Sheep Center Announces Request for Proposals

The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors is accepting grant proposals designed to improve the American sheep industry. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 30.

The center was re-established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, at the request of the American Sheep Industry Association. As part of the 2019 Farm Bill, the center was awarded funding by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to be used for the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program. Grant funding can be used on activities designed to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products in the United States through infrastructure development, business development, production, resource development, and market and environmental research.

Currently, the center has budgeted approximately $300,000 for grants that will support projects consistent with the grant program. The average grant amount in the last four years has been approximately $30,000.

Financial assistance provided by the center must accomplish one or more of the following objectives:

• Strengthen and improve long-term sustainability of the lamb and wool industry’s infrastructure by increasing the numbers in production.
• Provide integration of performance/production data from sources that can help enhance the sheep industry within the United States.
• Provide leadership training and education to sheep industry producers and packers.
• Enhance sheep production by improving infrastructure of the American sheep industry through assistance to all segments of the industry to address sustainable production and marketing of sheep milk, meat, fiber and related services such as grazing and ranch management.
• Promote lamb marketing through an organized method that can measure tangible results.
• Enhance the sheep industry by coordinating information exchange and seeking mutual understanding and marketing within the industry community.

The nine-member board is composed of seven voting members. Voting members include four domestic producers, two members with expertise in finance and management, and one member with expertise in lamb, wool or product marketing. The board will review each proposal, recommend funding and submit final recommendations to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service for approval.

Click Here for additional information or contact NSIIC Program Manager Steve Lee at 207-236-6567 or stevelee@nsiic.org.

Source: NSIIC

 

Sheep GEMS Update: Genomic Selection

Genomic information has been used in many livestock breeding programs for four primary applications: parentage identification; identification of carriers of genetic conditions; evaluation of individual and populational genetic diversity; and prediction of the genetic merit of selection candidates to be used for breeding. These applications show that genomic information has multiple uses key to implementing sustainable breeding programs.

The American sheep industry has recognized the added value of genomics and is moving to incorporate it into its genetic evaluations thought the National Sheep Improvement Program. In this first article on the topic of genomic selection, we will discuss the use of genomic information for the prediction of genomic breeding values.

The success of a breeding program relies on the timely and accurate identification of the breeding animals with the optimal genetic merit for the traits of interest. The selection of animals based on genomic information – i.e., genomic selection – requires the prediction of Genomic Enhanced Breeding Values. The prediction of GEBV corresponds to the use of thousands of genomic markers spread across the genome to calculate the genetic merit of individual animals for traits of interest, which can then be used for ranking animals and making selection and culling decisions. The most common genetic markers are known as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, which are variations at a single position in a DNA sequence among individuals. They are especially useful to evaluate traits measured later in the life of an animal (e.g., longevity), sex-limited (e.g., litter size) or difficult to assess (e.g., feed efficiency, meat quality). By having access to more accurate GEBV, sheep breeders can accelerate genetic progress for traits of interest by increasing selection intensity and accuracy of breeding values. Genomic selection is the process in which GEBV are used for selection of individuals to become the parents of the next generation.

The first step for the prediction of GEBV is the development of a reference population, which is a set of individuals that are genotyped and have pedigree and phenotypic records for the traits of interest. Typically, GEBV are more accurate than pedigree-based Estimated Breeding Values with reference populations larger than 3,000 individuals. The next step is the calculation of GEBV for selection candidates based on the relationships between genotypes and phenotypes developed within the reference populations. More accurate GEBVs are obtained for animals that are more related to those in the reference populations, for traits with higher heritability and traits with a larger number of records. The advantages of genomic predictions increase as the number of phenotypic records and genomic data increase (i.e., both data types are needed). Continuous collection of phenotypic and genomic data in flocks and animals that represent the whole breed will maximize the benefits of genomic selection through time. In addition to enabling faster genetic progress, genomic information can also be used for more accurate assessment of inbreeding levels and relatedness among animals, which is also important for mating decisions aiming to reduce inbreeding rate and maintaining genetic diversity in American sheep populations.

