No. 27                                                                                                                                                        April, 2003

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
NDSU Department of Animal and Range Sciences

Producer Beneficial Opportunities Ahead

At the time of this writing it is hard not to see a favorable economic and political opportunity abound for North Dakota and American sheep producers. The first of which is the favorable market we find ourselves in. I cannot recall a time when all aspects of the sheep industry commodity prices were rising or had achieved historic highs. We find ourselves in the one dollar market for all classes of lambs, wool market for finer grades reported to near a dollar, and cull ewes bringing just ten to twenty dollars less than breeding ewes. Many outside forces seem to change and influence the markets none of which I claim to understand or will ever attempt to explain. The one that appears to be driving this market is the basic law of supply and demand.

The political climate for North Dakota producers has shifted to one of influence. North Dakota now has a member seated as secretary/treasurer on the executive board of the American Sheep Industry Association. This past February Burdell Johnson was elected to this post at the annual convention held in Washington, DC. For those of you that know Burdell, he is a tireless advocate for the sheep industry here in North Dakota and nationwide. Many of us in North Dakota do not realize the significance of having our small state in such a high profile leadership position. Years of dedication and countless hours of effort on Burdell= s part earned this position. North Dakota achieved this post by defeating a candidate from the state of Texas, which currently has the most sheep numbers and the most number of votes on the board of directors. Congratulations Burdell we look for great things to come.

Also attending the American Sheep Industry Association annual convention were Dean and Paula Swenson from Walcott, ND. Dean provided representation and leadership in the fledgling goat committee meetings. Paula provided representation and leadership on the animal health committee, while I worked with the predator management and legislative committees. All of whom have been reelected for 2003 committee assignments. During our stay in Washington Dean, Paula, Patti, and I met with heads of USDA, ARS, and congressional representatives to frankly address some of the obstacles we are encountering in North Dakota. They promised results and we are doing our part to hold them to their word. I want to thank Burdell and Theo, Dean and Paula, and Jane Horner for sharing their dedication and willingness of service to our state and industry. If you see one of them take the opportunity to thank them yourselves.

With the eternal optimism of springtime, green grass, baby lambs, good prices and home grown North Dakota leadership we have much to be thankful and grateful for. May springtime bless you with an abundance of health, optimism and good fortune. And may it also bring peace to our world.
Burton Pfliger, President of NDLWPA, Bismarck

Comments from Burdell Johnson, Tuttle, Secretary/Treasurer of ASI
 The American Sheep Industry has requested that the U S Department of Agriculture extend the Lamb Market Adjustment Assistance Program (LMAAP). The USDA LMAAP programs including the ewe lamb retention, slaughter and feeder lamb payments have proven crucial to enhancing the competitiveness of the US lamb industry. Extension of each of the three LMAAP programs is important to provide equity in the incentives for all producers and feeders in the business, ewe lamb retention to expand and strengthen supplies and the quality improvement programs for slaughter and feeder lambs.

We need you as producers to help. Please call or write your members of congress and ask them to contact Secretary Veneman urging her to approve an extension of the LMAAP:

Senator Byron L. Dorgan                                              Senator Kent Conrad
713 Hart Senate Office Building                                   530 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20510-3405                                    Washington, D.C. 20510-3403
Phone: 202-224-2551                                                   Phone: 202-224-2043
Fax: 202-224-1193                                                         Fax: 202-224-7776
Email: senator@dorgan.senate.gov                             Email: senator@conrad.senate.gov

Congressman Earl Pomeroy
1110 Longworth, House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3401
Phone: 202-225-2611
Fax: 202-226-0893
Email: rep.earl.pomeroy@mail.house.gov

A short note or call to these people will help put dollars in your pocket. If you have any questions on LMAAP or if I can help give me a call.
Burdell Johnson
Secretary/Treasurer ASI
2862 12th ST SE
Tuttle, ND 58488
701-867-2875
Email: djlbek@bektel.com

