Montana Small Ruminants

Pictures 082311

2011-08-23T18:40:00.000-06:00

Export News for Small Ruminants Friday 19 2011

2011-08-19T11:25:00.002-06:00

Here is todays major headlines (Friday 19 2011) for Market Data & Export News for Small Ruminants

LAMB

Lamb exports for the quarter continue to be higher in volume and lower in value versus 2010 levels: up 18 percent in volume and down 10 percent in value. Mexico remains the top export market, buying 57 percent of all US lamb exports, while accounting for 43.9 percent of the value ~ US Red Meat Exports Accelerate Pace. Traders Dispatch August 2011 pg A30.

USMEF ALSO ANALYZES LAMB PRODUCTION. COMPARED TO BEEF AND PORK, LAMB EXPORTS ARE MINISCULE. FOR INSTANCE, DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, U.S. SHIPPED OUT 9,300 METRIC TONS. COMPARE THAT TO BEEF'S 620,000 METRIC TONS. STILL, THERE WAS A SIZE-ABLE INCREASE. USMEF SAYS U.S. LAMB EXPORTS GREW BY 59% IN VOLUME AND 31% IN VALUE FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR. EXPORTS TO THE MAINSTAY MARKETS OF MEXICO, CANADA AND THE CARIBBEAN LED THE WAY. ~ AgDay Daily Recap Aug 15 2011

Sheep Summary Reports

Actual Livestock Slaughter by Region

Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection

Alabama Livestock at a Glance - PDF

Daily Estimated Livestock Slaughter Under Federal Inspection

Daily Livestock Summary

Daily National Sheep Summary

Georgia Livestock - PDF

Morning Farm Prices

National Daily Lamb Summary PDF

National Monthly Replacement Sheep Report (1st Monday)

National Weekly Lamb Summary - PDF

National Wool Review (Fri)

New Zealand Meat and Wool Export Summary

Northern Virginia Livestock Auctions

South Dakota Weekly Summary (Mon) PDF

Texas Weekly Sheep and Goat Summary

US to Mexico Livestock Export Summary

Utah Weekly Livestock Review (Fri)

Weekly National Sheep Summary (Fri)

Weekly Wyoming, W Neb & SW South Dakota Sheep & Wool Summary (Fri)

Western U.S. Sheep Report (Fri)

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Reports
Daily and weekly reports from the USDA
Daily Livestock Summary
Daily Lamb Summary
Weekly Lamb Summary (Fridays)
National Wool Review (Fridays)
National Sheep Summary (Fridays)
Western U.S. Sheep Report (Fridays)
National Weekly Sheep & Lamb Prices

GOAT

Malaysia halted all live animal imports over Hendra Virus concerns. Australian exporters expect the ban to be lifted soon as there is no record of the virus in cattle, sheep, or goats. – ABC Rural

Some varieties of goat/calf/sheep skin available in India are unique in quality. – SME Times

Among the animal hairs available, goat is the most commonly utilized (for cosmetics). – globalsources.com

Neil Duncan runs Western Exporters at Charleville, Australia's biggest exporter of goat meat, mostly to the US. – ABC Online (www.abc.net.au)

Tanning Sector in despair as skin supply drops. ~ The International News

USDA Livestock Goat Reports:

· Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection

· Alabama Weekly Goat Summary (Mon)

· Canadian Live Imports by State of Entry

· Canadian Live Animal Imports by Destination

· Central Virginia Livestock Auctions

· Eastern Cornbelt Direct Weekly Sheep Report

· Georgia Livestock Summary – PDF

· Northern Virginia Livestock Auctions

· Producers Livestock Auction, San Angelo, TX

· South Carolina Livestock Weekly Review (Fri)

· Southwest Virginia Livestock Auctions

· Texas Weekly Sheep and Goat Summary

· US to Mexico Livestock Export Summary

LLAMA

No US Market information available.

International:

The Province of JUJUY In Northern Argentina after receiving micro loans from Gustavo Maluendez launched a workshop and a storehouse for gathering (Llama) fibers last year. Now each craftsman has his own loom and his own bank account. Maluendez has been developing an export market of what he describes as a 'basically unknown product'. His biggest competitors are the Peruvian Alpaca who's producers have more experience and a more industrialized product. He has focused on differentiating himself from the alpaca by focusing on high quality workmanship. He wishes to focus on the production of fiber for the garment market, and becoming a leader of finished high quality products. Gulla Ranch - Knowledge at Wharton High School July 7 2011

ALPACA

No information available.

