round one 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Round One 2015
$325,000.00 funds available
-Committee met May 11, 2015 – Denver, CO-43 applications submitted requesting 1.4 million dollars
-11 grants awarded totaling $273,306.25
National Sheep Improvement Program
Harlan, IA
American Sheep Industry Genetic Improvement Initiative
Scope: Nationwide
Progress made:As of October, NSIP has been featured at events including workshops at:
• Midwest Stud Ram Sale-Sedalia, MO
• Center of the Nation NSIP Sale-Spencer, IA
• Leading Edge Sheep Producers symposium-Midway, UT
• Texas Sheep and Goat Expo- San Angelo, TX
• U.S. Finewool Consortium- Greeley, CO
• Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival-Jefferson, WI
• Montana Ram Sale-Miles City, MT
• Oregon Sheep Growers Assn. Convention & Symposium –Sunriver Resort, OR
• Nebraska Sheep Growers Convention
• Minnesota NSIP meeting
• Michigan Shepherds Weekend – Lansing, MI
Through these events, over 3,400 sheep producers have been present to learn how quantitative genetic selection through NSIP can help build the U.S. sheep industry.
Other projects in development:• Ram Buyers Guide
• Producer case-study videos highlighting breeders who have made advancements in productivity with NSIP technology.
• Regional breeder forums to facilitate information exchange between NSIP producers.• Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Tennesee
2016 Enrollment going on now
20 New flocks so far in January
On track for another year of record enrollment
Projecting 300 flocks
Fine Wool Consortium (Funded as part of the American Sheep Industry Genetic Improvement Initiative)
Fine Wool Breeding Group
Scope: Nationwide
Benz
Boyer
Chapman
Erk
Helle
Ketterlings
Kopren
Lehfeldt
Rafter 7
Jewell
Progress to date:
Funded gathering to initiate participation of fine wool producers in NSIP
Explained need for establishing genetic connections between flocks
Selected Abby Ketterling as chair.
Meeting summer 2016
Optimal Ag Consulting, Inc.
Fort Collins, CO
Sheep Producer Webinar Education Program
Scope: Nationwide
April 13, 2015
Farm Security and Crisis Management: Dos and Don’ts in Hiring
Kay Johnson Smith - President and CEOAnimal Agriculture Alliance – Registrants: 137 Attendees: 39
June 23, 2015
Optimizing Reproductive Efficiency in Sheep Production with Strategic Nutritional Management
Richard Ehrhardt, Ph.D. - Small Ruminant Extension SpecialistMichigan State University - Registrants: 302 Attendees: 109
August 25, 2015
Using EBVs to Achieve Your Breeding Goals
Dr. Dave Notter - Department of Animal ScienceVirginia Tech University - Registrants: 317 Attendees: 148
September 22, 2015
Dietary Supplements: A Necessity or Folly?
Dr. Robert Van Saun - Professor of Veterinary SciencePenn State University - Registrants: 281 Attendees: 106
Totals for all four webinars:
1,037 registrations402 attendees
All 50 states plus DC and 6 Canadian provinces
http://www.sheepagriculture.com/webinars2015 Online Access Data
Date Title Presenter(s) Video Slides
4/13/15 Farm Security Johnson Smith 199 471
6/23/15 Optimizing Reproductive Efficiency
Ehrhardt 565 507
8/25/15 Using EBVs Notter 335 263
9/22/15 Dietary Supplements Van Saun 741 4034
2015 Totals 1,840 5,275
2012-15 14 Webinars 2015 Totals 4,966 31,942
Utah Wool Growers
Coalville, UT
Leading Edge Sheep Production Seminar
August 17-18, 2015
Homestead Resort, Midway, Utah
Scope: Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada
• There were 19 Producers in attendance -representing flocks from Utah and Wyoming
• Producers in attendance own 53,700 ewes
Presenters included – Lesa Eidman – Superior Farms, Dennis Stiffler – Mt. States Rosen, Wes Patton – ALB & Road Map Committees, Alan Culham – Let’s Grow Specialist, Bill Shultz – NSIP Ram Producer,Dr. Richard Ehrhardt – Michigan State University, Rusty Bergett – NSIP Specialist, Dr. Sam Nielsen DVM, Kim Chapman – Utah State University Sheep Specialist
“I had a four producers call to tell me what an excellent program this was. Comments included: This is one of the best sheep
seminars I have ever attended, this helped me so much, why don't they do this in other states, and I am really excited about the sheep
industry again.”
