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Description
Since the spring of 2022, the MSU sheep flock has been an Innovation Flock for the Sheep GEMS project, led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The GEMS project is a multi-breed, national project evaluating longevity of ewes within flocks. Our part as a participant in the project involves collecting and sending raw data which is compiled into 1 very large data set. The research discussed here uses our preliminary data from the 2022 through 2025 lambing seasons collected from our Katahdin ewes (n = 57; 1-6 years of age). Collected data included fecal egg count (FEC), body condition scoring (BCS), FAMACHA scores, teat scores, udder scores, and teat length/width. Data were analyzed using the CORR procedure in SAS with a significance level set at P < 0.05. Teat length was positively correlated (r = 0.33) with teat width, whereas teat length was negatively correlated (r = -0.30) with teat placement. Age provided the most correlations including positive relationships with incidence of mastitis (r = 0.28) and FAMACHA score (r = 0.22) whereas it had a negative relationship with FEC (r = -0.36). Teat score was positively correlated with FAMACHA (r = 0.19) and incidence of mastitis (r = 0.22). The results of this project underline the importance of multiple traits which could contribute to ewes being culled from the flock early. IACUC #22-11-02
Publication Date
4-16-2025
Disciplines
Higher Education | Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Recommended Citation
Bell, Rachel; Howard, Alyssa; Rayburn, Rickalyn; Verdecchia, Elena; Werner, Madison; Harrelson, Flint; and Harrelson, Patricia, "Interrelationships of Maternal Characteristics in Hair Sheep" (2025). 2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations. 11.
https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2025/11