U.S. SHEEP INDUSTRY RESEACH, …. SHEEP INDUSTRY RESEACH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION PRIORITIES...

U.S. SHEEP INDUSTRY RESEACH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION PRIORITIES

AmericanSheepIndustryAssociation,Inc.

June 2016

Larry R. Miller LRM Consulting Services

Julie Stepanek Shiflett

Juniper Economic Consulting

Deborah J. Marsh Knob Economics

Paul Rodgers

American Sheep Industry Association

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ObjectiveThesheepindustryintheU.S.isacomplexindustryfacingmanycomplexissuesandchallenges.Thesheepindustryisadiverseindustryproducingqualitymeat,milk,andwoolproductsunderavarietyofmanagementandenvironmentalconditions.Identifyingandunderstandingthekeyissuesandchallengesfacingthesheepindustrytodayisimportanttohelpestablishtheindustry’sresearch,development,andeducationprioritiesandtohelpguideresourceallocation-bothpublicandprivate.Theoverarchingobjectiveofthisreportistoidentifyresearch,development,andeducationprioritiesfortheU.S.sheepindustrythat:1)resultinproductsfromsheepthatareofthehighestpossiblequality,2)aresafeandwholesome,3)areproducedinasustainableandenvironmentallyresponsiblemanner,4)contributetothenation’sfoodandfibersecurity,5)recognizetheethicalresponsibilitytoprovideforthehumanecareandwelfareofsheep,and6)createopportunitiesforincreasedprofitability,competivenessintheworldmarket,andindustrygrowth.Ina2015NationalResearchCouncilreporttitled,CriticalRoleofAnimalScienceResearchinFoodSecurityandSustainability,thecommitteestatedthatsustainablymeetingthenutritionalneedsofagrowingpopulationanditsdemandforanimalproductswillrequiresignificantinvestmentinresearchanddevelopment.1However,publicfundingforanimalagricultureingeneral,andforsheepresearch,development,andeducationinparticular,isonthedecline.Itiswithinthiscontextofcomplexissuesandchallenges,industrydiversity,andreducedfundingthatacomprehensiveneedsassessmentfortheU.S.sheepindustrywasundertaken.MethodologyOverviewAmulti-facetedapproachwasusedtoidentifyresearch,development,andeducationprioritiesforthesheepindustry.Theapproachincluded:

1)Areviewofpublishedsheepresearchacrossarangeoftopicsanddisciplines,withparticularemphasisplacedontheNationalResearchCouncilreport,ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTradition(2008),theAmericanSheepIndustryAssociationProducerSurvey,CompendiumofResearchResults&AnalysisbyProducerRegionandFlockSize(2010),theUSDA,APHIS,VeterinaryServices,NationalAnimalHealthMonitoringSystemSheep2011Study(2012),theASISheepProductionHandbook,andtheSheepandGoatResearchJournal.2)On-linesurveysweredevelopedforeachofthemajorindustrysectors/stakeholders-includingproducers,feeders,lambpackers/processors,andwoolbuyers/processors.Resultsofthestakeholdersurveysprovidedasummarylistingofcurrentindustryneedsandchallenges.Demographicdifferencesand/orsimilaritiesofkeyproducerchallengeswereanalyzedbytypeofoperation(commerciallamb,wool,dairy,seedstock,etc.),locationofoperation,typeof

1NationalResearchCouncil.CriticalRoleofAnimalScienceResearchinFoodSecurityandSustainability.Washington,DC:TheNationalAcademiesPress,2015.Web.

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management(herded/openrange,fencedrange,pasture,etc.),sizeofoperation,breed(s)ofsheep,yearsofexperienceraisingsheep,expansion/contractionoverthepastfiveyears,expansion/contractionplansoverthenextfiveyears,aswellastheuseandeffectivenessofvariousmanagementpracticesandtechnologies.3)Focusgroupsrepresentingresearchandeducationacrossarangeofdisciplines,includinggenetics,reproduction,nutrition,rangescience,veterinarymedicine,marketing,andmeat,wool,anddairysciences,wereaskedtocategorizeeachofthetopindustryissuesandchallengesidentifiedasprimarilyaresearch,development,and/oreducationneed.Thatis,toweigh-inonthemosteffectivewaytoaddressaparticularissueorchallenge-throughbasicand/orappliedresearch,throughthedevelopmentofspecificmanagementtools,products,etc.,orviapoliticaladvocacyandregulatorydevelopment,andthrougheducationaloutreachandtechnologytransfer.Thefocusgroupsprovidedbothcontextandspecific/targetedrecommendations.

