Understanding Shiga toxin subtypes in E. coli from reservoir hosts may give insight into their significance as human pathogens. The data also serve as an epidemiological tool for source tracking. We characterized Shiga toxin subtypes in 491 goat E. coli isolates (STEC) from the mid-Atlantic US region (stx1 = 278, stx2 = 213, and stx1/stx2 = 95). Their serogroups, phylogroups, M13RAPD genotypes, eae (intimin), and hly (hemolysin) genes were also evaluated. STEC-positive for stx1 harbored Stx1c (79%), stx1a (21%), and stx a/c (4%). Those positive for Stx2 harbored stx2a (55%) and Stx2b (32%), while stx2a/stx2d and stx2a/stx2b were each 2%. Among the 343 STEC that were serogrouped, 46% (n = 158) belonged to O8, 20% (n = 67) to 076, 12% (n = 42) to O91, 5% (n = 17) to O5, and 5% (n = 18) to O26. Less than 5% belonged to O78, O87, O146, and O103. The hly and eae genes were detected in 48% and 14% of STEC, respectively. Most belonged to phylogroup B1 (73%), followed by D (10%), E (8%), A (4%), B2 (4%), and F (1%). M13RAPD genotyping revealed clonality of 091, O5, O87, O103, and O78 but higher diversity in the O8, O76, and O26 serogroups. These results indicate goat STEC belonged to important non-O157 STEC serogroups, were genomically diverse, and harbored Shiga toxin subtypes associated with severe human disease.

The effects of breed type (purebred or crossbred) and supplementation of agro-byproducts on the growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of landrace hair (Barbados Blackbelly; BB and St. Croix; SX) lambs was evaluated. Thirty-six 7.5-month-old purebred hair (BB and SX; body weight = 24.1 ± 4.26 kg) and terminal sire (Dorset; DO) crossbred lambs (DO × BB and DO × SX; body weight = 31.4 ± 3.50 kg) rotationally grazed predominantly on Jesup tall fescue pasture during spring with or without agro-byproduct supplementation (soyhull or corn gluten feed at 2% of BW). Following a 77d grazing period, the lambs were harvested, and their carcass characteristics and meat composition were evaluated. Both supplementation and crossbreeding significantly increased their carcass weight and primal cuts, whereas only supplementation increased (p < 0.01) the dressing percentage, and crossbreeding increased the shear force (p < 0.01). Regardless of breed type, supplementing agro-byproducts improved the lipid oxidation stability and texture properties of the fresh lamb, whereas the pasture-only lambs had healthier fatty acid profiles compared with the supplemented lambs. The results indicate that both terminal sire crossbreeding and byproduct supplementation can be used to affect the carcass characteristics and meat composition of landrace hair sheep lambs.

Twenty-one mixed-parity (average 2.4 ± 0.49) crossbred sows and their offspring were used to determine whether sow milk leptin at farrowing was related to neonatal serum leptin and pig growth to weaning. During farrowing, pigs were randomly allotted to suckling (n = 99) or delayed suckling (n = 89) groups, with delayed suckling pigs placed in a group pen apart from the dam before suckling. Both groups had access to heat lamps. Colostrum samples were collected no more than 2 h after farrowing the first pig. Blood samples were collected from all pigs approximately 2 h after farrowing was complete; pigs were then ear notched and returned to their dams. Pig BW was recorded at 1.2 ± 0.04 d of age and again at weaning. Milk and blood serum were collected after centrifugation; leptin concentrations were estimated using RIA. Leptin was detected in colostral milk, as expected, and averaged 46.0 ± 1.1 ng/mL. Pig serum leptin (P < 0.02) was greater in suckling pigs than in delayed suckling pigs, averaging 0.69 ± 0.08 and 0.54 ± 0.07 ng/mL, respectively. Although male pigs were heavier (P < 0.01) at birth than female pigs (1,507 ± 52 vs. 1,381 ± 43 g), ADG to weaning and weaning weights were similar for both sexes, averaging 229 ± 14 g and 5,829 ± 323 g, respectively, for all pigs; serum leptin concentrations were not affected by sex of the pig. Milk serum leptin was not associated with litter size, parity, pig birth weight, ADG to weaning, or weaning weight. Suckling status did not influence ADG to weaning or weaning weight of pigs; neonatal pig serum leptin was not related to birth weight, weaning weight, or ADG to weaning. These results indicate that leptin is not directly related to early neonatal growth in the pig; however, more in-depth studies are needed to determine possible indirect or long-term effects of early leptin exposure.

Consumer acceptance of pasture-raised hair sheep lamb was investigated. Food hub participants (n = 284) from Richmond, Virginia, were recruited to receive ground lamb and provide product quality ratings before and after product preparation. Over 96% of survey respondents specified that they would purchase local ground lamb if available, 35% indicated that they would purchase it at least once a month, and 43% indicated that they would pay a premium for it. Animal management pertaining to breed and supplementation had little effect on consumer ratings. The findings suggest that ground meat from hair sheep lambs could provide an opportunity to enhance profitability for small-scale producers in Virginia. Extension educators may be able to apply the findings in assisting sheep producers with lamb marketing.

Compared to intact males, castrated lambs generally grow slower and have lighter and fatter carcasses. However, short-scrotum lambs can retain growth and carcass composition of intact males. This study evaluated carcass traits of castrated and short-scrotum Barbados Blackbelly (BB; n = 16) and St. Croix (STX; n = 15) hair sheep lambs. Ram lambs born in December (DEC; n = 10) and April (n = 21) were used in the study and were either rendered short scrotum (SS; n = 17) or castrated (CA; n = 14) using elastrator bands at weaning (63 d). All lambs transitioned in dry lot for 2 mo before return to pasture. Lambs co-grazed in a rotational system, were moved based on visual assessment of forage availability and provided Bermuda grass hay when forage was limiting. Lambs were provided soy hull at 3% BW to ensure diet continuity between forage environments. At target weights of 40 kg, SS and CA lambs were slaughtered and carcass data recorded. Carcass data were analyzed with reproductive status, breed and season born as main effects. DEC (230 d) and STX lambs (251 d) attained target weights earlier (P < 0.02) than APR (307 d) and BB (317 d) lambs. APR lambs had lower (P < 0.04) breast (0.9 kg) and loin cut weights (2.1 kg) than DEC lambs (1.1 and 2.4 kg, respectively). Carcass length was greater (P < 0.05) for SS (109 cm) than CA lambs (106 cm). There were also significant interactions (P < 0.05). APR-STX lambs had the lowest dressing% (42%) compared to APR-BB (48%), DEC-STX (47%) and DEC-BB (46%) lambs. DEC-STX (109 cm) and APR-BB (109 cm) carcasses were longer than DEC-BB (104 cm) and APR-STX (106 cm) lambs. DEC-SS lambs (84 cm) had the greatest leg circumference, while CA-STX (16 mm) lambs had the greatest body wall thickness in this study. Data suggest that reproductive status, breed and birth season all had varying influences on carcass traits of lambs in this study.