Progress report for LNE23-464
Project Information
Problem or Opportunity and Justification: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are associated with increased mortality and reduced performance in pasture based small ruminant (SR) operations. Although young animals are susceptible to GIN infections, breeding females are particularly susceptible during the transition period due to the sudden emergence of GIN that have overwintered in an arrested state within the ewe. Although SR producers have readily adopted several important IPM tools, there has been limited adoption of the use of estimated breeding values (EBVs) for parasite resistance through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) to identify animals that are genetically less susceptible to GIN infection. With the significant increase of new SR producers, continued education and adoption of IPM practices with an emphasis placed on utilizing genetics to select for resistant stock is warranted to ensure the profitability, sustainability and resilience of SR operations in the northeast. This project will increase the number of SR producers utilizing EBVs for parasite resistance to improve on-farm productivity and to enhance breeding decisions.
Solution and Approach: We have a three pronged approach towards assisting SR producers with GIN control: 1) Online and in-person IPM/FAMACHA© anemia certification program; 2) Virtual and in-person workshops to promote of the use of EBVs for parasite resistance and; 3) Research into alternative strategies for control of parasites in ewes during the periparturient period (PPP) and their offspring to provide additional effective tools for GIN parasite control. There will be increased effort to reach more producers, particularly from underserved communities, more effectively and equitably and provide them with resources they need to be successful. To this end we will utilize the following strategies to increase our engagement with SR producers in the Northeast and to remove barriers to adoption of the use of EBVs for genetic selection of parasite resistance.
- Coordination with Northeast extension agents and SR veterinarians who visit SR producer farms to identify new communication channels and program delivery options particularly for SR producers with technological limitations.
- Hold in-person workshops in English and Spanish as needed to support the Spanish speaking community.
- Develop a regional mentoring hub with NSIP producer/mentors to facilitate all aspects of collecting, entering and interpreting data with NSIP.
- Provide financial support, as needed, to support participation of underserved communities in this project.
- Launch a genetic selection breeding demonstration project that will be used to showcase the financial benefit that can be achieved from the use of EBVs for economically important traits.
- We will evaluate the effect of feeding a β-glucan supplement derived from mushrooms to ewes and their offspring during the periparturient period when GIN are a greater challenge. This product, if proven effective, would be suitable for use by conventional as well as organic SR producers.
Fifty small ruminant producers will utilize estimated breeding values (EBVs) for parasite resistance across 4,200 ewes and 6,300 lambs. Because of this practice, they will realize a financial gain of $432,088 over 3 years.
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are associated with increased mortality and reduced performance in pasture based small ruminant (SR) operations. This problem is compounded as parasite resistance to commercially available dewormers continues to develop with the lack of viable alternatives to help strengthen an animals’ ability to mount a robust immune response. Although SR producers have readily adopted several important IPM tools, there has been limited adoption of the use of estimated breeding values (EBVs) for parasite resistance through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) to identify animals that are genetically less susceptible to infection (<11% of enrolled sheep). With the significant increase of new SR producers, continued education and adoption of IPM practices with an emphasis placed on utilizing genetics to select for resistant stock is warranted to ensure the profitability, sustainability and resilience of SR operations in the Northeast. This project aims to increase the number of SR producers utilizing estimated breeding values for parasite resistance, in addition to other important heritable production traits, to improve on-farm productivity and to enhance breeding decisions.
We have a three pronged approach towards assisting SR producers with GIN control: 1) Online and in-person IPM/FAMACHA© anemia certification program, now available in both English and Spanish, to teach producers how to identify and selectively deworm animals susceptible to to barber pole worm, the most pathogenic GIN responsible for the majority of production losses in SR; 2) Virtual and in-person workshops to promote of the use of EBVs for parasite resistance to improve on-farm productivity and enhance breeding decisions and; 3) Research into alternative strategies for control of parasites in ewes during the periparturient period (PPP) and their offspring to provide additional, effective tools for GIN parasite control. These three approaches have been very effective in providing SR producers with best management practices essential for the control of GIN parasites in SR and will be the foundation that we continue to build upon moving forward. Additionally, there will be increased effort to reach more producers, particularly from underserved communities, more effectively, and equitably, and provide them with resources they need to be successful.
