Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Wildeus, S. A.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA 23803

STRATEGIES TO RAISE HAIR SHEEP LAMBS FOR SPECIALTY MARKETS ON PASTURE

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Limited resource small farmers can increase farm income by raising hair sheep for meat sales to direct and retail markets. Hair sheep are recognized for their 'easy-care' characteristics of disease tolerance and ability to convert low quality forage into high quality meat. Key objectives are to evaluate growth performance of purebred and terminal sire wool x hair lambs under rotational grazing, determine carcass characteristics and composition of purebred and crossbred pasture-fed lambs, and assess consumer response to local, grass-fed hair sheep lamb through test marketing at specialty food and direct market outlets. St. Croix and Barbados Blackbelly landrace hair sheep will be used to produce either purebred or Dorset-sired crossbred lambs at Virginia State University. Lambs will be raised under rotational grazing and supplemented with different levels of agro-byproducts. Fort Valley State University will process lamb carcasses into cuts suitable for consumer sampling at farmers markets and specialty food retailers. Consumer acceptance will be determined through test marketing conducted by Virginia State University. Nutritional and genetic recommendations for efficient lamb production under a low-input forage-based system and an extension guide to introduce hair sheep meat product in local markets will be developed. Producer workshops, extension fact sheets, and consumer outreach materials will be developed. Valuable experiential learning opportunities in sheep production, meat processing, and marketing will be offered to undergraduate and graduate students.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Evaluate the growth performance of purebred landrace and terminal sire wool x hair sheep lambs under a rotational grazing system with limited inputs except differing levels of agro- byproduct supplementation. (2) Determine the carcass characteristics and composition of purebred and crossbred pasture-fed lambs in response to supplementation. (3) Evaluate the consumer response to grass-fed hair sheep lamb through test marketing in specialty market outlets.

