First off, I would like to say thanks to everybody who made our 2004 convention a success. From the speakers to everybody who helped line up the convention. I would like to recognize our award winners for their service to the sheep industry. Roger Haugen received the Distinguished Service award. For the past 26 years, Roger has been our sheep extension contact, maintained our web page and kept our newsletter published. Tim Faller received the Appreciation Award. It was presented to Tim for his hard work in getting the State Replacement Ewe Sale started and the continued success of the Hettinger Ram Sale. Michael and Brandy Merwin received the Master Sheep Producer Award. I was fortunate enough to be on the selection committee and was able to visit their ranch and was impressed with their detail to management and commitment to the sheep industry. Thanks again to these leaders in our industry.

It's that time of the year again for dues. The dues are the same as before and there's an application in this newsletter. Just a reminder with some of the things being done. We have now started a State Replacement Ewe Sale. We had over 1900 head sold at Bowman and the quality of the ewes was second to none. Our second sale will be the first Saturday of October, 2005.

The Hettinger Ram sale will be in September, 2005. The sale has started to work with the Hettinger Ram test which gives us a way to evaluate growth and muscle development in ram lambs. Some of these rams sell along with other quality yearling and ram lambs.

NDLWPA is also a member of the Ag-Coalition. Ag-Coalition is our state ag lobbying group. By joining, it gives us a stronger voice when it comes to issues that effect us at home. NDLWPA is also a member of ASI. Over the years, this has reaped many benefits like the $18 ewe lamb payment, the $3 feeder lamb payment, the $5 fat lamb payment and the LDP in wool. This along with the National voice gives our local sheep producer a lot for the money put in. National issues like Animal ID, Scrapies, and market reports are all things that come from your dues so help support our industry by becoming an active member.

I want to remind everyone to get out and vote for the checkoff. Voting is done at your local FSA office. You should contact them before voting to make sure that you have the information needed. NDLWPA is strongly supporting a "yes" vote. Collections would be around 2.5 million with no more than 10% to administration. Goals for the checkoff are to expand the American Lamb market.

If you have questions or concerns about NDLWPA, you can reach me at stroh@bektel.com. Thank You.

8:30 AM TOUR TIME - HREC will be open for tours of Dakota Ram Test and facilities.

9:30 AM DOORS OPEN - and coffee at Hettinger Armory (Adams County Farm Bureau)

10:00 AM EARLY BIRD DOOR PRIZE DRAWING

10:05 AM HETTINGER, NDSU, and SDSU RESEARCH REPORTS

3:15 PM CLOSING COMMENTS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS AT HREC
                                       Tim Faller, Director, Hettinger Research Extension Center

Sheep and beef research in the region and future trends in the livestock industry will be highlighted at the 46^th annual Sheep/Beef Day at North Dakota State University's Hettinger Research Extension Center February 9.

"This event gives sheep and beef producers a chance to preview the research that will have an impact on their farms and to hear from leaders in the industry," says Tim Faller, director. "It also brings together producers, researchers, and others from the region to discuss common issues and opportunities."

Treasurers report: Theo Johnson gave the treasurers report. The checking balance on hand is $11,116.36 plus 2 CD's totaling $3,283.68. Ole Erickson made a motion to approve the report, seconded by Dean Swenson. Motion carried.

Don Lawson, chairman of the nominating committee, gave the report of the nominating committee: Lyle Warner was nominated for Vice President, Ole Erickson made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Lyle, seconded by Don Schmidt. Motion carried. Don Schmidt was nominated for Secretary: Tim Faller made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Don. Motion carried. Matt Benz was nominated for Treasurer: A motion was made to cast a unanimous ballot for Matt (one opposition was noted - Matt Benz!). Motion carried. Brent Stroh was nominated for President. Dean Swenson made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Brent. Motion carried.

Brent addressed the convention attendees regarding newsletter with Roger retiring. Jim Ostlie addressed the convention regarding the lamb that the Valley Wool Growers donates to area high schools for them to use in their cooking classes. They started this donation process 20 years ago and are now donating to 20 high schools yearly. Mostly eastern ND schools. Each school gets one lamb with all the cuts.