Calendar of Events:
April 7: NDLWPA Board Meeting at Seven Seas Motel in Mandan starting at 5:00 PM (CT).
April 19: Schmidt Suffolk Lamb Sale at Oliver County Fairgrounds in Center starting at 10:00 AM (CT). Contact 701-794-3118
April 19: North Central Club Lamb & Show Pig Sale at State Fair Grounds in Minot at 2:00 PM. Contact 701-758-2571 or 529-4463
April 26: S/S Lamb & Pig Sale at Fairgrounds in West Fargo at 2:00 PM. Contact 701-232-4522 or 298-8948
June 20: Open Sheep Show at Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo
June 21: Youth Sheep Show at Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo
July 20: 4-H Sheep Show at ND State Fair in Minot
July 21: FFA Sheep Show at ND State Fair in Minot
July 23-25: Open Sheep Shows at ND State Fair in Minot
July 31, August 1-2: Open Sheep Shows at SD State Fair
September 17: State Ram Sale in Hettinger

News from the State

North Dakota Sheep Numbers Fall
North Dakota sheep producers reported a 14 percent decline in the total number of sheep and lambs on farms as of January 1, 2003, according to USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. Total North Dakota sheep and lamb inventory, at 125,000 head, was 20,000 below last year.

Breeding females totaled 87,000 head, down 15,000 from last year. The number of ewes 1 year old and older, at 77,000 head, were down 8,000 head from January 1, 2002. Replacement ewe lambs totaled 10,000 head, down from 17,000 last year. Market sheep and lambs totaled 35,000 head, down 5,000. The 2002 lamb crop, at 100,000 head, was down 15,000 from 2001. Lamb drop was 118% in 2002 compared to 129% in 2001. There were 1,000 sheep operations during 2002, down 100 from 2001.

2002 wool production figures for North Dakota were 99,000 sheep shorn compared to 101,000 in 2001. Weight per fleece for 2002 was 8.3 lbs compared to 8.9 lbs in 2001. Price received per pound was 60 cents in 2002 compared to 30 cents in 2001.

North Dakota does well at the National Make It Yourself with Wool Contest
 The National Make It Yourself with Wool fashion show was the grand finale of the National ASI meeting held in Washington DC this past February 8 at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel. Contestants from 30 states represented their home states. The contests began Thursday night after registration with a get-acquainted activity. The next morning we were greeted to a heavy deep snow covering which made it difficult to accomplish our morning site seeing activity. Not letting opportunity pass us by, we trudged through the snow to the Metro system and road to the Capitol stop. There we found our way to the Capital where we were given the shortened version of the Capital tour. We hurried back to the hotel for preparation of the afternoon because it was filled with presentation judging (60%). The work continued in the evening with fashion show practice until the contestants had 'it right'. We had free time Saturday morning while the judges judged construction (40%). We filled our time with a trip to (what else) a fabric store to purchase fabric for next years contest. Oh! for fabric stores close to us like this one! Again the afternoon was taken with fashion show practice.

Tension was high as Saturday evening the fashion shows began. The theme of this year's fashion show was, "Capitalizing" on...Wool... At the conclusion of the contest, North Dakota was represented well receiving an honorable mention in both the junior (Katie Billing) and senior (Melanie Miller) divisions.

I must tell you the highlight of the whole event for me was my opportunity to meet in person Claire Schaeffer. I explained who Claire Schaeffer is to my husband this way; Claire is to sewing as Tony Dean is to fishing. He understood perfectly! Ms. Schaeffer was a judge for the junior division. She is an author of several books and freelance writer of sewing construction. Most of the books I've read. What a delightful lady.

Plans for next year's event have begun. I am still waiting to receive the 2003-2004 national brochures. As soon as those arrive, I will begin the task of distributing them throughout North Dakota. Two sewing machines have already been pledged. Please spread the word about this contest so we can increase our contest and keep North Dakota sewing wool.
Sincerely, Jane Horner, ND MIYWW Director

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

Mineral Thoughts: Salt, Copper and Selenium
 Salt:
 * Salt requirement in complete mixed rations is met when salt is about 0.5 percent of the total diet.
* Ewes provided salt in the loose form generally consume 0.25 to 0.40 ounces per head per day.
* Normally, toxic levels of salt are not a problem if clean, soft water is provided at all times.
* With water that is high in salt content, sheep can tolerate water containing 1.0 to 1.3 percent salt over a relatively long period of time but cannot tolerate water containing 1.5 to 2.0 percent salt.

