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The Benefits of Crossbreeding on Podcast
The latest ASI Research Update podcast focuses on crossbreeding as producers prepare to turn out rams—what it is, why it matters, and how to match breeds to your environment and markets. Host Jake Thorne talks with Dr. Scott Greiner (Virginia Tech) about breed complementarity, heterosis, rotational vs. terminal systems, composites, and practical record-based evaluation.
“Crossbreeding … kind of defines itself … it’s the mating of different breeds. As a breeding system, crossbreeding is a systematic way of combining different breeds to enhance production traits that impact our bottom line.” — Dr. Scott Greiner
Click Here to listen to the full podcast.
SHEEP GEMS
Genotype Sampling Strategies: Choosing Who to Genotype
Genomic selection is becoming an increasingly important tool for improving sheep genetics. By using DNA (genomic) information, producers can identify top-performing animals earlier and more accurately than using traditional methods. But when it comes to deciding which animals to genotype, the strategy used can make a big difference, especially if the goal is to maximize the accuracy of genomically-enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBV).
In a recent study, we evaluated and compared thousands of possible genotyping scenarios. Among the scenarios we considered was to choose animals at random to genotype, or to select the animals genotyped based on their higher levels of performance or their higher estimated breeding values (EBV). EBV did not consider genomic information. We also explored the impact of how many animals were genotyped and the effect of pedigree errors like misidentified sires or missing pedigree information.
The results clearly showed that randomly genotyping animals from across the flock led to more accurate GEBV. In some cases, the accuracy was up to 19% higher than what we observed under selective genotyping. When producers only genotyped animals with top phenotypes or EBV, the resulting GEBV were often biased and less reliable. In contrast, random genotyping better captured the true genetic diversity within the flock, improving the accuracy of GEBV.
Our study also found that genotyping animals from both sexes, rather than just males, further enhanced the accuracy and reduced the bias in GEBV. However, when financial resources were limited, genotyping a modest proportion of males (up to 10 percent) provided a practical starting point. Beyond this threshold, including females in the genotyping strategy became more advantageous. This likely is especially true in composite breeds, where genetic diversity is higher and accurate representation of the population is critical for robust predictions.
Although it may be tempting to focus genotyping efforts on your best-looking lambs or highest EBV animals, doing so may ultimately limit the potential of your genetic evaluations. Selective genotyping narrows the genetic picture of the animals, making it harder to capture the true genetic variation in the flocks. Random genotyping, even on a smaller scale, offers a clearer perspective of flock-wide genetics and supports better selection decisions in the long run.
This research highlights the value of designing genotyping plans with improved GEBV accuracy in mind. After a large database of animals with performance and genomic information has been established, alternative genotyping strategies might be considered. For now, a random approach, updated each year to include animals across different generations, helps ensure the flock makes steady progress toward breeding goals from a genetic perspective. This strategy offers a practical and cost-effective path to long-term success for producers using genomic tools.
For further information contact Artur O. Rocha ([email protected]).
Acknowledgements. This work was supported by the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (grant 2016-51300-25723/project accession no. 1010329), and by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant (grant 2022-67015-36073/project accession no. 1027785), from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA.
Source: SHEEP GEMS
Legislative Update from Washington, D.C.
The American Sheep Industry Association’s lobbying firm – Cornerstone Government Affairs – offered an update this week on legislative issues in our nation’s capital.
DOL makes changes to H2-A wage rates for non-herding employers
On August 15, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced in a filing its plans to revise the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which is the formula that sets the minimum pay for workers employed through the H-2A visa program. This proposal, expected in February 2026, will reexamine how wages are calculated. The purpose of this is to keep the AEWR affordable and sustainable for employers while supporting the needs of agriculture laborers. Included in the filing, DOL outlined its targets as “non-range agricultural occupations,” applying to farming, meatpacking and other ranch related jobs outside of herding or the production of livestock. While the Trump Administration has pledged to support farmers, the White House has yet to provide any additional details on any plan to overhaul the current system in place.
(The range herding wage is calculated differently and separate from the hourly AEWR.)
Click Here to read the full article.