Cooperators
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- (Educator)
Research
Hypothesis: The inclusion of β-glucans into the diet of ewes and/or her lambs during the periparturient period (PPP, -8 weeks through weaning) will enhance overall performance and health.
Objective 1: Determine the effect of β-glucan supplementation during the PPP on the immune response and overall performance and health of ewes with varying GIN exposure and reared in different production environments and management systems.
Objective 2: Determine the effect of β-glucan supplementation of the ewe and/or her lambs on lamb performance and health.
Treatments:
In each study described below, ewes and/or their lambs will be supplemented with β-glucans extracted from mushrooms. Supplementation of prebiotic β-glucans, have been found to have beneficial effects on livestock species, including sheep, improving host immunity, growth, nutrient digestion, milk composition, lipid homeostasis, and beneficially affecting the rumen microbiome (deVries et al., 2020; Khalkhane et al., 2013; Ząbek et al., 2013) structure within β-glucans differ by source and this structural difference will affect their immunomodulating effects. Using β-glucans from mushrooms have advantages over yeast β-glucans due to increased solubility and lectin compounds that can confer additional anti-parasitic activity. To date, there has been no evaluation of mushroom β-glucan supplementation during the periparturient period in ewes. Understanding the effects of β-glucans during this period is key as it could be utilized by producers to improve overall ewe and lamb performance and health while reducing GIN. In the studies described below we will feed ewes one of two diets: 0.25 grams (g) of mushroom β-glucan/day or control. The β-glucan will either be top-dressed daily onto their daily pelleted grain supplement or the β-glucan will be incorporated into the pelleted grain supplement and fed to the ewes at a rate to ensure consumption of at least 0.25 g/day/ewe. Results from these studies will potentially yield an effective, affordable, commercially available product that will help ensure the sustainability and resilience of small ruminant operations.
Methods:
Ewe and lamb studies will be conducted at URI and the USMARC (Clay Center, NE).
YR 1 URI: Twenty Dorset ewes, naturally infected with GIN from the previous grazing season will be used for the periparturient study in YR1. Eight weeks (-8) prior to parturition (0) ewes will be assigned to treatment groups and individually fed 0.25 g of mushroom β-glucan (n=10) or control (n=10) from -8 through 8 weeks (wk) of lactation with groups balanced for parity, ewe BW weight, number of expected lambs and susceptibility to parasites. Fecal egg counts (FEC), fecal cultures and body weight (BW), FAMACHA© anemia scores will be determined at -8, -1, weekly from 0 through 8 wk lactation. Packed cell volume (PCV) will be determined at -8, -4, 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 wk to monitor for anemia due to emerging GIN infections. Additional blood will be taken at the same interval for determination of the immunological response to β-glucan supplementation by measurement of total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG production specific to parasites (whole worm antigen). Milk components and somatic cell count will be measured using milk samples collected at birth (week 0) and weekly until weaning (week 8). Lamb BW, girth, crown-rump length and height measurements will be measured every two weeks beginning at birth until 12 wks of age. Ultrasound measurement of loin eye area and backfat thickness will be determined at 8 and 25 wk of age.
YR 2 URI: Twenty Dorset and Shropshire ewes, naturally infected with GIN from the previous grazing season will be used for the periparturient study in YR2. Eight wks prior to parturition, ewes will be assigned to treatment groups and fed as described for YR 1 from -8 through 8 wks of lactation with groups balanced for parity, breed, weight, number of expected lambs and susceptibility to parasites. At lambing, the ewes and their lambs will be split into two additional treatment groups with lambs supplemented with BG grain or control grain in the nursery/creep areas (inaccessible to the ewes;n=5 ewes/group and approximately n=9 lambs/supplementation group). Sampling will be as described for YR1.
