No. 24                                                                                   October, 2002

North Dakota Lamb and Wool Industry Newsletter
North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association / NDSU Extension Service
Roger G. Haugen, Extension Sheep Specialist and Editor 701-231-7645

Changing the Challenging Times

When I think back to the time I was first asked to be president. I am reminded about how I felt. My thoughts were surely there is someone more qualified, better experienced and much more attuned to the sheep industry than I am. After some consideration I agreed to allow my name to be placed on the ballet. I did so out of love for the industry, agriculture and a sense of duty.

It is with that love of subject and sense of duty that each of us must face the changes and the obstacles placed in our paths. Recently Mother Nature has taken a grim view on showering our northern plains with life giving rain. Surrounded by challenges placed by Mother Nature, shrinking markets and mandatory government programs. Some of our friends have been forced out while others have chosen to sell out. But many like you and I are here to stay. It has become our duty to be the face of changed agriculture for our community.

Like any job the proper tools always improve performance. Some of the best tools each of us has is our combined unity in groups like NDLWPA and ASI. Your producer membership dollars are the reasons each of us has a voice in public policy making. The recent passage of a disaster bill including sheep at a 4 to 1 ratio is the latest example. The current payment will be $4.50 per head on all animals owned for ninety days or more during 2002 (Signup starts on October 1, 2002 at FSA offices). While some will say it is inadequate and meaningless. Ask them this question. What do they have to offer in its place? I for one am thankful for any feed assistance.

With the latest regulations out of USDA it has become easy for some to become cynical about our industry. To them I offer the comfort of knowing the sheep industry has been through other tough times. Times when we thought the "sky was falling". Only to emerge better educated, better organized, and more focused on our goals. In order to be part of the solution we must be optimistic, well informed, organized and not afraid of change. That way each of us can become one of the people credited for positively changing the challenging times that shape our industry's future.
Burton Pfliger, President of NDLWPA, Bismarck

Attention NDLWPA members!
Room reservations for the convention on December 6 & 7 should be made directly to the Seven Seas Motel, phone 1-800-597-7327 or 701/663-7401. Indicate you are attending the Sheep Convention for a special rate of $51 a room. Also, items will be needed for the fund raising auction held on Friday night of the our annual sheep convention in December. This is an early notice for you to be thinking ahead about items you could donate. All donated items are auction off with proceeds going to association.

News from the State
Minutes from NDLWPA Board Meeting September 12, 2002 at Seven Seas, Mandan
Members present: Burton Pfliger, Steve Wentz, Mark Sheppard, Rodney Hickle, Brent Stroh, Theo Johnson, Roger Haugen, Steve Copenhaver, Dave Merwin, Don Lawson, Lyle Warner.The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Treasures report: Current checkbook balance $7221.96; Current CD balance $3115.13 The treasurers repost was approved.

Old Business
Youth Futurity
The futurity was turned over to the Junior Livestock Association. Rick Schmidt developed a carcass contest for junior members. There were 25-27 entries this year. He asked the NDLWPA to consider donating to the contest next year. The consideration was tabled.
Bills Payable
Burton ordered 20 copies of the RANGE Magazine. Distributed copies to board members and the rest will be used at the Convention. Lyle moved and Mark 2nd to pay the bill. Motion passed.
Lamb Checkoff
Burton handed out informational sheets.

New Business
2002 Convention
The 2002 NDLWPA Convention will be at the Seven Seas in Mandan on December 6 & 7.
Friday December 6
Friday evening there will be a Bred Ewe Sale at the Burleigh County Fair Grounds. Viewing at 4:00 pm, sale at 6:00 pm. If you have ewes to sale contact Roger Haugen. A social at the Seven Seas will follow the sale. The benefit auction will be held in conjunction with the social. Please bring items to sale in the auction.
Saturday December 7
There will be reports from the State Vets, Animal Damage Control, Hettinger, NDSU, feeding sheep in a dry year, a possible lamb cook-off and many other items of interest.
District directors are to bring names of individuals from their district who deserve recognition in general.
Master Sheep Producer
Please submit entries to Roger Haugen. The screening committee will be made up of Burton, Brent and Mark. Roger, Stewart and Steve will travel to meet with the individuals nominated.

