Browsing by Subject "Rambouillet"
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Item Effect of Neofat on offspring sex ratios in Rambouillet and Suffolk sheep.(2011-05-10T21:35:24Z) Lange, Sarah E.; Lange, Sarah; Branham, Loree A.; Engdahl, Gril R.; Pier, Charles A.; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.Maternal diet and body condition are conceivably the most studied factors influencing sex ratio. The objective of this study was to determine if Neo-fat® influences offspring sex ratio in Rambouillet and Suffolk sheep. Ewes were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (n = 46). Treatment 1 consisted of a basal diet to serve as a control, and Treatment 2 consisted of the basal diet plus Neo-Fat fed at 0.46% of body weight. Ewes were bred after four weeks of feeding and continued to be fed for an additional two weeks. Blood samples were taken at breeding to determine differences in NEFA concentrations in serum. Results were only considered for ewes lambing as a result of being bred on the first estrus cycle and indicated no differences among NEFA concentrations, lamb sex ratios or lamb birth weights (P > 0.05).Item Effects of "Breed up" on non-seasonal spermatogenesis in ovine(2013-05-24) Leonard, Craig Alexander; Leonard, Craig Alexander; Dickison, J., Will; Engdahl, Gil; Williamson, Amy; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.Rams of Suffolk and Rambouillet influence were placed on a 60-d trial to determine the value of the trade product “Breed Up” in semen production through the summer months. Final collection was June 27 when ambient stress is generally at its highest point. Semen characteristics such as scrotal circumference, volume, concentration, and motility were used in the evaluation of the success of the product. While no significant values were recorded (P < .05), it was proven that the rams subject to the treatment group better maintained their ability to produce more fertile semen. Also, all rams within the treatment group showed an improvement in all four of the characteristics studied as opposed to those rams that were in the control group.Item Effects of isoflavones on reproductive functions of ram lambs(2012-05-12) Patton, Thor; Patton, Thor Addison; Salisbury, Micheal; Engdahl, Gil; Scott, Cody; Wegner, John; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.A study was conducted to determine if the isoflavones found in soybean‐based proteins were a detriment to ram lamb production and/or rate to puberty. New born Rambouillet and Suffolk ram lambs were randomly assigned either to the treatment (n=20) or control group (n=19). Treatment received soybean based feed from creep to finishing, while the control received cottonseed meal based feed. At weaning, serum samples and weights were collected to evaluate estradiol and testosterone levels. At an average of seven months of age, blood samples, final weights, semen samples and scrotal circumference measurements were taken. Scrotal circumference and weaning weight were decreased (p<0.05) and in general no other aspect was affected (p>0.05). However, numerically semen counts tended to be reduced. Additionally, estradiol was found to be higher at weaning (p>0.05) in the treatment and lower at final collection, testosterone acted inversely.Item Effects of soy isoflavones on the attainment of puberty in ewe lambs(2012-05-12) Griffith, Jerred; Griffith, Jerred; Salisbury, Micheal W.; Engdahl, Gil R.; Scott, Cody B.; Kornasky, Linda; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.In humans, diets containing high levels of soy isoflavones have shown to increase circulating estrogen levels. With this increase, early attainment of puberty has been experienced. Although a negative in humans, this could be a substantial gain in the some species of livestock. This research is designed to determine the effects of soy isoflavones on early development and early attainment of puberty in ewe lambs. Newly born Rambouillet and Suffolk ewe lambs were randomly assigned to either the control group; cotton seed meal protein, or the treatment group; soybean meal protein. Lambs were fed treatment specific diets from just following birth until breeding. Weights and blood samples were drawn to determine growth and performance as well as serum estrogen and progesterone levels. No difference (P > 0.05) in growth and performance and reproductive activity was established between treatments. However, a difference was established (P < 0.05) between estrogen concentration.Item Estimates of efficiency of Dorper and Rambouillet lambs.(2011-05-03T20:03:15Z) Yeaman, Jessup; Yeaman, Jessup; Waldron, Dan; Craddock, B. Frank; Engdahl, Gil; Salisbury, Michael; Scott, David; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.Feed intake and body weight were recorded on thirty-seven Dorper ram lambs and forty-two Rambouillet ram lambs from weaning to 61kg of body weight to determine feed conversion efficiency. The data were collected over a two year period. Lambs were progeny of 6 unrelated sires per breed. Lambs were approximately 90 days of age and 31kg body weight at the start of the trial. Lambs were fed a commercially prepared, pelleted diet with an average crude protein content of 16% and TDN of 70.5%. Lambs were divided into groups of 10-11 containing both breeds, and fed using FIRE (Feed Intake Recording Equipment, Osborne Industries, Inc, Osborne, KS, USA). Lambs were identified using a unique electronic identification ear tag transponder. Feed intake was recorded electronically and lambs were weighed every two weeks. Data were analyzed using SAS PROC MIXED with a model that included breed and birth type as fixed effects, a random effect for sire, and starting weight as a covariate. In both years of the trial, breed was not found to have a statistically significant effect on ADG or FCE (p>0.05). Post weaning feed efficiency was similar between Dorper and Rambouillet lambs. The Dorpers’ total ADG was 340 g/d; the Rambouillets’ was 342 g/d. The Dorpers’ average FCE was 0.159; the Rambouillets’ was 0.158. Over the post weaning period studied there was no advantage shown by either breed.Item Intake of salt cedar by two different breeds of sheep(2012-12-15) Borroum, Zachary Bryan; Borroum, Zachary Bryan; Cody B. Scott; Michael W. Salisbury; Gil R. Engdahl; Monica Koenigsberg; Angelo State University. Department of Agriculture.Salt cedar encroachment is of great concern in the western portion of the United States. Control attempts have been made with leaf beetles and herbicides in the past, but none yet have been found to be completely successful. The goal of this experiment was to determine if two breeds of sheep would consume salt cedar. Twelve Rambouillet and twelve Suffolks, along with ten Boer goats were penned for approximately one month and fed a basal ration for maintenance and growth, along with fresh salt cedar. Salt cedar intake was measured daily and body weights were taken approximately every week. Initially, intake was low, but after 2 days, consumption levels consistently increased. There was no difference between breeds of sheep, but sheep did eat more salt cedar than goats. Other than the first weigh period, animal weights consistently increased throughout the experiment.