Dairy Sheep Genetics Project Goals Improvement Project Develop - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Dairy Sheep Genetics Improvement Project

2018 Update

Project Goals

• Develop systematic approach to gathering

sheep dairy production data

• Develop the means for developing

estimated breeding values within and across dairy flocks and across breed

• Develop a means for producers to have a

valid and accurate means for selection of replacement and sale stock

• Track genetic improvements resulting from

semen importation

• Improve sheep dairy production and

components across North America

EBV Participation Tiers

Item F1 offspring of semen importation Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Farm Enrollment -- Complete enrollment form with payment to DSANA X X X X Ewe flock entry: animal ID (must follow protocol), date of birth, dam, sire, breed type, litter size, birth weight, lactation number, age of first lambing, lambing date(s). X X X X Ram entry: animal ID (must follow protocol), date of birth, dam, sire, breed type, litter size, birth weight, 50 day weight. X X X X Lamb entry: animal ID (must follow protocol), date of birth, sex, litter size, birth weight, 50 day weight, management codes, disposal codes. X X X X Individualized milk weights gathered a minimum of 5 times per ewe per lactation. Collection protocols vary by Tier (see milk collection standard operating procedures). X X X X Individualized milk samples collected a minimum of 5 times per lactation. Milk sample composition analysis to be conducted by DHIA certified laboratory. Analysis to include at a minimum: True protein, butterfat, total solids, lactose, somatic cell count. X X Individualize milk samples analyzed for MUN-protein and BHB-nutrition-ketosis through a DHIA certified laboratory. X Single sire mating and/or DNA blood cards used with multiple-sire breeding to determine parentage. X X DNA blood cards collected on lambs and sires for future genetic analysis. Cards will be logged and stored in a central repository. X Dairy conformation and udder morphology rating. X Animal health and disease testing and assurances for OPP, Scrapie, Brucellosis Ovis, Johnes. X

What is an Estimated Breeding Value?

 Measurements calculated to determine the

heritability of individual traits or the amount of influence that genetics have on that specific trait.

 Incorporates: Individual traits, contemporary

groups in their environment, pedigree, and genetic links

 Used to identify genetically superior animals in the

flock in order to pass the best genetics on to future members of the flock

 Allows buyers to know what genetics they are

buying and to compare the genetic merit of rams

• r ewes

 Allows for productivity improvement and

increased profitability

Russel Burgett, NSIP, Estimated Breeding Values: How they are calculated and what it means to producers.

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Coordinating efforts for good results

Resources and Organizations providing insight and counsel

 National Dairy Herd Improvement

Association

 American Dairy Goat Association  International Committee for Animal

Recording (ICAR) https://www.icar.org/

 GenOvis  Rocky Mountain DHIA (Wellsville UT)

Why Rocky Mountain DHIA

Benefits

 Our starting point  Uniform testing procedures and results

across flocks

 Reasonable cost per animal for producer

Challenges

 Costs of shipping to Utah  Timely data entry and shipping

2018 Pilot Farms

 Meadowood Farms – NY  Tin Willows Sheep Dairy and Ranch – OR  Green Dirt Farm – MO  Forever Young Dairy – WI  Whispering Pines – SC

Participation Requirements

 DSANA membership  Farmed enrolled in USDA Scrapie

Program

 Must submit a minimum of three,

preferred five test day results

 All recipients of semen through the

DSANA Genetics Improvement Project are expected to participate.

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Participation Process

 Farm Enrollment Form -- USA$300 paid to DSANA  Adult animal enrollment  Lamb enrollment  Monthly milk testing (volume in pounds)  Monthly recording of components (vials sent to

RMDHIA)

 Transcribe RMDHIA results to GenOvis

spreadsheet

 Data returns provide in-flock ratings, and ultimately

estimated breeding values calculated across breeds

 Use data returns for determining flock replacement

and breeding strategies

Breed Codes

DX

American Dairy Sheep (> 87.5% EF X CU Cross - at least three generations)

AX

Assaf (>87.5%)

WA

Awassi (>87.5%)

BM

British Milk Sheep (>87.5%)

EF

East Friesian (>87.5%)

CU

Lacaune (>87.5%)

