Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: O`Brien, D. J.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
P. O. Box 9081
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA 23806

FEASIBILITY OF A FORAGE-BASED SYSTEM FOR YEAR-ROUND LAMB PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN THE MID-ATLANTIC U.S.

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Year-round consumer demand for locally produced lamb products are on the rise in the mid-Atlantic region. Out-of-seasonbreeding and accelerated lambing are options for increasing annual lamb crop and extending seasonal product availability.However, these systems require intensive management along with steps to extend seasonal breeding, making them difficult tooperate and costly to implement. Hair sheep are less seasonal, do well on forage/pasture based diets, and require limitedmanagement, making them well-suited for low-input production systems and accelerated mating. Multi-year research at VSU'sAgricultural Research Station (ARS) Sheep Research Unit demonstrated that the Katahdin, St. Croix, and Barbados Blackbellybreeds performed well under an 8-month breeding schedule using forage feeding and pasture lambing. Research datasuggests that a replicable model-system for the year-round production of lamb may be developed for the mid-Atlantic andsoutheastern region of the U.S. using these breeds. To be economically viable, the system must be forage-based and requirelimited inputs in facilities and labor. Therefore, VSU's Small Ruminant and Marketing & Agribusiness Extension Programs seekto collaborate with the ARS Sheep Research Unit to examine a dual-flock system, mated 4-months apart, with lambs raised onpasture for semi-continuous lamb production. The proposed project will develop and demonstrate a model for year-round lambproduction and marketing, utilize a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and managementsteps on economic returns, develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production, and conductworkshops and develop publications for small ruminant clientele.

OBJECTIVES: The major goals of this project are to develop and demonstrate a model for year-round lamb production and marketing, utilize a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and management steps on economic returns, develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production, and conduct workshops and develop publications for small ruminant clientele. Specific objectives include: (1) Developing and demonstrating a model for year-round lamb production and marketing using cool and warm season pastures and annual forages (year 1). To meet this objective, a demonstration and validation flock will be established using the current VSU hair sheep facilities and breeding flock. In managing this flock, records will be maintained on all inputs required for flock management (forage and animal) along with all system outputs(animal products). Activities under this objective will be directed by Drs. Dahlia O'Brien (VSU), Stephan Wildeus (VSU), Theresa Nartea (VSU) and Gabriel Pent (Virginia Tech); (2) Utilizing a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and management steps on economic returns (years 1 - 2). To meet this objective VSU hair sheep flock has beenmanaged under an 8-month accelerated mating system for the past 15 years using pasture/forage feeding and pasture lambing. Data collected on effects of season, dam breed, terminal sire use, pre-mating management, and weaning protocols on pregnancy and lambing rates, litter size, lamb survival, litter pre-weaning growth and weaning weight will be used to model a dual flock management system with flocks bred 4 months apart (November, March, and July) for semi-continuous lambing, and determine how changes in inputs and management practices will influence system outputs. Activities under this objective will be directed by Drs. Francois Castonguay (Laval University), Stephan Wildeus (VSU) and Dahlia O'Brien (VSU); (3) Developingsmall-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production (years 2 - 3). Results from objectives 1 & 2 will be used to develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year round hair sheep production in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. The development of these budgets would meet a critical producer need, especially since hair sheep breed numbers are growing faster than any other breeds in the U.S. currently. Activities under this objective will be led by Dr. Theresa Nartea (VSU) with assistance from Drs. Wildeus (VSU) and O'Brien (VSU); (4) Conducting demonstrations and hands-on workshops for extension personnel and producers, and publish web-based fact sheets and project reports (years 2 - 3). The dual flock will be used to host various workshops to demonstrate routine management activities carried out as part of model implementation (pasture lambing, rotational grazing, annual pasture establishment). Effectiveness of technology transfer will be evaluated using pre- and post-training surveys, and an assessment of adoption of techniques by breeders/producers. Fact sheets and other projectrelated informational materials (videos) will be developed and posted at eXtension (http://articles.extension.org/sheep ) underthe Sheep Community of Practice as well as on a website ("VSU Hair Sheep Production") developed specifically for the dissemination of project objectives and results. Setting up workshops and demonstration will be under the direction of Dr. Dahlia O'Brien (VSU) with assistance from all co-PIs.