Key challenges for the implementation of genomic selection include the limited availability of phenotypic records for various important traits of interest, especially those indicative of disease resistance, longevity, climatic resilience, meat quality and feed efficiency. Secondly, the cost of genotyping is still a constraint. However, genotyping prices are decreasing, and initiatives such as the Sheep GEMS project contribute to the development of reference populations for the main American sheep breeds. In summary, the use of GEBV has been very successful in many livestock industries around the world. The American sheep industry is also making progress in the same direction, including the recent availability of GEBV for Katahdin sheep, which will be highlighted in the second part of this article.

For further information contact Dr. Luiz Brito (britol@purdue.edu) or Artur Rocha (oliveir3@purdue.edu).

Acknowledgements. This work was supported by the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (grant 2016-51300-25723/project accession no. 1010329), and by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant (grant 2022-67015-36073/project accession no. 1027785), from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA.

Source: Sheep GEMS

 

Australian Wool Market Continues Early-Season Decline

The Australian wool market continued to retract, falling for the fourth consecutive selling series. The national offering was 31,147 bales – 12,550 bales less than Week 2 of the previous season. Buyer activity was best described as cautious from the outset.

Wool possessing favorable additional measurement results continued to be well supported and were least affected by the falling market. Lots containing less favorable AM results and lower yielding types did not receive the same level of buyer support and generally recorded the largest falls. The individual Micron Price Guides for Merino fleece fell by between 6 and 50 cents.

The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator fell by 18 cents for the series, closing at 1,107 Australian cents. The EMI has now fallen for the last eight consecutive selling days, losing 63 cents across this downward run. The EMI is now at its lowest point since the Oct. 13, 2020, when the EMI was 1,066 cents. The EMI opened the calendar year at 1,213 cents and has lost 106 cents year to date – a drop of 8.7 percent.

As the finer microns have been falling at a greater rate than their broader cousins in recent weeks and months, the differential between microns has been slowly retracting. This is best highlighted viewing the 17-micron and 21-micron MPGs in the South. The current difference between these two MPGs is 336 cents. This time last year, the MPGs were 1,897 and 1,381 cents, respectively, for a difference of 516 cents.

Fremantle originally had a sale planned for next week, but due to lack of shearing in July, it was decided that there was not enough quantity to support this sale. Despite there being no Fremantle sale, the national offering is expected to fall only slightly. Currently, there are 30,518 bales on offer, with only Sydney and Melbourne in operation.

Click Here for the ASI Conversion Table – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.

Source: AWEX

 

NSIP Weekend Planned for July 26-27

The National Sheep Improvement Program Center of the Nation Sale and producer education program will take place on July 26-27 at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer, Iowa. Spencer experienced severe flooding in late June, but the fairgrounds were not flooded, so the program and sale will be held there as planned.

A high-quality set of sheep will be offered with 197 head of Polypay, Suffolk, Dorset, Hampshire, South African Meat Merino and Katahdin sheep. The sale is being managed by Production Livestock Auctions and will start at 11 a.m. central time.

Click Here to view consignments. Online bidding will be available through DVAuction. There will be many options for transportation of sheep across the country. Contact Sale Manager Zach Meinders at 515-320-3835 or Sale Committee Chair Matt Benz at 701-870-4135 for more information.

Lunch will be offered for sale on the grounds and will be served by the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers. Lodging options in Spencer are scarce because many hotels are still recovering from flood damage. However, lodging is available in nearby Emmetsburg, Okoboji, Spirit Lake and Sheldon. As hotels complete their clean-up from the flooding, more might be open in Spencer before the sale.

A free educational program is being sponsored by the American Lamb Board and will take place on July 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 4-H Center on the fairgrounds. Lunch will be provided for participants.

Click Here to preregister for the program, which will include sessions on targeted grazing, sheep operation budget tools, selecting for feed efficiency and parasite management. There will also be updates from leaders of both NSIP and the American Sheep Industry Association.

Source: NSIP

 

PLC Accepting Research Proposals

The Public Lands Council announced this month a rolling notice of funding availability that accompanies the existing grant funding process for Fiscal Year 2025. This two-track process allows individuals and organizations to submit proposals at any point during the year to be evaluated on an as-received basis.

Additionally, PLC will maintain the traditional call for involvement through issuance of Requests for Proposals that address specific PLC needs and objectives throughout the year. Both types of funding availability support partnership and research capacity that address unique needs of federal lands ranchers and the grazing community.