Theresearch,development,andeducationprioritiessummarizedinthisreportreflectsignificantindustryinputandareacompositeofthoseidentifiedthroughtheliteraturereviewandindustry-widesurveys.Producerchallengesweregenerallysummarizedbybothpercentbreedingewesandpercentoperations.Percentbreedingeweshighlightsthosechallengesaffectingthegreatestnumberofsheepandarecriticaltomaintainingthecommercialinfrastructureoftheindustry.PercentoperationshighlightsthosechallengesimpactingthegreatestnumberofsheepproducersandareimportanttomeetingthediverseneedsofU.S.lamb,wool,anddairyconsumers–particularlythoseofthenontraditionalandnichemarkets.Thereis,ofcourse,significantoverlap.Rankingsandemphasisdifferprimarilyreflectingoperationsizeandmanagementsystem(range-basedversuspasture-based).Thetopproducersectorchallengesrankedbypercentbreedingewes:

1) Labor/labormanagement2) Predatormanagement3) Governmentregulationsandcompliance4) Marketing5) Flockhealth6) Grazingandforagemanagement7) FacilitiesandFencing8) Estateplanningandgenerationaltransfer

Thetopproducersectorchallengesrankedbypercentoperations:

1) Grazingandforagemanagement2) Marketing3) Flockhealth4) Labor/labormanagement5) Facilitiesandfencing6) Predatormanagement7) Genetics8) Reproduction

Thetopfeedersectorchallenges:

1) Feederlambavailability2) Laborcosts/availability

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3) Processingcontracts/killslotavailability4) Pricerisk

Thetoplambpacker/processorchallenges:

1) Laboravailability/cost2) Consumerdemand3) Governmentregulationsandcompliance4) Seasonalsupplyandsupplysecurity5) Qualityanduniformityofslaughterlambs

Thetopwoolbuyer/processorchallenges:

1) Contamination2) Availability/supplyofU.S.wool3) Quality

Clearly,thechallengesidentifiedpointtomanycommonstakeholderconcerns.Laborchallenges,forexample,werecommonacrosssectors.However,otherchallenges,includinggeneticsandanimalhealthandwelfare,identifiedbytheproducersector,anddemand,identifiedbythepacker/processorsector,arealsofundamentallyindustry-wideconcernsandchallenges-impactingtheentireU.S.sheepindustry.Theresearch,development,andeducationprioritiessummarizedherearepresentedtopicallybydiscipline,innoparticularorderofimportance.Greaterdetailandspecificrecommendationsareprovidedinthemainbodyofthisreport.Theprioritiesarebroadlyclassifiedasresearch,development,oreducationalneedsbasedonfocusgroupassessment.Although,innearlyallcases,someelementofeach-research,development,andeducation–isrequiredtoadequatelyaddressspecificchallengeareas.RESEARCH,DEVELOPMENT,ANDEDUCATIONPRIORITIESFORTHEU.S.SHEEPINDUSTRYInstitutionalframeworkrecommendationsforbasicandappliedresearch

§ Continuedsupportforcentersforsheepresearch§ Targetedcollaborativeeffortsbetweentheindustry,universities,andtheU.S.Departmentof

Agriculture’sAgriculturalResearchService§ Publicandprivatepartneringtoleverageresourcesforincreasedefficiencyandeffectiveness§ Continuedsupportandutilizationofexistingprivateandpublicresearchandeducation

infrastructure§ Increasedcheckoffassessmentstowardexpandingthescopeofthecheckoffprogramtoinclude

productionresearchandeducationGeneticsandBreeding

§ ValueofEBVsgeneratedbyNSIP§ Geneticparametersandselectioncriteriafornewand/orcomplextraits§ Genomicinformation

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§ Economicselectionindices§ Genomicbreedingvalues§ Strategiccrossbreedingsystems§ Simplegoal-basedproductionrecordsforcommercialflocks

FlockHealth

§ Parasitecontrolandvaccinedevelopment§ Lambstarvation§ Lambrespiratorydisease§ Mastitiscontrol§ Footrotandscaldcontrol§ Coccidiacontrol§ Alternativestoantimicrobials§ Scrapietransmissionandliveanimaltests§ Q-fevermitigationandcontrol§ Increasedadoptionofexistinghealthtechnologies§ Accurateflockhealthinformation

ReproductivePerformanceandEfficiency

§ Out-of-seasonbreedingprogramsandtechnologyuptake§ Geneticpotentialscoring§ Ultrasound-assistedselectionforlittersize§ Ewe/lambbondingbehavior§ Commercialavailabilityofreproductiveinterventionproducts§ Increasedadoptionofexistingreproductivetechnologies§ Onlineresources

GrazingandForageManagement&Nutrition

§ Ecosystemmanagementandenhancement§ Multi-speciesgrazing§ Sustainabilityindicators§ Matchingbreedtype,productiongoals,andforageresources§ Alternativefeedsandforages§ Strategicparasitecontrol§ Onlineresources§ Train-the-Trainerprograms§ Web-andworkshop-basedprograms§ RiskManagementInsuranceeducation

PublicInterestandSocialIssues

§ Properlytrainedandaffordablelabor§ H-2Asheepherders/guestworkerprogram§ Sociallyacceptablemethodsofwastehandlingandremoval,andcarcassdisposal§ EnhancementofCleanWaterActprovisions§ Animalwelfareandhumanehandlingeducationaltoolsforallsectors§ Foodandfibersecurity,continuityofbusiness,andsupplychainmanagementunderadverse

conditionsandcircumstances

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§ Bighornsheepandspeciesseparationpolicies§ Enhancementofsagegrousehabitat

