I currently raise commercial ewes with my parents (Alton & Bonney), wife Barb and four other helpers, David, Sara, Alec, and Dillon. We finish our lambs out and market them through Equity. By the time this article hits press we will have started lambing.

NDLWPA will be working on many issues in the upcoming year. Some of the major ones are: National Animal ID Program, ND Dept of Health rules on waste management, working with the State Vet on updating new rules for sheep and Scrapie Program to name a few. We are also a member of the Ag- Coalition which we use to work with the legislature. As you can see there is much to do but NDLWPA has an active board, helpful extension service, and an active membership that is willing to see the sheep industry to grow.

12:00 noon Lunch: American Lamb and Beef Dinner

1:00 pm Welcome - North Dakota State University - Dr. Ken Grafton, Director, Agricultural Experiment Station, NDSU
1:10 pm A Scrapie@ - History, Science and Current Implications@ - Dr. Janet Alverson and Dr. Lynn Herrmann, USDA/ARS, Pullman, Washington
2:05 pm A Using Animal Behavior to Manage Livestock@ - Dr. Fred Provenza, Animal Behavioral Scientist, Utah State University, Salt Lake City, Utah
3:15 pm A Closing Remarks@ - Brent Stroh, President of North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, Tappen

The goal of the program is to provide sheep producers with the knowledge of the genotype of breeding rams so that they can make decisions on mating with ewes. It is hoped that the level of resistant genotypes (RR and QR at codon 171) in the North Dakota sheep flock can be increased by allowing the informed selection of resistant genotype rams.

The State Board of Animal Health through the cooperative agreement will pay for official genotype testing of a maximum of 10 rams per producer (more than 10 animals per flock may be tested with prior approval from the state veterinarian= s office and is contingent upon the availability of funds).

This program is meant to be focused on testing of rams, but females may also be tested and be included in the 10 animals per flock. As with the ram testing, additional animals must be approved by the state veterinarian= s office.

An official genotype test means that the sample must be drawn and submitted by an accredited veterinarian. The Board will pay $20.00 per animal tested (laboratory fee of $13.00 and the veterinary cost of collection and submission of the sample up to $7.00 per animal). Sheep producers may have additional testing done on the same sample (i.e. spider and/or codon 136 @ $12.00 per test) at their expense.

For more info on the testing, producers should contact their local veterinarians or the State Board of Animal Health at 701-328-2655 or 1-800-242-7535.

This assistance with genotype testing will continue until funds are depleted or are no longer available.

Mrs. Alton Stroh made a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes as they had been published. Mark Sheppard seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Theo Johnson gave the Treasurers report. Beginning balance after the last annual convention on 12-7-02 was $7,156.74. Income for the year totaled $13,949.03 and expenses for the year totaled $14,430.20. The ending balance is $6,675.57. The total in CD savings is $3,238.02. Dean Swenson made a motion to approve the treasurers' report, seconded by Brett Stroh. Motion carried.

Burt appointed an audit committee of Dean and Paula Swenson and Wes Limesand to audit the books. They are to make a report and present it to the next meeting.

Burdell discussed the Ag Coalition dues structure. Both Burdell and Burt are on the Ag Coalition. Under the new dues structure the NDLWP Association dues will go from $200 to $300. Dean Swenson made a motion to approve the dues increase, seconded by Wyman Scheetz. Motion carried.

Burton reported that the Attorney Generals office has stated that the NDLWP Association would leave their non-profit status if the association was to start selling sheep equipment.

Brent Stroh brought a resolution before the annual membership that had been passed previously by the board of directors regarding the National Animal ID Program. Tim Faller made a motion to accept the resolution as proposed. Don Schmid seconded it. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS
Jack Buckley addressed the convention attendees with information from the Youth Point Show. He listed the advisors and sponsors and talked about the showmanship camps this past year. He requested $300 for the Junior Show at the State Fair from NDLWP Association. They would like to pay down 5-6 places in each class. Discussion followed. Ole Erickson made a motion to go to the Board of Directors with the request, seconded by Wes Limesand. Motion carried.

Dr, Ken Odde has asked Russ Danielson to develop criteria for scholarships awards and Dr. Odde has put forth a challenge that $100,000 be raised for under graduate scholarships.

Burdell Johnson - resolutions report. Burdell and Rodney Hickle requested that the organization give authority for the Board of Directors to review the State Sheep Health regulations with the state vets office. Burdell made the motion, Don Schmid seconded it and motion carried.

Burton reported the number of people attending the convention was over estimated and that extra legs were for sale for $4.99 per pound.

Mark Sheppard gave the nominating committee report. The nominating committee was Mark, John Gupman, and Matt Benz. List of Nominee as follows:
President: Brent Stroh. Steve Wentz made a motion to cast an unanimous ballot for Brent, Ole Erickson seconded. Motion carried.
Vice President: Lyle Warner. Ole Erickson made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Lyle, seconded by Alton Stroh, motion carried.
Secretary: Paula Swenson. Tim Faller made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Paula, seconded by Ole Erickson, motion carried.
Treasurer: Theo Johnson. Dean Swenson made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Theo, seconded by Brent Stroh, motion carried.
ASI Director: Burton Pfliger. Steve Wentz made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Burton, seconded by Dean Swenson, motion carried.

District caucuses were held and directors elected: NE: Brent Kuss, SE: Mark Sheppard, NW: Scott Bredahl, SW: Don Lawson.

If anyone has any comments on the CAFO regulations, they should contact Dr. Susan Keller or Dr. Larry Schuler.

