Science or Politics?
Many questions remain in my mind with the looming January 1st, 2002 USDA deadline to permanently identify all breeding sheep over 18 months of age. This new ruling will affect each of us involved in all aspects of sheep production. This new system will allow all sheep to be traced back to places of birth or flocks of origin. Part of me sees the merits of such a system; the other side of my brain fiercely defies more governmental involvement. You as producers have until August 20th to comment on the ruling. You may contact North Dakota's State Veterinarian, Dr. Larry Schuler or myself before the August 20th date.

The NDLWPA last board of directors meeting hosted Dr. Diane Sutton. She was invited to North Dakota by our State Veterinarians to inform our producers about the upcoming program and deadline. We have invited her back to speak at your 2001 convention. Dr Sutton invited input and explained the provisions of USDA's plan to clean up scrapie in the United States. Part of the discussion centered on current genetic testing. Currently much emphasis is being placed on RR (codon 171) tested sheep. Sheep that test RR or QR are said to be scrapie resistant, while sheep that test QQ are said to be susceptible. Dr. Suttons comments indicated that RR and QR sheep are resistant to scrapie, but science is unsure if exposed QR and RR sheep can shed the organism responsible for the spread of scrapie.

As an individual who just spent a small fortune to test my sheep at codon 171, I had a renewed interest in the subject. During my stay at the North Dakota State Fair I had the opportunity to discuss this matter with Dr. Schuler. He informed me that while some states here in America are considering resolutions and possible legislation allowing only RR or QR (resistant) sheep into their states, Australia only allows QQ (susceptible) sheep into their country. So much for global trade and tearing down trade barriers.

It seems to me that perhaps politics has move ahead of science. Once again we are attempting to legislate the rules on how to win the game, without having the knowledge, skills or the facts about what we seek. I believe more information is needed with definitive answers to raised questions both here and abroad. Do not take me wrong I am for scrapie eradication and permanent identification. These are a must if our industry is to survive the public microscope. But remember when we move politics in front of science all we will ever get is Political Science.

Minutes from NDLWPA Board Mtg June 20, 2001 Seven Seas, Mandan, ND
Present: Burton Pfliger, Don Lawson, Brent Stroh, Jane Horner, Steve Copenhaver, Larry Widdel, Scott Bredahl, Dr. Schuler, Mary Galbreath, Craig Galbreath, Dr, Keller, Roger Haugen, Bert Moore, Rodney Hickle, Burdell Johnson, Theo Johnson, Dr. Sutton, James Marshall, Jr, Paula Swenson, Steve Wentz, Dave Merwin, Doug Klien, Jeff Strand and Beth Horner.

Hettinger Ram Sale - September 19
The 26th Hettinger State Ram Sale will be held at 12:00 Noon (MDT) on September 19 at the Adams County Fair Building in Hettinger, North Dakota. Entry deadline is August 1. All members of NDLWPA in good standing (paid members) are eligible to enter sheep in sale. If you have ewes (purebred or commercial) you would like to consign, contact Tim Faller. Phone numbers: 701-567-4324 (office); 701-567-2360 (home); 701-567-3030 (cell).

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

American Lamb "the Leanest and Meatiest Lamb in the World"
American sheep genetics are geared toward producing a superior lamb product. In fact, the sophisticated breeding and nutrition programs utilized by U.S. sheep producers has made "American lamb the leanest and meatiest lamb is the world," reports The Server Foodservice News, a monthly magazine mailed to approximately 27,000 U.S. foodservice operators.

The informative article also made mention of the fact that American lamb is typically regarded as a better buy than foreign lamb, since U.S. sheep carcasses are approximately 25 percent larger than Australian and New Zealand lamb carcasses. "Restaurants like the larger cuts since the end result is better plate coverage," the article reported. The article also contained an impressive nutritional profiling of American lamb, and encouraged its serving year-round with such dishes as burgers, kabobs, stir-fries, chops and casseroles.

Prouvost USA is now Chargeurs Wool
Prouvost USA, one of the nation's oldest and largest buyers and processors of greasy wool, will soon be operating under a different name - Chargeurs Wool (USA) Inc. Although Prouvost USA, Inc., has been part of the Chargeurs Wool (CW) division since 1988, it continued to operate under the name Prouvost until now. In fact, all CW entities soon will operate under Chargeurs Wool in an effort to boost international awareness of the CW name.