PredatorManagement

§ Lethalpredatorcontroltechnologies§ Non-lethalpreventativeandcorrectivetechnologies§ Discriminantpredatormanagement§ Increasedproducerawarenessofanimaldamagecontrolresourcesandofstateandfederal

regulations§ Educationandtrainingontheeffectivenessanduseofexistingpredatormanagementtools§ Increasedpublicawarenessanddevelopmentofpublic/privatepartnershipsaimedatreducing

depredationbywildlifeanddomesticdogsLambProcessingandMarketing

§ Newandinnovativemethodsofmanagingsupplies§ Marketinformationandpricesignals§ Pricevolatilityandriskmanagement§ Demandindexanddemanddrivers§ Processingopportunities§ Localmarketdevelopment§ Value-basedpricing§ Objectivemeasuresandpredictorsofmeatqualityandeatingsatisfaction§ Packagingtechnologies

WoolProductionandMarketing

§ Pricesignalsandvalue-basedpricing§ Woolqualityandpreparation§ Woolgrowereducationaimedatimprovingwoolqualityandreducingcontaminants§ Demonstrate/estimatereturnoninvestmentinwoolpreparation§ Marketingcampaigntoexpanddemandfordomesticwool§ Newproduct/marketdevelopmentandimprovedpackaging§ Militaryapparel§ Dye-resistantfibers§ Rapid,reliable,objectivemeasurementequipmentandtechnologies§ Developmentofarapidmechanicalmethodtodetectdefectsinrawpelts

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Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................1

ObjectiveandBackground.......................................................................................................................1

Method....................................................................................................................................................1

OrganizationandPresentationofFindings..............................................................................................3

Chapter1SurveyResults:BackgroundandGreatestProducerChallenges................................................4

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................4

ExpansionPlans.......................................................................................................................................4

GreatestChallengesIdentifiedbyProducers...........................................................................................5

Chapter2SheepGeneticsandBreeding...................................................................................................11

EstimatedBreedingValuesAssessment................................................................................................11

GeneticsandBreedingResearchandDevelopmentPriorities..............................................................12

EducationPrioritiesforGeneticsandBreeding.....................................................................................14

Chapter3FlockHealth...............................................................................................................................15

ProducerSurveyResults........................................................................................................................15

GreatestChallenge:InternalParasites..............................................................................................17

ResearchPrioritiesforFlockHealth.......................................................................................................19

DevelopmentPrioritiesforFlockHealth................................................................................................20

EducationPrioritiesforFlockHealth.....................................................................................................21

Chapter4ReproductivePerformance.......................................................................................................23

AssessmentofOut-of-SeasonBreedingUse..........................................................................................23

ResearchPrioritiesforReproductivePerformance...............................................................................24

DevelopmentPrioritiesforReproductivePerformance........................................................................25

EducationPrioritiesforReproductivePerformance..............................................................................25

Chapter5GrazingandForageManagement&Nutrition..........................................................................26

GrazingandForageManagement.........................................................................................................26

NutritionalManagement.......................................................................................................................28

ResearchPrioritiesforGrazing&ForageManagementandNutrition..................................................29

DevelopmentPrioritiesforGrazing&ForageManagementandNutrition...........................................30

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EducationPrioritiesforGrazing&ForageManagementandNutrition................................................30

Chapter6PublicInterestandSocialIssues...............................................................................................32

ResearchPrioritiesforPublicInterestandSocialIssues........................................................................35

DevelopmentandEducationPrioritiesforPublicInterestandSocialIssues.........................................35

PredatorManagement..........................................................................................................................36

ProducerSurveyResults....................................................................................................................36

ResearchPrioritiesforPredatorManagement..................................................................................37

DevelopmentPrioritiesforPredatorManagement...........................................................................37

EducationPrioritiesforPredatorManagement.................................................................................37

Chapter7LambMarketing........................................................................................................................38


LambFeederSurveyResults..................................................................................................................41

LambPacker/ProcessorSurveyResults.................................................................................................41

ResearchPrioritiesforLambMarketing................................................................................................42

DevelopmentPrioritiesforLambMarketing.........................................................................................43

EducationPrioritiesforLambMarketing...............................................................................................44

Chapter8WoolMarketing........................................................................................................................45


WoolBuyer/ProcessorSurvey...............................................................................................................46

ResearchPrioritiesforWool..................................................................................................................49

DevelopmentPrioritiesforWool...........................................................................................................49

EducationPrioritiesforWool.................................................................................................................50

Chapter9ResourceAllocationforResearchandEducationandTrendsinPublicFunding......................51

InstitutionalFrameworkPrioritiesforResearch,Education,andDevelopment...................................52

Bibliography...............................................................................................................................................55

APPENDIXA—DemographicProfilesandSurveyResults..........................................................................64

APPENDIXB--Research,Development,andEducationPrioritiesbySizeofOperation...........................103

GreatestChallengesofCommercialOperatorsbyTypeandSizeofOperation..................................103

GreatestChallengesofSeedstockOperatorsbySizeofOperation.....................................................103

APPENDIXC--DairySurveyResults.........................................................................................................105

APPENDIXD--AllocationofPublicFundingforSheepResearch.............................................................106

Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................108

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Table of Figures

Figure1ResearchMethod………………………………………...….………………………………………………………………2

Figure1-1PercentofOperationsbyRegionthatPlanonIncreasingBreedingEwe...................................5Figure1-2PercentOperationsbyFlockSize...............................................................................................6Figure1-3PercentBreedingEwesbyFlockSize..........................................................................................6Figure1-4GreatestProducerChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations..................7Figure1-5GreatestProducerChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandbyRegion..................................8Figure1-6GreatestProducerChallengesforCommercialandSeedstockOperations...............................9Figure1-7GreatestProducerChallengesbySizeofSeedstockOperation..................................................9Figure1-8GreatestProducerChallengesbySizeofCommercialOperation.............................................10Figure3-1Disease/DiseaseConditioninLambswithGreatestEconomicImpact(AllFlocks)..................15Figure3-2Disease/DiseaseConditioninBreedingEwes/RamswithGreatestEconomicImpact(AllFlocks)...................................................................................................................................................................16Figure3-3PercentofOperationswithinaRegionIdentifyingInternalParasitesasaDifficultDiseaseConditionamongLambsand/orBreedingStock.......................................................................................17Figure3-4UseofParasiteManagementTechnologies.............................................................................18Figure4-1LeastSatisfiedAreasofReproductiveFlockPerformance.......................................................23Figure4-2FactorsLimitingtheSuccessofOut-of-SeasonBreedingPrograms.........................................24Figure5-1GrazingandPastureManagementChallenges.........................................................................27Figure5-2GreatestGrazing/PastureManagementwithPotentialtoIncreaseProfitability.....................27Figure5-3NutritionalManagementChallenges........................................................................................29Figure6-1ModeratetoSignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations.............................................................................................................................33Figure6-2ModeratetoSignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentRange-basedandPercentPasture-based........................................................................................................................33Figure7-1PercentofCommercialLambOperatorsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyFlockSize.............................................................................................................................................................38Figure7-2CommercialLambOperationsbyMarketOutletandFlockSize..............................................39Figure8-1WoolSalesbyMarketingOutlet...............................................................................................45Figure8-2RecommendedFactorstoHelpImprovetheWoolClip...........................................................46Figure8-3Quality/ValueAttributesofU.S.Wool......................................................................................47Figure8-4Quality/ValueWeaknessesofU.S.Wool..................................................................................48Figure8-5ResearchandDevelopmentPrioritiesthatAddValuetoU.S.Wool........................................49Figure9-1Funding/ExpenditureTrends....................................................................................................52

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Introduction ObjectiveandBackgroundTheobjectiveofthisstudyistoidentifyresearch,development,andeducationneedsfortheU.S.sheepindustry.Thestudywasdesignedtoprovideinformationthatcanbeusedbydecision-makerstohelpguideresourceallocationforsheepresearch,development,andeducation.Thestudyprovidesindustry-wideinputforUSDAintramuralandextramuralresearchplanningaswellasforalliedindustriesandbusinessesthatdevelopandprovidemanyoftheproductsandservicesusedbythesheepindustry.Thestudywasprompted,inpart,byadecliningtrendinpublicfundingandresourceallocationforsheepresearchandeducationandbytheneedformoreprecisedirectionfromstakeholderstohelpaffectbothpublicandprivateinvestments.TheU.S.sheepindustryhasexperienceddeclinesintotalinventoryof30to40percentsincetheearly1990s-similartothoseofmajorsheepproducingcountriesaroundtheworld.Steepcontractionsininventoryappeartohavehalted,andevenreversed,withthenationalinventoryexperiencinggainsoverthepasttwoyears.Tappingintothosegainsandaddressingindustryneedsthroughabetterunderstandingofthechallengesfacedbyproducers,feeders,packers,andwoolbusinesses,canhelppromoteandsustainindustrygrowth.Developinganeffective,demand-drivensetofpriorityresearch,development,andeducationgoalswillhelpkeeptheindustrymovingforward.MethodAmulti-facetedapproachwasusedtoidentifytheindustry’sresearch,development,andeducationpriorities.First,areviewofpublishedsheepresearchacrossarangeoftopicsanddisciplineswasconducted.Indevelopingaresearchplan,surveyinstruments,andrecommendations,thestudydrewfromprevioussheepindustryanalyses,surveys,andresources,including:

§ The2008NationalResearchCouncil’s(NRC),ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates:MakingtheTransitionfromTradition;

§ TheAmericanSheepIndustryAssociation’s(ASI),ProducerSurvey-2010:Compendiumof

ResearchResults&AnalysisbyProducerRegionandFlockSize;

§ TheUSDA,APHIS,VeterinaryServices,NationalAnimalHealthMonitoringSystem(NAHMS),Sheep2011NeedsAssessmentandSheep2011finalreports,includingSheep2011:PartI:ReferenceofSheepManagementPractices,PartII:ReferenceofMarketingandDeathLoss,PartIII:HealthandManagementPractices,andPartIV:ChangesinHealthandProductionPractices,aswellasvarious“InfoSheets”developedfromtheSheep2011study;

§ ASIpublicationsincludingsymposiums,conferenceandconventionproceedings,SheepSafetyandQualityAssuranceProgram(SSQA),SheepCareGuide,andNontraditionalMarkets,TargetedGrazing,LivestockGuardianDogs,andPredationpublications;

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§ TheASISheepProductionHandbook--areferenceguidecoveringawidevarietyoftopicspertainingtosheepproduction--andvariousissuesandspecialeditionsoftheSheep&GoatResearchJournal;

§ TheAmericanLambBoardRoadmapandvalue-basedpricingreports;and

§ Otherinformationsources,includingnumerousonlineresourcesanddeliveryformats.

