Comments from the NDLWPA President 
Since our last issue, many positive things have taken place to indicate the future of the sheep industry may be looking brighter.

The big news is that the International Trade Commission (ITC) decided, unanimously, in February that imports have caused an economic hardship on the U.S. sheep industry. The ITC hearing to determine the type of trade relief to be implemented was held in late March. Results of that hearing are presented later in this newsletter. This action will be helpful in making U.S. lamb more competitive with imported lamb, but this is not the final answer to this problem, yet it will give us four years to find that answer.

Within the state our top priority has been the reinstatement of the sheep extension position that was cut in the Governor's 95% budget request to all state agencies and it will end June 30. In January your board of directors along with a number of other sheep producers went before the State House Appropriations, Education Sub Committee asking for the reinstatement of the extension position as part of the NDSU extension/research bill (HB1021). This bill passed the House of Representatives with the sheep position added back in and was before the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 4 where we again supported its reinstatement. HB1021 is now in sub committee and we feel it has a good chance of passing the Senate as well. If you have an opportunity to visit with your senator be sure to ask for their support of the reinstatement of the sheep extension position as part of HB1021. I wish to thank those sheep producers who took the time to come to Bismarck and support this important issue for our industry.

In January and February NDSU put on sheep seminars at Bowman and Carrington, both drew greater than anticipated attendance with many new producers taking part. At these two events in addition to the Annual Hettinger Sheep Day, NDLWPA signed up many new members.

It looks to me like the sheep industry in North Dakota is taking a turn in a positive direction, and all you need to do to help push our industry further in the positive direction is to attend those educational programs put on by NDSU and NDLWPA and become a member of this organization so we can all work towards a more profitable sheep industry.
Jim Marshall, Jr., President of NDLWPA, Oriska

Loss of a Fellow Sheepmen
The sheep industry lost a fellow sheepman in the death of Mike Geske from Pingree. Mike died on February 25, losing his battle with cancer. Mike was a Suffolk breeder and sheepshearer. He exhibited his Suffolk for many years at shows and sales in the state as well as regional events. Our sympathy to his wife, Renee; his two sons, Jeremy and Matthew; and his parents, Leonard and Ann Geske of Pingree.
The industry will miss Mike, he was a good sheepman!!

News from the National Scene
Implementation Task Force holds First Meeting
Six members of the recently seated Implementation Task Force met at the American Sheep Industry Association office March 5-6 to further discuss industry-wide programs-- including the creation of an industry-wide Business Development Council (BDC), marketing programs and communications. The group spent the majority of the meeting discussing the formation and possible offerings of the business development council, which primarily would be entrepreneurial in nature. The entrepreneurial arm would assist BDC members in establishing and enhancing industry alliances, and taking new-product ideas from the drawing board to their intended market via well-researched and documented business strategies, market research, and product promotion.

"This is where the excitement is. This approach would get growers more involved in producing the end product," said ITF Chairman and Utah sheep seedstock producer, Tom Boyer. "And that could lead to renewed interest, which would be great for this industry. I think there's a need for all segments of this industry to better communicate, and I think the BDC may be the vehicle for doing just that."

USDA Buys Frozen American Lamb
The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday, March 10, its purchase of 108,000 pounds of lamb roasts for approximately $399,000 - or $3.69 per pound. Offers were accepted from two of three bidders. The product will be distributed via Federal food-assistance programs. Since the lamb-buy program was announced in May 1998, a total of 576,000 pounds of frozen U.S. lamb has been purchased for $2,061,000. The AMS is currently accepting bids on lamb roasts for its next purchase (April 9).

ASI Wool- Classing Schools
The American Sheep Industry Association's Wool Council announces wool-classing schools for the 1999 season. The 3-1/2-day schools are geared toward individuals wanting to increase their awareness and practices of wool quality improvement. Those who successfully complete the course will receive Level I wool classer certification, which will allow them to class their own clip. Students will learn to distinguish between different fiber lengths and wool yields with the ultimate goal of combining like wool with like wool via classroom time and on the farm learning. They also will learn the various steps associated with wool classing, which includes minimizing contamination, sorting sheep before shearing, packaging different wool types separately, preparing wool bellies out and untied, and full table-skirting practices.