YR 2 USMARC: Forty Polypay ewes with genetic linkages through NSIP, uninfected by GIN and maintained in confinement will be used for the periparturient study in YR2. Eight weeks (-8) prior to parturition (0) ewes will be assigned to treatment groups and fed 0.25 g of mushroom β-glucan (n=20) or control (n=20) from -8 through 8 weeks (wk) of lactation with groups balanced for service sire, production trait EBV, parity, BW, and number of expected lambs. Blood will be sampled at -4, -2, 0, 4, 8 wks of lactation for measurement of antibody response to tetanus vaccination administered at -4 wk. Milk samples will be obtained at 0, 2, 4 and 8 wk of lactation for determination of milk components and somatic cell count and BW will be measured at the same interval. Lamb BW will be measured every two weeks beginning at birth until 12 wk of age as well as additional body measurements mentioned in YR1 Ultrasound measurement of loin eye area and back fat thickness will be determined at 8, 25 wks of age. A portion of lambs from each dam treatment group will be harvested at a commercial abattoir and carcass traits will be recorded.
YR 3 USMARC: Forty Katahdin ewes with genetic linkages through NSIP, with a naturally acquired GIN infection from the previous grazing season brought in off of pasture at -2 wk will be used for the periparturient study in YR3. Eight weeks (-8) prior to parturition ewes will be assigned to treatment groups and fed 0.25 g of mushroom β-glucan (n=20) or control (n=20) from -8 through 2 wks of lactation with groups balanced for service sire, production trait and FEC EBV, parity, BW and number of expected lambs. At 2 weeks of lactation, the ewes and their lambs will be returned to pasture. FEC, fecal cultures, FAMACHA© anemia scores, PCV and BW will be determined at -8, -1, 0, 2 and weaning at 12 wk of lactation. Additional blood will be taken at the same interval for determination of the immunological response to β-glucan supplementation by measurement of total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG production specific to parasites (whole worm antigen). Milk samples will be obtained at 0, 1 and 2 wk of lactation for determination of milk components and somatic cell count. Lamb BW will be measured at birth, 2, 12 and 25 wk of age. FEC, FAMACHA© anemia scores and PCV will be determined at weaning. Ultrasound measurements and carcass traits will be performed as described in YR2 USMARC.
Data Collection and Analysis:
Fecal samples will be analyzed for FEC, using the Mini-FLOTAC method with a sensitivity of 5 eggs per gram, using 5 g feces and a standard sodium nitrate flotation solution (Cringoli et al., 2010). Fecal samples will be cultured to determine larval development and characterization of GIN populations following standard protocol (Zajac and Conboy 2012). Blood samples will be analyzed for antibody IgG levels using an ELISA Kit following standard operating procedures. Packed cell volume will be determined by the micro-hematocrit centrifuge method. Milk samples will be analyzed for protein, fat, solids, SCC and milk urea nitrogen (Dairy One Inc., Ithaca, NY). Data will be analyzed using SAS (Cary, NC) and analysis will be performed using varying models, GLM procedures with repeated measures, Student t-tests, and one way ANOVAs as appropriate.
Farmer Input: Small ruminant producers are eager for additional tools to use in their integrated parasite management program. If the results from the studies at URI and USMARC are analyzed and the feeding of β-glucan to ewes and/or their lambs found highly efficacious and funding is available, a small pilot study with one of the Advisory Council producers will be initiated.
During December 2023, a 16% sheep pellet containing the mushroom β-glucan supplement was developed to facilitate the feeding of the study animals. This pellet plus a control pellet will be used in the upcoming studies at USMARC and URI during the winter of 2024.
Education
ENGAGEMENT
- Our education program will be advertised using email networks, newsletters, Social media pages targeting SR producer organizations and events, Northeast Extension programs, previous/current project participants and veterinarians. Printed material will be distributed through Extension agents and veterinarians during farm visits.
- Sheep producers will be added to the project as they are identified. For most levels of engagement there are financial incentives or perceived benefits of participation that serve to cement the producer's commitment to the project.
