Current management practices of local small ruminant producers and survey of the trace mineral status of locally harvested sheep in Hawaiʻi

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dc.contributor.advisorReichhardt, Caleb C.
dc.contributor.authorNishimura, Shaye
dc.contributor.departmentAnimal Sciences
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-27T22:21:23Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.degreeM.S.
dc.embargo.liftdate2026-06-19
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/111048
dc.subjectAnimal sciences
dc.subjectmicrominerals
dc.subjectnutrition
dc.subjectovine
dc.subjectstrategies
dc.subjecttropical
dc.titleCurrent management practices of local small ruminant producers and survey of the trace mineral status of locally harvested sheep in Hawaiʻi
dc.typeThesis
dcterms.abstractThe small ruminant industry in Hawaiʻi has experienced notable growth due to increasing consumer demand. However, limited research exists regarding the management practices and nutritional health of sheep and goat herds across the islands. This study aimed to characterize the current practices of small ruminant producers in Hawaiʻi and evaluate trace mineral concentration in locally raised sheep. A survey was administered to collect data on producer demographics, herd management, feeding practices, health protocols, and marketing strategies. Results showed that 78% of respondents were female, 79% held at least a college degree, and 70% owned their land instead of leasing it. Of all respondents, 64% only raised sheep, 15% only raised goats, and 21% raised both sheep and goats together. Dorper, Katahdin, and Barbados were the common sheep breeds. Feeding strategies, grazing systems, and production goals varied. Health protocols such as deworming were widely used, but 54% of respondents did not implement reproductive practices. To assess trace mineral status, 83 liver and 79 plasma samples were collected from 11 farms across Hawaiʻi and Oʻahu. A high percentage of liver samples were deficient in copper (47%), iron (46%), and cobalt (31%), while 11% showed toxic manganese concentration. Significant correlations were observed between plasma zinc and magnesium (r = 0.814, p <0.0001) and between liver molybdenum and selenium (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). Trace mineral concentrations varied significantly between farms, suggesting that farm-specific management or environmental factors influence mineral status. These findings provide valuable baseline data for improving trace mineral nutrition and herd health, further highlighting the need for locally tailored management strategies to support the sustainability and productivity of Hawaiʻi’s small ruminant industry.
dcterms.extent122 pages
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.publisherUniversity of Hawai'i at Manoa
dcterms.rightsAll UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
dcterms.typeText
local.identifier.alturihttps://www.proquest.com/LegacyDocView/DISSNUM/32042312

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