No. 33                                                                                                                                April, 2004

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

Greetings from the New President

A lot has happened at our place since the last newsletter. The snow is gone, we= re approaching the end of lambing, and calving has begun. Over the past weekend, we received 1.80 inches of rain. This was greatly appreciated due to the dry summer and fall. To top all of this off, the lamb and wool market is looking good. The cattle market has rebounded after the A BSE@ and the grain markets are steadily working their way up. If you haven= t noticed, I= m experiencing optimism. What a good feeling!

I would like to remind everybody to remember their LDP payment for wool. The $18 ewe lamb retention program is also back. Check with your local FSA office on the details.

This year we will be trying something new to recruit new members. We will be asking you to help. The more members we have, the stronger it makes the NDLWPA. The person who recruits the most members will receive a queen size all wool blanket in the color of your choice. So put your name on your recruit application and get a warm and comfortable blanket.

I would also like to remind people who have rams, ewes, or anything sheep related to place an ad with the web page for only $10 per calendar year. Until next time.
Brent Stroh, President of NDLWPA, Tappen

News from the State

Dakota Spring Ram Test
A spring ram test to evaluate growth and muscle development will be conducted at the Hettinger Research/Extension Center in Hettinger, North Dakota under the management of Roger Haugen, NDSU Extension Sheep Specialist and Timothy Faller, HREC Animal Scientist. The test will be a 84-day test starting on May 20th and ending on August 12th. Information collected on rams will be average daily gain,12th rib fat (scanned), ribeye area (scanned), and scrotal circumference. Ram lambs must be born after January 1, 2004 and be at least 50 pounds when delivered to the center on May 15th. The test is open to all breeds and producers from any state. For more information on the test requirements and fees, breeders can contact either Roger at 701-231-7645 or Tim at 701-567-4324. At signup deadline will be May 1st. A minimum of 40 ram lambs is needed to conduct the test.

Wool Blankets Available from Association
Contact Brent at 701-327-4526 for sizes, colors, and cost.

Minutes from NDLWPA Board Meeting January 13, 2004 at Seven Seas, Mandan, ND
President Brent Stroh called the meeting to order. Those in attendance were: Matt Benz, Lyle Warner, Brent Stroh, Roger Haugen, Don Lawson, Steve Wentz, Brent Kuss, Tim Faller, Burton Pfliger, Mark Sheppard, Susan Keller, Burdell Johnson and Paula Swenson.

Matt Benz made a motion to approve the minutes as printed, Steve Wentz seconded, motion carried.

A report was presented from Dean Swenson that he and Wes Limesand audited the treasurers books after the convention and everything was found to be in order. Lyle made a motion to accept the audit report, Mark seconded, motion carried.

Burdell Johnson gave the treasurer= s report. There is $6,675.57 in the checkbook balance. Equity Livestock will be sending $100 for the convention donation. There was a bill presented by Burton for the meat marinade for the convention to be paid.

There was discussion on the web site costs and whether to continue funding for it. Matt Benz moved to continue the website, Lyle Warner seconded, motion carried. Burdell said he will be sending $300 for the Ag Coalition dues. Burdell also said Oct. 1st of 2003 was the starting point for the application process for Wool Outreach dollars which have to be applied for. $2900 was allocated to North Dakota this is on a yearly basis and the amount can change year to year.

Burt Pfliger made a motion to accept the treasurer= s report, Lyle Warner seconded, motion carried.

Discussion was held on the request from the annual convention regarding a $300 donation to the Junior Open Sheep Show at the State Fair. Matt Benz made a motion to donate the $300, seconded by Steve Wentz, motion carried.

Susan Keller, Assistant State Veterinarian addressed the board regarding updates on the BSE case and the national animal ID program. Dr. Keller stated that for sheep and hogs there will be allowances for group movements and also at this point animals less than 18 months of age in slaughter channels are still exempt from identification. There are still questions on what exactly constitutes premises. There was also discussion regarding B. Ovis testing for in state rams sold in state. There was also discussion regarding importing rams without B. Ovis testing and placing them under quarantine until testing negative. If after importing, they tested positive, they would in all likelihood have to be euthanized. Dr. Keller also informed us that Dr. Jon Van Berkom is now working in the Federal Office and Dr. White will be leaving the state office leaving Dr. Misty Saby as acting AVIC. Dr. Schuler has been appointed to the National committee for scrapie.