- Producers will be supported in the following ways: Prior to, during and following participation in the online FAMACHA© training program producers are in close contact with support personnel to answer any questions, evaluate the producer generated videos and assist producers in obtaining a FAMACHA© card. URI and VA Tech support personnel work with producers participating in the free FEC analysis program to help determine optimal sampling date, provide instructions for sample shipment and dissemination of the results. For producers joining or needing support with the logistics of their enrollment in NSIP, support personnel from NSIP, URI, UConn and NSIP producers/mentors will be available. All producers are provided with appropriate excel worksheets, videos, fact sheets and all instructions necessary to facilitate participation in all stages of the project.
- One of the primary challenges we envision is limited or no internet access that prevents some producers from participating in the online components of the program. For these producers we will be developing hard copies of the training material to distribute via mail, extension agents or veterinarians. Another challenge is the logistics of collecting, entering and interpreting data submitted to NSIP. We will be providing one-on-one and group mentoring with support personnel from NSIP, URI, UConn and the producer/mentors as well as online drop-in sessions to assist producer participants.
LEARNING
- Educational content consists of:
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- Online and in-person training in IPM and FAMACHA© anemia certification that will be available to english and spanish speaking participants, all online video training material is closed captioned;
- Training in utilizing genetic selection for parasite resistance and other important production traits through participation in the NSIP and the subsequent generation of EBVs. Online NSIP material specific to the Northeast market;
- Genetic selection breeding demonstration project managed by Dr. Joe Emenheiser.
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- Educational Approach will consist of:
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- Online video training and in-person workshops on IPM and FAMACHA© anemia certification;
- Virtual and in-person workshops with NSIP leadership and current NSIP producers on genetic selection utilizing estimated breeding values;
- Drop-in Zoom meetings for participants submitting data to NSIP;
- The genetic selection breeding demonstration project will be conducted at UConn to showcase the increase in performance that can result from genetic selection using EBVs for parasite resistance, in addition to other important production traits such as growth and body composition. Measurements taken will include birth weight, weaning weight, post-weaning weight, post-weaning fecal egg count, post-weaning ultrasound of fat thickness, loin muscle depth and carcass data (if available), similar to data that producers would be collecting. This demonstration project will begin in year one and continue for the entirety of the project;
- Farm visits by extension agents and project personnel, to underserved populations of SR producers that have technological limitations;
- Hands-on training utilizing one-on-one and group mentoring to facilitate the collection and submission of data to NSIP to generate and utilize EBVs for breeding stock selection with an overall goal to develop a mentoring hub for Northeast NSIP producers;
- Knowledge leading to action: Producers participating in this project will understand the basis for current best management practices for IPM. They will understand the principles behind genetic selection and how the use of EBVs for parasite resistance and other important production traits, can increase the profitability and sustainability of their farms. This knowledge will result in adoption of appropriate IPM for their farms and the use of NSIP breeding stock and/or enrollment of their flocks in NSIP. These actions taken by producers will significantly advance our efforts to ensure the profitability, sustainability and resilience of SR operations in the Northeast.
EVALUATION
A confidential database of participating producers will be maintained. The number of people completing the online FAMACHA© certification, participating in workshops, completing surveys, conducting FEC, and enrolling in and submitting data to NSIP will provide us with an ongoing evaluation of training program effectiveness and need for changes. A yearly, follow-up program evaluation will be administered to determine IPM practices adopted, the number of animals impacted and information on breeding decisions. We will use Google Analytics to track and analyze visitor traffic.
Milestones
Milestone 1; Engagement: April 30, 2023. An online survey of producers assessing their willingness to adopt the use of EBVs for breeding decisions and associated obstacles to their use will be developed and distributed to 6500 producers utilizing our databases, regional SR Listservs and social media pages. This survey will also be provided to SR Extension Agents and SR Veterinarians in printed form for distribution to underserved individuals or communities lacking the digital technology.