APPROACH: Objective 1 - For this project, the size of the breeding flock (Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix) will be 60 ewes, matching available pasture resources with overall flock size (breeding ewes and market lambs) and more closely resembling flock size of a typical producer. Ewes will be allocated at random to an 'A' and 'B' sub-flock balanced by breed type and age structure. This will occur during the first 6 months of the project, and sub-flocks will then formally enter the accelerated mating cycles of the project 4 months apart. Ewes will be bred and lambed on pasture with limited assistance. Birth weights will be recorded within 24 hours. Ewes will be supplemented with soy hull at 1% of body weight during lactation. Supplementation is needed for ewes to produce adequate milk, especially for ewes nursing multiple lambs. Supplement available for ewes will also serve as creep for lambs. Neonatal and pre-weaning losses of lambs and their causes will be recorded. Lambs will be weaned at 60 days of age, and will be maintained in pens for 10 days post weaning before being transferred into lamb flock on pasture. Lambs will be monitored for weaning stress using the Five Point Check System©, and treated for coccidiosis and gastrointestinal parasitism as needed while penned. Our previous research suggests that groups of about 35 (March and July matings) and 50 lambs (November mating) should be weaned at each session based on seasonal changes in pregnancy rate, litter size and pre-weaning losses. Weaned lambs will be maintained in a lamb flock until they reach market weight (70-80 lbs.). Our earlier observations showed a significant range in lamb size/weight starting at lambing and continuing through weaning and growing. This range is partially related to birth type (single, twin, triplet), but also due to ewe milking ability and mature size. While this weight range is considered a major limitation in the traditional marketing of lambs, it is no problem when lambs are marketed directly in smaller groups, as proposed in this system. The lamb flock will precede the ewe flock in the grazing rotation to ensure access to high quality pasture and limit exposure to nematode larvae. Replacement ewes will enter the breeding flock at 11 months of age. Ewes will be removed from breeding due to failure to conceive (twice), reduced number of weaned lambs, severe mastitis, and serious illness. Our flock history has shown a wide range in productive life span in hair sheep ewes under accelerated mating, at times exceeding 10 years, and suggesting no fixed culling age is warranted. The pasture system available for this project consist of 15, one-acre units. Currently, 11 pastures contain permanent, predominantly tall fescue, pasture. Four additional units are seasonally planted with cool and warm season annual forages (rye grass, winter wheat, pearl millet). Permanent pastures will be renovated during the first year of the project to increase the range of forages available, and will be modified to allow rotational grazing within the 1 acre units.Objective 2 - Simulovins is software developed at Laval University to simulate the functioning of a sheep flock. Simulovins is divided into 7 distinct modules (inventory, reproduction, production system, lambs, diet, data, and reports) each with an input interface and an interface for displaying results. The model was built with the aim of representing farmer decisions at the flock level. For the proposed project, Simulovins will be used to model pasture-based hair sheep production with ewes mated under an accelerated system, divided into two sub-flocks mated 4 months apart for semi-continuous lamb production in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. as described in objective 1. Data for the model will be derived from VSU production records. The VSU hair sheep flock has been managed under an 8-month accelerated mating system for the past 15 years using pasture/forage-based feeding and pasture lambing. Data were collected on effects of season, dam breed, terminal sire use, pre-mating management, and weaning protocols on pregnancy and lambing rates, litter size, lamb survival, litter pre-weaning growth and weaning weight. Additional data were collected over the past several years on the performance and carcass characteristics of purebred and crossbred hair sheep lambs rotationally grazing pastures at various times throughout the year with or without byproduct supplementation. The feeding module will be used to calculate the variable costs associated with pasture and supplement. The forage data used for the model will be derived from variety trials conduct at Virginia Tech (Dr. Gabriel Pent; Co-PI) at the Virginia Tech Piedmont Research and Extension Center located 39 miles from the VSU research farm. This data includes biomass and quality estimates, as well as stand establishment and maintenance costs. Lambs will be finished on pasture and marketed directly through on-farm sales or farmers markets. The effects of management options such a terminal