XXX

Other Crosses of dairy/other sheep

Farm Enrollment Adult Animal Enrollment

DHIA Control Number* Farm of Origin Scrapie ID Animal ID Farm Code + year+ number Animal Breed Date of birth (yyyy-mm-dd) Animal Sex (M, F) Lactation Number Lambing Date Litter Size (1-5) Number Retained Lambs 1600 WI39 WI39-BD-9746 DX 2014-02-07 F

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Lamb Enrollment

Farm Scrapie ID Mngmt Year yyyy Mngmnt Group Code* New Lamb ID Dam ID Dam Barn Name Sire ID Sire Barn Name Lamb DOB (yyyy-mm-dd) Sex F,M,W Litter Size Raised As - Code

Milk Test Day Worksheet

Farm ID (Farm Scrapie ID) AM or PM Test Date Start time End Time Bulk Tank Start Bulk Tank End Milk Sample 1 Milk Sample 2 DHIA Control Number* DSANA ANIMAL ID Sample 1 Vial # Sample 1 Weight Sample 2 Vial # Sample 2 Weight Notes We will use pounds for all U.S.A. testing. Pounds decals can be

• rdered from your meter vendor.

GenOvis Milk Production Form

Farm ID (Farm Scrapie ID) Test Date Start time End Time Bulk Tank Start Pounds Bulk Tank End Pounds Date Start Time End Time Milk Weight 1 Milk Weight 2 FAT % PROTEIN %LACTOSE %LACTOSE Bulk Tank Sample Results Yes or No ROPID (If available) ANIMAL ID Milk Weight 1 W1 - Fat % W1 - PROT% W1-Lactose W1-SNF W1-Total Solids W1-SCC Milk Weight 2 Is this milk test-day being supervised by a certified technician or someone else? Previous Three Milking Times

GenOvis Flock Information Returns

 Preliminary data received this week from

GenOvis for four pilot farms.

 Estimated breeding values for production,

fat, protein, MUN, and persistence.

 EBV are based on the breed population

indicated on the animal enrollment form.

 GenOvis is working to develop a flock

selection tool that takes into consideration all data gathered.

 We still have many details to work out.

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Measurement Means (2018)

Trait Mean 24 hours 1.64 Fat % 5.67 Protein % 4.84 Lactose % 4.75

EBV Acc. % EBV Acc. % EBV Acc. % Colonne6 Colonne7 Colonne8 Colonne9 Colonne10 Colonne11 Colonne12 Colonne13 Colonne14 4.16 19 65 0.16 17 65 0.17 17 66

• 6.70

19 47

• 0.43

17 48

• 0.42

17 44 31.93 41 91 1.72 36 91 1.71 36 93 21.06 41 84 1.52 36 90 1.16 36 87

• 57.11

44 1

• 3.24

40 1

• 2.80

40 2 0.50 44 60 0.34 40 70 0.45 40 73 23.44 41 86 1.46 36 89 1.12 36 86

• 5.63

27 49

• 0.41

26 49

• 0.43

26 44

• 40.25

41 6

• 2.09

36 8

• 1.92

36 7

• 5.08

24 50

• 0.47

23 46

• 0.20

23 53 66.10 44 99 3.16 44 98 3.48 44 99 220j Milk Yield (kg) 220j Fat Yield (kg) 220j Protein Yield (kg)

Preliminary Result Example

WHAT WE’RE LEARNING – PILOT PROJECT PERSPECTIVES

Eliza Spertus, Green Dirt Farm, MO Persephone Allen, Forever Young Dairy, WI Quincy Wool, Meadowood Farm, NY

Panelist Perspectives

 Challenges and successes while inputting

data:

• Animal enrollments
• Milk production data

 What did you learn about your flock?  What words of wisdom can you share?

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2019 Involvement

 Starting now – 2019 plan of action  USA$300 per farm made out to DSANA

(CA$228+DSANA management fee)

 Start animal enrollment

• Farm Scrapie ID + Year code + unique animal number

(scrapie tag number)

• Sire/dam/DOB/Litter size

 Obtain access to meters (TruTest, Waikato, in-line,

etc.)

 Prepare for January start-up. Review milk testing

procedures and order vials from RMDHIA

 Update adult enrollments (ewes and breeding rams)  Enter lambing data

Enroll Now! Thank EWE!

Contact:

• Laurel Kieffer,

Genetics Improvement Project Manager

• kieftl@tcc.coop