- Status: Complete
- Accomplishments: In year one an online survey was distributed to over 23,000 small ruminant producers (through both listservs and social media) to assess knowledge and willingness to adopt the use of EBV. Producers’ responses (236) highlighted the issue of gastrointestinal parasites, with 78% respondents experiencing issues with gastrointestinal parasites within the last five years. Producers indicated the use of following integrated parasite management techniques:
- 22.23% FAMACHA© system
- 7.45% Multiple species grazing
- 15.96% Pasture rest and rotation
- 14.04% Fecal egg counts
- 6.38% Five point check system
- 20.32% Selective deworming
- 9.68% Genetic selection
- 2.77% Testing for dewormer resistance in the flock
- 1.17% No use of integrated parasite management techniques
90.68% of producers were aware that genetics can be utilized to select for increased resistance towards parasites and 87.29% of producers wanted to learn how to select for parasite resistance in their breeding program. Factors such as small flock size, financial constraints, and lack of information about the use of EBV limit producers to being able to utilize their animals' genetics. Distribution of printed survey is underway and distribution is planned for spring of 2024.
Milestone 2; Engagement: January 30 (recurring). 6500 producers learn about the online IPM/FAMACHA© certification program as well as the spring in-person IPM/FAMACHA© certification and virtual and in-person NSIP workshops utilizing digital and personnel resources identified in Milestone 1 as well as direct mailings of flyers to underserved producers. This will occur each January of the project until the project ends in 2026.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: Outreach for the Online FAMACHA© certification program occurred regularly throughout the year. This program is highlighted through our online platforms (Facebook, our website, and listservs) and small ruminant organizations such as the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control, Maryland Small Ruminant Page, and breeding associations. Due to changes in cooperators, described in Milestone 8, outreach for spring workshops will start in late February with IPM/FAMACHA© and NSIP workshops commencing late spring.
Milestone 3; Engagement: April 30 (recurring). 500 new and existing NSIP producers that live in or market to the Northeast learn about the free fecal egg count analysis available each summer of the project utilizing the digital and personnel resources identified in Milestone 1. Producers sign up for this program with L. Kass who provides all information needed by them for sample collection and shipment.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: This milestone has been met for YR1; 914 producers were contacted about the Fecal Egg Count program, 50 producers registered and 21 producers (20 NSIP producers) participated in the FEC analysis. A total of 2,304 lamb samples were analyzed.
Milestone 4; Engagement: August 31 (recurring). 6500 SR producers learn about the fall in-person IPM/FAMACHA© certification and virtual and in-person NSIP workshops project utilizing the digital and personnel resources identified in Milestone 1. This will occur each August of the project until the projects end in 2026.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: Outreach for various on-going projects throughout the year was conducted. Due to changes in cooperators as described in Milestone 8, concentrated outreach is planned to be conducted for the upcoming IPM/FAMACHA© and NSIP workshops. The online FAMACHA© program continues to be highlighted across the small ruminant community as a virtual online resource. Two thousand two hundred and fifty producers are contacted and over 23,000 producers are reached through our and our collaborators virtual planforms (Facebook, ASRPC website, Maryland Small Ruminant Page, NSIP).
Milestone 5; Engagement and Learning: March 1, 2023 through the end of the project. Producers (120/year, 360/project) will participate in English or Spanish versions of the online IPM/FAMACHA© program continuously throughout the project. Producers learn about best management practices for integrated gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasite control and ultimately obtain their FAMACHA© certification. L. Kass (English version) or R. Ramirez Barrios (Spanish version) will engage with the producers throughout the process.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: This milestone was met for YR1 with 846 participants registering for online training program; 182 participants completed the training. Links to the online training videos and post-video assessment were available on the project webpage, https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/famacha/.
Milestone 6; Learning: March 31 and November 30, 2023, 2024 and 2025. There will be two days/year for in-person IPM/FAMACHA© (6 total @ 50 producers each = 300) and NSIP workshops (6 total @ 30 producers each = 180). There will be two days/year for Virtual NSIP workshops (6 total, 300 producers). Participant contact information will be collected for follow-up on IPM adoption and participation in the NSIP mentoring program.