sire mating, agro-byproduct supplementation of lambs, and pre-breeding flushing of ewes on profitability will be evaluated using this model. In addition, this study will validate the use of Simulovins for use by U.S. sheep producers.Objective 3 - Results from objectives 1 & 2 will be used to develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. The development of these budgets would meet a critical producer need, especially since hair sheep breed numbers are growing faster than any other breeds in the U.S. and there are no available budgets currently. Through proposed workshops and development of these enterprise budgets, producers will see how lowering their production cost is a very realistic way if increasing net income from a sheep enterprise. Budgets will be developed based on a 60 ewe dual flock bred 4 months apart for semi-continuous lamb production. Assumptions such as lambing rate, animal death loss, ewe replacement, income from sale of market lambs (through on-farm sales or farmers markets), breeding stock, and cull ewes and rams will be based on VSU's 15 yr. dataset and numbers generated from the demonstration flock.Objective 4 - The demonstration flock described above will also be used to introduce producers to the year-round lamb production and provide training in different aspects of flock management. Dr. O'Brien (PI) and other project collaborators will develop extension curriculum modules on specific topics in hair sheep production. All workshops will include hands-on components which have always been the highlight of VSU's programs to really bring home our intended messages. Nine 1-day workshops (morning lecture session and afternoon hands-on session) will be scheduled at VSU's Randolph Farm during the life of the grant on the topic areas including starting a hair sheep enterprise, developing a grazing system for hair sheep production, reproductive management and assisted reproductive techniques, pasture lambing and lamb management, products and marketing. An educational curriculum on hair sheep production will also be distributed through VSU's Small Farms Outreach Program and Virginia Cooperative Extension livestock agent trainings. Extension specialists and agents can then work with interested producers in their counties to deliver additional modules so that these farmers will be trained on various topics in hair sheep production. For more visibility and to enhance our outreach capacity, the developed educational modules and model for semi-continuous breeding of ewes and year-round lamb production on pasture will also be made available to our clientele on a VSU website developed for hair sheep production in VA and the southeastern U.S. In addition, this information will also be posted at https://eXtension.org/ under the Sheep Community of Practice.

PROGRESS: 2019/03 TO 2020/03
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project are hair sheep producers in the Mid-Atlantic area, extension agents, research scientists, undergraduate and graduate students. The data obtained from the demonstration project and all outputs generated in this study will be utilized to educate small ruminant producers and extension agents on hair sheep production (both production and marketing) to promote increased productivity and profitability in the industry. Therefore, there will be an increase in knowledgeand development of new skills and techniques in those trained (extension staff and producers in VA and regionally as well as students at VSU). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A pasture lambing workshop was conducted by Dr. O'Brien and Wildeus resulting in 10small ruminant producers in Virginia gaining knowledge and skills in hair sheep gestation and parturition, preparation for lambing, supplies needed, demonstration of lambing positions, dealing with complications and the unexpected and the processing of newborn lambs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from year 2have been presented to producers at educational workshops (pasture lambing workshop held at VSU). Additionally, research datahas been submitted, accepted and presented to other professionals and researchers at national conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Developing and demonstrating a model for year-round lamb production and marketing using cool and warm season pastures and annual forages We will continue to maintain all records on inputs required for flock management (forage and animal) along with all system outputs (animal products). Activities under this objective will be directed by Drs. Dahlia O'Brien (VSU), Stephan Wildeus, (VSU), Theresa Nartea (VSU) and Gabriel Pent (Virginia Tech) Objective 2. Utilize a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and management steps on economic returns We will continue to submit data collected on effects of season, dam breed, terminal sire use, pre-mating management, and weaning protocols on pregnancy and lambing rates, litter size, lamb survival, litter pre-weaning growth and weaning weight to model a dual flock management system