Dakota Lamb Growers
They met the end of August. They are trying to move more product. They are currently killing approximately 220 head each week. The killing costs are running from $24-$28 per head. The Lamb Coop will have their convention at the Holiday Inn in Mitchell, SD November 8 &9. They will tour kill facilities and address issues specific to their group. They are working on a system to use a bar code tag for identification of animals and carcass.

ASI Dues
Steve moved and Dave 2nd to sign up for the Unified Plan. The NDLWPA will collect the dues and submit to ASI. The total dues package to ASI will cost $3320. Motion passed.

Dr. Keller
Dr. Keller indicated that the USDA will probably accept the NDSU Proposed Pilot Project that Fargo and Hettinger are following as the National Flock Plan. Individual states may employ more stringent requirements, but it looks as though most would be happy with the proposed plan.

NDSU Fargo Report
Wes Limesand reported on the status of NDSU. They were quarantined in March 2002, since that time they have done DNA tests as well as third eyelid tests. Based on test results they have sold 900 sheep to date. The entire lamb crop was sold to a plant in Texas. They have 75 QQ ewes that will be moved to the old research facility for a pilot project. All of these ewes must be mated to an RR ram. Sixty of the ewes are registered and 15 are commercial ewes. They now have a total of approximately 650 ewes: 200 purebred ewes, 235 commercial ewes and 150 ewe lambs. They added 2 - 12 inches of soil and painted to seal the facility.

The next meeting will be October 26, 2002.

North Dakota "Master Sheep Producers" Nominations for 2002
The North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association and the NDSU Extension Service will be selecting some of the outstanding sheep producers in the state for 2002 and recognizing them for their achievements. Those selected will be honored at the North Dakota Sheep Convention on December 6-7, 2002 at the Seven Seas Inn in Mandan.

Purpose of the recognition is to focus attention on the outstanding job being done by these sheep producers. They will be honored for their accomplishments in efficient, profitable sheep production, civic service, and contributions to the sheep industry. From one to two producers will be honored.

In an effort to locate these producers, we are asking you to help us. We would like you to send the name and complete address of any producer you think is deserving of recognition. Nominate as many candidates as you wish. I will supply each nominee a form to fill out. There is no age limit and there is no restriction on the size of the operation. The only restriction is that the producer have a minimum of three consecutive years in sheep production.

A screening committee will review all nominees and select those to be visited by a selection committee. All nominations need to be sent to me at the address below by October 23, 2002.

Thanks for your cooperation.
Roger G. Haugen
Extension Sheep Specialist,
Hultz Hall, Room 100e, NDSU
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 231-7645

Hettinger Ram Sale Results
The Hettinger Ram Sale was held on September 18, 2002 in Hettinger, North Dakota. 138 rams sold for an average of $255. A breakdown by breeds is as follows:
12 Targhees averaged $368; 23 Rambouillets averaged $232; 36 Suffolk averaged $268; 27 Columbias averaged $236; 25 Hampshire averaged $244; 6 Montadales averaged $242; 4 Corriedales averaged $175; 2 Dorsets averaged $213; and 3 Crossbreds at $232.

NDSU Sheep School - December 5-6 in Bismarck
Topics including management, nutrition, breeding and new technology will be covered in a two-day sheep school scheduled for Thursday and Friday, December 5 and 6, in Bismarck. One day of the school will coincide with the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers' Annual Sheep Producers Convention, set for Friday and Saturday, December 6 and December 7. The school will be held at the Burleigh County Extension Office and the convention will be held at Mandan's Seven Seas Motel and Convention Center. The school is sponsored by the North Dakota State University Extension Service and the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center.

The school's broad focus makes it excellent training for new producers. The school also provides a thorough review for long-time producers. Health, nutrition, breeding strategies, marketing, enterprise analysis, facilities and other topics will be included in the instruction. Instructors will come from NDSU and the sheep industry.

Tuition is $25 per person or $35 for two people from the same operation. Tuition includes noon meals both days. Participation will be limited to the first 25 operations to enroll. The enrollment deadline is Friday, November 29.

To receive a registration packet or for more information on the school or housing, contact Tim Faller, Hettinger Research Extension Center, Box 1377, Hettinger, N.D. 58639, (701) 567-4323. Or contact Roger Haugen, NDSU, Hultz Hall, P.O. Box 5053, Fargo, ND 58105-5053, (701) 231-7645.