Burdell gave a report on SBARE (State Board of Ag Research and Education). He has one year left on the board which oversees the state research centers. Burdell was originally appointed by the Ag Coalition and serves on the executive livestock committee of the SBARE.

EPA: Brent Stroh said that he and his committee haven= t had a chance to meet yet, but plan on doing so soon.

Discussion was held on a membership drive and it was noted that we have 45 paid members starting out this year. Tim Faller reported on upcoming Sheep Day at Hettinger and noted that this will be the first official Sheep and Beef Day on Feb.11th, 2004. Lyle Warner will represent the NDLWPA. Brent Stroh said he will handle wool blanket orders for the association. Roger Haugen reported on his and Tim Faller= s proposal to hold a ram test at Hettinger. They gave data based on the Illinois Ram test. Tentatively the rams will come in May 15 and be on test for approximately 84 days, until about August 12th. Lyle made a motion to support the ram test, seconded by Matt, motion carried.

Burton gave a report on being on the Iowa Lamb Tour this fall and said that Iowa Lamb is interested in writing lamb contracts with producers in our state. If there is enough interest Iowa Lamb will hold producer meetings in the state. They want contracts with 100 head ewe flock producers. Burton made a motion to support having Iowa Lamb hold producer meetings and seconded by Mark, motion carried.

Tim Faller brought up having a ewe sale in Bowman during October at the sale barn. Hettinger Research Center will be selling 350 head in the sale. Mark Sheppard made a motion to have Tim and Burdell on the sale committee and meet with Harry to offer him a proposal, seconded by Roger Haugen, motion carried.

Roger has had questions from other producers regarding a list of purebred producers in the state. He will put a note in the next newsletter that if you are a purebred or commercial breeder and want your name listed to let him know. Mark Sheppard made a motion to charge $10 per producer to run concurrent with the dues of NDLWPA to be listed, seconded by Lyle Warner, motion carried.

Steve Wentz made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Don Lawson, motion carried.

Paula Swenson,
Secretary

North Dakota Sheep Numbers Fall
North Dakota sheep producers reported a 16 percent decline in the total number of sheep and lambs on farms as of January 1, 2004, according to USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. Total North Dakota sheep and lamb inventory, at 97,000 head, was 18,000 below last year.

Breeding females totaled 69,000 head, down 12,500 from last year. The number of ewes 1 year old and older, at 57,000 head, were down14,000 head from January 1, 2003. Replacement ewe lambs totaled 12,000 head, up from 10,500 last year. Market sheep and lambs totaled 26,000 head, down 5,000 from 2002. The 2003 lamb crop, at 80,000 head, was down 20 percent from 2002. Lamb drop was 113% in 2003 compared to 118% in 2002.

2003 wool production figures for North Dakota were 70,000 sheep shorn compared to 93,000 in 2002. Weight per fleece for 2003 was 9.3 lbs compared to 8.5 lbs in 2002. Price received per pound was 60 cents in 2003, same as in 2002.

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

Producer Directory on the Association Webpage
A producer directory has been established on the association webpage for individuals who would like to indicate what they raise on their farm or ranch and if they have breeding stock available during the year. The cost will be $10 per year (January 1 till December 31). Both purebred and commercial producers could benefit from this directory. If you are interested, send or email information you want in the directory to Roger Haugen, Extension Sheep Specialist, Hultz Hall, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105. Phone: 231-7645; Fax: 231-7590; Email: rohaugen@ndsuext.nodak.edu. Make the check out to NDLWPA. The Association Webpage is www.ndlwpa.com.

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

Alternative Feeds - Protein Sources (Taken from Alternative Feeds for Ruminants by Lardy and Anderson)
Corn Gluten Feed
Corn gluten feed is a coproduct of the corn sweetener industry. It consists of various combinations of corn bran, corn germ and corn steep liquor, depending on the plant which manufactures it. Corn gluten feed is sold either as a wet product (40 percent dry matter) or as a dry pellet (88 percent dry matter). Wet corn gluten feed is equal in energy to corn (DM basis), with dry corn gluten feed being slightly lower in energy due to heat drying driving off volatile fatty acids. Corn gluten feed contains 22 percent CP. Corn gluten feed is low in calcium and high in phosphorus and sulfur. Corn gluten feed is useful in many different types of rations. The wet coproduct has a short shelf life during warm weather. Signs of spoilage include off colors and odors and mold development. However, it may be stored in bunker or trench silos as well as plastic silage bags for extended periods.

Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a very high protein product also produced by the sweetener industry. This meal is high in escape protein and finds limited use in livestock rations because of the high cost.

Distillers Grains
Distillers grains are a coproduct of the ethanol industry. In most cases, ethanol production is corn-based, but other grains (barley, wheat) can be used. The product can be sold as a wet mash (60 to 65 percent water) or as a dried pellet (8 to 10 percent water). The shelf life of the wet material is limited to a few days, especially in warm weather. Signs of spoilage include off colors and odors and mold development. Bunker or trench silos as well as plastic silage bags can be used to store the wet material for longer periods of time. Distillers grains are very palatable and mix well with other ration ingredients. The product can be used to condition or add moisture to dry rations to improve acceptability. Distillers grains contain approximately 26 percent CP with a relatively high proportion being bypass (escape) protein.

Field Peas
An annual legume, field peas are grown in combination with small grains as a high protein forage or in a pure stand and harvested for grain. Peas are high in protein (20 to 27 percent) and energy (88 to 90 percent TDN) and are very palatable. Optimum use may be in diets where nutrient density is important, such as creep rations. Data from lambs fed field peas in finishing diets indicate that the TDN of field peas is similar to or slightly higher than corn.

Wheat Midds
This coproduct has moderate levels of protein (18 percent) and energy (80 percent TDN) and is a versatile and palatable feedstuff for a variety of livestock diets. This commodity feed is very useful in growing diets and as a supplement for gestating and lactating diets. Wheat midds are used as an ingredient in many different commercial supplements. Storage of wheat midds can be a problem. Storage in a bin with an aeration system or in flat storage (quonset) is recommended for best results. Pellet quality can also deteriorate as wheat midds are handled multiple times. The price of wheat midds varies seasonally with demand for feed products. Wheat co-products are lower in calcium and higher in phosphorus than most other grains and grain coproducts. They should be limited to less than 40 percent of growing or finishing diets.

Canola
Whole canola seed can be used as a protein and energy supplement. It is a good source of energy because of its high oil content (40 percent ether extract). Canola should be cracked prior to feeding. Due to the high oil levels in canola, it should be limited to approximately 10 percent of the ration (dry matter basis).

Canola Meal
Canola meal is a coproduct protein meal remaining after edible oil is extracted from canola. The meal contains 40 to 44 percent CP. Expeller canola meal may contain up to 8 percent oil compared to 0.5 percent in solvent extracted meal, providing added energy from residual oil.

Ewe Lamb Payments
The Secretary of Agriculture announced on January 27, 2004, that USDA will provide the U.S. lamb industry with $18 million in payments. These payments are to encourage the replacement and retention of ewe lamb breeding stock. The payments will be $18 per ewe lamb purchased or retained from August 1, 2003 through July 31, 2004.

Producers wishing to receive the $18 per head payments must:
* Certify the number of ewe lambs purchased or retained on an FSA-383 form at their local Farm Service Agency office.
* Provide FSA with the ear-tag numbers when filing the FSA-383 form.
* Provide FSA with verification that the flock is enrolled in the APHIS scrapie program.
* Maintain the following documentation on the retained or purchased ewe lambs:
   - Ear tag numbers.
   - Date of purchase of any purchased ewe lambs.
   - Date of birth of purchased and retained ewe lambs.
   - Date of lamb death, if applicable.

Although July 31, 2004 is the deadline, producers are encouraged to apply early since the payments are subject to the availability of program funds.

Calendar of Events:
April 17: Schmidt Suffolks Club Lamb Sale at Oliver County Fairgrounds in Center starting at 10:00 AM (CT). Contact 701-794-3118
April 17: Top of Dakota Pig and Lamb Sale at State Fair Grounds in Minot at 2:00 PM (CT). Contact 701-529-4463
April 24: S/S Lamb & Pig Sale at Fairgrounds in West Fargo at 2:00 PM (CT). Contact 701-710-0531
June 18: Open Sheep Show at Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo
June 19: Youth Sheep Show at Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo
July 17-24: World Sheep and Wool Congress in Quebec City, Canada
July 25-26: Open Sheep Shows at ND State Fair in Minot
July 28: 4-H Sheep Show at ND State Fair in Minot
July 29: FFA Sheep Show at ND State Fair in Minot
September 15: State Ram Sale in Hettinger

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