with flocks bred 4 months apart (November, March, and July) for semi-continuous lambing, and determine how changes in inputs and management practices will influence system outputs. Activities under this objective will be directed by Drs. Francois Castonguay (Laval University), Stephan Wildeus (VSU) and Dahlia O'Brien (VSU). Objective 3. Develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production Results from years 1 and 2 will be used to develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year round hair sheep production in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. The development of these budgets would meet a critical producer need, especially since hair sheep breed numbers are growing faster than any other breeds in the U.S. currently. Activities under this objective will be led by Dr. Theresa Nartea (VSU) with assistance from Drs. Wildeus (VSU) and O'Brien (VSU). Objective 4. Conduct demonstrations and hands-on workshops for extension personnel and producers, and publish web-based fact sheets and project reports The dual flock will be used to host various workshops to demonstrate routine management activities carried out as part of model implementation (pasture lambing, rotational grazing, annual pasture establishment). Effectiveness of technology transfer will be evaluated using pre- and post-training surveys, and an assessment of adoption of techniques by breeders/producers. Fact sheets and other project related informational materials (videos) will be developed and posted at eXtension (http://articles.extension.org/sheep) under the Sheep Community of Practice as well as on a website ("VSU Hair Sheep Production") that will be developed specifically for the dissemination of project objectives and results. Setting up workshops and demonstrations will be under the direction of Dr. Dahlia O'Brien (VSU) with assistance from all co-PIs.

IMPACT: 2019/03 TO 2020/03
What was accomplished under these goals? During year 2 of the project (2018), Drs. Wildeus and O'Brien continued to implement a model for year-round lamb production and marketing in the mid-Atlantic US using cool and warm season pastures and annual forages. Data from 2019 suggest that a dual flock, accelerated mating of landrace hair sheep ewes can produce lamb cohorts of similar size in 4 month intervals under the system developed. Additionally, the growth performance of lambs produced under different forage environments was evaluated and we found that warm and cool season annuals and hay feeding forage environments produced similar average daily gains, while during summer perennial forage grazing lamb growth was slower. Pasture lambing is an option for sheep producers who wish to cut down on labor demands and feed costs associated with barn/in-door lambing systems. One pasture lambing workshops was conducted by Dr. O'Brien and Wildeus resulting in 10 small ruminant producers in Virginia gaining knowledge and skills in hair sheep gestation and parturition, preparation for lambing, supplies needed, demonstration of lambing positions, dealing with complications and the unexpected and the processing of newborn lambs. Participant evaluation indicated that the workshop filled an educational need, increased participants knowledge (59%) and skills in and encouraged producers to explore the option of low-input pasture lambing in their operation. Objective 1: Developing and demonstrating a model for year-round lamb production and marketing using cool and warm season pastures and annual forages (year 1) Activities: During 2019, objective one to develop and demonstrate a model for year-round lamb production and marketing using cool and warm season pastures and annual forages was continued. Sixty Barbados Blackbelly (BB) and St. Croix (STX) ewes, previously allocated at random to an 'A' and 'B' sub-flock balanced by breed type and age structure are bred 4 months apart. Ewes are mated in 25-day breeding seasons in March, July and November and lamb on pasture 5-mo later (August, December and April). Lambs are weaned at 9 weeks of age, finished on pasture, and harvested at target weights of 36 to 40 kg. Lambs also rotationally grazed summer and winter annuals pasture as one group, with rams rendered short-scrotum at weaning to allow co-grazing. Data collected: Pregnancy rate, litter size and weaning weights were analyzed for seasonal differences while data from lamb cohorts born over the study period were analyzed for the effect of breed, sex and forage environment on BW and ADG at different production stages. Summary statistics and results: Ewe performance (pregnancy rate, litter size, lamb survival, and birth and weaning weight) was recorded and all data during the 2 year production cycle (2018 and 2019) was analyzed for the effect of mating season. Pregnancy rate was not statistically different between seasons, and ranged from 93.9% in NOV, to 85.9 and 86.6% in MAR and JUL, respectively. Litter size (lambs born/ewe lambing) was higher in NOV than MAR and JUL bred ewes. Lamb survival at birth was reduced in JUL (86.5%) compared to