Loan deficiency payments for wool included in House ag committee farm bill
In a significant milestone for the U.S. sheep industry, the House Agriculture Committee approved a wool loan program in its version of the next Farm Bill.

The bill includes a provision for a nonrecourse marketing assistance loan program for wool and mohair. The program includes a loan rate of not more than $1.00 per pound for tested wool and not more than .40 per pound for non-tested wool. The mohair loan rate is set at not more than $4.20 per pound.

Loans would be repaid at a rate that is the lesser of the loan rate established for the commodity plus interest, or at a rate that the Secretary determines will minimize forfeitures, accumulation of stock, storage costs and that allows the commodity to be marketed freely and competitively. Loan deficiency payments also are authorized.

"We are very pleased to see the inclusion of the wool marketing assistance loan program in the House version of the Farm Bill," American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) Executive Director Peter Orwick said. "The program is one that ASI developed in conjunction with the Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers and Texas A&M University. Since the August, and then the January board meetings, the House Ag Committee leadership authorized the legislation for the ten-year farm bill."

Foot-and-mouth disease price tag for UK about $3 billion
The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom (UK) will cost British taxpayers approximately $3 billion before it is eradicated. That works out to about $56 a head for every resident in the UK. The price tag includes the cost of killing and disposing of animals, disinfecting diseased premises and compensating farmers for slaughtered livestock. At last count, UK authorities had diagnosed 1,842 cases of FMD.

Breeding Strategy
When planning your fall breeding strategy, try to concentrate both mating and lambing into short and predictable periods. Whether you lamb early (Jan-Feb-March) or late (April-May-June), knowing ahead of time the mating and lambing dates will allow more efficient use of feed at flushing and before lambing.

A concentrated lambing period allows optimum use of your labor and housing as well as reducing pre- and post-partum ewe and lamb mortality. In addition, a concentrated lambing period should produce a more uniform set of lambs at weaning which in turn should get more optimum market prices.

Above all, make sure your rams are working. A breeding (marking) harness or grease on the brisket should be used to make sure the rams are getting the job done. Change colors every 17 days and if most of the ewes are repeating, examine the rams for problems and if necessary, replace them.

Facts about Nitrates and Nitrate Poisoning
Certain weather conditions can cause nitrate problems in plants to be used by sheep. Nitrates may accumulate in plants during periods of hot dry weather, in particular drought conditions. However, not all drought conditions cause high nitrate levels in plants. If the supply of soil nitrates is in the dry surface, plant roots will not absorb nitrates. Some moisture must be present with the nitrates for absorption and accumulation. In plants that survive drought, nitrates are likely to be especially high for several days following the break in the dry weather. Grazing stunted cereal crops, especially oats, can be dangerous. Weeds such as Kochia, pigeongrass and arrowgrass can also contain significant levels of nitrates.

Hail and frost also interfere with normal plant growth and can cause nitrate accumulation. Hail or frost can damage, reduce or completely destroy the leaf area of the plant. Under these conditions, nitrates absorbed by the roots may not be converted to plant protein, as in the leaves, and thus may accumulate in the stalks.

High levels of nitrates present in plants are converted to nitrites in the rumen. Nitrites, if absorbed in sufficient amounts into the blood, will inhibit the ability of the hemoglobin to carry oxygen to cells in the body and as a result, an animal will die of chemical asphyxiation.

Symptoms to watch for are similar to those of animals suffering from a loss of oxygen. The blood will have a low amount of oxygen and will have a dark color which can be detected by looking at the eyelids and other fleshy parts of the body. Other symptoms include panting and gasping for air, convulsions and eventually death due to brain damage.

Calendar of Events:
August 2-4: Open Sheep Shows at SD State Fair
August 4; NDLWPA Lamb Futurity Show at Hettinger
August 4; NDLWPA Lamb Futurity Show at New Salem
August 9: SDSU Sheep Day and Ewe Sale at Brookings, SD (Note change from June 14)
September 19: State Ram Sale in Hettinger
November 30: NDLWPA Ewe Sale in Valley City
November 30, December 1: Annual Sheep Convention in Mandan
November 30, December 1-2: North Star Classic Livestock Show & Sale at Winter Shows Building in Valley City
January 24-26, 2002: 2002 American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention at Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas