Lending a helping hand in Iraq

Dr. Jim Hanson, a University of Maryland agricultural economist, is part of a team that is looking into re-opening state-owned factories that have been shut down in Iraq since 2003.

Hanson was chosen to advise on agricultural issues, one of which is to help create a reliable supply of quality hides for use in a leather factory. Hanson would like to organize three farmers associations in Iraq's Kurdish, Shia and Sunni regions to supply the factory with sheep hides.

Hanson is seeking the advice of three extension colleagues (Susan Schoenian, Reggie Harrell, and David Myers) to provide advice via e-mail on sheep production, weed control in irrigation canals, and vegetable production.

Source: Outlook Online, University of Maryland, May 15, 2007
Related article: Defense Skirts State in Reviving Iraqi Industry

Goats-for-Peace Plan

In Kenya, more than 8,000 families hit by cattle rustling in the North Rift are to benefit from a multi-million program aimed at replenishing their livestock.

Already, 3,000 goats have been donated to affected families. The scheme hopes to encourage communities to stop cattle-rustling, an endemic problem in the area

Also to be covered by the restocking program are women and children whose husbands and fathers have been killed in raids. Widows who have lost their animals are given first priority.

The restocking program also includes free education, the training of para-veterinarians, and drugs to help local herders fight livestock diseases.

A similar program is taking place among pastoral communities in Uganda that are similarly affected by cattle rustling.

Source: allAfrica.com (via International Goat Association)

High selenium lamb as a health food

Selenium (Se) deficiency in humans is not considered to be an issue in the U.S.; however, recent research suggests that people who consume in excess (2 to 4 fold) of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Se may reduce their chance for developing lung, colorectal, and prostrate cancer.

In 2005, a study was undertaken at North Dakota State University to evaluate the influence of length of supra-supplementation of Se on the muscle Se status, plasma Se concentration, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs. Sixteen Rambouillet and Rambouillet x Suffolk lambs were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: supra-supplementation with selenoyeast for the final 56, 28, 14, or 0 days of feeding

In the study, body weight gain, carcass characteristics, and carcass quality traits were not affected by the length of supra-Se supplementation; however dry matter intake decreased linearly, possibly due to the decreased palatablity of the treatment diet.

While the non-supplemented treatment in the trial provided adequate Se to meet the RDA for humans, the Se concentration in lamb skeletal muscle for the 56-day Se-supplemented treatment would provide approximately 281% of the RDA for Se. No signs of Se toxicity were observed in the lambs.

Future efforts are needed to ascertain the targetted Se concentration in lamb muscle, the likely level of demand for a high-Se lamb product, and the marketing techniques required to deliver the product to the consumer. Similar studies have been undertaken with beef and pork.

Read Progress Report (PDF)

What are sheep "measles?"

Sheep measles, otherwise known as cysticercosis, are small cysts found in the meat of sheep and goats. The consequence of these "measles" is partial or whole-carcass condemnation at the processing plant.

The cysts are found throughout the meat. Only a small portion are on or near the surface. Cysts are most easily seen in the diaphragm, heart, jaw muscles, and tongue. They are not known to pose a human health risk.

So where do these cysts come from?

From man’s best friends -- dogs! Sheep measles are caused by the tapeworm Taenia Ovis. The definitive host for this tapeworm is the dog, meaning the adult form of the worm lives in the dog’s digestive tract. There it grows and reproduces to the point that one dog can shed up to 250,000 eggs per day!

Like many internal parasites, this worm then goes through a larval form in an intermediate host – sheep. The sheep graze contaminated pastures or feed, ingest the eggs, which hatch into larva and migrate through the lamb’s body, eventually becoming encysted in the skeletal and heart muscle.

So, what can a producer do to prevent this life cycle?

Generally, tapeworms do not cause clinical illness in dogs (or sheep), so a healthy-appearing dog does not mean it doesn’t have tapeworms. Guardian dogs and herding dogs should be on a deworming program for tapeworms.

Tapeworms are the hardy sort and the over-the-counter dewormers that work on other worms are NOT effective against tapeworms. The only readily available and effective treatment for tapeworms is Praziquantel.

