Comments from the NDLWPA President

President's Comments
The 1999 legislative session is over and the North Dakota sheep industry faired quite well. HB 1021, the bill containing the reinstatement of the sheep extension position at NDSU passed both houses and has been signed by the Governor. Thanks again to those producers who came to Bismarck, called and or wrote legislators in support of this bill. The sheep extension position would not have been reinstated without your help.

Two other bills that passed in Bismarck that will help the sheep industry of North Dakota are; the Meat Inspection Bill and the Country of Origin Labeling Bill. The Meat Inspection Bill will help make more meat inspectors available to processing plants in our state. By doing this, more North Dakota produced livestock will be processed in state for retail sale, helping to keep more of the money earned by producing and processing livestock here at home. Country of Origin Labeling is an issue that has been pursued by ASI for over a year now and is very important to our industry in order to gain a competitive advantage against imported. In Washington, Representative Pomeroy has again sponsored the Country of Origin Labeling Bill for beef, pork, and lamb in the U.S. Senate. Importers are strongly opposed to labeling saying it is unnecessary and would increase the cost of lamb to the consumer. I figure if they are this concerned about labeling, then we must be going in the right direction.

One very good example of how all of these Bills, passed in Bismarck, can help our industry is the lamb marketing organization being pursed by the Valley Wool Growers. This organization hopes to add value to producers' lambs and put more of the profit back to the producers. You can read more about this in a related story in this issue.

As I was writing this issue's message to you, I received a call from the Wildlife Services office, in Bismarck, informing me of a bill, that would reduce the funding for Wildlife Services. The bill would be voted on May 25 and they would appreciate our support. Our support came in the form of a phone call from me to Congressmen Pomeroy's office. I was hoping the increased depredation of pets in some urban areas, where steel jawed traps were made illegal, would have reduced opposition to Wildlife Services funding, but obviously not. I will keep you informed in our next issue.
Jim Marshall, Jr., President of NDLWPA, Oriska

Regional Workshop
SDSU Sheep Day and USSSA Regional Workshop
The U.S. Sheep Seedstock Alliance and South Dakota State University are collaborating on a special High Plains sheep industry event. This "double header" is scheduled for June 10-11 at the SDSU, Animal Science Complex, Brookings, SD. The USSSA program theme, Vision 21, workshop is focused on issues affecting an industry in transition. Topics will address on how breeding management and selection changes can profitably impact the production of lamb and wool. The seedstock breeder role and opportunities for improvement, health risk management and merchandising will be addressed.

Thursday - June 10
9:00 a.m. Registration, coffee and view displays
9:30 a.m. Morning Program
* Achieving Market Weights at 120 days of age Dr. Jeff Held, SDSU Extension
* Selection for Fall Lambing Dr. Lowell Slyter, SDSU Professor
* Alternative Production Systems Dr. Bill Head, U of Minn, Morris
* The Producers Voice Bill Aeschlimann, Dir. SDSGA & ASI
* Alliances in the Sheep Industry Mike Caskey, MWCTC, Pipestone, MN
1:30 p.m. Afternoon Program
* Economic Analysis of Production Records Mike Caskey, MWCTC, Pipestone, MN
* The Role of the Seedstock Producer Dr. Charles Parker, Exec. Dir., USSSA
* Open Forum - Questions for Speakers Speaker Panel
* Move to Animal Science Arena/Sheep Unit Demonstrations
7:00 p.m. USSSA Workshop - Opening Session
* Diseases of Concern to the U.S. Seedstock Industry
      Scrapie Update/Flock Health management Dr. Gary Ross, MARC, NE

Friday - June 11
8:45 a.m. Morning Program
* Introduction - Seedstock Industry - VISION 21
* Utilizing Breed Resources for Flock Profitability Future Role of Breed Composites Dr. Kreg Leymaster, Researcher MARC
* Commercial Flock Performance Needed to be Competitive-Seedstock Call to Action Mike Caskey, MWCTC, Pipestone, MN
* Lamb and Wool Production Balance: Biological and Economical Efficiencies Dr. Harvey Blackburn, Research Leader, US Sheep Exp. Station, Dubois, ID
* Producer Challenges/Attitudes Dr. Rodney Kott, MSU, Bozeman, MT
1:00 p.m. Afternoon Program
* Range Sheep Producers in Transition- How Can Genetic Technology Help Dr. Rodney Kott, MSU, Bozeman, MT and Jack McRae, Jordan, MT
Move to SDSU Sheep Unit
* Dimensions for Improving Seedstock Value Dr. Jeff Held, SDSU
* Ultrasound and Performance Evaluation Dr. Lowell Slyter, SDSU
* Workshop Overview Dr. Parker, USSSA
Adjourn 5:00 p.m.

Pre-registration by June 1st: $25 per person, $35 at the door.
Contact Linda at 605-688- 5165 or duinl@ur.sdstate.edu for pre-registration forms or check the ABS web site. Web site addresses are www.abs.sdstate.edu/ars/ or www.seedstock.org.
Sponsored by Animal and Range Sciences, CES, SDSU, SDSGA and United States Sheep Seedstock Alliance.

Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative - Fund Drive
Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative is seeking members from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. The cooperative hopes to start a direct market business, selling premium lambs to restaurants and other niche markets, within a month or two.

How quickly the Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative develops depends on the response it gets from producers from the four state area says Jim Ostlie, a Northwood, N.D., producer and president of the new cooperative. The group recently mailed letters to 1,000 lamb producers in the four states, asking them to contribute $100 each to the new cooperative. Informational meetings are scheduled in 6 sites in June. The sites and dates are listed below. The money will be used to cover the costs of direct marketing premium lambs to selected domestic markets. Specific activities will include processing, transportation and promotional activities, such as printed materials, product labeling, distributing samples and offering buyer discounts. The cooperative also is seeking funding from banks and other businesses.

The goal of the Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative is to produce premium lamb products that will command premium prices and provide a market that will compete with cheaper imports. The cooperative's goal is to process and market about 20,000 lambs a year, although they expect it will take a couple of years to reach that point. The cooperative is working with two North Dakota slaughtering plants (Casselton and Jamestown).

The project has been in the works for about three years. It was started by the Valley Wool Producers, with assistance from North Dakota State University, Lake Agassiz Regional Council and the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission funded a marketing study for the project.

The cooperative's interim board of directors includes Ostlie, president; Ole Erickson, Page, N.D., vice president; Fred Eagleson, Jamestown, N.D., secretary-treasurer; and Wes Limesand, Fargo, N.D.; Dennis Kubischta, Hope, N.D.; Jeff Strand, Portland, N.D.; and Brent Stroh, Tappen, N.D.

People interested in contributing toward the development of the lamb cooperative may send contributions to Jim Ostlie, President, Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative, Route 2, Box 120, Northwood, N.D. 58267; or to Fred Eagleson, Treasurer, Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative, 2562 85 R. Ave. S.E., Buchanan, N.D. 58420. Information: Ostlie at (701) 587-5778 or Eagleson at (701) 252-2621.

The sites and dates for the informational meetings are:
June 2 - Rolette County Courthouse, Rolla, ND 7:00 P.M.
June 3 - YE Old Cafe, Oakes, ND 7:00 P.M.
June 7 - City Hall, Bowman, ND 7:00 P.M.
June 8 - McKenzie County Courthouse, Watford City, ND 7:00 P.M.
June 9 - Lone Steer Motel, Steele, ND 7:00 P.M.
June 15 - County Office Bldg., Extension Service Office, New York Mills, Mn 7:00 P.M.

News from the Valley Wool Growers Association
The Valley Wool Growers put up their wool for sale and received a bid of 12 cents on blackface wool and 28 cents on whiteface wool. The bid was rejected by the wool committee of the association. For growers who want more info, they should contact Ole Erickson at Page. Phone 701-668-2258 (office) or 701-668-2505 (home).

News from the State
State Board of Animal Health - Scrapie Rules
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT AND AMEND ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
TAKE NOTICE that the State Board of Animal Health will hold a public hearing to address proposed rules and amendments of the North Dakota Administrative Code, Title 48, on Thursday, June 3, 1999, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CT, in the Peace Garden Room, State Capitol, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Ground Floor, Bismarck, North Dakota. The proposed amendments address the importation of sheep and disposition of scrapie source, trace, exposed, or infected flocks, identification of sheep and reporting existence of signs consistent with scrapie. The purpose of the proposed rules is to protect the sheep industry from scrapie. None of the proposed rules and amendments are expected to have an impact on the regulated community in excess of $50,000.00. The proposed rules and amendments will not limit the use of private real property.

The proposed rules and amendments may be reviewed at the Office of the State Veterinarian, Department of Agriculture, 6th Floor, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505. A copy of the proposed rules and amendments may be requested by writing to the address below or calling 701-328-2654.

Written or oral data, views, or comments on the proposed rules and amendments sent to the address below or phone number and received by July 6, 1999 will be fully considered.

If you plan to attend the public hearing and will need special facilities or assistance relating to a disability, please contact the Board of Animal Health at the above phone number or address below at least five (5) days prior to the public hearing.
Dr. Larry A. Schuler, Executive Officer/State Veterinarian
STATE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH, Department of Agriculture, 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 602 Bismarck, ND 58505-0020 (701) 328-2654 FAX (701) 328-4567

News from the National Scene
Fire-Fighting Sheep back in the Spotlight
America's four-footed firefighters -- sheep -- are back in the news thanks to their time-proven, weed-whacking efforts that once again are helping to reduce the severity of impending wildfires in the western United States.

