Title: Factors Influencing Goat Production and Products in the South-Central U.S.

Type: USDA NIFA Evans-Allen

Project Number: OKLXSAHLU2012

Period: 2012-2017

Investigators: T. Sahlu, A. L. Goetsch, R. Puchala, R. C. Merkel, T. A. Gipson, S. P. Hart, S. Zeng, and Z. Wang

Institutions: Langston University

Objectives:

• Study goat feeding and management, relevant health issues, and milk product technologies in order to increase the level and efficiency of goat productivity for increased profitability from goat production and lower costs to consumers of goat products.

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Title: Effects of Selected Nutritional Components on Immunity to Haemonchus in Goats

Type: USDA 1890 Institution Research Capacity Building

Project Number: OKLXWANG10

Period: 2010-2015

Investigators: Z. Wang1, A. L. Goetsch1, S. P. Hart1, T. Sahlu1, and G. Chen2

Institutions: 1Langston University, and 2Oklahoma State University

Objective:

• Investigate immune regulation by H. contortus and reversing this regulation by nutritional components in small ruminants.

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Title: Establishing a Langston University Testing Center for Electric Fence Modifications of Cattle Barb Wire Fence for Goat Containment

Type: USDA 1890 Institution Research Capacity Building

Project Number: OKLXGOETSCH10

Period: 2010-2014

Investigators: A. L. Goetsch1, T. A. Gipson1, T. Sahlu1, and J. Burke2

Institutions: 1Langston University and 2USDA ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center

Objective:

• Develop a repeatable method of testing effectiveness of the various means of cattle fence modifications with electric fence for goat containment.

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Title: Sustainable Small Ruminant Production Through Selection for Resistance to Internal Parasites

Type: USDA 1890 Institution Capacity Building – Integrated Extension and Research

Project Number: OKLXSAHLU12

Period: 2012-2016

Investigators: T. Sahlu1, A. L. Goetsch1, S. P. Hart1, Z. Wang1, R. Mateescu2, and E. DeVuyst2

Institutions: 1Langston University, and 2Oklahoma State University

Objectives:

1. Determine early progress in selection of small ruminants for resistance to internal parasitism ‘on-station’ and ‘on-farm’
2. Characterize changes performance due to selection; develop and implement a new second generation central sire performance test for small ruminants at Langston University
3. Develop early-life genetic indicators of resistance and assess changes in physiological conditions affected by selection
4. Evaluate economic and management considerations of whole herd/flock selection; disseminate potential benefits of selection and associated economic and management considerations for adoption by small ruminant producers

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Title: Handbook for Livestock Research on Smallholder Farms in Developing Countries

Type: USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FSA) Scientific Cooperation Research Program (SCRP)

Period: 2012-2014

Investigators: A. L. Goetsch1, T. A. Gipson1, R. C. Merkel1, G. Abebe2, A. Patra3, D. Zhou4, K. Al-Qudah5, M. Huerta-Bravo6, T. Sahlu1, A. Degen7, W. Getz8, and Y. Tsukahara1,9

Institutions: 1Langston University, 2Hawassa University, 3West Bengal University and Animal and Fishery Sciences, 4Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, 5Jordan University of Science and Technology, 6Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, 7Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8Fort Valley State University, and 9Kyoto University

Objectives:

• Construct a handbook for livestock research on smallholder farms in developing countries. Emphasis is on experimental design and data analysis. An important aspect is input from experts in different areas of the world (i.e., Ethiopia, India, China, Jordan, and Mexico), including regional cultural and social considerations.