Tonia Fuller Executive Secretary
Utah Wool Growers Association
SD Sheep Growers Assoc.
Bison, SD
Multi-state proposal to address proper training of sheep shearing professionals in the US
Scope: South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas
Project leaders from SD
Personnel from 5 states
Lead instructor consistent in all schools
Goal: strengthen and improve long-term sustainability of the sheep and wool industry's infrastructure
Shortage of US sheep shearing professionals is limiting factor for expansion in sheep industry
Finding foreign labor during the Australian off-season has also become problematic
There is a critical need for skilled wool harvesting professionals
Very limited opportunities for traditional on-the-job training to meet this need
Limited number schools where students can gain skills in proper shearing techniques and training in the Western US
SDSU and NDSU have consistently sponsored annual schools taught by instructors, extension specialists and seasoned shearing professionals Popular, with enrollment caps reached with very little advertisement
Curriculum follows ASI’s American Wool Council guidelines on proper shearing technique, methodology, and animal welfare
Providing producers with skilled professionals enhances the wool clip value in domestic and international marketing
To provide proper training of sheep shearing professionals allowing these individuals to get a jump start in the industry, gain more experience and be better prepared shearers.
Shearing equipment and tools purchased
5 shearing stands constructed
Trailer for transport and storage purchased
3 schools completed
44 students from 3 schools (with more to come in 2016)
50% want to learn to shear their own flock
25% quitters
25% will go on to shear professionally (~12 shearers)
10,000 hd annually, 120,000 /year
In 10yrs – 1.2 M hd or ¼ of US sheep
SDSGA and the other state sheep organizations involved in this grant would like to send their sincere appreciation for funding.
We believe we can and will make an impact on the shearing and sheep industry in the US
THANK YOU!
South Dakota State University Extension
Rapid City, SD
SD Post Weaning Lamb Performance Program
Scope: South Dakota
Montana State University Sheep Extension Program Montana Sheep Growers Association
Bozeman, MT
Montana Ram Sale SymposiumWednesday, September 16, 2015 – 10:00 a.m.
Fort Keogh Livestock & Range Center – Miles City, MT
Scope: Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
Wednesday, September 6th 2015
Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Center- Miles City, MT
Objectives:
Educate commercial sheep producers the benefits of NSIP
Survey producer perceptions regarding NSIP and production dynamics
Establish a forum to guide decision making when purchasing rams using EBV’s
Speakers:
Dr. David Notter, Virginia Tech
Dr. Whit Stewart, Montana State University
Rusty Burgett, NSIP
Lesa Eidman, Superior Farms
Panel Discussion from NSIP Producers
Dr. Rodney Kott
Mr. John Helle (Helle Rambouillet)
Mr. Chase Hibbard (Sieben Livestock)
Mrs. Betty Sampsel (Hughes-Newford Targhees)
Outcomes• 85 Participants from 7 states and
Canada• Survey data collected to guide
educational efforts for future NSIP programming
• Purebred and Commercial producers in attendance gave very positive reviews
Ongoing Outcomes2015 Program• Survey results being analyzed and
disseminated2016 Program • “Ram Select” Workshop and
Symposium• Ram Selection Decision Making Tools• Breakout Sessions that incorporate
hands- on- learning• National Speaker Line-up
Montana Ram Sale and Symposium
• Premier Venue for Quality Sheep Genetics and Education
For more info contact:[email protected], 406.994.3758
Mountain States Lamb Cooperative
Douglas, WY
Use of Electronic Identification (EID) to enhance performance and value based marketing
Scope: Wyoming, Montana, Iowa, Texas, and Colorado
Producer Partners:• David Arieux , Wellman Iowa• 400 ewes, Utilizing NSIP Rams
• Cascade Colony, Sun River, MT • 700 ewes, Utilizing NSIP Rams
• Brad Boner, Glenrock, Wyoming
• 800 ewes• David Fisher, Sonora Texas• 300 ewes, Fall Lambing
Progress to date:• Project coordinator hired• Reid Redden, Texas A&M
• Readers, Tags and applicators have been distributed• Producers Partners have been trained to Protocols
and data collection.