Thebibliographyprovidesamorecompletelistingofthesupportingliteraturereviewedandinformationresourcesconsulted.Followingtheliteraturereview,onlinesurveysofproducers,feeders,lambpackers/processors,andwoolbusinessesweredevelopedandimplemented.Thesurveysweredevelopedtoensurethattheprioritiesidentifiedweredemand-driven,reflectingthepriorityneedsandchallengesofeachofthemajorindustrysectorsandoftheindustryatlarge.Finally,afocusgrouprepresentingresearchandeducationacrossarangeofacademicdisciplineswasalsosurveyed.Thiswasfollowedbytworoundsoffocusgroupconferencecalls,andafinalsetofquestionsdirectedtoadvisoryteamswithexpertiseinspecificpriorityareas.

Figure1ResearchMethod

FocusGroupmemberswithprofessionalknowledgeofthesheepindustrywereselectedtorepresentresearchandeducationacrossseveraldisciplinesandlevelsofexperience,aswellasgeographicareas.Expertiseandexperiencerelatedtonutrition,grazing,genetics/breeding,reproductivephysiology,veterinaryscience,rangescience,meat,wool,anddairyscience,marketing,andsheepmanagementwererepresented.Inaddition,somememberswereadministratorsresponsibleforresearchand/oreducationalresourcestraversingseveraldisciplines,multiplespecies,andanarrayofprogramssupportedbystate,federaland/orprivatesourcesoffunding.

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Theobjectiveofthefocusgroupwastoanalyzeandinterprettheprioritychallengestohelpguidetheallocationofscarceresourcestoareasofgreatestneed.Thefocusgroupwasaskedtoclassifythemajorchallengesidentifiedbyproducersasresearch,development,and/oreducationalneeds.Thefocusgroupprovidedcontextandspecific,targetedrecommendations(e.g.,researchabletopics,developmentrecommendations,educationalapproaches/deficiencies,etc.).Thefocusgrouprespondedtothreetypesofsurveyquestions:1)research,development,andeducationalneeds,2)educationalresourcesforinformationdeliveryortechnologyadoption,and3)changesandrecommendationsrelatedtotheresearchandextension/educationinfrastructure.Specifically,thefocusgroupwasaskedto:

1. Evaluatetheimportantproducerchallenges,needsorconstraintsacrosstheresearch,developmentandeducationcontinuum.Thecontinuumincluded:a)newresearchinformation,b)interpretationofexistingresearchresults,c)acceptance/adoptionattheproducerlevel,d)technologydevelopment(e.g.,products,informationsystems,pharmaceuticals),ande)educationalresources.

2. Describethecurrentstatusofeducationalprogramsforeachofthetopproducerpriorities/challenges:a)currentlyavailable,b)easilyaccessible,c)readilyused,d)containsuptodateinformation,ande)neworrevisedprogramsneeded.

3. Identifychangesthathaveimpactedtheresearchandextension/educationinfrastructureandenhancementsforthecreationanddeliveryoftechnologyfortheU.S.sheepindustry.

OrganizationandPresentationofFindingsThebodyofthisreportdealsprimarilywiththeindustrystakeholdersurveyresults,analysesandfindings.Theresearch,development,andeducationprioritiessummarizedattheendofeachchapterareacompositeofthoseidentifiedthroughtheliteraturereview,stakeholdersurveys,andincludespecificfocusgrouprecommendations.Prioritiesarepresentedtopicallybydiscipline,innoparticularorderofimportance,andarebroadlyclassifiedasresearch,development,oreducationprioritiesbasedonfocusgroupinput.Clearly,thereisoverlapandsynergybetweenanumberofthetopindustrychallenges,aswellasbetweensomeoftheresearch,development,andeducationprioritiesaimedataddressingthosechallenges.Innearlyallcases,morethanoneelementorapproach-research,development,andeducation-isneededtoeffectivelyaddresstheindustry’sprioritychallenges.Thereportandsupportingmaterialsareorganizedasfollows:

I. Chapteroneprovidesbackgroundinformationandintroducesthegreatestchallengesidentifiedbyproducers.

II. Chapterstwothrougheightfocusonthemajorchallengesbytopic-innoparticularorderofimportance.Theresearch,development,andeducationprioritiesforeachtopicareaaredetailedattheendofeachchapter.

III. Chapterninediscussesresourceallocationforresearchandeducationtrendsinpublicfunding.IV. TheAppendicesoffermoredetailedinformationandsummariesofselectedsurveyresultsand

demographics,andpublicfundinginformation.

