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No. 10 June, 2000 |
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North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association / NDSU Extension Service |
Comments from the NDLWPA President
201 Has Arrived!I have encouraged Roger Haugen to include as much on the material on 201 as possible in this newsletter. Please take time to review the rules. I believe there are some real advantages available to individual sheep producers in the form of financial rewards and incentives. Granted not all is perfect and not all operations will fit well into the programs presented. However like that long over due baby we must work with it shape it and find its greatest strengths, to identify how it best fits our operation and environment.
I personally would like to acknowledge the efforts of the American Sheep Industry Association for the extraordinary efforts they put forth to bring this process to fruition. Their people have extended generous amounts of time, energy and resources to see this to completion. Take some time to look around at our lamb market. Lamb prices are at all time highs with all weights hovering around the one dollar mark. Just two weeks ago Sioux Falls quoted lambs 100-159 lbs. ranged from 101.50 to 109. I believe that the tariff and limitations on numbers of imports has had a very positive influence on our market. This is an example of what can be done if we band together as sheep producers under ASI. To often we take our good markets for granted, but are quick to blame when the market is bad. ASI is a national tool that we can use as a group for our betterment, by allowing us to concentrate on the day to day aspects and details of our lives, and still monitor and influence legislation. Please take another look at the information mailed to you by ASI and consider joining ASI and NDLWP for the long haul.
Wildlife Services under Attack
Calendar of Events:
June 3: Northwest Region Summer Meeting
at Garrison
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 13: State Ram Sale in Hettinger
October 26-27: Sheep School in Mandan
October 27-28: Annual Sheep Convention in Mandan
December 1-3: North Star Classic Livestock Show & Sale at
Winter Shows Building in Valley City
December 2: NDLWPA Ewe Sale in Valley City
News from the National Scene
LATEST INFORMATION ON 201 INDUSTRY ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
Year 1 Payments - Begins July 21, 1999 and ends Sept. 30, 2000.
Application deadline Oct. 13, 2000.
a) Ram payments - For breeding rams purchased during Year
1. Payment of $100/ram with maximum of $2,500 per operation. The rams purchased
must be for breeding purposes. The rams are at least 90 days of age at the time
of purchase. The rams must have been or will be maintained by the operation for
at least 90 days continuously at the time of purchase.
b) Sheep Improvement Payments - Pays $0.50 per sheep
enrolled in an authorized sheep improvement program, such as the National Sheep
Improvement Program (NSIP). Maximum payment $500 per operation.
c) Facility Improvement Payments - Pays 20 percent of
total cost of facility improvement. Improvements must be made during Year 1 and
used for 3 years. Local FSA committees will be responsible for determining
qualifying projects. Producers must submit cost documentation of the
improvements made. Maximum payment $2,500 per operation.
The maximum combined total payment to a sheep and lamb operation
in Year 1 is $5,500.
Year 2 Payments - Begins Aug. 1, 2000 and ends July 31, 2001.
Year 3 Payments - Begins Aug. 1, 2001 and ends July 31, 2002.
Payments are: $5/head for slaughter lambs and $3/head for feeder
lambs if the following requirements are met:
-- Have marketed slaughter or feeder lambs during Years 2 and 3;
-- Hold the lambs for at least 30 days prior to marketing
period;
-- Must be USDA Quality Choice or Prime and be a USDA Yield
Grade 2;
-- Have a muscling confirmation score of Average Choice or
better;
-- Be 55-75 pounds dressed hot carcass weight.
*A bonus payment of $3/head for slaughter lambs is available if
marketed June-July in Years 2 and 3 (total payment of $8).
Feeder lambs marketed must be thick-muscled and large framed, as
determined and certified by Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
There are no maximum payments or herd limits in Year 2 and Year
3.
Wool Included in Economic Loss Payments (source - ASI)
The assistance was provided in the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, which includes $7.1 billion in emergency spending for commodities. The legislation directs payments for wool producers be available after Oct. 1, 2000, for the 1999 wool clip. About $11 million is expected to be available for wool and mohair.
