North Dakota State University
Application of Reproductive Techniques in the U.S. Sheep and Goat Industries.
This project proposes to use an integrated
approach for advancing and disseminating reproductive management practices,
particularly AI, in both the sheep and goat industries of the U.S.
The following
specific aims will be pursued:
1) Enhance the success of currently available estrous synchronization and AI techniques in sheep;
2) Develop and distribute educational materials for reproductive management in sheep and goats;
3) Host an intensive reproductive management workshop for small ruminant practitioners.
Application of Reproductive Technologies to the US Sheep and Goat Industries.
Specific Aim 1) Enhance the success of currently available estrous
synchronization and LAI techniques in sheep.
On May 12th we ultrasounded the 212 ewes on the initial LAI study. The purpose
of this study was to evaluate the success of AI at 3 different times following
CIDR device removal (50, 60, and 70 hours) and compare the use of PMSG to
commercially available PG600 for estrous synchronization. Historically, we have
achieved 85% pregnancy rates to natural service with this flock of ewes at this
time of year (which is out-of-season). After diagnosing pregnancy to AI, we
found that pregnancy rates ranged from only 5 to 25%. These rates are too low
and not representative of what we can expect to achieve in the fall of the year
(normal breeding season). As a result, we were not able to analyze our treatment
groups appropriately and thus, we will be repeating the study. As mentioned
above this will not be a problem because all of the ASGC funds are remaining.
After we achieved the lower than normal (breeding season) pregnancy rates to AI
in May, I contacted the land grant universities of WI and SD. We are planning to
repeat this study using the Hampshire flocks at NDSU, UW-Madison, SDSU, UW-River
Falls and those of cooperating producers in ND and SD this August. Although this
adds some travel, it allows us to apply the technique to Hampshire sheep flocks
throughout a tri-state area. In addition, the university flocks above are, or
will be, enrolled in the NSIP, which may give us the opportunity to do some
across flock evaluations of certain sires. I will keep you posted as we make
progress.
Specific Aim 2) Develop and distribute educational materials for reproductive
management in sheep and goats.
In the original grant proposal, we outlined the following small ruminant
reproduction bulletins to be completed. After each bulletin, I have indicated
our progress.
1) Reproduction in Sheep and Goats Completed, to be formatted and published when
account is set up
2) Estrous Synchronization in Ewes and Does Completed, to be formatted and
published when account is set up
3) Semen Collection, Evaluation, and Preservation in Rams and Bucks Not
Initiated
4) Artificial Insemination Techniques for Small Ruminants Completed, to be
formatted and published when account is set up
5) Using Teaser Rams as a Reproductive Management Tool Completed, to be
formatted and published when account is set up
6) Ultrasonography Techniques for Reproductive Management Not Initiated
7) Developing a Business Plan for Small Ruminant Reproduction Services Not
Initiated
Specific Aim 3) Host an intensive reproductive management workshop for small
ruminant veterinarians/technicians.
Again this workshop will be held in August of 2010, and I have informed our
speakers and co-organizers that this grant was funded.
Progress on Specific Aim 2 has remained the same as in previous updates. During
the middle week of August we will be running the AI trial at NDSU in Fargo and a
number of other ND producer operations (Specific Aim 2). We also have our
facilities reserved for completing Specific Aim 3, the Reproductive Management
Workshop this next Fall.