The next step a producer can take to reduce the risk of cysticercosis is to not feed dogs raw sheep meat. Controlling scavenging of sheep carcasses by domestic dogs, as well as the wild canids in the area is also necessary. Producers should restrict access of other dogs to their property, unless the dogs have been dewormed for tapeworms.

Prevention of the tapeworm in the dog is key to preventing sheep measles. There is no treatment for the larval form in sheep.

Sheep Measles: A Profit Drain for Producers (ASI)
Stop the life cycle of sheep measles (ASI)
Sheep Measles and Bladder Worm brochure (PDF)
Sheep Measles presentation at 2007 annual ASI meeting (PDF)

New Publication on Club Lamb Fungus

A new publication on club lamb fungus is available on the web. The May 2007 publication was written by Virginia Tech veterinarians Drs. Nancy Currin and Kevin Pelzer.

Club lamb fungus affects the skin of sheep and is also known as woolrot, lumpy wool, sheep ringworm, and sheep dermatophytosis. Club lamb fungus got its name because it most commonly affects show lambs. It is a highly contagious disease and is contagious to humans.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/sheep/410-018/410-018.html

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/sheep/410-018/410-018.pdf

Two new scrapie studies

USDA-APHIS recently launched two important scrapie studies. The first study will determine the prevalence of scrapie in goats. The other study will evaluate a new live animal test for scrapie.

A Caprine Scrapie Prevalence Study, designed to determine whether the prevalence of scrapie in the adult slaughter goat population is less than 0.1 percent, is currently underway. To date, 685 goats, mostly from Texas, have been tested. None have tested positive. The study is expected to continue for one year and will include slaughter goats from geographical areas where they may have been exposed to scrapie.

In the second study, scientists will evaluate rectal biopsies as a live animal test for scrapie. Samples will be collected from scrapie-exposed animals to determine the test's sentitivity and how its results compare to the third eyelid test, the first live animal test for scrapie. If performed properly, the third eyelid test is accurate and reliable, but getting sufficient tissue to test can be challenging.

Source: Sheep & Goat Health Report, A National Insitute for Animal Agriculture Publication, Spring 2007

A national policy on tail docking warranted

According to a recent article in the Delmarva Farmer, "A national policy, which is uniform, easily understood — and above all, enforceable — is the only way to settle the lamb tail-docking debate that is roiling and confusing 4-H leaders and 4-H youngsters across the country."

Maryland has had a 4-H tail docking policy since 2003. Maryland's current policy requires that a lamb entered in the market show must have a tail no shorter than 0.7 inches as determined by the approved measuring device. Most other states do not have a policy and allow tails to be docked as short as the breeder or owner desires.

According to the article, those in favor of the Maryland policy say a longer docked tail reduces the incidence of rectal prolapse, which can lead to death if left untreated. Those who oppose the policy say prolapses are more the result of other factors, mainly genetics and diet.

A 2003 multi-state study established a link between short-tail docks and rectal prolapses, when lambs were fed feed lot diets, as is common with most 4-H lambs.

Read Delmarva Farmer article

DNA testing to produce meatier lamb

In New Zealand, scientists have isolated genes which result in meatier lamb carcasses. DNA testing can determine if sheep carry these genes.

Rams with a single copy of the MyoMax® gene can be expected to produce progeny with 5 percent more leg and rump muscle, but with 7 percent less fat. The effect will be up to double for a ram carrying two copies of the gene.

The discovery of MyoMAX® builds on a decade of research, but specific isolation and validation of the gene didn't start in earnest until five years ago. MyoMAX® has been identified within Texel and composite breeds containing Texel genetics.

A superior muscling trait, dubbed LoinMAX® was identified in research undertaken by Landcorp and AgResearch. Those animals with the LoinMAX® gene have the genetic potential to produce 10 percent more loin muscle. The LoinMAX® effect is only inherited from the sire. The gene is silent in the dam. LoinMAX® has been identified within Poll Dorsets and composite breeds containing Poll Dorset genetics.

Catapult Genetics, a global leader in sheep and cattle DNA testing technologies, offers DNA marker tests for both genes.

Source: www.catapultsystems.co.nz

A successful Sheep & Wool Skillathon

The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival hosted its second Sheep & Wool Skillathon on May 6, 2007. Ninety-five (95) youth from six states and nine Maryland counties competed for top honors.