APPROACH: The experiments for Objective 1 will be conducted at the hair sheep facilities of the Small Ruminant Program at VSU using a 100 ewe flock, equally representing the Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix breeds. Ewes are mated in an accelerated breeding system (mating periods in November, July and March). Rams for purebred matings are available from the ram flock maintained at VSU. Dorset rams (n=6) providing a cross-section of the breed in the mid-Atlantic region will be used to produce crossbred lambs. Lambs for the grazing trials will be produced by randomly allocating ewes topurebred andcrossbred mating groups. Groups will be mated by single sire to either three rams of like breed or three Dorset rams, for a total of 9 single sire mating groups. Ewes will be re-allocated to breeding groups after each breeding season. Ewes will lamb on pasture with limited assistance. Lambs will be weaned at approximately 63 day of age. The lamb grazing trials will be conducted in grazing area subdivided into six paddocks (two Bermuda grass units and four Max Q fescue pastures inter-seeded with white clover) that will be rotational grazed. The grazing unit contains a shed equipped with a 24-station Calan® feeder to individually supplement lambs. Animals will be rotated to a new paddock when residual plant material has reached a predetermined height. In all grazing trials 36 weaned ram lambs, equally representing the four breed types will be used. Lambs will be allowed a 3 to 4 week post-weaning stabilization period to completely transition to an all-forage diet, and recover from weaning stress before being assigned to the grazing trials. Lambs will be grazed as one group, and used to determine the effect of supplementation and breed type on lamb growth rate and performance. Measurements will be taken of body weight (growth performance) and condition, fecal egg counts, and FAMACHA lower eye lid anemia scores in 2-week intervals throughout the grazing season. Animals treated individually with moxidectinonceFAMACHA is greater than 3. The frequency at which individual animals need to be treated will be recorded. Three grazing trials will be conducted over the duration of the project. There will be 3 diets in each grazing trial with 12 lambs per diet (3 animals/breed type). One of diets will be a grazing-only, non-supplemented control, while the others have two levels of supplementation. Lambs will remain on trial for 112 days. The first trial will be initiated in April and evaluate spring grazing conditions. Soy hull supplement will be fed to lambs at 1 and 2% body weight. The second grazing trial will be initiated in December and will evaluate performance under winter grazing using stockpiled fescue forage and overseeded winter annual (rye grass) while providing soy hull supplementation as described for the first trial. The third grazing trial will be initiated in August and evaluate lamb performance using summer and early fall grazing. Lambs will again be provided the soy hull supplementation at 0, 1 and 2% of body weight. Lambs will initially graze perennial warm season pasture (Bermuda grass) and will transition to MaxQ fescue pastures. Data from the grazing trials will be analyzed for the effect of breed type, supplement level and grazing season, and their interaction on growth performance and fitness traits. The trials are designed to determine the type of response (linear or quadratic) to increasing levels of soy hull supplementation. Under Objective 2, lambs will be transported from the VSU pasture to the FVSU slaughter facility and humanely harvested according to industry-accepted procedures. Carcasses will be chilled for 7 days at 2 degree C before carcass data collection and fabrication. Dressing percentage of each carcass will be reported as a carcass yield. After the 7-day chilling period, carcasses will be reweighed to calculate cooler shrinkage. Carcass quality grade data (fat thickness, body wall thickness, and ribeye area) will be collected. Carcasses will be then fabricated into primal cuts for lamb. Four fat depots (subcutaneous, intermuscular, intramuscular, and kidney) will be sampled from each carcass for fatty acid analysis. The intramuscular fat (Longissimus muscle; LM) depot from the fifth through seventh ribs will be excised from both sides of each carcass, subcutaneous fat will be removed, and the intermuscular fat between the LM fat and subcutaneous fat layer will be sampled. Vacuum-packed loin chops will be assessed using a TA-XT2 texture analyzer fitted with a Warner-Bratzler shear attachment. Proximate composition of LM samples will be analyzed according to AOAC (1995) methods. In each grazing trial, all data will be analyzed as a completely randomized design (CRD), with individual lambs as an experimental unit. Once all three grazing trials are completed, pooled data will be also be analyzed as a CRD with factorial (4 x 3 x 3) arrangement than includes grazing season. Under Objective 3 strategic marketing research will be conducted in year 1 to include the activities of market analysis, market selection, and marketing mix determination for the purpose of developing a strategic marketing plan for the specific product of grass-fed hair sheep lamb meat products in Virginia. In year two, market testing will take place in selected specialty food retailers, food service, and direct sale to consumer market outlets (farmers market, community supported agriculture, and on-farm sales). Market testing will be based on research findings from strategic marketing activities using the lamb products that were produced under Objectives 1 and 2. This project proposes to employ the controlled test method involving locations in the test area. Three locations will be chosen in the geographic region of Richmond, Virginia to include one specialty food retailer, one food service operation, and one direct sale to consumer market outlet launch within a test area. Within these specific market environments research control over product, promotion, placement and price will be monitored. The results in test locations will determine consumer acceptance for grass-fed hair sheep lamb meat products. After test marketing is completed and consumer awareness and demand are adequate in test area, (a) two producer education workshops will be conducted, and (b) consumer educational materials (point of purchase recipe cards, nutritional information, etc.) will be developed. Producer workshops will be held at both locations (VA and GA) involved and educational materials will be prepared for both geographic areas through the respective institutions.