- Status: Not Begun
- Accomplishments: Due to changes in cooperators and delays in getting the subcontract awarded to Virginia Tech this outreach will commence in 2024.
Milestone 7; Learning: May 15 to September 30 (recurring). New and current NSIP producers (YR1 30, YR2 40, YR3 50) participate in the free fecal egg count analysis for ultimate submission of FEC data to NSIP. Producers learn to properly collect and ship fecal samples for analysis. Samples are shipped to Dr. Ramirez Barrios at Virginia Tech who oversees the analysis of the samples and reporting of results.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: This milestone has been met for YR1; 914 producers were contacted about the Fecal Egg Count program, 50 producers registered and 21 producers (20 NSIP producers) participated in the FEC analysis. A total of 2,304 lamb samples were analyzed. All NSIP producers submitted data to NSIP.
Milestone 8; Engagement and Evaluation: September 30, 2023; February 28 and September 30, 2024, 2025 and February 28, 2026. 50 of the 480 producers attending NSIP workshops, participate in the one-on-one or group mentoring offered to producers enrolling in NSIP. Dr. Emenheiser and NSIP producer/mentors will lead the one-on-one and group mentoring. The Verification survey tool as well as enrollment and submission of flock data to NSIP will be used for verification of the effectiveness.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: Due to the resignation of a key collaborator from their current employment last fall the launch of this portion of the outreach portion has been delayed. Discussions are underway to reorganize collaborators to meet this Milestone
Milestone 9; Engagement and Evaluation: November 30 (recurring). Participation in the FEC analysis program (YR1 30, YR2 40, YR3 50). L. Kass tracks producer participation, samples analyzed per producer and contacts each producer participant from the previous summer using email or phone to determine if they are in need of one-on-one or group mentoring to facilitate the upload of data to NSIP to ensure that all producers needing support receive the support that they need.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: Producers were in contact during all aspects of the project from outreach, registration, sample submission, and data interpretation. No producers were in need of assistance. As our Fecal Egg Count Program started shortly after receiving funding our outreach and educational programs did not yet run, we expect in YR 2 new producers will be participating and seeking assistance.
Milestone 10; Evaluation: March 1, 2023 to November 30, 2026. Producers completing the online IPM/FAMACHA© certification program each year will complete a survey the year following and every project year thereafter assessing the persistence of adoption of best management practices for IPM of GIN parasites. Information will also be compiled on sheep lost to GIN each year. L. Kass will compile and report out the results of the survey.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: Producers completing the online FAMACHA© assessment from March 1st 2023 will receive a survey the year following assessing the the initiation and persistence of the integrated parasite control strategies they planned to adopt in their in the optional program evaluation that was administered at the end of the online post video assessment. Seven-hundred and eighty-six producers completed an optional program evaluation conducted at the end of the online FAMACHA© training post video assessment indicated the following IPM adoption plans:
- 82.5% FAMACHA© scoring
- 47.7% FEC
- 53.6% Targeted selective deworming
- 40.5% Genetic Selection – select animals with resistance to parasites
- 40% Maintain a minimum 4-inch pasture forage height
- 20.8% Plant a forage containing condensed tannins
Milestone 11; Evaluation: March 1, 2023 to November 30, 2026.
Fifty producers, owning a total of 4200 ewes and 6300 lambs, will utilize EBVs for parasite resistance and: 1) will not experience a monetary loss of 5% of their lamb crop to GIN infections; 2) will realize the benefits of increased parasite resistance in their replacement ewes by a 12% increase in the number of offspring produced; 3) will realize an estimated gain of 5 lb/lamb through the prevention of subclinical losses to gastrointestinal parasites.
- Status: In Progress
- Accomplishments: In YR1 21 producers owning 1,443 ewes and 1,982 lambs are utilizing EBVs for parasite resistance.