University of Nebraska Researcher Leads Project to Develop Hardier Sheep Breeds for U.S. Industry
Ron Lewis, a professor of animal breeding and genomics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is spearheading a new research project aimed at enhancing the robustness and climatic resilience of U.S. sheep breeds. Funded by a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the initiative will create a comprehensive database of genetic and performance data for major U.S. sheep breeds, including Katahdin, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Suffolk. The project involves collaborations with experienced sheep breeders across various U.S. climatic regions, Purdue University, and three USDA Agriculture Research Service centers. By integrating genetic datasets, researchers will evaluate traits such as lamb survival, ewe longevity, gastrointestinal parasitism, udder health, and resilience to environmental challenges. The goal is to provide producers with genomic-enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBV) to improve sel...