Both RFPs and any rolling submissions must meet PLC’s Guidelines for Distribution and any other associated requirements.

Click Here for more information.

Source: PLC

 

ALB’s Summer Lambventures is Bigger and Better

The American Lamb Board recruited outstanding hosts from across the country to throw their best lamb-themed parties, complete with mouth-watering recipes and stunning photos.

Nine hosts were chosen from more than 100 applicants to host summer parties for 10 friends in June. After nearly 100 partygoers experienced these amazing dishes firsthand, now consumers are flocking to AmericanLamb.com to vote for their favorites and to be entered into a drawing for amazing prizes. While the party host with the most votes wins the grand prize – a $1,000 Dream Culinary Prize Pack – based on their party personality, consumers can also win themed gift cards just for voting.

Discover the nine hosts and their featured dishes in each category or visit AmericanLamb.com to view the full menus:

• Tessa’s “Lamb Around the World,” featuring Grandma’s Vietnamese lemongrass lamb with ginger, garlic, green onions and chilis, and Tia’s Mexican lamb with chipotles in adobo, garlic, onion & citrus.

• Frank’s “Edibaaaaahl Garden,” featuring grilled leg of lamb with spiced yogurt, and Palestinian spiced lamb chops.

• Sydni’s “Gaaaaden Party,” featuring whipped ricotta with ground lamb sausage, local honey and zaatar, and garlic rosemary lamb chops with whipped feta.

• Lesa’s “Wooly Special Luncheon,” featuring herb-marinated lamb chops, and Lamb + tomato + onion kebabs.
• Lisa’s “Grilling in the Garden,” featuring five-spice lamb over mixed greens with green goddess dressing, and lamb sliders with mint pesto and marinated cucumbers.
• Jumoke’s “Mary, Mary … Why You Buggin?” featuring smoked leg of lamb with plantain mousse.

• Joe’s “Smoke on the Water,” featuring fire-roasted lamb steaks with chimichurri, and smoked lamb riblets with Jabba the butt rub.

• Jay’s “Backyard BBQ,” featuring herb-crusted smoked lamb shoulder.
• Candace’s “Lamb & Lavender,” featuring ground lamb lahmahjoon Armenian pizza, and American lamb skewer.

Hundreds of votes have already been cast for these nine party planners, but consumers can continue to vote for their favorites through Aug. 15.

Source: ALB

 

Legislative Update from Washington, D.C.

The American Sheep Industry Association’s lobbying firm – Cornerstone Government Affairs – offered an update this week on legislative issues in our nation’s capital.

House Passes Agriculture-FDA Spending Out of Committee

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Appropriations marked up a series of appropriations bills, including the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration spending bill. The committee favorably reported the bill, as amended, to the House floor along a party line vote of 29-26.

Republicans enthusiastically supported their $25.9 billion topline bill while Democrats voiced their opposition, referencing harmful cuts to food programs aiding vulnerable communities in the United States and abroad, and support for policy riders related to FDA regulation of nontraditional nicotine products and lack of agency Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion protections.

From a sheep industry perspective, the bill included many wins for the American Sheep Industry Association, including increased funding for the Wildlife Services budget to better protect livestock from wildlife depredation, the U.S. Sheep Experimentation Station to keep up with rising costs and research needs, and language reinstating and protecting the use of M-44s.

The agriculture spending bill is expected to be considered on the House floor the week of July 22 before the August recess. You can find a copy of the Agriculture-FDA Full Committee Mark here, bill report here and the adopted amendments here.

Senate Committee Approves Agriculture-FDA Allocation

On Thursday – following the House’s movements regarding appropriations – the Senate Committee on Appropriations marked up and approved the FY 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Allocation, as amended.

The Senate version of the agriculture spending bill provides $27.05 billion in total funding – an $821 million increase from FY 2024 – and passed unanimously out of the Committee by a 27-0 vote.

From a sheep industry perspective – like the House – this bill featured increased funding for the Wildlife Services budget to better protect livestock from wildlife depredation. The Senate has yet to announce when it will bring any appropriations bills to the floor or to conference. You can find a copy of the final bill text here, the final bill report here and the adopted amendments here.