetic improvement was accom plished by the use of data from the American Rambouillet Association Ram Test and visual appraisal in the show ring, both of which we continue to this day. Recently, NSIP data collection and evaluation have become a major part of our

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operation. All data collection methods have challenges, and there is always a learning curve to interpreting the data. I think one of the biggest challenges is the amount of time and labor it takes to collect the data. Through the years, we have integrated data collection into other necessary work ing days, like deworming and vaccinating. The benefits of NSIP include using the EBVs for our own genetic improvement in both our registered and commer cial flocks. We utilize NSIP data in the selection process, but only after our phenotypic selections have already been made. It is our goal to find a balance between the two. I also enjoy the reports and using the database to sort by traits, sires, age, etc. Another benefit of NSIP is the value it adds to our registered sheep. It is a marketing tool. Roembke: You are correct. We have been collecting data for a long time, since my father started Roembke Hamp shires in 1965. Early on, we utilized the Wisconsin Sheep Improvement Program, Wisconsin Ram Test Stations and now the National Sheep Improvement Program. Data col lection started in BC – before computers. As a young kid, I would mark down when lambs were 60 and 90 days old on a calendar and then weigh the lambs on their 60- and 90-day birthdays.

One of the first challenges was interpreting NSIP data results. We deal in pounds of lambs and we would get a number back like .001 or .023. What the heck does that mean? Numbers that were so small you got discouraged. I tell new breeders in NSIP that it takes a few years to build up data and accuracy on the flock by yourself because they usually are flock-only EBVs. A way to kick-start your NSIP data is with across flock EBVs and being connected with another flock. It’s essentially purchasing – or using – a ram from an established breeder in NSIP to build your database because you are utilizing previous records from that other producer. A second challenge – especially in our smaller, farm flock – is contemporary grouping. Collection of data from 15 to 20 lambs each, from two or more sires, born in the same time frame (40 to 45 days). I also like to use a buck lamb or two – to increase genetic progress – along with two main stud rams. Sometimes this can be difficult in a flock of 30 head with multiple sires. Another challenge was the slow adaptation to using the NSIP data. Ram lambs and ewe lambs with EBVs that out perform their sires and dams are retained. This lowers our generation interval and drives faster progress within NSIP. We have been selling aged ewes to other producers that have many good years of production left, but if we want to make progress, we have to make those hard decisions. A final challenge is locating unrelated genetics without losing progress we have already made. SGUSA: The age of genomics is upon us. How do you see your flock and your respective breed using this technology in the future? Chapman: We are currently working with Dr. Ron Lewis as a Rambouillet Innovation Flock with the Sheep GEMS Project, where we are collecting and submitting data and DNA. Genomically enhanced EBVs will increase the accu racy of the EBVs and strengthen our confidence in selec tion of stud rams and stud ewes for us. I don’t know what the future holds for genomics within our breed, hopefully our fellow seedstock producers and customers are excited about where this technology can take us. ROEMBKE: Personally, we are genomics testing our first animals this year. I envision that we will continue using the technology and as genomics technology advances more producers will come on board. As in other breeds, NSIP producers will need to be early innovators as they have years of data to back the DNA results.

August 2023 • Sheep Industry News • 19

Technology Proving Invaluable In Combating Parasites

JAKE THORNE Texas A&M AgriLife R eaders of the Sheep Industry News are likely all too familiar with the dreaded Haemonchus contortus. Rare is the shepherd who hasn’t lost sheep to Barber’s Pole worm or at least has dark memories of spending an afternoon drenching animals on a hot summer day. Making matters increasingly worse, the anthelmintics avail able to treat Haemonchus infections are becoming less and less effective, thanks to the buildup of resistance by these worms to a limited number of treatments approved for use in the United States. However, having even more dewormers at our disposal would only be a temporary fix because gastrointestinal nema todes are an ever-growing problem, and we can no longer rely on treatment alone to bail us out. If you own sheep, some form of genetic selection for increasing natural parasite resistance in your flocks is a must. Parasite resistance is sometimes a catch-all term used for animals or breeds that don’t seem to get wormy. In truth, there are many layers of complexity to what animals are truly resistant and how we can identify those individuals within or across breeds. In somewhat simplified terms, sheep with high levels of parasite resistance have immune systems that are more profi cient at recognizing the newly introduced worm pathogen for what it is and rapidly mounting an immune response effec tive against it. Research has shown the most effective immune response against GIN is a Th2-type, in respect to the T-helper lymphocytes production of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 cytokines (proteins used for cellular signaling) and the corresponding immune cells and antibodies that are recruited to the mucin layer along the inner lining of the abomasum – the actual site of parasite/host interaction. Generally, breeds of sheep that were developed closer to the equator and have adapted to a parasite-rich environment for centuries will mount a strong Th2-type response, whereas those from more seasonal areas do not. In some breeds – particularly animals that have not had previous exposure to Haemonchus – their immune systems treat the parasitic worm similarly to a bacteria or virus and induce a pro-inflammatory response (Th1 type), which is not nearly as effective at combat ing a parasitic infection. Through the University of Idaho (where I’m pursuing my Ph.D.) and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, I have had the

opportunity to work on better understanding the response of certain sheep to parasites, particularly animals from suscep tible breeds such as the Rambouillet and Dorper. True parasite resistance is maybe not the realistic goal in these breeds, but more so reducing their susceptibility to a level where they can reasonably defend themselves against a moderate parasite chal lenge. Here in San Angelo, Texas, we have flocks of about 200 ewes each of Rambouillet and Dorper enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program, and for the last eight years have submitted fecal egg counts on our lamb crops to gener ate a range of weaning and post-weaning egg count Estimated Breeding Values. These two flocks provide a great foundation for research as we try to further understand how the response of Dorper and Rambouillet to Haemonchus contortus com pares to other breeds. The first of our parasite research projects was in 2020, when our Rambouillet lamb crop was sired by rams that had diverging FEC EBVs – above and below breed average. We placed these lambs in a worm-free environment – feedlot – and actually gave them all a consistent amount of just Haemonchus contortus infective-stage larvae. We proceeded to collect weekly FECs for the next six weeks from the lambs and then compared their results back to their sire’s FEC EBV. As hypothesized, lambs from the low FEC sire had reduced FECs compared to the high EBV sire group across the entirety of the artificial challenge trial. While this might seem like a fairly straightforward result, it’s important to note that the sire’s EBVs had been developed using data collected from animals grazing on range, where there are a mix of para site species present and consumption of worms by each sheep cannot be determined. It was reassuring to know that FEC EBVs of the rams were predictive of the lambs’ FECs when challenged solely with Haemonchus contortus. In short, this provided somewhat of a validation that National Sheep Improvement Program EBVs are an effective strategy for reducing susceptibility of Ram bouillet to the most threatening GIN. Following this first study in Rambouillet, we next conducted an artificial challenge with Dorper lambs, as well as Barbados Blackbelly crossbred lambs that were expected to have a high level of Haemonchus contortus resistance. As expected, the Barbados cross lambs barely registered an infection, as they most likely were able to prevent the vast majority of the larvae from ever becoming established. However, in line with our previous findings, the FEC EBV of the Dorper lambs them

20 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org