2011 Montana Columbia Sheep Breeders Show and Sale

2011-08-19T09:02:00.001-06:00

Columbia Sheep Breeders
Association

The annual Montana Columbia Sheep Breeders Show and Sale is on the schedule for Saturday August 27, 2011 at the Livestock Pavillion at the Fergus County Fairgrounds, Lewistown Montana. The show will be at 9:00 a.m. and the Sale comes along afterwards at 1:00 p.m. The show will include registered Columbia rams and ewes of both yearlings and lambs. There will also be range rams and unfitted registered ewes available. Contact for the show and sale is through Raina Blackman at 406-235-4227 or Kathy Hochstrat at 406-547-3866.

The Montana Columbia Sheep Breeders Directory includes:

Prairie Island Columbias

Sun River, Montana

406-264-5426

Pat & Bev Gibbs

Jordan Montana

406-557-2852

Doug & Logan Pierce

Harlowton, Montana

632-4419 or 220-3466

Montana Aerie

Tom & Anne Key

Great Falls, Montana

406-788-3264

Kathy Hochstrat

White Sulfur Springs, Montana

547-3866 or 547-4199

Scott & Raina Blackman

Secretary MT Columbia Association

Wolf Creek, Montana

406-235-4227

Doug Hitch

Hobson, Montana

406-423-5651

Gene & Mary Langhus

Big Timber, Montana

932-4718 or 930-0068

Timber Coulee

Luanne Wallenwein

Sunburst, Montana

406-937-2775

The Columbia breed of sheep was the first to originate in the United States. Columbias were developed in 1912 from Lincoln and Rambouillet crosses. The object of the cross was to create a breed that produced more pounds of wool and lamb and could replace crossbreeding on the range.

Though originally bred for range conditions, the Columbia has found widespread acceptance throughout the United States and is used increasingly to sire crossbred market lambs. Columbias are one of the larger-sized breeds. Rams weigh between 225 and 300 lbs (100-135 kg) and females weigh between 150 and 225 lbs. (68-102 kg).

Columbia sheep produce a heavy, medium-wool fleece with good staple length and hardy, fast-growing lambs.

Breed categories: medium wool, dual purpose Source: Sheep101 Sheep Breeds

27th Annual Choteau MT Sheep Expo

2011-08-19T08:34:00.000-06:00

It's that time again for one of Montana's premier sheep sales. Every year Choteau Montana hosts the Sheep Expo, which is an all-breed Ram and Ewe Sale, where Montana Producers gather with their best breeding stock to offer through Private Treaty to the public. This year there will be 75 Rams and Ewes in the sale. The sale will be held in the Weatherbeater Building in Choteau, MT same as it is every year. The date of the sale is Saturday, September 10, 2011 and they're hosting a breakfast for everyone starting at 8:00 a.m. The Auction itself will be at 12:00 noon.

Premium Ewe Entries will be provided by McKay Suffolks who are bringing lambs, Montana Sheep Co. bringing Targhee yearlings, Sunnyside Hampshires with their lambs, and Prairie Rose Suffolks who are bringing a combination of yearlings and lambs. Consignors listed for the expo include: McKay Suffolks, Prairie Rose Suffolks, West River Suffolks, Murray Suffolks, Newman Suffolks, Langhus Columbias, Montana Sheep Company (Targhee), Sunnyside Hampshires, and Gene Langhus (South African Merino Cross). All Sheep will be exhibited in pens and sold at Private Treaty by the Owners. Rams and Ewes will be of good breeding quality. All sheep are inspected by veterinarian and sifting committee. This is an B-Ovis Free Sale.

There will be a Friday evening viewing for anyone who is interested. The expo will also have many industry related displays. More information can be obtained at http://www.choteausheepexpo.com/ or by calling any of the following: Brent Roeder (President) 406-467-2462, Tim Stutzman (V. President) 406-257-2569, Gayle Lucas 406-859-3890, Del Pasha 406-264-5486, Bill McKay 406-866-3368, or Chad Walker 406-846-1277.

2011 Annual Production Sale - Peterson Sheep Co.

2011-08-19T08:16:00.000-06:00

ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE
50 head yearling Genelink rams (SAMMS)
30 Hampshire ram lambs, 20 Hampshire ewe lambs
25 Genelink ewe lambs

Guest consignment: 100 purebred Columbia range type ewes (dispersion),

70 head black and crossbred ewes (dispersion),

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Peterson Sheep Company, Lemmon South Dakota

701-376-3115

mailto:peterson@sdplains.com and website: http://www.petersonsheepco.com/

NSIIC Announces Accepting Grant Proposals 2011

2011-08-18T12:09:00.000-06:00

WASHINGTON, August 5, 2011-- The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors is accepting grant proposals designed to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. sheep and goat industries.