Jane Homer gave a short report on the MIYWW Contest. They had 42 sponsors this year with 23 entries.

The sponsors of the coffee breaks were noted and all were encouraged to thank them when we see them.

Ole Erickson made a motion to adjourn the meeting seconded by Brent Stroh.

Burton Pfliger gave his closing comments.

Paula Swenson,
Secretary

The Scrapie: Ovine Slaughter Surveillance (SOSS) study showed a prevalence rate of 0.2 percent, or one in 500 mature ewes. A This is a low number,@ said Dr. Diane Sutton, National Scrapie Program Coordinator. A Now is the time to eliminate this disease before it becomes more widespread.@

Prior to the SOSS study, the prevalence of scrapie in the United States was estimated to be 0.07 percent (based on information from NAHMS Sheep = 96, unpublished data). This data was used to plan the sampling size for the SOSS study, according to Sutton.

The prevalence phase of the study was conducted from Apr. 1, 2002 to Mar. 31, 2003. During this time period, random samples were collected from 12,508 mature sheep at 22 slaughter facilities and one major livestock market. Brain (obex, cerebellum), tonsil, and retropharyngeal lymph node tissues were collected and sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories and its cooperating laboratories for mmunohistochemistry testing and genotyping.

A Of the 12,508 sheep tested, 33 were found to be scrapie positive. Out of these there were 27 black face, three mottled face, one white face, and two of unknown face color,@ Sutton said.

A Now that we know the prevalence rate of scrapie in the United States, we can use that information for planning purposes. We also have a better idea of which populations of sheep to target for surveillance in order to maximize our testing efforts,@ Sutton said.

Body condition is a more meaningful way than body weight change of assessing the adequacy of nutrition during late pregnancy because its evaluation is independent of number of fetuses. However, the time it takes to detect a meaningful change in body condition may be too great to allow for any necessary increases in nutrition to be made at the proper time. It is, however, a good practice to assess body condition about eight weeks before lambing and take out the leaner ewes for preferential feeding. Very often the period of greatest dependence on body reserves is during early lactation and if ewes are expected to have sufficient reserves for milk production, it is important that their body is in good condition.

The purpose of the Make It Yourself with Wool contest is to promote the beauty and versatility of American wool fabrics and yarns. The contest is both a fashion and sewing competition. It is open to all North Dakota residents. The contest encourages personal design in sewing, knitting, and crocheting and recognizes creative skills. Contestants must select, construct, and model their own garments made of at least 60% wool in front of a panel of judges.

Reiny Inman of Surrey was chosen as the preteen ambassador. The preteen division is individuals under the age 13. She won a Pfaff sewing machine sponsored by J&R Vacuum & Sewing Centers of Bismarck, Minot, Fargo, and Grand Forks, a plaque sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers, and several other prizes. The preteen division does not advance to national competition. Madeleinne Zacher of Parshall was named the alternate. Other participants in this age category include Jennelle Kaeding and Andrea Bachmeier both of Devils Lake, Danielle Stromme of Crary, Emma Rognlien of Towner, and Carly Augustin of Crystal.

The junior ambassador chosen was Gretchen Dawley of Munich. The junior division is individuals ages 13-17 years old. Gretchen won a Necchi sewing machine sponsored by Blow's Sew-N-Vac of Fargo, a plaque sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers, and several other prizes. She will represent North Dakota at the National Make It Yourself with Wool contest in Sacramento, California, January 22-25, 2004. Katrina Billing of Enderline was named the alternate. Other participants in this age category include Kayla Bachmeier and Tricia Berg both of Devils Lake.

The senior division is for individuals ages 17-24. Chosen as senior ambassador was Beth Horner of Devils Lake. Beth won a Bernina sewing machine sponsored by Sewing Machines Plus! of Mandan, a plaque sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers, and several other prizes. She will travel to Sacramento, California January 22-25, 2004 and represent North Dakota at the National Make It Yourself with Wool contest. Jessica Horner of Fargo was named the alternate. Other participants in this age category include Rachel May of Minot, Danielle Billing of Enderlin, and Sarah Bromley of Fargo.

Maxine Rognlien of Towner was named the adult ambassador. Maxine won a Singer sewing machine sponsored by Bob's Sewing Center of Devils Lake, a plaque sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers, and several other prizes. She also won the opportunity to enter the national competition by video. We are pleased to announce that Maxine has been named 3rd runner-up nationally in this year's national contest. Alice Williams of Jamestown was named alternated and Rita Keading of Devils Lake also participated.

A new division to the contest is Made for Others division. This category is for individuals who love to sew wool and want to enter the contest but do not like to model in front of people. To enter, the contestant constructs a wool garment for a model of their choosing and then the contestant is interview judged while the model shows off the garment in front of the judges. This year there were two entries in this category. Gretchen Dawley of Munich was chosen ambassador and Beth Horner of Devils Lake was named alternate. Gretchen received a plaque sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers.

Winning the Embroidery Award was Jessica Horner of Fargo. This award is given to the overall contestant that has used creative home embroidery on their garment. Jessica won a collection of embroidery thread sponsored by Sewing Machines Plus! of Mandan.

Next year's contest is already in the planning stages. It will be held again in conjunction with the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producer's convention, December 3 & 4th at the Seven Seas Inn in Mandan. For more information and for an entry blank to next year's competition, contact Jane Horner; North Dakota Make It Yourself with Wool Director, 341 Old Main, Devils Lake, ND 58301 or check out the web site at www.ndlwpa.com under the MIYWW button.