NOV (99%) and MAR (100 %), but was not different between seasons for survival to weaning. Lamb birth weights were higher in MAR than JUL, with NOV intermediate, while lamb weaning weights were higher in NOV compared to MAR and JUL mating. In lambs, mean ADG was higher in St. Croix than Barbados Blackbelly, and in ram than ewe lambs. Older cohorts in each grazing period had higher ADG than younger cohorts. There was a wide range in ADG for individual weigh periods, but warm and cool season annuals and hay feeding forage environments produced similar ADG while summer perennial forage grazing was lower. Key outcomes: Data suggest that dual flock, accelerated mating of landrace hair sheep ewes can produce lamb cohorts of similar size in 4 month intervals under a low-input, forage-based production system. Additionally, supplementing forage with soy hull may have masked differences in lamb growth between forage environments despite higher crude protein and TDN in the annual forages than in hay and perennial summer grazing. Objective 2. Utilize a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and management steps on economic returns (years 1 - 2). The simulation model, Simulovins, has been converted to English and data submitted to co-PI at Laval University to develop the model for forage-raised hair sheep based on complied data over a 17 year period. Data is continuously being submitted to generate the model. Objective 3. Develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production (years 2 - 3). Initial work on forage-based hair sheep production was started and will be completed during the final year of the project. ?Objective 4. Conducting demonstrations and hands-on workshops for extension personnel and producers, and publish web-based fact sheets and project reports (years 2 - 3). Activities: A second workshop was conducted on pasture lambing in spring 2019. The workshop was well attended and participants indicated that workshop exceeded expectations. Six fact sheets on hair sheep and meat goat reproduction were submitted, reviewed and published (Virginia Cooperative Extension peer review publications). Two additional factsheets were developed on lambing and out of season breeding and will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication during year 3. Several workshops on lamb management and hair sheep grazing systems were cancelled in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and have been rescheduled for late summer 2020.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2019/03 TO 2020/03
1. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Wildeus, S. and OâBrien, D. 2019. Performance of landrace hair sheep lambs in a forage-based, semi-continuous production system. J Anim Sci, Volume 97, Issue Supplement 1, July 2019, Pages 77â78, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz053.176
2. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: S. Wildeus, D. J. OâBrien. Developing a System for Semi-continuous, Forage-based Lamb Production. 2019. 19th Research Symposium of the Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD). Jacksonville, FL.
3. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: R. M. Brice S. Wildeus, D. J. OâBrien. Effect of Breed, Sex, Birth Type and Lambing Season on Growth Rate of Forage-reared Lambs. 2019. 19th Research Symposium of the Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD). Jacksonville, FL.
4. Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: D. OâBrien and S. Wildeus. Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part I. Biology of Reproduction. 2019. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs ext vt edu/APSC/apsc-157/APSC-157. pdf
5. Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: D. OâBrien and S. Wildeus. 2019. Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants Part IV. Breed/Selection. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs ext vt edu/APSC/apsc-160/APSC-160. pdf
6. Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: D. OâBrien and S. Wildeus. 2019. Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants Part III. Breeding and Management Systems. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs ext vt edu/APSC/apsc-159/APSC-159. pdf
7. Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: D. OâBrien and S. Wildeus. 2019. Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part VI. Reproductive Management Techniques. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs ext vt edu/APSC/apsc-165/APSC-165. pdf
8. Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: D. OâBrien and S. Wildeus. 2019. Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part V. Nutrition and Health. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs ext vt edu/APSC/apsc-164/APSC-164. pdf
9. Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: D. OâBrien and S. Wildeus. 2019. Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part VI. Reproductive Management Techniques. http://digitalpubs.ext.vt.edu/vcedigitalpubs/5773435899319626/MobilePagedReplic a.action?pm=2&folio=1#pg1