PROGRESS: 2013/09 TO 2017/08
Target Audience:Findings from this project were disseminated to scientists and extension professionals at national and regional conferences and symposia. Results were also presented at producer field days and workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided training for 6 undergraduate students at Virginia State University in animal husbandry and handling techniques, the collection of blood and fecal samples from sheep, and data collection and analysis. Students were also provided with an opportunity to prepare abstracts of research findings, and two students made presentations of these abstracts at the ARD Research Symposium in Atlanta in 2017 and at the VSU undergraduate/graduate student conference. At Fort Valley State University one graduate student completed her Master's thesis in Animal Science using this project, and 3 undergraduate and 5 graduate students were trained as part of this project. These students presented findings from this project at the National meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, Southern Section meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, the annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists, and the ARD Research Symposium in Atlanta in 2017 . How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Findings from this project were disseminated to scientists and extension professinonals at national and regional conferences and symposia. Results were also presented at producer field days and workshops. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2013/09 TO 2017/08
What was accomplished under these goals? The project evaluated inputs for year-round pasture-based lamb production. It determined the role of management tools such as agro by-product supplementation and crossbreeding on hair sheep lamb grazing systems and was able to quantify impact of these management steps on system outputs. These outputs included growth performance of purebred and crossbred lambs under differing supplementation strategies, and lamb health and fitness, and carcass characteristic and fatty acid profiles of lambs. The consumer acceptance of pasture-raised lambwas determined, and marketing options evaluated. Specific findings indicated that (i) improvements in growth rates were more pronounced due to supplementation than crossbreeding; (ii) crossbred lambs showed more severe signs gastrointestinal parasitism during seasonal peaks in pasture infectivity than purebred lambs, but supplementation greatly mitigated these effects; (iii) benefits of crossbreeding were most pronounced under conditions of optimal pasture quality in association with supplementation; (iv) fatty acid profiles were more favorable in lambs when raised on pasture-only, but were not significantly affected by breed type; (v) pasture-raised lamb could be readily makreted in local niche markets. Results from this project, along with findings on accelerated mating and lambing performance, will be used to develop a system of forage-based year-round production for speciality markets. (1) Evaluate the growth performance of purebred landrace and terminal sire wool x hair sheep lambs under a rotational grazing system with limited inputs except differing levels of agro- byproduct supplementation. Five grazing trials were conducted at different times of the year to evaluate effects of supplementation and crossbreeding on growth rate and gastrointestinal parasite burden in lambs. The trials used purebred and crossbred (Dorset-sired) landrace hair sheep lambs from Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix ewes managed under an accelerated lambing system. For all trials lambs rotationally grazed (3-6 day intervals) cool and warm season forages dependent on time of year as a single group, and were individually supplemented using a Calan feeding system in an open-sided barn within the pasture area. Number of lambs in trials ranged from 32 to 48. The first trial evaluated supplementation of graded doses of soy hull supplementation (0, 1, 2, and 3% of body weight) in 32 purebred lambs grazing tall fescue (13-15% crude protein) in spring for 80 days. Supplement intake peaked at 2.9 % of body weight. Growth rate increased linearly from 52 to 157 g/d with increasing levels of supplementation. Supplementation in this trial did not affect fecal egg counts and anemia scores. The second trial evaluated the use of either soybean hull or cracked corn as a supplement source in purebred and crossbred lambs grazing fall pasture (10% crude protein). Crossbred lambs had a 34% higher growth rate and 19% greater final weight after 70 days on trial. Final weight in soy hull supplemented lambs was 10% higher than in corn supplemented and 32% higher than in pasture-only lambs. However, anemia scoreswere brighter in purebred than crossbred lambs and four crossbred lambs needed deworming during the trial. A third trial re-evaluated the use of soy hull supplementation in a mixed-sex group of lambs under summer grazing conditions (6-12% crude protein in forage). Under these conditions, supplementation at 2% of body weight increased growth rate by 130%, while growth rates in crossbred lambs increased by 24% compared to purebred lambs. Growth rates of ram lambs were 34% higher than those of ewe lambs. Fecal egg counts were significantly higher in crossbred than purebred lambs, and in pasture-only than supplemented lambs.The fourth trial compared the use of soy hull to that of corn gluten feed as a supplement during spring grazing of fescue pasture (9-17% crude protein). Both supplements were provided at 2% of body weight and a pasture-only group was included. Crossbreeding in this trial increased growth rate by 32%, and supplementation by 75%, with no effect from type of supplement. Fecal egg counts in this trial were lower in supplemented lambs, but not affected by breed type.The final trial evaluated the duration of soy hull supplementation during late fall and winter grazing of stockpiled fescue and annual ryegrass (13-19% crude protein). Lambs were removed from supplementation at 21-day intervals during a 63-day grazing trial. Growth in this trial was 77% higher in crossbred than purebred lambs, with no differences between breed type in fecal egg counts and packed cell volume. Continued supplementation linearly increased growth rate and final weight. (2) Determine the carcass characteristics and composition of purebred and crossbred pasture-fed lambs in response to supplementation. Lambs were humanely harvested in the final three trials using standard procedures. In the summer grazingtrial supplementation increased dressing percentage (43.5 vs. 39.2%) with no effect of breed type and sex, though pelt was significantly heavier in crossbred lambs. In the spring grazingtrial dressing percentage was again higher in supplemented than pasture-only lambs (44.5 vs. 41.0%), but not different between breed types. However, fore and hind saddle cuts were heavier in crossbred lambs. Fatty acid profiles of different fat depots from pasture-only were healthier than those of supplemented lambs. During late fall and winter grazing, dressing percentage and fat thickness was not affected by breed type, though loin eye area was greater in crossbred lambs. Continued supplementation also linearly increased dressing percentage and loin eye area. Discontinuing supplementation before harvest differentially affected fatty acid composition in fat depots of lambs. (3) Evaluate the consumer response to grass-fed hair sheep lamb through test marketing in specialty market outlets. Ground lamb meat produced from lambs during summer grazing was used for consumer testing, and product distributed to 284 customers of a local food hub along with a survey. Ground meat from crossbred lambs was rated more favorably in color before cooking, but pasture-only ground lamb was rated more tender after cooking. Pasture-only crossbred ground lamb was rated least desirable. Most respondents (96%) inidcated that they would purchase local lamb, whilw 43% were also willing ot pay premimum prices for such a product.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2013/09 TO 2017/08
1. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Tripp, C., Lee, J.H., Kafle, D., Discua, A., Wildeus, S. 2017. Quality of fresh lamb from pasture-raised sheep as influenced by highly digestible fiber containing agro-byproducts. Proc. ARD 18th Biannual Research Symposium, p.51.
2. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fitchett, A., Wildeus. S. 2017. Pre-weaning performance of purebred and crossbred hair sheep lambs born during different season. Proc. ARD 18th Biannual Research Symposium, p. 172.
3. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Wildeus, S., O?Brien, D. 2017. Growth and FAMACHA scores in purebred and terminal sire crossbred lambs produced from landrace hair sheep under an accelerated mating system. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 95, Suppl. 4:332, doi:10.2527/asasann.2017.680
4. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kafle, D., Lee, J.H, Wildeus, S., Discua, A., Tripp, C. 2017. Quality of fresh lamb from pasture-raised purebred and crossbred hair sheep lambs gradually removed from soy hull supplementation before harvest. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 95, Suppl. 4:332-333, doi:10.2527/asasann.2017.681
5. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kafle, D., Lee, J.H, Wildeus, S., Tripp, C., Discua, A. 2017. Fatty acid composition of different fat depots from purebred and crossbred hair sheep lambs gradually removed from soy hull supplementation before harvest. J. Anim. Sci., 95, Suppl. 4:333, doi:10.2527/asasann.2017.682
6. Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Nartea, T., Wildeus, S., Lee, J., O?Brien, D.J. 2017. Breed and supplementation influence on consumer ratings of ground meat from pasture-raised lamb. J. Extension (in press)

