The Nuts and Bolts of EBVs

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:11 mins read

  • Loading

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…

Continue ReadingThe Nuts and Bolts of EBVs

Buying Parasite Resistance: considerations for greater success

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:27 mins read

  • Loading

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…

Continue ReadingBuying Parasite Resistance: considerations for greater success

Understanding “Number of Lambs Weaned” (NLW) Estimated Breeding Values

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:5 mins read

  • Loading

We've been members of NSIP since 2006 and I must confess that I've never really understood what all went into the calculation of "Number of Lambs Weaned", let alone Genomically-enhanced Estimated Breeding Values (GEBV) for NLW. Seems most of my ewes had NLW GEBV that were about the same as their NLB GEBV, with a few exceptions. Some were a little lower and some were a little higher, and since they are correlated, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to these slight differences until I bought a ram last year with a NLB of 0.04 and a NLW…

Continue ReadingUnderstanding “Number of Lambs Weaned” (NLW) Estimated Breeding Values

Impact of NSIP Status on Ram Value

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:4 mins read

  • Loading

In 2022, the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center hosted its 10th ram test and sale. Over the years, the program has developed a strong reputation for the development and identification of superior rams for growth and parasite resistance in a forage-based environment. Historically, the test has included rams from NSIP flocks and some rams from flocks not enrolled in NSIP (non-NSIP). The 2022 test and sale data were analyzed to explore the impact of NSIP enrollment on ram performance and value in the program. The 2022 test included 119 rams from 10 states. Rams were delivered in late…

Continue ReadingImpact of NSIP Status on Ram Value

Profile: Dr. Scott Bowdridge

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:11 mins read

  • Loading

This past summer, Dr. Scott Bowdridge, Associate Professor of Food Animal Production, West Virginia University, opened our minds to his exciting research identifying immune mechanisms in sheep to eliminate parasitic infections. At the 2022 Eastern Alliance for Production Katahdins (EAPK) symposium he discussed his data that links low FEC EBVs (Fecal Egg Count Estimated Breeding Values) with an overall increase in disease resistance. Dr. Bowdridge has diverse experiences working as a sheep producer, geneticist and now as an immunologist. Through the years, he has developed many relationships with other scientists in the field. Together their groundbreaking research is advancing the…

Continue ReadingProfile: Dr. Scott Bowdridge

Sheep GEMS Update

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:6 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep GEMS is roaring ahead, with the strong commitment by Katahdin breeders particularly welcomed. With the help of John Bare, Michelle Canfield, Tom Hodgman, and Jim Morgan—members of a Project Advisory Group—twenty-six Katahdin flocks have voiced their interest to participate in this project. A key element of Sheep GEMS is collecting performance records in NSIP-member flocks that reflect the productive efficiency, robustness, and climatic resilience of their sheep. These include udder health, lamb survival, ewe longevity, and parasite resistance. Based on the outcome of a pilot study underway, we also are developing a measure of coat shedding in Katahdins that…

Continue ReadingSheep GEMS Update

How Does Selection for Parasite Resistance in Katahdin Sheep Affect Other Important Traits?

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:6 mins read

  • Loading

Katahdin producers who use NSIP estimated breeding values (EBV) to make selection decisions on replacements for the home flock or for sale often select for more than one trait at a time. In fact, most breeders search for the perfect animal with balanced EBVs, or those that excel in all traits of interest. But what happens when two or more traits are used in selection? Can forward progress be made on both traits? Maybe. Parasite resistance has been selected for in several flocks with an estimated heritability of 0.19 for weaning fecal egg count (WFEC), and 0.24 for post-weaning fecal…

Continue ReadingHow Does Selection for Parasite Resistance in Katahdin Sheep Affect Other Important Traits?

Shepherd to Shepherd: Producer Forum Blog #3

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:14 mins read

  • Loading

For our third producer forum we asked our four shepherds, all enrolled in NSIP, how they select their breeding rams and how they make breeding decisions on their farms. Their answers, shared below, reflect the differences among the farms in environment, markets, individual flock goals and management styles. As a reminder, our producer forum includes: Michelle Canfield (Canfield Farms, Western Washington), Lynn Fahrmeier (Fahrmeier Katahdins, Western Missouri), Roxanne Newton (Hound River Farm, South Georgia), and Etienne and Isabel Richards (Gibraltar Farm, Central NY) What traits do you look for when selecting a breeding ram? Canfield: I always seek a ram…

Continue ReadingShepherd to Shepherd: Producer Forum Blog #3

Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:31 mins read

  • Loading

Most shepherds have probably heard of OPP as it is one of the three diseases included in the biosecurity panels that many laboratories offer. The USDA Sheep 2001 study tested over 21,000 samples from 682 randomly selected flocks country wide to collect data on the prevalence of OPP. They found that 36.4% of flocks had one or more animals that tested positive and overall, 24.2% of the animals tested were positive for OPP. Only 1.2% of the producers suspected that their animals were infected with OPP. This data is from over 20 years ago but still relevant as it shows…

Continue ReadingOvine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)

Shepherd to Shepherd: Producer Forum #2

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:11 mins read

  • Loading

For our second producer forum we asked our four shepherds what data they collect besides that used for NSIP; how they manage their data; what software programs they use; and how they analyze and use their data to make selection decisions.  Michelle Canfield, Canfield Farms, Western Washington I use Ranch Manager for my day-to-day husbandry records. Mostly what I keep in here are records of medical treatments & other events; location of sheep (pasture vs barn); breeding & lambing records; and purchase & sale records. It supports functionality to track weights and financial data, but I don't use those features,…

Continue ReadingShepherd to Shepherd: Producer Forum #2