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Chapter 1 Survey Results: Background and Greatest Producer Challenges IntroductionResearch,development,andeducationalneedsdefinedinthisstudyaredemanddriven.Thegreatestproducerchallengeswerefirstidentifiedbasedonresultsfromanation-widesurveyofsheepproducersthatincludedcommerciallamb,seedstock,4-H/club-lamb,wool,dairy,andsustainablelandmanagement/grazingservices.Sheepproducersin46statesandalleightofASI’srepresentativeregionsparticipatedinthesurvey,providingabroadcross-sectionalsamplingoftheindustry.Separatesurveysofothermarketingchainparticipants,includingfeeders,packers/processors,andwoolbuyers/processors,werealsoconducted.Thefocusgroupsandpriorityteamswerethenengagedtoprovideinsight,input,andrecommendations.Theresearchprioritiesidentifiedinthisreportaretakentoincludebasicthroughappliedresearch,andcanalsoincludetechnologytransfer.Developmentprioritiesincludelocal,state,andnationalstatutoryandregulatoryenhancements,andadvocacy,aswellasinvestmentsinproductandprocessdevelopment,manufacturing,anddelivery.Educationprioritiesarebroadlydefinedasinformationdissemination-educationandoutreachthatutilizebothtraditionalandinnovativenewmethodsandsystemsofdelivery.ExpansionPlansIdentifyingresearch,development,andeducationalneedsisparticularlyimportanttosupportthoseoperationsthatareexpanding(orplantoexpand)andtounderstandtheconstraintsfacedbythoseoperationsthatdonotplantoexpand,orplantoreduceflocksizeinthenearfuture.Amongproducersrespondingtoasurveyquestionaboutexpansionplans,47percentplantoincreasethenumberofbreedingewesontheiroperationsoverthenextfiveyears.ASI’s“Let’sGrow”campaignsupportsthisgrowthbypromotingthedevelopmentofinnovativeandsustainableinitiatives.OverhalfofsurveyrespondentsinASI’sRegions2(Mid-Atlantic/South),4(Mid&UpperMidwest),and5(Texas)plantoincreasebreedingewenumbersoverthenextfiveyears.Region7(NorthernRockies)hasthelargestbreedingewepopulationamongsurveyrespondents,butthesmallestpercentageofoperationsplanningtoincreasebreedingewenumbers.Acrossallflocks,landavailability(44percent),satisfiedwithcurrentsizeofoperation(41percent),workingpart-time/offfarm(32percent),andretirement(24percent)werethetopfourreasonscitedfornotexpanding.Feedresources/availabilityrankedfifthat21percentwithotherreasonsrankingmuchlower.Fifty-fivepercentofoperationsinRegion4(Mid&UpperMidwest)planonexpandinginthenextfiveyears.Regions2(Mid-Atlantic/South)and5(Texas)alsoreportedover50percentofoperationsplanningtoexpand.Region7(NorthernRockies)reportedthelowestrateat29percent.Region6(Mountain&Desert)wasat37percent,Region1(Northeast)wasat35percent,andRegion8(Pacific)wasat39percent.

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Figure1-1PercentofOperationsbyRegionthatPlanonIncreasingBreedingEweNumbersovertheNextFiveYears

GreatestChallengesIdentifiedbyProducersThesurveyaskedproducerstoidentifytheirthreegreatestchallenges,thenaskedproducerstoidentifythechallengewiththegreatestimpactonprofitability.Challengesrangedfromflockhealth,grazingandforagemanagement,andnutrition,topredation,labor/labormanagement,marketing,andcurrentpolicyandotherissues.Thegreatestchallengesweredefinedbypercentoperationsandbypercentbreedingewes.TheU.S.sheepindustryischaracterizedbymanyrelativelysmalloperations,andafewverylargeoperationsthatmanagealargepercentageoftheewesintheU.S.flock.Nationally,approximately20percentofoperationsrepresentapproximately80percentofthetotalbreedingewepopulation.Ofalloperationsreportingcurrentnumberofbreedingewes,73percenthad100ewesandfewer.Overhalf,55percent,reportedfiftyheadorfewerandnearlyathird,32percent,reported25headorfewer.Incontrast,operationswithover5,000ewescomprised21percentofallewesandoperationswith1001-5000ewescomprise43percentofallewes.Thus,73percentofoperationsrepresentedonly10percentofthetotalnumberofbreedingewescapturedbythesurvey.Bycontrast,only9percentofoperationsrepresented74percentoftotalbreedingewes.

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Figure1-2PercentOperationsbyFlockSize

Figure1-3PercentBreedingEwesbyFlockSize

Calculatingproducerchallengesbythepercentofoperationsidentifieschallengesaffectingthegreatestnumberofsheepproducers,whereasweightingthegreatestproducerchallengesbythenumberofbreedingewesidentifieschallengesaffectingthegreatestnumberofsheep.Thegreatestproducerchallengeidentifiedbypercentofoperationswasgrazingandforagemanagement.Thiswasnotunexpected,asthegreatestnumberofoperationsaresmallandmid-sizedoperationsinpastureandpasture/drylotflockmanagementsystems.Thesecond-highestrankingchallengebypercentoperationsismarketing,followedbyflockhealth.Labor/labormanagementandpredatormanagementsurfacedasmoreimportantprioritieswhensurveyresultsweresummarizedbypercentofbreedingewes--influencedbylargerflocksespeciallyinthewesternregions.Governmentregulationsandcompliancerankedthirdbypercentbreedingewes.