Scrapie Research at NDSU by Dr. Dale Redmer, Chair ARS Sheep Committee
A meeting was held Sept. 5, 2002 to discuss with NDSU researchers a proposal for a federally funded scrapie research project at NDSU and at the Hettinger Research and Extension Center (REC). Among those present were Dr. Katherine O=Rourke from the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), USDA, a leading expert in scrapie and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, Drs. Larry White, Misty Sabbe, Caroline Tedrow, federal veterinarians from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Drs. Larry Schuler and Susan Keller, ND State Veterinarian Office. Others present were Drs. Paul Berg, Bert Moore, and Dale Redmer, professors from NDSU, Dr. Doug Freeman (Chair, Veterinary/Microbiology Dept., NDSU), Dr. Don Kirby (Interim Chair, Animal and Ranges Sciences Dept.), Wes Limesand (manager NDSU Sheep Unit), Tim Faller (Director Hettinger Branch Station), and Dennis Krumm (APHIS, Bismarck). Proposed research projects put forth by NDSU researchers were discussed as eradication of the scrapie disease is a nationwide concern. After scrapie was identified in several animals from the NDSU flock in Fargo and NDSU ewes that had been relocated to Hettinger, federal officials were keen to join efforts with NDSU researchers in projects to study the disease and its eradication, studies that would be nearly impossible to do with private livestock producers.

Projects discussed for the two North Dakota sites would be funded by USDA through Specific Cooperative Agreements between USDA-ARS and the North Dakota Agriculture Experiment Station. The two research proposals discussed would be conducted separately with one project at NDSU and the other project located at the Hettinger REC. According to Dr. Redmer, funding was requested for a post-doctoral fellow who would work closely with the NDSU project and also provide coordination and oversite between the two site projects. The purpose of the proposed research at NDSU is to study the eradication of the disease through eliminating genetically susceptible animals from a flock, while the proposed research at the Hettinger REC would compliment the NDSU study by conducting a long-term project to examine if genetically resistant ewes can serve as vectors or carriers of the disease.

The proposed research at NDSU includes relocating a group of QQ (genetically susceptible) ewes that test prion negative (i.e., do not test positive for scrapie) to an isolated and quarantined facility followed by breeding with RR (genetically resistant) rams. The resultant offspring would all carry a gene for resistance. NDSU hopes to demonstrate that through appropriate testing and attrition of genetically susceptible ewes, a flock can successfully be changed to a genetically resistant flock for scrapie. Furthermore, all performance characteristics for both ewes and offspring will be carefully recorded and monitored in concern that eliminating a specific genotype may result in possible other undesirable characteristics or genotypes. Data from NDSU will be combined with data collected from other similar USDA-ARS funded research projects around the nation, says Dr. O=Rourke.

The Hettinger research project would involve the use of QR (resistant) ewes born to damns that tested positive for the disease. These ewes would be held in an isolation facility for an extended period of time and bred to QQ (susceptible) rams. The scrapie status of QQ offspring from exposed QR ewes would then be monitored and provide valuable information regarding the nature of Acarrier@ status of the disease.

NDSU researchers believe that the projects will provide significant information for producers and veterinarians in the management and eradication of the scrapie disease from the U.S. sheep industry. NDSU researchers also believe that the likelihood of success of the projects is high because the studies will be conducted with animals that come from flocks that are considered to be Ahighly exposed@ to the scrapie disease. Dr. O=Rourke mentioned that there is a great need for simpler and cheaper tests for determining if an animal is a genetic carrier and had high hopes that NDSU researchers could make some progress in developing more efficient Auser friendly@ tests as well.

ND MIYWW Newsletter October 2002
The air is finally turning cool and the leaves are falling. That must mean it's time to think about the Make It Yourself with Wool contest. Last summer was spent getting the word out across North Dakota about the upcoming 2002 ND MIYWW contest in December. I am anticipating an exciting competition with lots of entries in all categories. At this time it's hard to estimate the number of contestants, but from the number of questions that have been generated over the summer, I'm hoping for at least 30 contestants.