"This is helpful news to U.S. producers as wool prices world wide have been desperately low and in many cases the revenue does not even cover shearing expenses. We're grateful Congress has responded to ASI's call to assist U.S. wool producers as they are assisting other commodities," said Cindy Siddoway, president of the American Sheep Industry Association.
In 1999, the average price of wool was just 38 cents per pound, the lowest price in history when adjusted for inflation. As the 2000 shearing season gets underway, about one-third of the 1999 clip (which totaled 46.5 million pounds) remains unsold due to low prices nationally and internationally. More than 26,000 sheep producers have been forced out of the industry since 1993 because of cheap lamb imports and low wool prices.
ASI's information on the wool crisis was instrumental in bringing attention to the economic loss with the goal of including wool in an agriculture economic loss package. The legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to wool producers in fiscal year 2001. The industry thanks all of our congressional supporters for their unflagging efforts to make this much-needed assistance possible. ASI will be meeting with officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding implementation of the program.
News from the State
Minutes from NDLWPA Board Meeting April 17, 2000 Seven Seas,
Mandan, ND
Members present: Burton
Pfliger, Jane Homer, Don Maston, Jim Marshall, Scott Bredahl, Don Lawson, Roger
Haugen, Tim Faller, Dave Merwin, Jeff Strand, Jim Ostlie, Burdell Johnson and
Lyle Warner.
The meeting was called to order by President Burton Pfliger. Minutes of the last meeting. Approved as read. Treasurers report. Checking balance $5443.64; CD's $1675.32 and $1149.65. Midstates Wool sent a check for $577.80. Anyone with withholdings of greater than $15.00 was automatically made members of NDLWPA. Dave Merwin moved and Jim Marshall seconded that the treasurers report be approved. Motion passed.
Old Business:
Convention Proposal - Holiday Inn made proposal for 2001. Room
rates $55.00 per night. No charge for meeting rooms. One year commitment.
Don Osborne proposed moving the 2001 Convention to Valley City in December. This date and location would coincide with the new North Star Classic Livestock Show and Sale. Discussed having registered and commercial ewes in the sale. It would be a better time to sell commercials. Burton Pfliger will check with the new American Inn about reservations. If the Inn is open, it was the consensus to lock in Valley City. Dakota Lamb growers will remain an integral part of the Convention.
The NDLWPA fall sale will be held in Valley City in 2000 and the Convention in 2001. Jim Marshall moved and Jim Ostlie seconded moving to Valley City. Motion passed.
2000 Sale in Valley City
Judge commercial sheep as pens; break commercial sheep into
smaller groups. Jim Marshall and Roger Haugen will serve as Sale Managers. Wes
Limesand volunteered lamb to serve at the sale. The sale will be open to all
producers (including out of state). All sellers must be or become members of the
NDLWPA.
Hettinger Ram Sale
The sale is presently limited to ND producers. Jim Marshall
moved and Don Maston seconded the motion to let Tim Faller use his discretion in
inviting outside producers into the sale in minor breeds that may be lacking in
numbers. Potentially Rambouillets and Montadales. The sale will be September 20,
2000.
Lamb Futurity Progress Report
Brian and Jackie Kreft will provide coats and travel bags at
cost and donate stitching in what we buy from them. Scott Bredahl and Lyle
Warner will donate the buckles. Pictures will be taken at each futurity show.
Roger Haugen will e-mail all county agents the Futurity rules. We need to get
the rules in the sponsoring fairs fair book. It was suggested that we look into
building the females into a second year program for yearling ewes. We would then
have a junior and senior female futurity winner. For 2000, ewes of all ages can
compete. Lyle Warner moved and Scott Bredahl seconded the motion to amend the
ByLaws to change Junior membership dues to $5.00. Motion passed
New Business:
Make it Yourself With Wool Report - Jane Horner
Projected budget: $2878.23. The NDLWPA pledged $650.00.
New initiatives proposed:
Donate fabric to overall winner in Ladies Lead at ND State Fair.
Talk to Apparel and Textile Dept. at NDSU.
Invite participants in Ladies Lead at Little I to participate at
State Fair.
Teach sewing classes in McHenry, Ward and Benson Counties.
Put out entries at Big Quilt Show in Fargo.
Develop a Web site.
Send letters to previous donors and new businesses.
Proposed sponsorship of participants for $15.00 entry fee.
Lyle Warner moved Scott Bredahl seconded releasing the remaining
$550.00 to Jane.
USDA Wildlife Services
- Phil Mastrangelo and John Paulson
Discussed concerns of possible funding cuts. The legislation is
likely to come up in June. The majority of the state funding is used for
livestock protection. The State Fish and Game has a cost share program for the
purchase of guard animals, propane cannons, and electronic frightening devices.
They will pay up to $200.00. A list of guard dog breeders and directory of
specialists were handed out.
Dakota Lamb Growers Progress Report
- Jim Ostlie
The consultant was meeting in Minneapolis this week. The
guidelines for applying for grants from USDA should be out soon. Colemans meat processing company is up for sale. They invited a
representative of the committee to attend a meeting in Denver. They are
presently processing 55,000 natural beef and 150,00 lambs annually.
ASI Communications Program
There will be an informational meeting at the State Fair on 201
funding. Discussed various options of developing a Web site for NDLWPA. A
committee to explore the options was formed. Members of the committee are Roger
Haugen, Tim Faller, Burton Pfliger and Lyle Warner.
Northwest Sheep Day
The program will be held on June 3, 2000 at Fort Stevenson
(Garrison), camp sites are reserved for June 2-3. Don Maston will donate lamb
and the remainder of the meal will be pitch in. Jack McRae of Jordan, Mt will
give a brief talk and a tour of the fisheries is planned.
Tim Faller
Talked about the Southwest Feeders, a group whose primary goal
is economic development for the area. They are looking into the feasibility of
backgrounding calves and finishing lambs. They are proposing a position out of
the Hettinger Station to work with the project. Banks in the area have put up
$20,000.00 as seed money for the project. The total cost of the project for the
bi-annium would be $147,000.00. Scott Bredahl moved and Don Maston seconded the
motion to support the project on behalf of the NDLWPA.
ASI
Burdell Johnson is one of seven members of a committee developed
to secure funding so a producer group can have a legislative presence to follow
the 201 Trade Act to the end. The cost would be approximately $750,000.00.
2000 Convention committee
Members will be Burton Pfliger, Roger Haugen, Jim Ostlie, Don
Lawson and Lyle Warner. The Dakota Lamb Growers will have the Saturday morning
session with the NDLWPA in the afternoon.
The next board meeting will be July 10, 2000 at 10:00 am at the Seven Seas in Mandan. Roger Haugen moved and Dave Merwin seconded the motion to adjourn.
Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative - Comments from President Jim Ostlie
On May 12, Duane Cariveau went to Washington, D.C. to be at the press conference where they announced more details of the 201 program. Roger Haugen, Tim Petry, Lee Kaldor, Dave Merwin, Dennis Kubischta, and myself were connected to this press release through a conference call. There were 26 people on this conference call and over 30 people in attendance in Washington. Our co-op is planning to apply for some of this funding that is available to organizations.
Sheep producers will also have an opportunity to apply for funding of special projects. The exact details are not set yet.
USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services
Predator Management Cost-Share Program
Items approved for cost-share purchase include:
* guard animals (such as dogs, donkeys, or llamas)
* propane cannons
* electronic frightening devices
To utilize this program, producers must submit a reimbursement application and a signed copy of the bill of sale to the Wildlife Services office in Bismarck. Wildlife Services will review the application. Approved applications will be processed and then forwarded to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will refund one half of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $200 per purchase per year.
Please contact Wildlife Services for additional information about this program.
U.S. Sheep, Goat Producers Suffer $20 million Loss to Predators in 1999 (source - ASI)
Overall, sheep and lamb losses from animal predators in the United States during 1999 totaled 273,000 - or 36.7 percent of the total losses from all causes. Coyotes were the main cause of sheep and lamb losses, accounting for 60.7 percent. Coyotes also were the largest predator of goats in three major goat-producing states - Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
"NASS' annual report has once again proven what a serious issue predators are for the sheep and goat industries," said Tom McDonnell, director of natural resources for the American Sheep Industry Association. "The report also further validates the need for Wildlife Services. The $16.5 million in direct losses and $10.5 million in lost opportunities (to the public's predators) is a heavy burden for the sheep industry to bear."
Educational Information
Minerals
Mineral
Requirement
Toxic Level
Calcium
0.20-0.82 %
-
Phosphorous 0.16-0.38 %
-
Magnesium
0.12-0.18 %
-
Potassium
0.50-0.80 %
-
Sulfur
0.14-0.26 %
-
Sodium
0.09-0.18 %
-
Iodine
0.10-0.80 ppm
50 ppm
Iron
30-50 ppm
500 ppm
Copper
7-11 ppm
25 ppm
Molybdenum
0.50 ppm
10 ppm
Cobalt
0.10-0.20 ppm
10 ppm
Manganese
20-40 ppm
1000 ppm
Zinc
20-33 ppm
750 ppm
Selenium
0.10-0.20 ppm
2 ppm
Fluorine
-
60-150 ppm
Within the ranges of values above, the requirements are higher for young growing animals and lactating ewes as compared to fattening lambs and dry ewes.
Calcium and phosphorous are the minerals of major concern to
most producers. Most feeds are deficient in one or the other and some are
deficient in both. Some general rules of thumb can be used for calcium and
phosphorous contents of different feedstuffs.
Grains - Low calcium, high phosphorous
Screenings - Low calcium, medium phosphorous
Legumes - High calcium, medium phosphorous
Grasses - Medium calcium, low phosphorous
Straws - Low calcium, low phosphorous
Silages - Low calcium, low phosphorus
By examining the different feeding programs in your flock and the feeds you are using, the correct mineral supplementation can be determined for different feeding situations. Ewes on pasture normally need some additional phosphorous. Ewes in drylot on poor quality hays or straw and some grain need some additional calcium and phosphorous. Lambs in feedlots on high grain rations need additional calcium. Lambs on high concentrate diets need a calcium to phosphorus ratio of at least 2 to 1.
The addition of minerals in your feeding program may be
accomplished in the following ways:
1. Mix required minerals with the ration. This is possible if
feeds are being fed on a regular basis and suitable mixing facilities exist.
2. Mix required minerals with salt and feed free choice. This
system can be used with a wide variety of feeding practices. To achieve results
with this method, the following recommendations may help:
- Trace minerals can best be supplemented by using a trace
mineralized salt.
- The calcium or phosphorous minerals should be mixed 50:50 with
salt or trace mineralized salt to encourage intake and provide meaningful
supplementation.
- Keep mixture fresh and clean. Protect it from rain or snow.
The salt requirement for sheep on complete mixed rations is met when salt is about O.5% of the total diet. Normally, toxic levels of salt are not a problem if clean, soft water is provided at all times. However, be aware that a problem could arise with water that is high in salt content. Sheep can tolerate water containing 1.O to 1.3% salt over a relatively long period of time but cannot tolerate water containing 1.5 to 2.O% salt.
Of all livestock, sheep are the least tolerant to excess copper. However, higher molybdenum levels (3-5ppm) can increase their copper tolerance. Do not use swine mineral for sheep, in part because of the excess copper.
Northwest Region Summer Meeting
Attention Board Members!!
President Burton Pfliger has called a board of directors meeting
for July 10th at the Seven Seas in Mandan starting at 10:00 am CST. PLEASE PLAN
ON ATTENDING.
Articles for the August Newsletter
Officers and Directors of NDLWPA
NDSU Research, Extension and Teaching
Fargo: Roger Haugen 231-7645
Wes Limesand 231-7782
Bert Moore 231-7651
Hettinger: Tim Faller 567-4324