USDA announces new strategy for NWS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a series of new plans to combat New World Screwworm (NWS). On August 15, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins detailed a broad plan that included the construction of a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Force Base in Edinburg, Texas. At this facility, USDA plans to produce up to 300 million sterile flies per week. In addition, the agency announced that it will invest $100 million into modern surveillance and rapid response tools for NWS control and eradication. These initiatives are part of the agencies multi-pronged commitment to fighting animal disease and protecting American agriculture.
Click Here to read the full article.
Wool Market Returns from Mid-Year Strongly
The Australian wool market has returned from the annual three-week mid-year strongly, rises in the merino fleece sector pushing the market higher. Although shearing activity is slow in some areas, as growers continue with their yearly cropping programs and wet weather prevents shearing in other parts, some wool growing regions are in full swing. With this the first selling opportunity in nearly a month, this is traditionally one of the larger sales of the season. There were 41,303 bales available to the trade. This was the largest sale since Week 42 last season, this was in April just before the Easter Recess. The benchmark Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) added 8 cents for the series, closing the week at 1,247 cents, the rise largely on the back of merino fleece types. The EMI has continued its upward run, the 2-cent rise recorded on the second day of this series was the eighth consecutive daily rises in the EMI. The run started on the 8th of July, the EMI rising by 39 cents across this period, an increase of 3.2%. The EMI is now at its highest point since April. We cannot escape this week without talking about currency. Much of the positive movement this series can be attributed to the weakening of the Australian dollar (AUD) compared to the US dollar (USD), since the close of the previous series. The AUD has dropped 1.24 cents since the 23rd of July, giving exporters more buying power in USD, which in turn led to higher prices. The news was not so positive when viewed in USD terms. The EMI fell by 10 US cents for the week, closing at 804 cents. Next week’s offering falls dramatically, as the backlog of wool accumulated during the recess was mostly offered in this week’s sale. There is currently a total of 30,596 bales on offer nationally.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
ALB Promotes Sheep Industry Growth with Targeted Grazing Workshops
The American Lamb Board (ALB) recently held a Targeted Grazing Workshop in Easton, Maryland, where 28 producers from nine states gathered to discuss opportunities for growing sheep production in the United States through solar grazing. This was the sixth workshop of its kind since the program started in 2024.
ALB was excited to partner with the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) to offer a solar grazing certification to participants who completed the 3-day workshop sponsored by Urban Grid.
“Providing educational opportunities for producers is one of the board’s strategic goals,” says ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert. “These grazing workshops have been successful in helping producers across the country learn about opportunities to graze sheep on solar projects as a way to increase herd size and maximize profitability.”
The workshop curriculum focused on the details of contract grazing while also offering producers resources to adopt sheep management best practices on their farms. Attendees had the chance to network and discuss different aspects of grazing programs.
Since 2023, the Maryland sheep population has declined to an estimated 16,000 animals despite a strong consumer market in the region.
“Helping producers find and utilize new grazing opportunities is one way we can keep using farmlands in the region and work to increase production,” says Camren Maierle, PhD, ALB sustainability director. “Partnering with Urban Grid is opening up new opportunities for shepherds to graze on solar arrays in Maryland and across the country.”
At the event in Maryland, the Urban Grid team discussed the importance of partnering with shepherds across the US to manage vegetation and keep farmland productive for American Lamb. Producers visited a solar array where sheep will be used to control vegetation once construction is finished. Brock Phillips, the agrivoltaics manager at Urban Grid, estimated that the 300-acre site could support 1,000 ewes in its first year of operation. Urban Grid is a top independent power producer developing projects in Eastern Maryland that will cover over 1,000 acres and support a significant number of sheep to control vegetation.
ALB will host two more Targeted Grazing Workshops in 2025. Join us in Denver, Colorado, in September or in Kentucky in October. For more details or to register, visit LambBoard.com
Source: ALB
Video of the Week
Solar grazing is creating new opportunities for ranchers and young farmers across Texas. Watch the American Solar Grazing Association’s exciting new short film, “Texas Solar Shepherds,” that tells the powerful story of solar grazing in the Lone Star State
Learn more: https://solargrazing.org/texas-solar-shepherds
Click Here to watch the video.