Reserve your spot at the upcoming webinar entitled:

"Profitable Genetic Selection: How the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) Can Help the US Sheep and Goat Industry".

Reid Redden, Ph.D., North Dakota State University extension sheep specialist and NSIP chair, will present this information at 7 p.m. EST on Dec. 17. 

To register:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3280183289165496321.

NSIP is a nonprofit organization created to develop genetic predictors for production traits relevant to the U.S. sheep and goat industries. This technology generates estimate breeding values (EBVs) based on performance data that is submitted by participating flocks.

The program develops EBVs for:
    *  growth traits: birth, weaning (60 d), post-weaning (120 d), and yearling (365 d) weights,
    *  reproductive traits: number of lambs born and weaned,
    *  carcass traits: loin muscle and back fat depth,
    *  wool traits: fleece weight, fiber diameter, and staple length and
    *  parasite resistance: weaning fecal egg count.

In addition, indexes are created that rank the most important traits for the respective breed.

EBVs are calculated by making comparisons of lambs among their flock mates; therefore, lambs that outperform their flock mates get positive values for the particular trait and genetically related traits. Additionally, sire and dam EBVs increase for production of a lamb that is above or below flock average (progeny test).

To better serve the entire industry, NSIP needs more seedstock producers to enroll, use the program to its full capacity and work with other NSIP breeders to develop genetic connections within the breed. It requires that commercial producers request that their seedstock providers deliver this data and purchase sheep with EBVs that are consistent with the needs of the flock.

In summary, NSIP can help the industry make more informed and reliable breeding decisions and lead to more productive and profitable sheep and goat industries.

This webinar is made possible with funding support from the American Sheep Industry Association and the Rebuild the Sheep Inventory Committee.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

While the focus of our project is Artificial Insemination, our work first focused on the the ram by learning about breeding soundness exams (BSE).  A BSE is a relatively simple test to evaluate a ram’s suitability for breeding. This test is of value to every sheep operation and is essential for rams used in AI.  It consists of a physical examination, an inspection of the reproductive organs, and an evaluation of a semen sample. 

Dr. Craig Zimmerly, DVM  is demonstrating the correct use of a scrotal tape as part of this ram's BSE.  Research has shown that rams with large scrotal measurements not only produce more semen than rams with smaller scrotal measurements but will also have progeny that reach puberty earlier.

 The Society for Theriogenology recommends the following breeding program standard values for scrotal circumference:

Rams 8 months to 14 months

    < 30 cm questionable

    30 - 36 cm satisfactory

    > 36 cm exceptional

Rams > 14 months old

   < 32 cm questionable

   32 - 40 cm satisfactory

   > 40 cm exceptional

Kathy Bielek of Misty Oaks Farm, is being coached by Dr. Dale Duerr, DVM on the proper pipette position while she inseminates one of her Katahdin ewes.  This is one of 3 farms visited by our team in the past 3 months.  At each farm, 20 ewes have been artificially inseminated.  

Dr. Duerr, DVM and Dr. Zimmerly, DVM have taught us about performing breeding soundness exams (BSE) on rams, handling semen, prepping ewes, inseminating ewes using cervical AI techniques, and performing ultrasounds to determine pregnancy.   

This project team was formed when a small group of farmers realized there was a need to not only have a biosecure method for introducing new genetics to closed flocks but also to share their genetic gains across more flocks.  Although numerous research studies have been conducted on AI in sheep, the application of AI at the farmer level in the U.S. is limited.  We are hopeful that this can change.

www.BreedingBetterSheep.com

Insemination of sheep may be vaginal, cervical (posterior or transcervical), or intrauterine.

Vaginal insemination deposits fresh diluted semen into the anterior of the vagina without an attempt to locate the cervix.  It is the simplest and easiest method but requires a larger dose of semen and the success rates are usually less than other methods.
 

Posterior cervical insemination uses a pipette to transverse the vagina and deposit fresh diluted semen at the cervical opening.   It is a technique that is relatively easy to perform, but is limited to fresh semen (diluted or undiluted) since conception rates are generally lower with frozen semen.  It is the most common method used in sheep.
 

Trancervical insemination is performed by inserting a thin pipette through the cervix and depositing the sperm directly into the uterus. Because of the anatomic complexity of the ewe’s cervix, it is more difficult to perform than posterior cervical AI.  This method requires a special pipette but allows the use of either fresh or frozen semen at fairly high success rates.
 

Intrauterine insemination is often referred to as laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) and is accomplished by depositing semen directly into the uterus through an abdominal incision. Conception rates are typically very high.  Because LAI is an invasive procedure, it requires  the  expertise  of  a  trained  veterinarian  which  makes  it  cost-prohibitive  and  less  available  for producers.