PROGRESS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
Target Audience:Sheep Farmer and consumers Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate and graduate student training (masters degree) was provided as part of this project at the two cooperating institutions. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Findings and expereinces from this projectwere presented at two scientific conferences, a fieldday/farm tour and several consumer/producer event ('Lambuary'). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Carcass composition and fatty acid analysis will be completed on the carcasses from this last grazing trial. The lamb cuts and ground lamb produced in the final two grazing trials will be used for test-marketed in specialty outlets and restaurants for consumer acceptance. The final lamb crop will be weaned in October and the complete data set compiled for six terminal sire matings under accelerated mating. Data will be analyzed to determine the effect of breed type (purebred and vs. crossbred) and mating season (November, July and March) and their interaction on pre- and post-weaning survival and growth of purebred hair sheep and wool x hair sheep crossbred lambs. Mansucripts will be prepared for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals.

IMPACT: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? Initial trials indicated that soy hull-supplemented lambs had faster growth rates and larger carcasses, but that lambs grazing pasture-only were preferred in taste tests and had a more favorable fatty acid composition. Hence a final grazing trial in this project was conducted in late Fall and Winter with lambs grazing stockpiled fescue to evaluate the effect of duration of supplementation and removal of supplement before harvest on lamb growth performance, fitness, carcass characteristics and meat composition. Lambs were supplemented with soy hull and removed from supplementation at different stages pre-harvest (0, 21, 42 and 63 days). Thirty-two, 6-months old purebred hair (Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix) and crossbred wool (Dorset) x hair sheep lambs rotationally grazed stockpiled, predominantly tall fescue pasture (13.3 to 19.4% CP) and annual ryegrass (16.5% CP) from the middle of October to the middle of December 10. Lambs were allocated to four supplementation treatments (no supplementation; and supplementation discontinued at 42, 21 and 0 days before harvest). Treatment groups were balanced by breed-type. Lambs grazed as a single group and supplement was provided at 2% body weight daily at individual feeding stations. Body weight, fecal egg counts and packed cell volume were recorded in 21 day intervals. Lambs were harvested after 63 days on trial at an inspected slaughter facility, and carcass characteristics and composition was determined using standard procedures. Final weight and average daily gain was higher (P<0.001) in crossbred than purebred lambs (28.8 vs. 25.7 kg, and 110 vs. 62 g/d), but fecal egg count and packed cell volume was not different.Duration ofsupplementation linearly increased (P<0.01) final weight (25.1 to 29.8 kg) and daily gain (51 to 127 g/d), but also tended to increase packed cell volume (P<0.1) and affected fecal egg counts. Growth rates more than doubled when lambs received soy hull supplement. There was no breed type by supplementation interaction for growth and fitness variables. Cold carcass weight (11.8 kg vs. 8.8 kg), along with hide weight was higher (P<0.001) in crossbred than purebred lambs. Dressing percentage and fat thickness (12th rib) was not significantly different between breed type, but loin eye area was greater (P<0.01) in crossbred than crossbred lambs (10. 87 vs. 8.33 cm2).Duration ofsupplementation linearly increased (P<0.01) cold carcass weight, dressing percentage, and loin eye area.

PUBLICATIONS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
1. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wildeus, S. O?Brien, D. (2016) Effect of sire breed on pregnancy rate in landrace hair sheep during summer mating. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p.54.
2. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: O?Brien, D., Wildeus S., Nartea, T. J., Lee, J., (2016) The influence of breed and supplementation on consumer ratings of meat quality attributes of pasture-raised lambs. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 52.
3. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wildeus, S. Lee, J., Teutsch, C.D., Nartea, T.J. (2016) Use of agro-by-products to supplement hair and wool x hair crossbred lambs grazing fescue pasture: Growth and gastrointestinal parasites. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 50.
4. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Tripp, C., Lee, J., Wildeus, S., Lemma, B.B. (2016) Use of agro-by-products to supplement hair and wool x hair crossbred lambs grazing fescue pasture: Carcass characteristics. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 50
5. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Tripp, J. J., Lee, J., Wildeus, S. Discua, A., Kafle, D. (2016) Meat quality parameters of pasture-raised lamb chops as influenced by highly digestible fiber containing agro-byproducts. Proc. Ann. Meet. Inst. Food Technologists, Abstract 082.
6. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Tripp, C., Lee, J.H., Wildeus. S.., Discua, A., Kafle, D. (2016) Fatty acid composition of different fat depots from hair and wool x hair crossbred lambs supplemented with highly digestible fiber containing agro-byproducts on pasture. J. Anim. Sci Vol. 94, E-Suppl. 5, p. 826-827
7. Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nartea, T.J., Wildeus, S., Jung, L., O'Brien, D. J. (2106) Breed and supplementation influence on consumer ratings of pasture-raised ground lamb. Journal of Extension (submitted)

