Additional NSIP Genetic conditions from genotypes: PRNP, MSTN, FecB, CLPG

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Sheep GEMS Update – September 2024 The Sheep GEMS project has enabled producers to capture genetic information from their animals with the intent to simultaneously make genomic predictions of breeding values, verifying parentage, and identifying genetic condition status. Such multiple uses of a single genotyping platform will help avoid the extra costs of running DNA tests separately for these different purposes. Our objective was to develop and validate a process to accurately obtain genetic conditions as one outcome of genotyping with a common medium-density (50K markers) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) platform (assay), and to estimate frequencies of those genetic conditions…

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A Tribute to Dr. Charles Parker, Mentor and Friend

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Dr. Charles Parker (1935-2024) was a sheep specialist, researcher, industry leader and experienced advisor to many of us in the Katahdin breed. As an early supporter of the breed, Charles felt that Katahdins could and should be the Complete Meat Sheep, genetically balanced for reproductive and growth efficiency and easily adapted to diverse production systems. Following his death in July 2024 we decided to compile some of his advice and guidance over the years to share with others. In collaboration with the Piel Farm, Heifer Project and some of the early Katahdin breeders, Charles was instrumental in the development of…

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Using genotypes to reduce susceptibility to Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)

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Sheep GEMS News Brief 5 – late-August 2024 In the U.S., the disease Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP) causes extensive welfare and financial losses due to decreased ewe productivity of about 20% and eventual culling or death of breeding stock. Surveys of U.S. sheep have shown that 36% of sheep operations have infected animals and 24% of all animals tested were seropositive. Once infected, sheep remain infected for life, and there is no effective treatment or vaccine. Sheep producers can eradicate OPP from a flock in two ways. First, is by serological testing and removing all infected sheep with the obvious…

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Building the foundations for genomic selection in U.S. sheep

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Sheep GEMS News Brief 4 – mid-August 2024 The Sheep GEMS project, together with NSIP members and other sheep industry organizations, have been working to create the building blocks for the implementation of genomic selection in the U.S. sheep industry. In this second article of the Sheep GEMS update related to genomic predictions, we describe the practical aspects for application of genomic selection in our industry. Genomic selection is the process by which genomically-enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBV) are used for selection of individuals to become the parents of the next generation. The first question one may ask is “How…

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Genomic selection: a new era in U.S. sheep breeding

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Sheep GEMS News Brief 3 – July 2024 Genomic information has been used in many livestock breeding programs for four primary applications: 1) parentage identification, 2) identification of carriers of genetic conditions, 3) evaluation of individual and populational genetic diversity, and 4) prediction of the genetic merit of selection candidates to be used for breeding. These applications show that genomic information has multiple uses key to implementing sustainable breeding programs. The U.S. sheep industry has recognized the added value of genomics and is moving to incorporate it into its genetic evaluations thought the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). In this…

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It is all about the interactions

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Sheep GEMS News Brief 2 – May 2024 As a reminder, GEMS stands for Genetics, Environment, Management and Society. In Sheep GEMS we are interested in the interactions among these elements of a production system. As our starting point, we focused on the first three bits, namely Genetics, Environment and Management. An initial study with Katahdin sheep shows how these elements work together. We based genetics on body weights, fecal egg counts, and FAMACHA scores recorded at around 90 days of age in over 3,500 Katahdin lambs from 17 flocks participating in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). FAMACHA scores…

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What is Sheep GEMS?

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Sheep GEMS News Brief 1 – April 2024 GEMS stands for Genetics, Environment, Management and Society, which are four pillars of our sheep industry. Why so? In the U.S., distinct breed-types are spread across climatically diverse regions and management systems. Breeding robust sheep that perform well under these conditions is therefore critical to the industry’s long-term sustainability. Currently, however, traits indicative of robustness and climatic resilience are largely absent in our genetic evaluation. Our ambition in Sheep GEMS is to remedy that shortfall. Sheep GEMS has been underway for about two years, with exciting results generated. For those findings to…

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NSIP Data Entry – Dead At Birth (DAB)

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Not all lambs make it all the way from conception to birth. On occasion we see a litter where some are full term healthy lambs, but there is also a mummy or a partially formed lamb. Deciding how to enter data in these cases can be confusing. But here are some guidelines to help you decide how to enter these lambs.  Keep in mind that the birth type of a lamb is used in adjustments for birth weight. A single lamb that weighs 10 pounds will end up with a lower birth weight EBV than a triplet lamb with a…

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The Nuts and Bolts of EBVs

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EBVs are tools that producers can use to select breeding animals that will help them meet flock goals for specific traits such as growth, milk, reproduction, parasite resistance and carcass quality. It is important to understand that selecting for extremes in one trait will often put negative selection pressure on other traits of interest. Often, animals with extremely high EBVs in certain traits will require additional nutritional support or better management to perform successfully at that level. In addition, some traits are antagonistic to other traits, meaning that if you select strongly for one trait you may be inadvertently reversing…

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Buying Parasite Resistance: considerations for greater success

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Often producers interested in adding genetics for parasite resistance to their flock are faced with deciphering the fecal egg count (FEC) EBVs listed on a stall card or catalog at an auction (online or in person). Is that enough information to identify a parasite resistant animal? In my experience, no. Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) provide a wonderful tool to predict animal performance, but when it comes to parasite resistance, the stated EBV often doesn't provide the whole answer. More than other traits, FEC EBVs can be subject to some pretty big changes over time. Partly that's because there is such…

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