Things in this area are looking good. The weather has been cool and we just received 60 hundreds of rain.

Last week we had wool loaded out. The wool market at the time was looking a little stronger than last years market. We loaded out 37,000 lbs. It was nice visiting everybody and discussing different ways they run their operation. It seems as long as we've been around sheep, there is always still more to learn.

On the 2nd of June, the State Board of Animal Health will meet to discuss the National Animal Identification System. The meeting will be held with livestock industry groups. Lyle Warner and I will attend this meeting. If you wish to look at the updated rules, go to www.usaip.info. We will keep you updated on what's happening.

I would also like to remind everyone on the $18 ewe lamb retention program. It ends July 31, 2004. Take care and have a great summer.
Brent Stroh, President of NDLWPA, Tappen

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

Dakota Spring Ram Test Begins May 20,2004
The Dakota spring ram test begin on May 20, 2004 with 44 ram lambs going on test. They averaged 84.5 pounds. They will be weighed every 21 days and come off test on August 12^th. Eleven breeders consigned rams with Hampshires, Suffolks, Rambouillets, Columbias, Dorset, and crossbreds represented. The test is being 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. For more information on the test contact either Roger at 701-231-7645 or Tim at 701-567-4324.

The website includes: the latest standings for the points for all three species; beef, sheep, and swine. It also includes association minutes and constitution, a fair calendar, upcoming sales and events, and a section for downloadable fair and member forms. It also includes photos of activities. If your fair has its own web page please let Jackie know so that she can link the two sites together. This will make it very easy for youth to check out your web site and see what your fair or event has to offer. Take a look at the site.

Ewe Lamb Update
The American Sheep Industry Association expects the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Services Agency (FSA) to announce sign-up for the 2004 Retained Ewe-Lamb Program in June. Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office in June 2004, regarding program sign-up.

Adding Ewes
This summer and fall may be a period of adding ewes to your operation. Keep in mine the following points as you proceed with your decisions and management practices.

Compare annual costs and years of productivity of different aged ewes. Ewe lambs to pencil out, should be bred to lamb as lambs. Seldom are aged ewes worth more than twice the value of yearlings.

Don't buy more than your experience can handle. A beginner should start with about 50. Experienced sheep people have their hands full at 400 head.

Buy the healthiest ewes with the greatest production potential. Examine records if available, ask questions.

When buying, get assistance from someone who knows sheep if you are a beginner.

Before bringing ewes home, make sure your buildings, equipment, etc. are ready for the new additions.

Rest the new ewes upon arrival for several days until they regain their losses from the trip. Watch closely for any that are sick, and separate them out for treatment.

Provide fresh water and see that all ewes drink. Avoid lush pastures or excessive weeds for grazing during the first few days. Ideal feed at this time is medium quality hay.

Several days after arrival, treat for internal parasites, check for external parasites and treat if necessary, and trim and inspect hooves.

Isolate all new ewes from your main flock for at least three weeks after arrival.

Give ewes at least a month to adjust to their new surroundings before breeding.

If older ewes were purchased, extra care and feed may be necessary to get full benefits from these ewes, especially if they are on the thin order.

Minutes from NDLWPA Board Meeting April 6, 2004 at Seven Seas, Mandan, ND
President Brent Stroh called the meeting to order. Those in attendance were: John Gupman, Brent Stroh, Roger Haugen, Burdell Johnson, Brent Kuss, Matt Benz, Scott Bredahl, Rick Schmidt, Tim Faller, Don Lawson, Mark Sheppard, Lyle Warner and Paula Swenson.

Secretary= s report: Roger Haugen moved to approve the minutes as printed, seconded by Scott Bredahl, motion carried.

Treasurer= s report: Burdell passed out a copy of the current treasury balance and reported that our present balance is $12,875.09. Matt Benz moved to accept the treasurer report, seconded by Don Lawson, motion carried.