“These grant funds will strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and goat products in the Unites States through infrastructure development, business development, production, resource development, and market and environmental research,” said David Shipman, Acting Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

The Center was established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. Currently the Center has approximately $1 million available in grants funds. Proposals will be accepted through September 15, 2011.

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

· 1. Strengthen and improve long-term sustainability of the goat and/or lamb and wool industry's infrastructure by increasing the numbers in production.

· 2. Provide integration of performance/production data from sources that can help enhance the National Sheep Improvement Program.

· 3. Provide leadership training and education to producers and packers within the sheep and goat industries.

· 4. Enhance sheep and/or goat production by improving infrastructure of the U.S. sheep and goat industry through assistance to all segments of the industry to address sustainable production and marketing of sheep and goat milk, meat, fiber and related services such as grazing for fire management and pasture improvements.

· 5. Promote lamb and meat goat marketing through an organized method that can measure tangible results.

· 6. Enhance the sheep and goat industry by coordinating information exchange and seeking mutual understanding and marketing within the international industry community.

The nine-member Board is comprised of seven voting and two non-voting members. Voting members include four domestic producers of sheep or goats; two members with expertise in finance and management; and one member with expertise in lamb, wool, goat or goat product marketing. Non-voting members include the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, USDA.

Strategic Plan

Cover letter

Instructions

                Tips for successful Grant Writing

For more information contact:

    Steve Lee, Executive Director
    National Sheep Industry Improvement Center
    Post Office Box 646
    Rockland, ME 04841

   Telephone: (202) 350-9065
    via email at stevelee@nsiic.org
    Web site: http://www.nsiic.org/

Source: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center

State & Federal Agencies Investigate Q Fever Outbreak

2011-08-18T09:04:00.000-06:00

On June 29, 2011 mt.gov published a news alert regarding an investigation of a Q Fever outbreak, for which Steve Merritt is the Public Information Officer on the matter.

The Montana Department of Livestock, in conjunction with the state Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS), USDA-Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), is investigating an outbreak of Q fever in the state. The investigation is part of a multi-state outbreak of illnesses in humans and animals associated with goats from Washington.

At least three known premises in the state have received goats from a positive herd in Washington. Two of those premises, in Cascade and Teton counties, have had illnesses in humans and animals determined to be Q fever, while a third, located in Yellowstone County, is currently being tested by MDOL and USDA-AHIS.

A zoonotic disease – one that can be passed from animals to humans – Q fever is caused by a specific type of bacteria carried by animals, most commonly sheep, goats and cattle. Infected animals shed the bacteria during birthing, and in feces, urine and milk. Humans can become infected by breathing barnyard dust particles contaminated by the bacteria or by ingesting the bacteria.

Q fever can cause acute or chronic illness in humans, who usually acquire infection after contact with infected animals or exposure to contaminated environments. Most of those infected will show no symptoms; those with symptoms may have headaches, fevers, muscle aches and a variety of mild, flu-like symptoms. While most persons with acute Q fever infection recover without treatment, others may experience complications including pneumonia and liver and heart problems. Those most vulnerable include pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Treatment with antibiotics shortens the course of illness for acute Q fever and can prevent long-term complications.

In animals, particularly sheep and goats, the illness can cause stillbirths and abortions, but generally goes undetected because animals exhibit no symptoms.

The bacteria that causes Q fever is common, and is considered endemic in sheep and goat populations.

Local and state officials are using this opportunity to educate livestock owners about the risks of Q fever, particularly the need to properly dispose of birth products and aborted fetuses at facilities housing sheep and goats. In addition, restricting access to areas housing potentially infected animals is recommended.

For additional information, please direct livestock related questions to Steve Merritt, public information officer, Montana Department of Livestock (406/444-9431), or human health related questions to Chuck Council, Communications Specialist, Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (406/444-4391).

Source: Montana Department of Livestock - Press Release

Event: Women's Hunter Education Course August 26-27 2011

2011-08-18T08:25:00.000-06:00

Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Boone and Crockett Club are sponsoring a two-day women’s hunter education course at the club’s ranch 10 miles west of Dupuyer.

The course begins at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26, and ends at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27. Although the class, course materials and Saturday lunch are free, there is a $35 charge for lodging, Friday supper and Saturday breakfast.

Participants will learn about wildlife conservation, hunting ethics and laws, and how to shoot a firearm.

Class size is limited to 25, and participants need to be at least 18 years old by Aug. 25. For more information or to register call (406) 472-3311 or email conservationeducator@boone-crockett.org

Event: String Things August 26-28 2011 4-H Sets Fiber Arts Retreat

2011-08-18T08:16:00.000-06:00

Learn skills such as crocheting, knitting, felting and embroidering.

Do you enjoy having fun with others, working with your hands and learning about fiber arts?
The North Dakota State University Extension Service is sponsoring “String Things,” a 4-H fiber arts retreat, Aug. 26-28 at the Comfort Inn in Bismarck.

The retreat will offer workshops on embroidery, crocheting, knitting, macrame, kumihimo and felting. Participants will learn about these skills and how to share them with others.

“This will be a great opportunity for improving your skills or learning new skills,” says Sharon Query, a 4-H youth development specialist who helped organize the event.

This retreat is for Extension agents, 4-H volunteers and youth 14 or older. Attendees will receive instructions and resources to enable them to be a resource person for their county/area.

The cost is $100 for a double room ($175 for a single room) and $25 with no lodging. Register before Aug. 19 to secure a room.

Registration information is available at http://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/4h/Training/FiberArtsRetreatStringThings.pdf.
For more information, contact Query at (701) 231-5923 or sharon.query@ndsu.edu.

Source: North Dakota State University

Really Basic Barn Record For Beginners

2011-08-18T04:02:00.001-06:00

The wise herdsman not only watches his flock or herd carefully but also can tell you about the patterns of activity and health of his charges over the course of each year. If you are new to herdsmanship, and the excitement or thrill of your band of four-legged producers has yet to delve into the nitty gritty then now is a good time to begin a basic record. It doesn't have to be fancy. It just has to be useful. You will tailor it to the type of livestock you have and the purposes they are working to achieve.

A very simple and inexpensive way to keep your barn record is to obtain a 'composition' book from your local office or school supply store. This is a stiff bound notebook of blank pages. In it you will record data such as fleece or milk production, feed and equipment purchases, veterinary services, illness & medications administered, kidding or lambing dates, and even weather conditions that can affect health or costs. These are essentially the notes from which you will eventually transfer compiled data to a spreadsheet so that you can figure your capital costs and operating expenses.

The interior of your barn record book might look a little like either of the following examples:


Production	Daisy	Pumpkin	Blackie
August	milk a.m/p.m.	milk a.m/p.m.	milk a.m/p.m.	Weather / Comments
1	32/33 oz	--	Mastitis	(vet) $65
2	33/33 oz	--	--	rained
3	32/33	31/31	--	80 degrees
4	33/33 oz	31.5/31.25	--	85 degrees
5	33/33	32/32	off medications	100# oats $15
6	32/32	32/32	12/32	goat kids to market - ($215)
7	31/31	32/32	12/32	trimmed hooves
…

or	*********	**********	************	********************************************


Production
2011	Fleece	Lambs	Distribution	Weather / Comments
Ewe 215	10 lbs	2	Stock	treated for hoof rot
Ewe 15	12 lbs	1	Market	Aged Ewe
Ewe 31	11.5 lbs	2 - lost 1	Market	Ewe rejected both lambs
Ewe 114	12 lbs	3	Stock
Ram	12.25 lbs	8	Stock	passed pre-breeding check

Hay	25 qty 1T	$50 ea
Medications	--
	Oxytetracycline	$5.89
	Enterotoxemia C& D	$2.99
	Pasturella	$10.00
Equipment:	--
	Marking Harness	$98
	Hoof Shears	$35
Market:	--
	7 lambs @ 85	$1,291	217 cwt

Your Barn Record will give you a snap shot of your production year and can be used to compare the results of your efforts over a multitude of years. It can help you determine where problems are occuring and where improvements might be made. It makes creating a business balance sheet easy and can help you with setting reasonable goals for your enterprise.

There are many good products out there that are ready made for keeping barn records. Some are vinyl bound record books and others are computer spreadsheets or database programs. From personal experience however, I'd recommend using a hard copy in your barn for day to day record keeping and use the power of the computer for your year end and long term records such as pedigrees or breeding records.

Colloidal Silver usable for Small Ruminants?