Charlie Sasser was the first place junior (age 8-10). Charlie led his St. Mary's/Calvert County team to a first place finish in the junior team competition. Charlie's team members included Jason Fore and Gabrielle Corey. Dean Bennett from Carroll County was the second place junior. Frederick County had the second place junior team.

Patrick Ransom from Frederick County was the first place intermediate (age 11-13). Doug Megee from Cecil County placed second. The first place intermediate team was the Carroll County team, composed of Brianne and Ryan Hevner and Lukas Zeigler. Frederick County had the second place intermediate team.

In the senior division, Claire Bennett was the winner for the second year in a row. Her Carroll County team was victorious in the senior team competition. Claire's teammates include her brother Troy, Drew Cashman, and Ashley Hevner. Rachel Manning was the second place senior. Her St. Mary's/Calvert County team also placed second.

Skillathon winners: Charlie Sasser, Junior (L), Patrick Ransom,
Intermediate (C) and Claire Bennett, Senior (R)

In the Skillathon, youth are tested on their knowledge of sheep and wool. This year, the participants were required to identify feed and forages, breeds, equipment, diseases, and cuts of meat. They judged a class of hay, Romney ewes, and Rambouillet fleeces and took a written test. Senior teams had a group problem in which they had to calculate average daily gain, feed efficiency, cost of gain, and profitability for lambs being fed for market.

Sponsors of the 2007 Sheep & Wool Skillathon included Maryland Cooperative Extension, the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival (a committee of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association), Greene's Lamb (White Hall, MD), and Ruppersberger & Sons (one of Maryland's largest lamb processors). Numerous extension faculty and volunteers helped to make this year's Skillathon a success.

The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is always held the first full weekend in May. Next year's skillathon will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2008. It is open to any youth between the ages of 8 and 18.

Download Skillathon Results (PDF)

Go to Skillathon web page

Texel lambs excel in carcass contest

A Texel lamb exhibited by Beverly and Sherman Pearsall from Thurmont, MD, was the champion carcass lamb at the 2007 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.

Known for their outstanding carcass qualities, Texel lambs have typically won the carcass contest at this annual Maryland event.

The winning 101 lb. ram lamb had the largest ribeye in the class at 3.17 square inches. His backfat measurement was 0.145 inches, resulting in a yield grade of 1.9 and 50.42 percent of boneless closely trimmed retail cuts (BCTRC).

The Pearsalls also had the lamb with the second highest percent BCTRC at 50.33 percent. It was a 93 lb. Texel, with a 2.69 square inch ribeye. The only other lamb with a ribeye over 2.5 square inches was an 87-lb. Suffolk ewe lamb exhibited by Peter and Kelly Vorac from Jefferson, MD. Its ribeye measurement was 2.61 square inches. It ranked third in %BCTRC.

The lamb with the highest lean rate-of-gain was a 112-lb. Hampshire exhibited by Tammy Holler from Oakland, MD. Its lean rate-of-gain gain was 0.37 lbs. per day. It won this honor on the strength of its live rate-of-gain: an exceptional 1.43 lbs. per day (from birth).

Ribeye area and backfat thickness were determined using real-time ultrasound. Ultrasound scanning is a way to determine carcass characteristics, without sacrificing the lambs. It is particularly useful for identifying outstanding rams.

This year, the scanning was done by Jim Pritchard, a certified scanner from West Virginia University. Carcass weight, body wall thickness, yield grade, and %BCTRC were determined by calculations, using data from the ultrasound measurements.

Fifteen (15) lambs competed in this year's carcass contest. They represented a diversity of breeds and crosses: Hampshire, Southdown, Suffolk, Texel, and Tunis and Katahdin crosses. Most of the lambs were very young, averaging only 87.4 lbs. Average backfat thickness was only 0.13 inches, resulting in an average yield grade of 1.65, while the average ribeye measurement was 2.10 square inches.

The lamb carcass contest at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is open to any breed or breed cross of lamb, of any sex, weighing at least 80 lbs. It is held on the Saturday of the Festival at 3 p.m.

The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is always held the first full weekend in May and is sponsored by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association.