Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
Current livestock diagnostic methods generally involve expensive laboratory equipment run by specialized personnel. Thus, rapid and cost-effective detection of livestock production and health is limited. Accurate early detection of pregnant ewes is required to implement appropriate nutrition and animal welfare programs. Ewes carrying single lambs tend to deliver higher birth weight lambs with more dystocia issues while those carrying triplets have increased risks of pregnancy toxemia and hypocalcemia, resulting in higher ewe mortality, lower birthweights, and poor lamb survivability.
This research aims to develop a PoC PLS tool that will allow targeted nutrition management of ewes to enhance survivability and ultimately improve flock profitability and competitiveness.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
While sheep are the target of this research, findings will benefit many other livestock species. This device template would significantly decrease the cost of similar endeavours with other livestock.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Findings will be shared via print in popular producer magazines. There will also be webinars held to highlight findings, submissions to peer-reviewed journals, and presentations at scientific conferences and producer meetings.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.