Questions regarding the program can be sent to:
Kelley YatesExecutive Director of the KY Sheep and Goat
Development Office502-682-7780
Wyoming Wool Growers Association Casper, WY
Flock and Fiber Symposium
Scope: Wyoming
Progress to date:• Flock & Fiber Symposium
• September 23-24 in Casper, WY
•Funded for three years•Next Event scheduled for Spring 2016•Prelim. Planning underway for Youth Symposium
Progress to date:23 participants incl. speakers
Add’l funding:
UW Ext., Shepherd Magazine & Mtn. Meadow Wool
Participant Reg. Fee or $25
In-kind - 541 hrs., valued at $11,950
Oregon Sheep Growers Association
Salem, OR
Let’s Grow the Northwest! Production and
Management Courses to Improve Productivity,
Quality and Marketability of Ewes and Lambs.
Scope: Oregon and Washington
Progress to date:• Lamb 300 Workshop held in July
• The Pacific Northwest Let’s Grow Lamb and Wool Symposium – October 31 –Walla Walla, WA
• The Pacific Northwest Let’s Grow Lamb and Wool Symposium – December 5 - in Central Oregon at the Sunriver Resort.
Progress to date:
1. 70 percent responded that the workshop contributed significantly to their knowledge
2. 91 percent responded that they plan to use the information to capture higher lamb prices.
3. 25 percent indicated they felt the workshop will contribute $1000-5000 additional income in 2016
LAMB 300 Follow UP Survey Results:
Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office
Frankfort, KY
Mentor Training for Small Ruminant For Profit School
Scope: Kentucky
Progress to date:• Mentors identified and signed a
Mentor Position Description• Mentor Training held in August 2015.Mentors received notebooks with class
materialsHealth kits to use for on-farm
meetings with their mentors
• 24 mentors this year
• Assignment of mentors completed after October 17th class
• Mentors are assigned based on information commonalities with the mentees such as geographic location and types of operations
• First class on Sept. 26th and had 63 people!
• 2nd class held on October 17th in conjunction with the 2015 Annual Producer Conference which allowed everyone a good opportunity to network
• Third class held in December 2015 • Focused on nutrition and quality
assurance• All participants received hands-on
training on vaccinations, worming, hoof trimming and body condition scoring
• Next two classes will be held January 16, 2016 and March 5, 2016
• All graduates of the class will receive copies of all the presentations from the classes and a health kit with essentials needed in a small ruminant operation like a tube feeder, hoof trimmers, drench gun, etc.
• Mentors for the 2016-2017 round of classes will begin February 2016 and will be trained in August 2016
• Surveys will be given to participants and mentors to evaluate the success of the mentoring process, as well as the material provided in the program.
• SRPS was offered in 2014-2015 with 21 mentors and 55 participants • 100% of participants indicated SRPS increased their skills and/or knowledge of
sheep• Areas of improved skills and knowledge were health management, reproduction,
parasite management and nutrition• 100% of participants indicated they plan to keep better records after participating
in SRPS• 100% of participants indicated they felt more confident in small ruminant
production after the course• 52% of participants indicated they identified ways to make their herds more
productive after participating in SRPS• 37% of participants created an annual production plan for their operations;
another 16% indicated they will after reviewing the materials more after the course
• 37% of participants utilized their assigned mentors; another 11% indicated they will once they started an operation.