If you know someone who is interested in sewing wool and needs that little extra push, you can tell them that this is the year to sew wool and enter the contest. Sewing machines have been donated for the pre-teen, junior, senior, and adult winners. The machines include a Pfaff for the pre-teen winner from J&R Sewing and Vacuum, a Nicchi from Blow's Sew-N-Vac of Fargo for the junior winner, a Brother from Rae Bon of Fargo for the senior winner, and a Bernina 135 from Sewing Machines Plus! of Mandan for the adult winner. Great! Wonderful prizes! Numerous other door prizes have been collected from sewing stores across North Dakota too. The Pendelton Wool yardage has arrived and the plaids are fantastic. Each contestant receives a 2 2 yard length complements of you, The NDLWA. Also, generous financial donations from Farm Credit Services of ND, Cass County Farm Bureau, ND Telephone Co. of Devils Lake, Jamestown Livestock Auction Co. and a new sponsor ND Farm Bureau have been received. Please thank these sponsors while you are doing business with them. They are appreciated and we couldn't do this contest without them.

A big thank you to Roger Haugen. He has redone the MIYWW web site. It's up to date and looks wonderful. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out. It has all the rules and information for the contest. Look for it at www.ndlwpa.com and then click on the Make It Yourself with Wool button. Thanks Roger!

Wanted! Anyone interested in promoting and helping with the Make It Yourself with Wool contest. As you can see the contest is growing and I can't possibly run this contest by myself. It's outgrowing me and that's what we want! I am in need of individuals to donate as much or little time as they are willing to share. It would be nice to start an auxiliary like many states have. Two individuals beside myself have already volunteered. I especially need help the morning of the contest. Duties not covered yet are photographer, judges assistant, choreographer assistant, raffle ticket person, etc. Please call me (701-766-4786) or email me NDMIYWW@Yahoo.com Any and all help accepted and appreciated.

The ND MIYWW is going to have its own raffle. 3 great prizes have been donated. The drawing will be at the convention luncheon. All the proceeds go to the contest. Tickets can be purchased at the registration table at the convention, from a MIYWW contestant, or from me. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.00. Get your lucky ticket! Prizes are:
1st place- Mohair vest valued at $75 from Mohair Classics of Walcott, ND
(choice of color and size)
2nd place - Pendelton blanket valued at $65 from The Pendelton Store in West Fargo
3rd place - Tom The Gardener Teddy Bear valued at $50 an original from Aurora Wool of Hannah ND

Jane Horner, ND MIYWW Director

Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative
Greetings from Jim Ostlie, President of the Board of Directors of the Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative(DLGC). Lambs are being slaughtered on a weekly basis with some new customers being added. This increases the number of lambs needed from its members. The potential of tapping into larger markets is very realistic, but we have to have patience.

The Board of Directors of the DLGC changed their fiscal year so that it ends Aug. 31. The new year begins on Sept. 1 and ends on Aug. 31 of the next year. By making this change, our annual convention can be held in the fall. This years annual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 8 & 9 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Mitchell, SD. The convention starts Friday evening and continues on Saturday.

Lamb Meat Adjustment Assistance Program (LMAAP) Year 4
Year 4 - August 1, 2002, through July 31, 2003. Payment rates are: $3 per head for feeder lambs; $5 per head for slaughter lambs; $8 total per head for slaughter lambs marketed during June 1 through July 31, 2003; $18 per head for each ewe lamb purchased or retained for breeding purposes. Sign up at your local FSA office. Year 4 Application Deadline is August 15, 2003.

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

North Dakota Bred Ewe/Ewe Lamb Sale - December 6
* Purebred Ewes: Bred yearlings and exposed or open ewe lambs ALL BREEDS!
* Commercial Ewes: 2-year olds and younger - bred, exposed or open.
Friday, December 6, 2002, 6:00 p.m. (CST), Missouri Valley Fairgrounds, Bismarck
Held in conjunction with the North Dakota Sheep Convention; sponsored and managed by the NDLWPA

Entry deadline is November 15 for purebreds and the week of the sale for commercials.
For more information, entry blanks or catalog contact: Roger Haugen, Hultz Hall, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105 (701) 231-7645; Fax: (701) 231-7590 ; Email: rohaugen@ndsuext.nodak.edu.

Calendar of Events:
December 5-6: Sheep School in Bismarck
December 6: NDLWPA Ewe Sale in Bismarck
December 6-7: Annual Sheep Convention in Mandan
December 6-8: North Star Classic Livestock Show & Sale at Winter Shows Building in Valley City
February 6-8, 2003: 2003 American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention at Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel