News & Resources

Haley White
Willamette Livestock & Forages

ODA, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with USDA and APHIS

In a previous article, we highlighted the need for genetically improving the length of ewe productive life in U.S. sheep based on our studies in Katahdin sheep. Ewe longevity is an example of a trait that will benefit from genomic selection because it is sex limited (only females have records) and measured late in the life of the animals. Therefore, the Sheep GEMS team has conducted genomic studies to support the implementation of genomic selection to improve ewe longevity in U.S. sheep.

Ewe productive longevity, which is the number of days between a ewe’s first and last lambing, positively impacts flock profitability in at least three ways. It reduces annual ewe replacement costs. It increases ewe output by increasing the proportion of mature ewes in the flock. And lastly, ewes that live longer usually have fewer reproductive…

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

Genetic diversity is what allows for adaptation and evolution in response to change, whether that change is environmental or consumer driven.

DNA from 15,586 sheep were genotyped from four breeds in the National Sheep Improvement Program: Katahdin (12,495), Rambouillet (1276), Polypay (1292), and Suffolk (523). Genotypes for five genetic conditions.

In this first article on the topic of genomic selection, we will discuss the use of genomic information for the prediction of genomic breeding values.

A lawsuit has been filed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn, American Sheep Industry Assn and 8 other groups challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s new Conservation and Landscape Health rule.

Genetic analysis is an increasingly important and common tool in guiding animal breeding. With the use of genomic information, a growing number of desired traits for livestock that boost flock health and producer profitability are being incorporated into breeding programs.

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.

On April 4, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) wildlife damage management program, Wildlife Services (WS), posted its annual Program Data Reports (PDR) for fiscal year (FY) 2023.

Haley White
Willamette Livestock & Forages

ODA, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with USDA and APHIS