Copper:
 * Of all livestock, sheep are the least tolerant to excess copper.
* High levels, accumulate in liver, become toxic.
* Higher molybdenum levels (3-5ppm) can increase copper tolerance.
 Copper / Molybdenum Ratio:
 * Copper/molybdenum ratio is the most important dietary factor affecting copper toxicity.
* Ratios of 10:1 or less will prevent toxicity in most cases.
* Molybdenum concentrations in most feeds are in the range of 1 to 3 ppm in the total diet.
* If molybdenum concentrations are less than 1 ppm, diets containing copper in the range of the normal requirement (8 - 11 ppm) have been known to produce toxicity.
 Copper Toxicity:
 * Sheep will suddenly go off feed and become very weak.
* The mucous membranes and skin will turn a yellowish brown.
* Hemoglobin is present in the urine turning it a dark red-brown.
* Death will occur about 75% of the time, depending on the severity of the toxicity.
* When the corpse is necropsied, the liver will be pale tan and the kidneys will be dark greenish black.

Selenium:
 * Majority of selenium uptake by the lamb occurs before birth.
* Colostrum and milk are low sources of selenium for the lamb.
* Selenium requirements for the ewe are about 1 mg per ewe per day.
* Products: Selenium 90, SE-90, Selenium 200, SE-200 (90.8 mg selenium/lb or 200 ppm)
 Selenium Toxicity:
 * Acute - abnormal movement, dark watery diarrhea, elevated temperature, weak and rapid pulse, labored respiration, bloating and abdominal pain, mucous membranes are pale and blue, and pupils are dilated.
* Chronic - Stages: 1) wandering, stumbling over objects, anorexia, visual impairment; 2) increase in the severity of the first stage, front legs seem unable to support animal; 3) blindness, paralysis of tongue and swallowing mechanism, rapid and labored respiration, salivation, and low temperature. The animal will die within a few hours from the onset of the third stage. The action of the toxicity has been documented to delay between stages. The first and second stages may be unnoticeable, and then weeks later, the animal may show signs of the third stage and die. Toxic amounts of Se can also cause birth defects in offspring from dams fed such levels.

2003 Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School scheduled for July 2003
 Individuals interested in stimulating the growth of the domestic sheep industry and in developing a competitive advantage of his or her own sheep operation should consider attending the 2003 Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School.

The annual event will be conducted July 20-23, 2003, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The coordinator for the 2003 program is Mike Caskey of the Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program at Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

The Leadership School combines classroom study, group discussion, plus site tours of industry operations. This year= s tour sites include various sheep operations in the Pipestone vicinity, the Iowa Lamb Company, Rule Sheep Company feedlots, and a pelt-grading plant. This experience is a unique training ground for anyone interested in the sheep industry or businesses affiliated with lamb or wool products.

Students must be 20 years of age or older to apply. There is no cost to apply. Once accepted, each student must pay a registration fee of $100, and provide their own transportation to and from Sioux Falls, SD. Expenses associated with meals, lodging, supplies, and tour costs are provided by the National Lamb Feeders Association.

Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2003. Class size is limited. Additional applications may be obtained from the NLFA administrative office (503) 370-7024 or downloaded form the NLFA websire: www.nlfa-sheep.org.

Specific questions about the 2003 Sheep Industry Leadership School program may be directed to: Mike Caskey (507) 825-6800, mikes@ps.mnwest.mnscu.edu or Howard Wyman (630) 553-5512.

Articles for the June Newsletter
The next newsletter will be published the end of May for June 1 delivery. I invite anyone to submit articles to be included. 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

Attention Board Members!!
 President Burton Pfliger has called a board of directors meeting for April 7th at the Seven Seas in Mandan starting at 5:00 pm CT. PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING.