Location: Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research
Project Number: 2056-31610-007-015-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 15, 2024
End Date: Aug 14, 2028
Objective:
Objective 1. Develop technology for real-time monitoring of litter-unit flocking and bonding dynamics of sheep grazing remote, extensive rangeland systems.
Objective 2. Determine the effect of litter-unit flocking and bonding behaviors of sheep on lamb survivability and calculate the heritability of the litter-unit traits.
Approach:
The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and CloudPositions Inc. are collaborating to develop remote applied technologies to monitoring sheep grazing behavior on extensive, remote landscapes. Much information has been generated from this collaboration, which has great applicability towards precision management of sheep grazing remote, extensive rangelands, which is the focus of this new agreement.
Technology will be developed that tracks the minute-by-minute proximity dynamics of a ewe (female sheep) and its lambs - a litter unit - and the litter unit and its sheep flock. Collar-fitted GPS/processor units with real-time data transmission (download and upload) capabilities will be designed for application on the ewes. Small signal-emitting communication units will be designed for application on the lambs. Prototypes of the units will be built and tested beginning in small confined areas with a subsample of sheep and ending in extensive rangeland environments with large flocks. Based on the findings from each testing environment, prototypes will be modified to achieve the level of functionality required to accomplish the objective. Ultimately, models will be constructed that best describe the litter-unit flocking and bonding dynamics of sheep (Objective 1).
Once the prototypes and models are proven, ewes and lambs will be fitted with the devices in an extensive grazing system. Ewes with single and twin litters from multiple breeds will be tested. Total flock size, rangeland environment, and management system will be quantified. Initially, impact of litter-unit flocking and bonding dynamics on lamb survivability will be determined. Ultimately, the heritability of the litter-unit traits will be calculated and applied to a breeding strategy focused on improving lamb survivability (Objective 2).