An ASI wool-classing school will be held in Montana the end of April. Individuals interested in the school should contact Rodney Kott, Montana State University-Bozeman, Montana. (406) 994-3415.

"Acceptable" Wool Packaging Materials
U.S. wool growers need to check with their wool buyers and warehouses before they begin shearing to ascertain what types of packaging materials should be used. To increase a producer's marketing advantage, ASI Wool Council strongly recommends that producers use film or nylon packs this year. Although ASI did not develop this policy, many buyers and marketing agencies prefer one type of packaging material over another. When producers utilize that packaging, they increase their chances of selling their wool. Furthermore, some wool mills have recently instituted their own 'no jute' company policy. The use of jute and HDPE packaging will be allowed until January 2000 however, producers should speak with their marketing agent or buyer since opinions on the issue vary. ASI said the 'no jute' policy will be expanded to include 'no HDPE packs' in accordance with a recommendation approved by the U.S. Wool Packaging Committee in December 1998. The two wool-packaging materials are being phased out in response to wool buyers' demands for non-contaminating packaging, and to meet stricter international environmental regulations, which prohibit the disposal of jute in most foreign countries. The recently introduced "film" packaging and nylon packs, currently being phased in, will be the only acceptable form of wool packaging by Jan.1, 2000. However, producers must check with their wool buyers to make informed decisions for the current wool season.

ITC'S Decision on Lamb Meat Imports heads to White House
The U.S. lamb industry's trade case is heading to the White House following the U.S. International Trade Commission's unanimous decision on Friday, March 26, 1999, to recommend four years of trade restrictions to combat the recent surge of imports, primarily from Australia and New Zealand.

"We are pleased that the Commissioners, once again, showed their unanimous support for the American lamb industry by recommending four years of trade restrictions to slow the surge of cheap lamb imports that has swamped the domestic market, driving prices below break-even levels," said Lorin Moench, Jr., President of the American Sheep Industry Association, one of the lead petitioners in the Section 201 trade case.

"The lamb industry needs an effective remedy that will provide the U.S. industry with a level playing field and the revenues needed to recover from the devastating price crash of 1997 and 1998. That crash continues today due to the unrelenting flood of cheap imported lamb meat," Moench said.

"We will push for the strongest trade remedy possible that leads to the necessary market stability that will allow individuals and companies to invest in their domestic industry and boost its competitive stance," Moench said. "The U.S. lamb industry looks forward to working closely with the Administration with the goal of fashioning effective trade relief for the industry."

The Commissioners offered three specific recommendations on the nature of trade restrictions.

One recommendation was a straight four-year quota at levels akin to 1995-97 import levels, beginning at 52 million pounds, carcass weight equivalent, and rising to 70 million pounds, carcass weight equivalent, in the fourth year.

Another suggestion was a straight four-year ad valorem tariff on all imported lamb. The ad valorem tariffs, on all imports of lamb meat, would start at 22 percent the first year, dropping every year to end at 10 percent the fourth year.

The third suggestion was a four-year tariff-rate quota triggered at (roughly 1998 import levels) 78 million pounds, carcass weight equivalent, the first year and 81.5 million pounds, carcass weight equivalent, the last three years. The ad valorem tariffs would start at 20 percent the first year, dropping every year to end at 10 percent the fourth year.

"We need the temporary market stability provided by the Section 201 statute. Imports will continue into the domestic market, but should come at prices that do not injure the domestic industry," Moench said.

The Commission's recommendations now head for the White House, where the President has 60 days to approve, deny or modify them.

Moench said the lamb industry's case is bolstered by the Commission's unanimous, 6-0, vote in February 1999 that the surge of imported lamb meat since 1997 poses a "threat of serious injury" to all segments of the domestic lamb industry. The trade case was filed by a coalition of packers, processors, feeders and growers in September 1998.

"The Commission's unanimous ruling in February removes all doubt that imports threaten the very existence of the domestic lamb industry and we thank the Commissioners for their thorough investigation of imports' impact and the unanimous recommendation for trade restrictions," Moench said.

An investigation by the ITC found that as the level of cheap imports skyrocketed to nearly one-third of the domestic market, the prices paid to U.S. producers plunged. The shock wave of imports has been felt throughout the entire supply chain from meat processor to producer.

