PRELIMINARY MILK-SHEEP CROSSBREEDING FOR PRODUCTION SYSTEM GRAZING COOL AND WARM-SEASON GRASSES PASTURE IN MISSOURI

This project intends to help dairy sheep producers incorporate characteristics that make it more sustainable agribusiness. Crossbreed animals produce less milk than their purebred dairy parent stock; however, the Katahdin breed does well in a grass-based system. Utilizing the efficiency of the Katahdin breed will reduce grain needs, thereby reducing production costs. The crossbred offspring should be more parasite resistant than traditional dairy breeds, reducing the expense and use of commercial anthelmintics. The influence of the dairy breed in the cross will result in larger weaning weights for the offspring.Objectives:To evaluate the milk production of crosses F1 and F2.The assessment of the lactation curve by crossbreed.To evaluate milk quality by crossbreed and projection in the evaluation of cheese yieldTo estimate parasite load-resistance in crosses F1, F2, and pure Katahdin breed stockTo educate farmers and other stakeholders on the merits of milk production of sheep crossbreeds.