2011-08-18T02:43:00.001-06:00

Colloidal Silver is a homeopathic remedy that is gaining popularity. It is rising in use for treatment of many human ailments and is recommended for veterinary use. Silver Education Coalition, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA put out a Colloidal Silver Handbook describing the history of its use as a medicine, the current uses, and information about medical studies and testing. The handbook has a section on veterinary uses.

The Silver Education Coalition in the handbook states that "Colloidal Silver is non-toxic to mammals, reptiles, plants and all living things that are not of a one celled structure." This is because, "One-celled life uses a different method of Oxygen metabolism."

The handbook describes known veterinary uses which could be beneficial to the small ruminant herdsman: The following conditions in animals, birds and fish have been successfully treated with Colloidal Silver:
* Bacteria and parasites in house pets, farm animals and birds.
* Parvovirus in dogs.
* Revival of belly-up goldfish.
* Scours and undulant fever in cattle.

This year was the first we, at our sheep ranch, had any on hand to explore with. We had an opportunity just recently to try it on a stubborn eye infection on our 15 year old dog whose eye had become so inflamed that it had swelled shut and was exhibiting external swelling along the same side of her face. We mixed about a teaspoon of the colloidal silver with about a 1/2 cup of lukewarm water and used it to flush the eye. A notable decrease in swelling was visible in hours. We flushed the eye three times a day for about a week, observing the infection and severe swelling subside. This colloidal silver solution worked faster than chamomile tea, the other traditional herbal remedy we've used in the past.

We have decided to test colloidal silver with a limited number of lambs next lambing season for the difficult to treat ailment of chronic pneumonia in orphan lambs. We plan to keep detailed notes and will publish the results of the usage late spring 2012.

A copy of the colloidal silver handbook can be reviewed here.

Sale Completed WLA - 081711

2011-08-18T01:33:00.001-06:00

Western Livestock Auction wrapped up another sale on Wednesday August 17th. This year's healthy prices are still holding well. They listed having sold ewes and lambs. There were no goats or other ruminants listed on the market report.

AYERS, MATT	DUPUYER	3	WHITE-EWES	192	$55.00
BUMGARNER, GREGORY OR CYN	BELT	21	WHITE-EWES	169	$59.00
CASCADE COLONY	SUN RIVER	5	WHITE-EWES	169	$56.50
COFFMAN, WALTER OR LORETT	DUTTON	4	WHITE-EWES	201	$62.00
GILES, KEITH OR CACHE	FAIRFIELD	7	WHITE-EWES	164	$52.50
WARNER, JOHN OR DIANA	SUN RIVER	6	WHITE-EWES	158	$55.50
CATRON, DOUGLAS OR STEPHA	SUN RIVER	8	WHITE-LAMBS	88	$217.50
COFFMAN, BARBARA	DUTTON	4	BLK/BWF-LAMBS	83	$218.00
COFFMAN, WALTER OR LORETT	DUTTON	27	WHITE-LAMBS	100	$217.25
COFFMAN, WALTER OR LORETT	DUTTON	10	WHITE-LAMBS	80	$218.50
CORNELL, DAN AND JOAN	VAUGHN	11	WHITE-LAMBS	89	$218.50
GILES, KEITH OR CACHE	FAIRFIELD	3	WHITE-LAMBS	73	$218.00
GILES, KEITH OR CACHE	FAIRFIELD	50	WHITE-LAMBS	97	$219.25
HADLEY, JAMES OR THERESA	FAIRFIELD	47	WHITE-LAMBS	99	$215.00
KTB RANCH, INC.	HIGHWOOD	17	WHITE-LAMBS	104	$216.00
LOVE, ELIZABETH	VAUGHN	4	WHITE-LAMBS	89	$218.00
MADER, BETTY	GREAT FALLS	44	WHITE-LAMBS	67	$210.00
MADER, BETTY	GREAT FALLS	131	WHITE-LAMBS	80	$217.00
MARXER, LORNE	GREAT FALLS	10	WHITE-LAMBS	84	$218.50
PERRY, JANA	CUT BANK	16	WHITE-LAMBS	69	$217.00
WENDELN, ROBERT H	VAUGHN	11	WHITE-LAMBS	71	$217.00

Their next scheduled auction including sheep is September 21, 2011.

Western Livestock Auction, LLC is located in Great Falls MT at:

Western Livestock Auction, LLC

406 Vaughn S Frontage Rd

Great Falls MT 59404