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Summary

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of supplementation of grazing lambs with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) or soybean hulls (SBH) on growth rate and nematode-parasite status. Over the course of four experiments in consecutive years, 312 lambs were grazed on the same four or six paddocks. Grazing lambs were allotted to one of three supplementation treatments: 1) control, no supplementation (CONT), 2) DDGS, or 3) SBH (Exp. 3 and 4 only). Supplemental DDGS improved (P < 0.01) ADG when compared to CONT, and SBH supplemented lambs were intermediate. An analysis comparing CONT vs. DDGS supplementation across all four experiments revealed a reduction in anthelmintic-treatment rate required when DDGS were supplemented (81.2 percent vs. 30.1 percent for CONT and DDGS, respectively; P < 0.01). Measures of FAMACHA© score, packed-cell volume (PCV), and fecal-egg count (FEC) were recorded in weeks 3, 5, and 10. An analysis comparing just CONT and DDGS supplementation across all four experiments revealed that DDGS supplementation reduced (P < 0.01) FAMACHA score in weeks 3, 5, and 10, but only reduced FEC in week 3 compared to CONT lambs. Supplementation of grazing lambs with DDGS in this study allowed for increased growth, reduced anthelmintic-treatment rate, and reduced risk of becoming anemic as a result of internal parasites.

Key Words: Distillers Grains, Grazing, Lambs, Parasite, Soybean Hulls, Supplementation

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Summary

The performance of yearling replacement does and castrated male goats (Capra hircus hircus) controlledgrazed on cereal rye (CR; Secale cereale L.), annual ryegrass (RG; Lolium multiflorum L.) and triticale (TT; Triticosecale rimpaui) was evaluated during a 3-year study. Each year, 54 Boer and Boer-cross goats (avg initial age and BW: 8 mo to 10 mo and 30.4 kg, respectively) were assigned to nine plots (0.19 ha each) each containing six “tester” goats. Additional goats (put and take) were used to control forage growth. Forage species had no effect on ADG; however, castrated males gained more weight than does in year 2 (139 g/d vs. 94 g/d; P < 0.003) and during period 2 in year 3 (224 g/d vs. 146 g/d; P < 0.0004). Gain per ha was greater for RG than CR and TT (year 1: 514, 311, 293 kg, P < 0.001; year 2: 237, 144, 184 kg, P < 0.004; year 3: 528, 268, 149 kg, P < 0.004). In year 3, pH of ruminal fluid, ruminal ammonia and chilled-carcass yield from castrated males grazing RG, CR and TT was similar (avg: 6.67, 25.7 mg/dL and 51.3 percent, respectively), whereas plasma-urea nitrogen (16.4, 21.9, 24.1 mg/dL; P < 0.024), ruminal acetate (62.0, 60.7, 57.7 mM/100mM; P < 0.017), propionate (22.0, 25.2, 27.0 mM/100mM; P < 0.006) and acetate:propionate (2.83, 2.43, 2.22; P < 0.017) differed among forage species. Results indicated that yearling goats achieved satisfactory BW gains when fed only on these forages under controlled, rotational-grazing management, but that RG resulted in significantly greater BW gains per hectare.

Key Words: Annual Ryegrass, Cereal Rye, Meat Goat, Performance, Triticale

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Introduction

During the ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., January 26, 2012, a research symposium Utilization of Genomic Information for the Sheep Industry was co-sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the American Sheep and Goat Center (ASGC). The Symposium Program Planning Committee consisted of Paul Rodgers, ASI; Will R. Getz, Fort Valley State University; and Larry R. Miller, ASGC, who also served as Moderator. The symposium was somewhat different from previous ASI research symposia, in that it more comprehensively focused on a single topic, involved speakers from different perspectives and engaged participants in more indepth discussion.

Especially in the past two decades, volumes of new genomic and genetic information have been generated by means of new research approaches, techniques, and tools. This information created a challenge to harness, interpret, and utilize the wealth of new genomic/genetic information by drawing upon disciplines, such as biochemistry, genetics, statistics, computer science, animal breeding, and several other sciences associated with the biology of the animal.

The speakers addressed the symposium topic from the following points of view, reflecting their different expertise and experiences: Genomic Information Available for Use by the Sheep Industry, Noelle E. Cockett, Utah State University; Application of Genomic Information for Improvement of Quantitative Traits, David R. Notter, Virginia Tech University; Utilization and Potential of Estimates of Genetic Value from an Industry Perspective, David L. Thomas, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Utilization from a Producer Perspective, Chase T. Hibbard, sheep producer, Helena, Mont.; and Genetic Selection Specifically Utilized for Evaluating the Introduction of Outside Breeds and Measuring Their Potential, John Helle, sheep producer, Dillon, Mont.