73.3%

17.6%

3.6% 4.8% 0.7%

1-100ewes 101-500ewes 501-1000ewes

1001-5000ewes 5000+ewes

10.2%

15.4%

10.7%42.7%

21.0%

1-100ewes 101-500ewes 501-1000ewes

1001-5000ewes 5000+ewes

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Figure1-4GreatestProducerChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations

IntheASI2010survey,grazingandpasturemanagementrankedthirdinsevenareasofpossibletechnologyimprovements.Technologyinvestmentsreflectareasofproducerconcern.Inthe2010survey,breedingandselectionwasrankedhighestfollowedbynutritionmanagement.Regionaldifferencesemergedinrankingproducerchallengepriorities.Basedonpercentbreedingewes,intheNortheastandMid-Atlantic/Southflockhealthwasthetop-rankingchallenge.IntheGreatLakes,reproductiveperformanceandfacilitiesandfencingrankedfirstandsecond.IntheMid&UpperMidwest,TexasandMountain&Desertregions,labor/labormanagementwasthenumberonechallenge.IntheNorthernRockiesandPacific,governmentregulation/compliancewashighranking.

Common:--Labor/labormanagement--MarkeTng--Flockhealth

ByOperamon:1.Grazingandforage

management2.Markemng3.Flockhealth4.Labor/labormanagement

5.Facilimesandfencing

ByBreedingEwes:1.Labor/labormanagement

2.Predatormanagement3.Government

regulamon/compliance4.Markemng5.Flockhealth

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Figure1-5GreatestProducerChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandbyRegion

Theproducersurveyhelpeddefinegreatestchallengesforcommercialandseedstockoperations.Commercialflocksincludedcommerciallamb,wool,dairy,andsustainablelandmanagementflocks.Seedstockflocksincludedseedstockflocksandshowand4-H/clublambflocks.

Therearecross-cuttingproducerchallengesacrosscommercialandseedstockoperations.Grazingandforagemanagementisthusafarreaching,broadresearchpriorityaffectingmanyacrossthesheepindustry.Asmeasuredbypercentoperations,grazingandforagemanagementwasthetop-rankingpriorityforbothcommercialandseedstockoperations.Marketing,flockhealth,andlabor/labormanagementwerealsocommonconcerns.Notsurprisingly,geneticsreceivedahigherrankingamongseedstockflocksthanamongcommercialflocks.Geneticsrankedsecondaftergrazingandforagemanagementforseedstockoperators.Thepercentofseedstockproducersidentifyinggeneticsasoneoftheirtopthreechallengesisdoublethatofothercommercialoperations.

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Figure1-6GreatestProducerChallengesforCommercialandSeedstockOperations

Grazingandforagemanagementistheonecommonproducerchallengethatemergeswhenseedstockproducersaredefinedbysizeofbreedingflocks.Geneticsisthesecond-highestrankingchallengeamongthesmallandmid-sizedflocks,butisovershadowedbypredatormanagementandestateplanning/generationaltransferbylargeseedstockoperations.

Figure1-7GreatestProducerChallengesbySizeofSeedstockOperation

Flockhealth,marketing,andlabor/labormanagementarethreechallengesthatarecommonwhencommercialflocksaredefinedbysizeofbreedingflocks.Governmentregulations/compliance,labor/labormanagementandpredatormanagementarethetopthreeproducerchallengesfacingthelargestcommercialoperations.

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Asidefromgenetics,sizeofoperationtendstohaveagreaterinfluencethantypeofoperationwhencomparingthegreatestproducerchallengesamongcommercialandseedstockoperations.

Figure1-8GreatestProducerChallengesbySizeofCommercialOperation

The2010ASIsurveyproducedsimilarfindings.Inthe2010ASIsurvey,producerswereaskedtorankinorderofimportanceallthenewtechnologiestheyhadadoptedtoimproveproductionefficiency.Thelargestoperationsplacedhighestpriorityonpredatorcontrol,followedbynutritionmanagement,andbreedingandselection.