The entire U.S. lamb industry now hovers on the brink of financial disaster due to the effects of the low-priced imports, Moench said. Price comparisons of imported and domestic product have found that imports undercut domestic products nearly 80 percent of the time by average margins of 20 percent to 40 percent.

The ITC has reported that Australian and New Zealand producers are poised to boost lamb exports by another 20 percent to 30 percent in 1999.

As the level of imports climbed, prices for lambs plunged 40 percent between spring 1997 and December 1998.

Educational Information
Weaning Time: Lambs,Ewes,Health Alerts
by Roger G. Haugen, NDSU Extension Sheep Specialist

The Weaning Process
Lambs today are being weaned at about 60 days of age, especially early born lambs (January-March). A ewe's milk production normally peaks at about 3 to 4 weeks of age and thereafter declines steadily. After about 8 weeks, the contribution to a lamb's total nutrient requirement by milk from the ewe is usually quite small. In the case of ewe lambs lambing at about 1 year of age, weaning may occur earlier at about 40-45 days.

It is impossible to recommend an exact age and weight for weaning. To a large degree, when to wean depends upon creep feed and water consumption. Under most circumstances, 40 pounds is considered a safe weight for weaning (less for bottle lambs). However, a lamb should be consuming at least a half pound of creep feed per day in addition to hay and water before it is weaned.

Points to consider prior to and during weaning to reduce stress on the lambs, as well as the ewes.
1. Vaccinate lambs for overeating about two-weeks prior to weaning.
2. Remove the ewes from the lambs. At least out of sight and preferably out of sound of the lambs. If the lambs have to be moved to new quarters, leave a couple of ewes with them for a few days to lead the lambs to water locations.
3. About a week to ten days before weaning, switch ewes on to a low quality roughage and terminate grain feeding to the ewes.
4. Keep the lambs on the same feed before and after weaning until the stress of weaning has pasted (7-10 days). Begin gradually to shift the creep ration to a grower ration. Try not to handle or work the lambs for at least a week following weaning.
5. Maintain the ewes on low quality roughage and avoid handling them for at least 10 to 14 days following weaning. Remember tight udders bruise easily. If possible, bed the area where the ewes will rest heavily with straw to form a soft bed for the ewes to lay on.

Urinary Calculi
Rams and wethers on high concentrate rations are susceptible to urinary calculi. Rations high in phosphorous increase the chances of calculi being formed in the urinary tract. Calculi (stones) are formed from salts that are normally excreted but because of their abnormally high concentration in the urine they separate out and become stones. These stones frequently lodge in the urethra, blocking the flow of urine. Cold weather and reduced water intake tend to aggravate the condition.

Affected lambs stand around with arched backs, straining to urinate, and they may kick at their belly. They go off feed and water and in some cases, the abdomen may become noticeably larger or a swelling may develop along their underside. Most die of uremic toxemia or peritonitis.

Treatment requires the reestablishment of the ability to urinate. Mild cases may respond to ammonium chloride either in the feed at 0.25 oz per head per day for 7 to 10 days, or in a drench at 1 to 1.5 fluid oz per head every other day of a 40% solution administered a total of 3 times. Severe cases may be saved only through surgical intervention. The condition is an emergency. Early action is crucial for survival of the animal.

Prevention is achieved through proper management practices such as:
- providing plenty of fresh water and maintaining the water temperature at 45 to 50 degrees F during cold weather.
- feeding the rams and wethers separate from the ewe lambs when lambs are on full feed.
- adding feed grade limestone at 1% of the ration (20 lb/ton of feed).
- maintaining the calcium - phosphorus ratio in the ration at 2:1.
- adding ammonium chloride to the ration at 0.5% (10 lb/ton of feed). This may reduce the palatability of the ration and you may have to add molasses to improve the taste.

Polio
Polio (Polioencephalomalacia) is a non-infectious disease caused by a digestive upset which impairs thiamine (Vit B1) production, hampers absorption of thiamine, and results in the destruction of thiamine. Thiamine is indispensable for the vital functioning of the brain. If thiamine is not available or its requirements are not met, the brain degenerates.

Signs of polio are incoordination, depression, prostration, no rumen movement, and blindness. Fever is usually absent. It may be confused with enterotoxemia. Lambs in the growing stage (feedlot) are the main animals affected. Prevention involves slowly increasing the dietary concentrate intake of lambs going on full feed.

Treatment involves the administering of thiamine (Vitamin B1). Thiamine may be provided alone or in a B-complex preparation. Affected sheep should receive (preferably intravenously) 1.5 gm to 2 gm of thiamine, depending on size of the sheep and the severity of the condition. Treatment should be repeated every 6 hours for at least 24 hours. Recovery is not always complete. Animals severely affected for more than 24 hours cannot be expected to respond adequately to treatment.

News from the State
North Dakota Winter Show Results
The 1999 Sheep Show and Sale at the North Dakota Winter Shows in Valley City was held on March 8. The judge for the show was Burton Pfliger from Bismarck.

Junior (4-H & FFA) Division winners were: Overall champion ram (Hampshire) - Stephanie Hoff, Perley, Mn; Overall champion ewe and Supreme champion junior exhibit (Suffolk) - Lisa Thorpe, Aberdeen, SD; Champion showperson - Travis Bell, Fordville, ND.

Senior Division winners were: Overall champion ram (Columbia) - Mark Eagleson, Buchanan, ND; Overall reserve champion ram (Hampshire) - Golden Lane Farms, Perley, Mn; Overall champion ewe and Supreme champion sheep (Suffolk) - Thorpe Family Suffolk, Aberdeen, SD; Overall reserve champion ewe (Columbia) - Mark Eagleson, Buchanan, ND; Best Fleece on a Lamb (Columbia) - Marshall Stock Farm, Oriska, ND.

Sale Results: 10 ewes averaged $185. Top ewes were a pair of Hampshire ewes consigned by Travis Bell from Fordville that sold for $250 a piece.

North Dakota Sheep Numbers Rise
North Dakota sheep producers reported a 2 percent rise in the total number of sheep and lambs on farms as of January 1, 1999, according to USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. Total North Dakota sheep and lamb inventory, at 134,000 head, was 3,000 above last year but 1,000 below two years ago. Over the last 10 years, the largest January 1 inventory was in 1991 with 222,000 head, and the lowest was 125,000 in 1996. These estimates are based on a survey conducted around January 1.

Breeding sheep and lambs totaled 98,000 head, up 2 percent from last year but down 7 percent from two years ago. The number of ewes 1 year old and older, at 79,000 head, were up 1 percent from January 1, 1998. Replacement lambs (ewes and rams) totaled 16,000 head, up from 15,000 last year. Market sheep and lambs totaled 36,000 head, up 1,000. The 1998 lamb crop, at 105,000 head, was down 5 percent from 1997 but up 5 percent from 1996. There were 1,150 sheep operations during 1998, down from 1,200 in 1997.

1998-99 Dakota Performance Ram Test
The Dakota Ram test is conducted at the Hettinger Research Center under the direction of Dr. Jeff Held, Extension Sheep Specialist at SDSU and managed by Dave Pearson from the Hettinger station.

The Dakota Performance Ram Testing program was established primarily to identify differences in wool traits for rams managed under the same environmental conditions and plane of nutrition. Secondly, to measure post-weaning growth rate as indicated by weight gain. An added feature is evaluation of animal carcass merit using real-time ultrasound technology.

An index is calculated for each ram based on a combination of wool traits and average daily gain. The index formula was established by the Texas and Wyoming Ram tests and is the approved index for the American Rambouillet Sheep Association's register of merit program (ROM). The carcass traits are not utilized in the index but serve as additional information that may help producers identify rams with superior carcass merit.

The 1998-99 Performance Ram Test included 38 rams. Four breeds were represented: Rambouillet Columbia, Corriedale and Targhee. The rams were delivered to the Hettinger station the week of September 17th and on October 7 the rams were shorn, weighed, ultrasound and started on test. On February 24 the 140-day growth test period ended. On March 6 the rams were shorn and ultrasound.

North Dakota producers who participated in this year's test were: Rambouillets - Darold Benz and Justin Benz (Beulah); Columbias - Gene & Scott Bredahl (Berthold), Don Osborne (Wimbledon), Harold Osborne (Wimbledon), Doug Peterson (Lemmon) and the Hettinger Research Center. The top indexing Rambouillet ram was from Darold Benz. The second high indexing Columbia ram was from Gene & Scott Bredahl.

The test average for the 140 day growth period was 0.87 pound per day for the rams. For a complete report on the test contact Dr. Jeff Held at SDSU (605-688-5433).

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NDSU Research Updates
Montadale Regeneration Project at Fargo
The F1 ewe lambs (1998 born) from the initial matings (1997 matings) were bred to a Montadale ram and their lambs (F2 generation) are now on the ground and doing good. These F2 ewe lambs will in turn be mated to Montadale rams to continue the project. If you are in Fargo stop by and see these lambs at the sheep barn. For more information on the project, contact Dr. Bert Moore at 701-231-7651.

Lamb Feeding Projects at Fargo
Spring born lambs from the different leafy spurge projects (Grafton and Ekre) will be put on growing- finishing trials in April - May. The field peas study from last year will be repeated plus possible utilization of sugar beet byproducts and potato waste in lamb diets. For more information on the lamb feeding projects, contact Dr. Marc Bauer at 701-231-7691.

Leafy Spurge Project at Camp Grafton
The ewes from the Grafton project were lambed out at the sheep barn at NDSU this spring. The first time lambing western ewes dropped a 146% lamb crop. These ewes will be weaned in late April and returned to Camp Grafton in mid May to begin the leafy spurge project. For more information on the project, contact Dr. Kevin Sedivec at 701-231-7647.

Large Scale Sheep Coop Study
"Team Leafy Spurge" funded a feasibility study on Large Scale Sheep Production Coops ($19,200). Dr. Larry Leistritz and Tim Faller are the leaders for the project. The study will look at the major implications for us to transition the industry to mult-species and provide an infrastructure for sheep producers located in the area of a coop. For more information on the study, contact Tim Faller at 701-567-4324.

Easy Sheep
Three Easy sheep flocks have been place in the state. Reactions and results will be released this fall. For more information, contact Tim Faller at 701-567-4324.

Articles for the June Newsletter
The next newsletter will be published the end May for June 1 delivery. I invite anyone to submit articles to be included. Please let me know ahead of time that you are sending an article. I will need them by the middle of May. Thank you! Roger Haugen, Extension Sheep Specialist, Hultz Hall, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105. Phone: 231-7645; Fax: 231-7590; Email: rohaugen@ndsuext.nodak.edu.

Shearing Schools
Inquiries on sheep shearing schools have been received in my office. Years ago, shearing schools were held in Fargo and Hettinger. If you are interested in a school, please drop me a note or give me a call. If I get enough interest, I will look into the possibility of a school again either in Fargo or Hettinger. Talking to others that hold schools, you need at least 10 participants to make it work. Let me know if you are interested. Roger Haugen, Extension Sheep Specialist, Hultz Hall, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105. Phone: 231-7645; Fax: 231-7590; Email: rohaugen@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Schools are held in our neighboring states. Two schools are held in South Dakota: December (Brookings) and February (Buffalo). I'll post the dates when they become available in later newsletters.

A school is held in Greenbush, Mn during sheep days on June 11-12. For more information contact Dale Carter at 320-634-5735 or 320-239-4962.

Officers and Directors of NDLWPA
Pres: Jim Marshall, Jr., Oriska 845-2744
V.Pres: Dave Pearson, Hettinger 567-4488
Sec: Scott Bredahl, Berthold 453-3698
Treas: Theo Johnson, Tuttle 867-2875
SE Dir: Brent Stroh, Tappen 327-4526
SE Dir: Harvey Dawson, Brampton 724-3405
SW Dir: Don Lawson, Flasher 597-3133
SW Dir: David Merwin, Hettinger 567-2723
NE Dir: Dennis Kubischta, Hope 945-2623
NE Dir: Jim Ostlie, Northwood 587-5778
NW Dir: Don Maston, Watford City 842-3150
NW Dir: Lyle Warner, Baldwin 255-1183
ASI Dir: Burdell Johnson, Tuttle 867-2875
MIYWW: Mary Scheetz, Center 794-8743
Past Pres: Darold Benz, Beulah 873-5124

NDSU Research, Extension and Teaching
Hettinger: Tim Faller 567-4324
Fargo: Roger Haugen 231-7645
Wes Limesand 231-7782
Bert Moore 231-7651