PROGRESS: 2014/09/01 TO 2015/08/31
Target Audience:Sheep Farmer and consumers Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate and graduate student training (masters degree) was provided as part of this project at the two cooperating institutions. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Previous trials indicated that lambs had faster growth rates and larger carcasses, but that lambs grazing pasture-only were preferred in taste test and had a more favorable fatty acid composition. A final grazing trial will be conducted in late Fall and Winter with lambs grazing stockpiled fescue. Lambs will be supplemented with soy hull and removed from supplementation at different stages pre-harvest (0, 21, 42 and 63 days). Lambs will be harvested after grazing for 63 days and carcass characteristics and composition. Data will be analyzed to determine the option stage pre-harvest to achieve optimum growth together with a more favorable carcass composition. The lamb cuts produced will be test-marketed in specialty outlets for consumer acceptance. The final lamb crops will be produced in December and again in August to compare the pre- and post weaning survival and growth of purebred hair sheep and wool x hair sheep crossbred lambs.

IMPACT: 2014/09/01 TO 2015/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? Variations in forage quality and availability will influence growth of lambs on pasture, and supplementation of grazing lambs is one option to address this limitation. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing agro by-products, soy hull (13.9% crude protein) and corn gluten feed (17.9% crude protein) on performance of hair sheep and wool x hair sheep lambs during Spring grazing. Thirty-six, 7.5-mo old purebred hair (Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix) and crossbred wool (Dorset) x hair sheep lambs rotationally grazed predominantly tall fescue pasture (9.0 to 16.7% CP) from late March to early June. Lambs were assigned to a pasture-only, and a soy hull or corn gluten feed-supplemented group balanced by breed type. Lambs grazed as a single group and supplement was provided at 2% body weight daily at individual feeding stations. Body weight and fecal egg counts were recorded at 14-day intervals. The experiment ended after 77 d. Haemonchus contortus represented 84% of the gastrointestinal worm burden. Final body weight and daily were higher (P < 0.001) in crossbred than purebred (42.0 vs. 38.5 kg, and; 185 vs.140 g/; respectively), and supplemented than pasture-only (43.7 vs. 36.8 kg, and 207 vs. 118 g/d; respectively) lambs, but were not different between breed types on pasture-only (breed type x diet interaction: P < 0.05). Final body weight and growth rate were also not different (P > 0.1) between the two supplement types. Fecal egg counts were lower in supplemented than pasture-only lambs, but not affected by breed type. Hot carcass weight was (P < 0.001) in crossbred than purebred lambs, but dressing percentage was not affected by breed type. Furthermore, hot carcass weight was (17.5 or 17.6 vs 13.3 kg) and dressing percentage (45.2 or 44.1 vs. 41.1%) were greater (P < 0.01) in supplemented (SH or CGF) than pasture-only lambs. Loin eye area was larger (15.6 vs. 13.0 cm2: P < 0.05) in crossbred than purebred lambs. All cuts from fore- and hind-saddles were greater (P < 0.01) in crossbred than purebred lambs, except neck cuts, and also heavier (P < 0.01) in supplemented than pasture-only lambs. Consumer acceptance and influence of breed and feed supplementation on consumer ratings of ground hair sheep lamb meat quality characteristics were also investigated in lambs produced in the grazing trial. Ground lamb meat was obtained from carcasses pooled according to production type (A = purebred on pasture-only, B = crossbred on pasture-only, C = purebred supplemented, and D = crossbred supplemented). Customers (n=284) of a local food hub company randomly received a 500-g package of ground lamb labeled either A, B, C, or D with no other information provided. Participants received identical recipes and requested to complete a survey rating each product for selected qualitative characteristics (1=extremely undesirable to 9=extremely desirable). Respondents rated cooked ground lamb from crossbred lambs more desirable (P < 0.03) in both color and tenderness. Participants also rated the color of cooked product (P < 0.04) desirable for supplemented compared to pasture-only ground lamb, while tenderness was rated more desirable (P < 0.03) in pasture-only lambs. Overall taste was influenced by breed and supplementation with ground meat from pasture-only crossbred lambs rated least (P < 0.04) desirable. Results showed supplementation to have a greater impact on growth rate in crossbred than purebred hair sheep lambs, but type of supplement apparently had no effect. Results further indicate that both supplementation and crossbreeding had significant effect on carcass quality under the conditions of this experiment. An evaluation of consumer acceptance of ground meat from local hair sheep lambs could provide an opportunity to enhance profitability for small-scale producers in Virginia.

PUBLICATIONS: 2014/09/01 TO 2015/08/31
1. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wildeus, S., Lee, J., Teutsch, C. D., Nartea T. J. (2015) Effect of breed type, supplementation and sex in rotationally-grazed hair and wool x hair sheep lambs: Growth and gastrointestinal parasites. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 43.
2. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lee, J., Wildeus, S., Lee, J., Nartea, T. J., Lemma, B., Kouakou, B. (2015) Effect of breed type, supplementation and sex in rotationally-grazed hair and wool x hair sheep lambs: Carcass characteristics. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 43.
3. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wildeus, S. (2015) Terminal sire mating of landrace hair sheep ewes with Dorset rams: Ewe and pre-weaning lamb performance. Proc. Ann. Meet. South. Sect. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., p. 43.
4. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lemma, B., Lee, J. H., Wildeus, S., Kaanan G. Kouakou, B. (2015) Chemical composition and quality of fresh lamb from rationally grazed hair and wool x hair sheep lambs as influenced by soy hull supplementation. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. s3:168
5. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lemma, B., Lee, J. H., Wildeus, S., Kouakou, B., Kaanan G. (2015) Fatty acid composition of different fat depots from hair and wool x hair sheep supplemented with soy hull on pasture. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. s3:791

PROGRESS: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
Target Audience: Small scale producers Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? A second grazing trial will be conducted.

IMPACT: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? The initial experiment under this project evaluated growth rates and gastrointestinal parasite burden in hair sheep lambs of two breeds supplemented with three levels of soy hull while rotationally grazing non-toxic endophyte fescue pasture in Spring. Thirty-two, 6-mo old Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix ram lambs were allocated to four treatment groups balanced by breed, and supplemented with pelleted soy hull (10.0% CP; 50.6% ADF; 52% TDN) at either 0, 1, 2 or 3% of body weight while rotationally-grazing predominantly Max-Q© fescue pasture (12.9 to 14.8% CP; 37.6 to 49.1% ADF; 53 to 62% TDN throughout the grazing period). Lambs grazed as a single group and were moved to new pasture strip at 3 to 6 d intervals based on visual appraisal of forage availability. Supplement was fed daily at individual feeding stations (Calan© gates). There was occasional incomplete consumption of soy hull at the 3% supplementation level, resulting in an actual intake of 2.9% BW. Body weight and condition, fecal egg counts and FAMACHA© anemia score (scale1-5; increasing with paleness) was recorded at 14-d intervals and the experiment terminated after 80 d. Data were analyzed with supplement level and breed as main effects and included starting body weight as a covariate. There were no supplement level by breed interactions. Final body weight and daily gain increased linearly (P < 0.01) from 32.9 to 41.3 kg, and 52 to 157 g/d, respectively, with increasing levels of soy hull supplementation. Breeds also differed (P < 0.01) in final body weight and daily gain (Blackbelly: 36.6 kg and 99 g/d; St. Croix: 38.5 and 122 g/d). Body condition score was higher (P < 0.01) in lambs supplemented with 2 and 3% soy hull than in those with 0 and 1% supplementation. Supplementation and breed had no effect (P > 0.1) on fecal egg counts (mean: 548 eggs/g; ranging from 105 to 1194 eggs/g at individual collections) or FAMACHA score (mean: 1.11), and no lambs were treated with anthelmintics going into or during the experiment. Results indicate that soy hull supplementation can be effective and economically viable means to improved growth performance of hair sheep lambs on pasture, thus reducing the time for lambs to reach a marketable weight.

PUBLICATIONS: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
No publications reported this period.