2005 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project #5364-31000-007-00D, Integrated Systems for Increasing Production Efficiency of Sheep. During the reporting period, rams with defined characteristics were identified and purchased in preparation for the 2005 breeding season and initial matings for this research.