Rick Schmidt addressed the board requesting our help sponsoring the carcass lamb show at the ND State Fair. Paul Berg will do the carcass information gratis and Dr. Odde will work with us on transportation. The lambs will be going to Haywarden, IA, not Bridgewater, SD anymore. The lambs will ship from Fargo about Aug. 3^rd and will be killed that afternoon. They plan on sending 100 total head. Will fill the trailer with the state fair carcass lambs first and then NDSU will top the trailer off. Rick said the goal is to emphasize the meat market to the kids. Matt Benz moved to donate $200 to help cover expenses and premiums for the carcass lamb contest. John Gupman seconded, motion carried.

National Animal ID and B Ovis Testing Update: Matt, Lyle and Paula attended a meeting with the State Vets in January regarding updating our state rules regarding B Ovis testing in state. There have never been any positive B Ovis rams in state so the State Vets office felt it would be ok to drop the testing requirement on in state ram sales. We will also be allowed to bring rams into the state with special permission from the State Vets Office to be quarantined and tested upon arrival. If tested positive, there will be no indemnity paid and the ram must be euthanized or returned to the state of origin. The foot rot statement required is still in place. On the National Animal ID program the NDSA has offered to do the sheep. They are in charge of doing the cattle, horses and mules in the state. After much discussion it was the consensus of the board to have the ND State Vets office handle the National Animal ID Program regarding the sheep in the state.

Ram Test Update: Roger sent out 28 forms for producers to sign up for the ram test to be held at Hettinger. Crossbreds are welcome in the test also.

Brent Stroh discussed membership goals and urged each of us to contact neighbors who raise sheep and don= t belong. We will be sending out a letter asking for members soon.

Brent gave a report on ND MIYWW for Jane Horner. There is $926.01 in the MIYWW Treasury currently. Jane has stated that her goal is 50 contestants this year. She wants to advertise in the ND Living Magazine and possibly work something out with retailers across the state to advertise their wool for sale. Burdell suggesting using Wool Bucks Coupons, possibly $5 off if you buy a certain amount of wool.

Tim reported on the Ewe Sale at Bowman. Tim had met with Harry and negotiated fees for the sale. Sale will be advertised as NDLWP Association Annual Replacement Ewe Sale. It will be held on Oct 2^nd, 2004, providing this works with Harry. Ewes will be all mouthed and bagged. They will be sold as exposed, not guaranteed bred at that date. The community is offering a free bar-b-que at noon. Harry said that for the first 2000 head that sell the charge will be $2.50 per head. If we get over the 2000 head the charge will drop to $2.25 per head. Harry said there will be no yardage charge and he will also pay for the auctioneer. It was stated that there will be no ewes in the state ram sale this year. We are going to promote this sale at Bowman. hey would like to have 100# minimum weight ewes to breed this year. Matt made a motion to proceed with the sale at Bowman on Oct 2^nd, Lyle seconded the motion. Motion carried. Sale committee will consist of Tim Faller, Matt Benz, Scott Bredahl, Lyle Warner, Burdell Johnson, and Roger Haugen.

Brent Stroh has signed a letter of support for the Wildlife Services Division of USDA. It was discussed that we could have Phil Mastrangelo attend the next meeting and meet with us regarding going over the program rules and a general information session. Tim Faller brought up the fact that coyotes are carrying an organism that causes abortion in cattle.

Brent will write a letter regarding concerns the sheep industry has regarding the Health Dept Rules and the concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO).

John Gupman brought us information regarding the Australian Free Trade Agreement. Urged us all to oppose this agreement. Dorgan will vote no, Conrad may vote no and Pomeroy?.

Lyle Warner suggested that out of state consignors be limited to only 3 head for the ram test.

The convention will be the first week of Dec. The next meeting will be Aug. 3^rd, 2004 at the Seven Seas. Lyle moved to adjourn the meeting, Scott seconded, motion carried.

Paula Swenson,
Secretary