The sheep are being heralded for their environmentally friendly approach to fire fighting by reducing the overabundance of grasses and weeds through sound grazing practices. One such project involves the grazing of approximately 300 sheep on firebreaks in the Angelese National Forest. In return for the free fire-control service, the U.S. Forest Service has waived grazing fees for the sheeps' owner, the Sabastien Minnaberri family of Bakersfield, Calif. The Minnaberris have supplied the U.S. Forest Service with fire-fighting sheep for the past 16 years. A second fire-fighting sheep project involving 350 ewes is occurring on yet another firebreak near Carson City, Nev. The ewes, owned by Nevada Wool Growers Association President Tom Filbin, are grazing an area heavily infested with cheatgrass, which becomes extremely flammable in the summer. Filbin's expenses are being covered by grants from the University of Nevada's Agricultural Experiment Station and a sustainable agriculture grant. The efforts of the fire-fighting sheep are being touted in two press releases and a three-minute video news release currently being distributed by the American Sheep Industry Association. More than 300 major newspapers and environmental-theme publications will receive the press releases while an announcement on the availability of the video news release will be faxed to more than 100 major TV stations, primarily in the West. ASI's "fire-fighting sheep" public relations campaign, launched in 1995, results in major media coverage every year. For example, the 1999 "Fire-fighting Sheep" video news release aired on Denver's Channel 9 just one day after its availability.

Educational Information
by Roger G. Haugen, NDSU Extension Sheep Specialist

Foot Abscess
All lameness in sheep is not due to footrot. Foot abscess is a true abscess situated within the hoof structure and is not contagious. It is sometimes refer to as bumblefoot. Lambs appear to be more resistant to it than older sheep. Prolonged wet weather creates the right conditions for it to occur. Hoofs become soft and mud packs in between the hoofs and in small crevices in the walls of the hoofs, thereby providing an entry for infection. The infection is not specific and can involve several bacteria. The infection causes the information of a thick, creamy pus. As the pressure on the internal hoof structure increases, lameness becomes intense. Usually it is confined to one foot. Eventually the abscess may break out and discharge unless the pressure is released by trimming.

Treatment of foot abscess is relatively simple. The affected hoof is discovered by applying pressure. When the affected hoof is subjected to pressure, the sheep flinches. Trim the hoof vigorously, particularly towards the toe, finding the area of infection leading into the interior of the hoof. As this is opened up, there is a profuse discharge. Squeeze out as much of this as possible, and irrigate the interior with a topical antibiotic.

Summer Alerts
- Weigh early born lambs periodically and sell those which are ready for market before the heat slows weight gains.
- Lambs going on pastures should be weighted periodically to check their progress. Parasites are harder on lambs than older sheep.
- Provide shade and clean fresh water for ewes and lambs on pasture. Special considerations should also be given to those in drylots. Remember that during the hotter part of the summer, most lambs on feed will not gain well. Be aware that there is a chance of lambs going off feed during this summer period as temperatures change.
- Don't let your summer motto be "out of sight, out of mind". Check on "down" ewes and watch for fly problems. Even though a ewe's nutritional requirements are low during the summer months, she still has to be healthy this fall for the breeding season.
- Evaluate the rams you used this past year. It's never too early to look for replacement rams.
- Keep replacement ewe lambs on growing rations. One of the keys to successfully breeding ewe lambs is to condition them prior to the breeding season. This conditioning starts early in the ewe lamb's life. Once ewe lambs reach about 80 to 110 pounds, they should be placed on a growing versus a fattening ration.

USDA Buys Frozen American Lamb, Ends Program
The Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture May 7 its purchase of 252,000 lbs. of American lamb roasts at a cost of approximately $917,000. The roasts will be distributed in Federal food-assistance programs. The price paid for the lamb roasts was $3.64 per lb. AMS officials noted the purchase was its last. Since May 1998, AMS purchased ~ 1,116,000 lbs. of American lamb for about $4,041,000.

Open 4-H Livestock Show at Wing, ND
A 4-H open show will be held on Saturday, July 17 at Wing, ND. Any 4-H'er is eligible to participate. Cash awards, ribbons and trophies will be awarded

Articles for the August Newsletter
The next newsletter will be published the end July for August 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 July. Thank you! Roger Haugen, Extension Sheep Specialist, Hultz Hall, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105. Phone: 231-7645; Fax: 231-7590; Email: rohaugen@ndsuext.nodak.edu.

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