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Title: Enhancing Capacity for Research, Extension, and Teaching Activities with Small Ruminants of Bunda College of Agriculture in Malawi and Egerton University in Kenya

Type: USAID, with administration by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

Period: 2012-2014

Investigators: T. Sahlu, A. L. Goetsch, T. A. Gipson, K. Tesfai, L. J. Dawson, and S. Zeng

Objectives:

• Bunda College of Agriculture (BCA): 1) improve the analytical capacity of the Department of Animal Science animal nutrition laboratory of BCA to determine the nutritive value of livestock feedstuffs, inclusive of equipment and supply procurement and associated training and 2) increase knowledge in areas of animal science to enhance the quality of undergraduate and graduate student teaching and increase capacity for research and extension activities.
• Egerton University (EGU): 1) create capacity at EGU in artificial insemination of goats, encompassing use of fresh and frozen semen and to collect and store frozen semen, by establishing an artificial insemination center and provide relevant training; 2) import live animals of three dairy goat breeds to use in natural breeding and artificial insemination for multiplication of purebreds as well as crossbreeding in a community development program; and 3) provide training in areas of animal science relative to management of exotic dairy goat breeds, such as breeding and record-keeping, health and internal parasite management, preparation of teaser bucks for heat detection, and dairy goat product technology.

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Title: Genomics of Resilience in Sheep to Climatic Stressors

Type: USDA 1890 Institution Capacity Building – Integrated Research and Education

Project Number: OKLUGOETSCH2013

Period: 2013-2016

Investigators: A. L. Goetsch1, T. A. Gipson1, R. Mateescu2, S. Zeng1, R. Puchala1, M. Rolf3, T. Sahlu1, and P. Oltenacu2

Institutions: 1Langston University, 2University of Florida, and 3Oklahoma State University

Objectives:

• Long-term goal: Provide necessary knowledge and tools to improve resilience of sheep to environmental stressors being studied through effective breeding programs
• Objective: Evaluate differences among individuals of different breeds of hair sheep (Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix) from four climatic zones of the USA (Upper Midwest, Central Texas, Southeast, and Pacific Northwest) in resilience to three climate-related stress factors (limited feed intake, restricted availability of drinking water, and high heat load) as well as immunity to internal parasitism

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Title: Comparison of Biological Control of Red Cedar with Goats to Conventional Methods of Control

Type: USDA 1890 Institution Capacity Building – Integrated Research and Extension

Project Number: OKLUSHART2014

Period: 2014-2017

Investigators: S. P. Hart1, T. A. Gipson1, R. C. Merkel1, J. Pennington2, C. Clifford-Rathert2 and C. Williams1

Institutions: 1Langston University and 2Lincoln University

Objectives:

1. Learn more about factors affecting red cedar consumption by goats so that they can be more effectively for control red cedar
2. Compare the degree of control and cost of use of goats versus alternative methods of clipping, burning, and herbicide

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Title: Enhancing Wellbeing and Productivity of Dairy Goats Using Smart Technology

Type: USDA 1890 Institution Capacity Building – Research

Project Number: OKLUTGIPSON2014

Period: 2014-2017

Investigators: T. A. Gipson1, S. P. Hart1, R. Puchala1, E. Loetz1, L. J. Dawson2, and B. Ardrey2

Institutions: 1Langston University, and 2Smartsock

Objectives:

1. Validate the appropriate use of a rumen bolus for real-time monitoring of rumination and ruminal temperature
2. Model rumination time and rumen movement using the rumen bolus
3. Examine temperature and rumination time in relation to estrus using the rumen bolus
4. Examine temperature and rumination time in relation to mastitis using the rumen bolus

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Title: Sustainable Control of Greenhouse Gas Emission by Ruminant Livestock

Type: USDA 1890 Institution Capacity Building – Research

Project Number: OKLUAGOETSCH2014

Period: 2014-2017

Investigators: A. L. Goetsch1, R. Puchala1, T. Sahlu1, M. Flythe2, and G. E. Aiken2

Institutions: 1Langston University, and 2USDA ARS Forage-Animal Production Research Unit

Objectives:

• Characterize long-term effects of lespedeza condensed tannins in combination with other substances potentially reducing ruminal methane emission by sheep and goats

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