Comments from the NDLWPA President

Your Voice Needed
As I write this column there is still no news about the producer application process to acquire 201 funds. I have been on the phone to Senator Dorgan and Senator Conrad's offices encouraging them to spur USDA to complete the writing of the rules surrounding each program. I encourage each of you to contact our delegation and request a speedy resolution to this matter. I have stressed the importance of 201 funds to the health and competitive nature of the sheep industry with each senator and representative, and asked that they do what ever they can to bring the rule making process to fruition. Senator Dorgan's phone is 202-224-2551, Conrad's 202-224-2043, and Pomeroy's 202-225-2611.

Over the past months ASI has kept in close contact with USDA making sure the sheep industry is well represented. For that we are grateful. However individual contacts like yourself to our senators can make the difference.

Direct payments to producers are rumored to be based on productivity improvements at the producer and feeder level. Possible cost share exists on facility improvements and genetic improvements through ram purchases. Producer limits are likely to be set at 20,000 for individual applications.

Loan program of 10 million will be available to producers of any commodity regardless of any special provisions for sheep.

The portion designated for scrapie is said to be well funded. The program should include money for implementation, tags, test, and indemnity.

All of the previous speculations are just that just speculation. None of the final rules or limits are yet finalized.

This 201 assistance package offers the sheep industry a great opportunity for advancement. It is just as frustrating for those of us involved in bringing you this information as it is for you. It is my sincere hope that at the next writing of this newsletter we will have concrete information for each of you to share in the funding.
Burton Pfliger, President of NDLWPA, Bismarck

Calendar of Events:
April 14: BSC Lamb & Feeder Pig Sale at Bismarck State College in Bismarck at 5:00 P.M. Contact 701-224-5419
April 15: KT Livestock Club Lamb & Prospect Pig Sale in Surrey from 11:00AM -12:30PM. Contact 701-728-9572
April 15: Schmidt Club Lamb & Ewe Sale at fairgrounds in Center from 1-5 P.M (CT). Contact 701-794-3118
April 16: North Central Club Lamb Sale at Northern Livestock in Minot at 2:00 P.M. Contact 701-453-3107
April 29: S/S Lamb & Pig Sale at Fairgrounds in West Fargo at 7:00 P.M. Contact 701-241-4497 or 231-2601
July 23-24: 4-H/FFA Sheep Shows at ND State Fair
July 26-28: Open Sheep Shows at ND State Fair
August 1-5: Open Sheep Shows at SD State Fair
September 20: State Ram Sale in Hettinger
October 26-27: Sheep School in Mandan
October 27: NDLWPA Ewe Sale in Bismarck
October 27-28: Annual Sheep Convention in Mandan
December 1-3: North Star Classic Livestock Show & Sale (new event) at Winter Shows Building in Valley City
Roger G. Haugen, Extension Sheep Specialist and Editor 701-231-7645

Attention Board Members!!
President Burton Pfliger has called a board of directors meeting for April 17th at the Seven Seas in Mandan starting at 10:00 am CST. PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING.

News from the National Scene
$10 Million for Scrapie Eradication
The American sheep industry has taken a giant step toward the goal of eradicating scrapie from its flocks with a declaration by USDA Secretary Dan Glickman enabling $10 million to support eradication programs.

Scrapie is a degenerative and ultimately fatal neurological disease in sheep and goats. The disease costs the industry an estimated $20 million every year in direct losses plus millions of additional dollars lost in potential sales.

"The American Sheep Industry Association welcomes Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman's announcement making $10 million available for scrapie eradication programs. Scrapie eradication programs are a major component of the Lamb Industry Adjustment Plan and this is a massive push toward the industry's goal of eradicating scrapie from American flocks," said Cindy Siddoway, ASI president and an Idaho sheep-producer.

The $10 million in funding is available because of Glickman's decision to sign a "Declaration of Emergency Because of Scrapie in the United States," which enables the use of the funds.

The announcement cited the "enormous competitive advantage" scrapie-free countries have over U.S. sheep producers in the import/export market. The announcement stated: "Because importing countries are demanding that imported sheep come from scrapie-free regions and sheep producers in the United States are unable to make this certification, U.S. producers are finding themselves locked out of the international market, a situation that is taking a serious financial toll on the U.S. sheep industry.