District caucuses were held: NE: Stuart Gessner; SE: Dave or Donna Buskohl (will be asked); NW: Wyman Scheetz; SW: John Gupman.

New Business: Brent reminded us of the referendum coming up again. There will be a couple of information meeting regarding that - to be scheduled.

Burt Pfliger made a motion to adjourn. Alton Stroh seconded. Motion carried.

Paula Swenson, Secretary

Without a doubt the first three weeks are the most critical in a lamb's life. If the lamb consumes enough colostrum and is off to a good start his performance will be good. On the other hand we have all witnessed lambs that were chilled when born or had severe scours and just didn't start life on the right foot. These lambs can be picked out of a group months later. They fail to thrive and simply don't grow or perform as well. As shepherds we have more opportunity to influence the number of lambs sold /ewe and the overall profitability of the sheep flock during the first three weeks than any other time in the lamb's life.

Maximizing lamb survival requires a plan. First we need to have the ewe in the correct body condition score and on a correct nutrition and mineral program. Additionally, we need to have an effective abortion control program in place. If we have accomplished these goals we will have a healthy ewe that is in position to lamb with minimal help and lactate well. This is sound prevention for lambing time problems. Secondly, we need to be prepared for lambing. The shepherd should have supplies purchased, lambing pens arranged and ewes shorn before the first lamb hits the ground.

If we want to minimize baby lamb mortality let us look first at the causes of baby lamb mortality. A study at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station showed that 46% of lamb mortality was caused by scours, 20% by starvation and 8% by pneumonia. Individual variation occurs between farms but our experience suggests that these three categories are most important to control.

There are many inherent factors that predispose lambs to mortality. A lamb is born from a sterile environment in the uterus that is 101 degrees into an environment that is cold and often loaded with bacteria. The lambs internal thermoregulatory mechanism isn't fully functional until it is three days old. It has limited body energy reserves (brown fat). Also the lamb is born antibody deficient and has a compromised immune system until it suckles colostrum. Taking these inherent factors into consideration the third step to our plan is to provide an environment that is warm and dry. Good sanitation practices will decrease the bacteria load in the environment.

After the lamb is born we need to ensure adequate colostrum intake. In addition to providing the lamb with antibodies that will protect it from disease, colostrum has high energy density that provides the lamb the energy to get up and nurse. Lambs require 90cc (3oz) per pound of body weight. This should be consumed in the first 18-24 hours of life. From a practical standpoint we need to identify lambs that haven't suckled colostrum and feed them colostrum by a stomach tube (6 oz/feeding). If we catch these lambs early they will be up and suckling the rest of their colostrum requirement on their own.

Next we need to identify starvation/hypothermia lambs. These are lambs that are not consuming enough milk and therefore do not have enough energy to suckle and do not have enough energy to keep warm. Starvation/hypothermia lambs may be unable to rise, have a gaunt, bony appearance and will be weak. These lambs need to be fed with a stomach tube until they are strong enough to suckle on their own. If the lamb is in a cold environment placing it in a warming box will speed recovery.

By now we should have the lambs off to a good start. For the remainder of the next three weeks we must minimize death loss to scours and pneumonia. This means early detection and effective treatment. Scouring lambs will be gaunt, depressed and have wet rear legs. These lambs should be treated with oral antibiotics such as spectinomycin orally and electrolytes if they are dehydrated. Dehydration can be determined by pulling on a pinch of skin. Sheep that have normal hydration will have elastic skin that quickly returns to normal. Dehydrated sheep loose their skin elasticity and the skin will stay "tented" for two or more seconds. If the lambs are dehydrated oral electrolytes should be given by stomach tube.

Lambs with pneumonia will be depressed with drooped ears and often will be in a corner by themselves. Their breathing will be shallow and quick and often they will appear painful. These lambs will have an elevated rectal temperature (above 103 ). Treatment with LA-200, Naxcel/Excenel, Micotil or Nufior is very effective. Checking young lambs at least twice daily is recommended so the shepherd can treat sick lambs early in the course of disease.
J.L. Goelz D.V.M International Sheep Letter Vol 21 NO 2