"Therefore, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has determined it is necessary to accelerate the eradication of scrapie from the United States, an accomplishment that would allow the U.S. sheep industry to once again become competitive in the global market."

The $10 million includes:
* Approximately $3.6 million for diagnostic support;
* Approximately $2.6 million for animal identification and regulatory enforcement;
* $1.2 million to indemnify owners of sheep that are high risk, suspect or test positive for scrapie;
* $625,000 for the purchase of animals for diagnostic purposes;
* $692,000 for activities such as necropsy, carcass disposal, coordination and training;
* $1 million for slaughter surveillance activities;
* $250,000 for database and analysis work.

"The sheep industry has been fighting this stubborn disease for 50 years. This infusion of new funding will allow the industry to attain the status of 'scrapie-free' much, much faster," Siddoway said.

Siddoway thanked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) for its role in working closely with the industry to develop details on eradication programs. APHIS is now reviewing comments on a proposed rule on scrapie that will govern the movement of sheep and goats across state lines and include an indemnity program.

"ASI commented on the proposed rule and we look forward to the publication of a final rule. It offers ASI an opportunity to work in partnership with APHIS, state animal health authorities, veterinary practitioners and the sheep industry," Siddoway said.

Signs of scrapie vary widely among individual animals but include changes in behavior or temperament and scratching or rubbing against fixed object in an apparent need to relieve itching. To date, the only official way to confirm scrapie exists in a sheep is through examination of the brain tissue after the animal is dead, although a live-animal diagnostic test has been developed and is now in the final stages of validation.

The new funding augments efforts already underway throughout the industry to combat scrapie. These efforts include a broad range of research initiatives and the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Health Certification Program, which began in 1992 and provides producers with a voluntary, market-driven system to document the absence of scrapie in their flocks.

News from the State
Minutes from NDLWPA Board Meeting January 24, 2000 Seven Seas, Mandan, ND
Meeting was called to order by President Burton Pfliger. Members present included Scott Bredahl, Don Lawson, Ula Widdel, Lyle Warner, Burdell Johnson, and Roger Haugen, ex-officio. Minutes were read and approved as corrected. Treasurer's report: Checkbook balance = $4855.88; CDS = $1675.32 and $1149.65. Lyle Warner moved and Scott Bredahl seconded the motion to accept the treasurers report. The motion passed.

Old Business
Scrapie comment: The scrapie comments from Dr. Schuler were sent to all board members on 1-12-2000. Burton Pfliger sent the letter and comments to USDA-APHIS. The state does not relinquish control of Scrapie. APHIS, not the producer, will incur the cost of destroying flocks. It will be recommended that the authority to designate source flocks be remanded to the control of local authorities.
ND Bred Ewe Sale: Talked about going in with NDSU on a Fall sale. No definite plans have been made. Will continue to work on increasing the focus of the sale.
Lamb Futurity Progress Report: Scott Bredahl reported that the following fairs will sponsor the Lamb Futurity - Bowman, Hettinger, New Salem, Bottineau, and Beulah. The guidelines for the Futurity are included in this newsletter.
Lamb Checkoff: Proposed that the checkoff be remitted when the animal is slaughtered. The producer will pay ½ cent per pound plus 30 cents paid by the packer.

New Business
Convention: The board is looking into moving the convention into the first week of December. The Holiday Inn and the Radisson in Bismarck expressed interest in hosting the convention.
Hettinger Sheep Day: Tim Faller sent a letter asking the NDLWPA to have a booth at the event. The $30 booth rate would be dropped.
Wool Checkoff: There will be 1½ cent deduction on wool and its a voluntary checkoff. If producers want their money back it will be reimbursed.

Burdell Johnson gave the report on the 201 update.
$30 million - Direct payment to individual operators through cost share and quality payments.
$15 million - Federal scrapie control and eradication program.
$5 million - Marketing, promotion and product development.
$15 million - Government purchases of excess lamb meat.
$25 million - Guaranteed loans for processors through USDA/Business and Industry loan program.
$10 million - Additional loan opportunities.

The next meeting will be April 17, 2000 at the Seven Seas at 10:00 am. The meeting was adjourned by Scott Bredahl and seconded by Ula Widdel.

North Dakota Sheep Numbers Rise
North Dakota sheep producers reported a 1 percent rise in the total number of sheep and lambs on farms as of January 1, 2000, according to USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. Total North Dakota sheep and lamb inventory, at 135,000 head, was 1,000 above last year.

Breeding females totaled 100,000 head, up 5,000 from last year. The number of ewes 1 year old and older, at 86,000 head, were up 7,000 head from January 1, 1999. Replacement ewe lambs totaled 14,000 head, down from 16,000 last year. Market sheep and lambs totaled 32,000 head, down 4,000. The 1999 lamb crop, at 110,000 head, was up 5 percent from 1998. Lamb drop was 139% in 1999 compared to 135% in 1998. There were 1,200 sheep operations during 1999, up from 1,150 in 1998.

1999 wool production figures for North Dakota were 105,000 sheep shorn compared to 98,000 in 1998. Weight per fleece for 1999 was 8.6 lbs compared to 9.2 lbs in 1998. Price received per pound was 30 cents in 1999 compared to 55 cents in 1998.

North Dakota Winter Show Results
The 2000 Sheep Show and Sale at the North Dakota Winter Shows in Valley City was held on March 6. The judge for the show was Burton Pfliger from Bismarck.
Junior (4-H & FFA) Division winners were: Overall champion ram and Supreme champion junior exhibit (Suffolk) - Sara Thorpe, Aberdeen, SD; Overall champion ewe (Suffolk) - Becca Wolff, Oakes, ND; Champion showperson - Becca Wolff, Oakes, ND.
Senior Division winners were: Overall champion ram and Supreme champion sheep (Columbia) - Don Osborne, Wimbledon, ND; Overall reserve champion ram (Columbia) - Mark Eagleson, Buchanan, ND; Overall champion ewe (Columbia) - Don Osborne, Wimbledon, ND; Overall reserve champion ewe (Columbia) - Mark Eagleson, Buchanan, ND; Best Fleece on a Lamb (Columbia) - Marshall Stock Farm, Oriska, ND.
Sale Results: 8 ewes averaged $258. Top ewes were Columbia ewes consigned by Marshall Stock Farm from Oriska that sold for $330, $320 and $310.

North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers
Market Lamb and Ewe Junior Futurity
RULES:
1. Each individual must pay a $5.00 Junior membership fee.

2. The maximum age will be 18, CAN'T HAVE TURNED 18 BEFORE JANUARY 1,2000, with no minimum age.

3. Each animal must be identified as a Futurity animal and year end point accumulations will be on an individual animal, not the person. The animal must be shown by the same individual at all of the shows.

4.The points awarded will follow the sliding scale in the ND State Fair book for the open sheep show. Champions and Reserve Champions will receive points in addition to class points.

5.Entry fees will be $5.00 per animal per show. Eighty percent of the entry fee will be jackpotted, 60% going to the Grand Champion, 40% going to the Reserve Champion. This will pertain to market lambs and breeding females.

6.Banners will be awarded at each of the shows for Grand and Reserve animals in the market lamb and ewe categories. The ewe category will be a combination of: ewe lambs, fall ewes and yearling ewes.

7.Year end awards: The individual having the animal with the most accumulated points at the end of the year in each category, market lamb and ewe, will receive a belt buckle. The second place individual will receive a jacket and the third place individual a travel bag.

8.Inhumane treatment will not be tolerated. Specifically, there will be no hitting of animals or picking animals off the ground.

ELIGIBLE FUTURITY SHOWS:
June 13-15 at Bottineau; July 14 at Bowman; August 5 at Hettinger; August 5 at New Salem; and August 26 at Beulah.

Educational Information
by Roger G. Haugen, NDSU Extension Sheep Specialist
Whole Grain for Lambs
Over the years, several experiments have been conducted in Canada on the effect of feeding whole, rolled or pelleted grains to lambs. One result that has been consistent throughout these experiments has been better growth rate and feed efficiency when whole grain is fed compared to the same ration pelleted. Grinding, rolling or pelleting grain does not improve the extent to which it is digested. Lambs can digest whole grains just as well as processed forms.

Whole grains have several advantages in addition to eliminating the cost of processing:
1. Feed intake is greater (25 per cent) while feed utilization remains the same for whole compared to a pelleted grain.
2. Growth rate is 20 to 30 per cent faster with whole grain.
3. Feed conversion efficiency is improved five to 10 per cent.
4. Whole grain does not cause damage to the lining of the rumen.
5. With whole grain, there is less chance of "off feed", overeating disease or acidosis problems.

Much of the benefit of whole grains can be explained on the basis of better acceptance by the lambs and the higher level of feed intake. Lambs are very efficient at chewing the grains while ruminating which results in just as good digestion for whole grains as pre-ground grains.

The physical form of the grain fiber remains intact in whole grain and results in a different kind of fermentation in the rumen. Because of this, the common problems of high grain feeding are greatly reduced and in some cases, there is no need to provide supplemental roughage when feeding whole grain, especially at heavier weights.

In situations where forages are fed with grain there is also evidence that whole grain is preferable to pellets. Feed intake tends to be higher and the utilization of the forage is improved.

Lambs Deaths - Carelessness
Each year we lose lambs because of our own carelessness. Can the following conditions be found on your farm:
1. Gates or sections of plywood leaning, unsecured against a wall or pen.
2. Baler twine or wire tied around pens and gates with big loops hanging out.
3. Water tanks with no protection against lambs jumping in.
4. Pesticide and insecticide containers unprotected from a lamb's curious nature.

Remember, losing lambs to crushing, hanging, drowning, or poisoning is our fault, not the lambs!

Wool Sportswear Keeping Athletes Cool (from ASI)
Yet another use has been found for wool -- helping athletes stay cool. That's the idea behind a new, comfortable and lightweight material called Sportswool, which already has attracted the attention of top Australian athletes and the Manchester United Soccer squad.

The material works via its "moisture management" properties, says the president of the New York City-based Woolmark. In more technical terms, water vapor is drawn away from the skin even before water droplets form via a natural electrical attraction between the oxygen present in water vapor molecules and the lysine and aspartic acid present in the sidechain molecules. The fabric does not require a finish or any chemicals to achieve moisture transport because wool's fiber make-up works effectively.

Sportswool is a double-faced construction with a fine Merino wool on the inside and a polyester outer face, which provides added strength and enhanced printing ability. Scientists developed Sportswool five years ago, but have since been refining its performance features. Woolmark began touting the product to commercial weavers in 1999.

FSIS told Bacterial Loads on Lamb Carcasses Low (from ASI)
American lamb is a clean, safe product. So heard USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) officials at a meeting in Washington, D.C., between FSIS and the American Sheep Industry Association.

ASI representatives shared with FSIS the results of a recently completed, two-year study conducted by Colorado State University that assessed bacterial loads on lamb carcasses nationally and the effects of certain pre-harvest management practices on carcass bacterial loads.

The verdict? Bacterial loads on U.S. lamb carcasses are extremely low, even when comparing unshorn lambs from muddy, wet lots with shorn sheep kept in dry lots. Furthermore, sampling on one site on a lamb carcass is as good and reliable a predictor or process control as sampling three sites.

"This is a tribute to the excellent job U.S. lamb packers are doing with sanitation, process control, and the overall functionality of their Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points systems," said Paul Rodgers, ASI's director of animal health and product safety.

North Dakota Places at National Make It Yourself With Wool by Mary Scheetz
We had a very nice National Make It Yourself With Wool Contest. The people of North Dakota can be very proud of the young ladies Jessica Horner and Elizabeth Horner that represented North Dakota in Denver, Colorado. It is such a honor to get to go to Nationals plus our Senior Division winner Jessica Horner was second runner up. Thanks so much to the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers and all sponsors for their support and continued support in the Make It Yourself With Wool program. Anyone interested this year in the contest should contact: Jane Horner, 341 Old Main, Devils Lake, ND 58301. Phone 701-766-4786.

Thank You Notes to the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attended the National Make It Yourself With Wool Contest in Denver, Colorado this past January. I was very excited to once again have the chance to represent North Dakota and at the national contest placed second runner-up. I would also like to thank you whole-heartedly for your continued support of the Make It Yourself with Wool Contest. The wool contest is a wonderful program that has taught me how to sew, the chance to practice interview skills, and has given me self-confidence. Through the years of my involvement, I have met many fun and interesting people and friends that I still keep in touch with today. Thank you for your continued support of the Make It Yourself with Wool program.
Sincerely, Jessica Horner

Thank you for the opportunity to represent North Dakota at the National Make It Yourself with Wool contest this past January in Denver, Colorado. While there, we toured Sew News Magazine's Corporate Headquarters. Jennifer Keltner, Senior Editor of Sew News, explained how the magazine is developed each month from beginning to end. Then we were treated to a bus ride through the mountains to the Red Rock Amphitheater. Our last stop that morning was a tour of a large fabric store where I talked my mom into some wool yardage for next years competition. I can't wait to get started sewing. We had a lot of fun practicing for the fashion show too. Thank you so much for this experience.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Horner

Highlights of 1999-2000 Dakota Ram Test
The Dakota Ram test is conducted at the Hettinger Research and Extension Center under the direction of Dr. Jeff Held, Extension Sheep Specialist at SDSU and managed by Dave Pearson from the Hettinger station. The final Dakota Ram Test activity for the 1999-2000 test was an open house program held at Center on Saturday March 4th. Side and britch wool samples collected on March 3rd were on display.

Ram growth performance was similar to last year at 0.86 pounds per day, thus a tie for the highest growth performance in the test history. A Rambouillet ram provided the highest growth rate on-test at 1.15 pounds per day. This is the highest growth rate in the history of the Dakota Ram Test program. Several rams gained over 1.00 pound per day, a Columbia ram finished the test at 313 pounds. This is the first time a ram came off test above 300 pounds!

Wool data shows the expected trait(s)strength for each breed represented on this year's test. As expected the Rambouillets excelled in fiber diameter (finer), the Columbia and Corriedale for clean pounds of wool and staple length. Generally wool measures were similar to past test values.

Using the Index formula to rank the rams, a composite measure of growth and wool traits, shows top animals must excel in both trait measurements to rank high within a breed.

Animal fat depth and ribeye area was measured as indicators of carcass merit. These were determined using ultrasound technology at the beginning and end of the Dakota Ram Test. The off-test measurement was determined with a new ultrasound unit, which allows ribeye square area determination directly from the image. In the past, a ribeye image was tape recorded, traced and measured with a grid. The current technology will reduce the error in determination by eliminating several steps in the procedure. The final test report gives the final measurements. This program initiated carcass merit measurement by ultrasound in 1994, consigned rams continue to offer more muscle. The average ribeye size for all breeds was 4.85 square inches, nearly an inch greater than last year. This is the largest average ribeye area recorded for the Dakota Test.

The 313 pound ram was from Doug & Lindi Peterson from Lemmon, he had a ribeye measurement at 6.02 square inches. Matt Benz from Beulah had a Rambouillet ram which qualified for the Certificate of Merit recognition in the American Rambouillet Sheep Assn. Completing the test were 27 Rambouillets, 6 Columbias and 2 Corriedales. For a complete report on the test contact Dr. Jeff Held at SDSU (605-688-5433).

Northwest Region Summer Meeting
The Northwest District will have a summer meeting and social at Garrison on June 3. The event is open to everyone . Details will follow in the next newsletter. For more info contact Don Matson at Watford City (842-3150).

Articles for the June Newsletter
The next newsletter will be published the end of May for June 1 delivery. I invite anyone to submit articles to be included. I will need them by the middle of May. Thank you! Roger Haugen, Extension Sheep Specialist, Hultz Hall, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105. Phone: 231-7645; Fax: 231-7590; Email: rohaugen@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Officers and Directors of NDLWPA
Pres: Burton Pfliger, Bismarck 222-8770
V.Pres: Scott Bredahl, Antler 267-3693
Sec: Lyle Warner, Baldwin 255-1183
Treas: Theo Johnson, Tuttle 867-2875
SE Dir: Brent Stroh, Tappen 327-4526
SE Dir: Harvey Dawson, Brampton 724-3405
SW Dir: Don Lawson, Flasher 597-3133
SW Dir: David Merwin, Hettinger 567-2723
NE Dir: Jeff Strand, Portland 786-2650
NE Dir: Jim Ostlie, Northwood 587-5778
NW Dir: Don Maston, Watford City 842-3150
NW Dir: Ula Widdel, Minot 722-3528
ASI Dir: Burdell Johnson, Tuttle 867-2875
MIYWW: Jane Horner, Devils Lake 766-4786
Past Pres: Jim Marshall, Jr., Oriska 845-2744

NDSU Research, Extension and Teaching
Fargo: Roger Haugen 231-7645
Wes Limesand 231-7782
Bert Moore 231-7651
Hettinger: Tim Faller 567-4324