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Chapter 2 Sheep Genetics and Breeding Geneticswasidentifiedasahighpriorityproducerchallengebyseedstockflocksandwasrankedsecondtothechallengeofforageandgrazingmanagement.However,12percentand15percentofmedium-andsmall-sizedcommercialflocks,respectively,alsorankedgeneticsasahighprioritychallengeindicatingareasonableamountofinterestamongmanycommercialflocksforgeneticissues.EstimatedBreedingValues(EBVs)arescience-basedmeasurementsofheritabletraitsthatprovideanestimateofthegeneticpotentialofanindividualanimalrelativetothebreedaverage.OneoftheprioritytechnologyconstraintsidentifiedthroughthesurveywasthelimiteduseofEBVsbythesheepindustryduetoalackoffamiliaritywithEBVs.TheproducerrespondentsviewededucationalmaterialforEBVsasnotbeingreadilyusedoreasilyaccessible.Focusgrouprespondentsreinforcedthateducationalmaterialforgeneticimprovementisoftennotreadilyusedand/ornoteasilyaccessible.However,theuseofEBVsisactuallyincreasing,reflectingarenewedemphasisbytheNationalSheepImprovementProgram(NSIP)oneducationaloutreach.Thevolumeofnewgenomicandgeneticinformationoverthepastseveralyearshascreatedachallengetoharness,interpret,andutilizetheinformation.Genomicinformationisparticularlyvaluableformanagingtheexpressionofsimplyinheritedgenes;however,applicationtotraitssuchasdiseaseresistanceandmeatqualityismorecomplex.Theinterpretationanduseofgenomicinformationdrawsuponmanydisciplinesincludinggenetics,computerscience/datamanagement,statistics,animalbreeding,economics,andbiology.EstimatedBreedingValuesAssessmentAnimalscientistshavedevelopedamethodthatprovidestheestimatedbreedingvalueofananimalforaparticulartraitbasedontheanimal’sperformancedata,itsgenetichistory,andtheenvironmentinwhichitwasreared.Thisisthebestmethodtopredictprogenyperformance,anditsefficacyhasbeenclearlydemonstratedinotherlivestockspecies.2AmongthoseseedstockproducersthatrespondedtoaquestionaboutuseofEBVs,41percentreportedusingEBVsintheirselectionandbreedingdecisions.Ofthoseseedstock/showproducersthatidentifiedgeneticsamongtheirtopthreechallenges,38percentreportedusingEBVsintheirselectionandbreedingdecisions–notsubstantiallydifferentfromthatofallseedstockproducers.Ofthoseseedstock/showproducersreportingthattheydonotuseEBVsintheirselectionandbreedingdecisions,“NeedmoreinformationonhowtouseEBVs”wasthemostcommonreasongiven,followedby“Nointerestorother”and“DifficultyfindingramsoreweswithEBVs”,respectively.

2Redden,Reid.UnderstandSheepEstimatedBreedingValues.NDSUExtensionService.October2012.

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GeneticsandBreedingResearchandDevelopmentPriorities

Ø VerifythevalueofEBVsgeneratedbyNSIP-Appliedstudiesofperformance-recordedflocksareneededtodemonstratetheusefulnessofEBVswithaconcomitantemphasisonproducereducationtoencouragegreateruptakeofgenetictechnologies.

Thefocusgrouprespondentsrecommendedthattheprioritiesforfuturegenomicsstudiesfocusedongeneticmarkersforapplicationbythesheepindustryshouldbeparasiteresistance,specificdiseases,milkproduction,productiontraitsandcarcasstraits-inthatorder.Thefocusgroupaffirmedthateachofthesepriorityareasrequirenotonlynewinformationfromresearchbutalsotheinterpretationofresearchresultsforapplicationbytheindustry.Appliedresearchstudiesneedtobeconductedinperformance-recordedflockstodemonstratetheusefulnessofEBVs.ThisappliedresearchcanaddcredencetoeducationalprogramsforproducersonthevalueofEBVsgeneratedbytheNSIP.Someexamplesofsuchstudiesinclude:Specificresearchstudiescouldbefocusedonlargeresearchorcommercialflocks,whereprogenytestingwouldbedoneonalargenumberoframswithhighandlowEBVsor,alternatively,highandlowindexscores,inordertodemonstratetheresponsetosuchselection.Inaddition,researchflocksatuniversityorUSDAAgriculturalResearchServicestationsenrolledinNSIPcoulduseretrospectiveselectiontocompareperformanceofadultsifdifferentselectioncriteriahadbeenapplied.Forexample,adultewescouldbedividedintotwoormoregroupsbasedontheirbirthtype,thelifetimeaveragelittersizesproducedbytheirdams,thelifetimeaveragelittersizesproducedbytheirdamsbutadjustedforageofdam,theEBVofthedamforprolificacy,theEBVofthesireforprolificacy,theEBVoftheeweasalamb,ortheEBVoftheeweafterherfirstparityandprolificacyoftheadultewesineachgroupcompared.TheadultewesinthegroupwiththehighestEBVsaslambsorasyoungewesshouldhavethehighestlifetimeprolificacy.The2008NationalResearchCouncilreportincludedrecommendationstocontinueimprovementsinproductivitythroughfurtheradvancesingenetics(includinggenebiotechnology),nutrition,health,andmanagementprograms.3Thereportstatedthatthesheepindustrycontinuestolagbehindotherlivestockindustriesintheadoptionofgeneticimprovementtechnologyresultinginacompetitivedisadvantageofsheepwithrespecttootherlivestockspecies.TheAmericanLambBoardRoadmapProjectalsostressedtheimportanceofexpandeduseofEBVs.4TheRoadmapprojectrecommendedthatNSIPshouldlaunchanassessmentofhowtoreintroducegeneticselectiontotheU.S.industry.Italsorecommendedre-introductionofNSIPtocommercialandpurebredproducers.

Ø Identifygeneticparametersandselectioncriteriafornewand/orcomplextraits-Identifymajorgenesandmutationsassociatedwitheconomicallyimportantproductiontraitsanddiseaseconditionsanddevelopselectioncriteriafordifficulttomeasurenewand/orcomplextraits.

3NationalResearchCouncil.ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTradition,2008.4HaleGroup.TheAmericanLambIndustryRoadmapProject--FinalPresentation,December10,2013.

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Effectivegeneticimprovementprogramsarebaseduponknowledgeoftheheritabilityoftraitsandthegeneticcorrelationsamongtraits.Thesegeneticparametersarewellknownformanycommonproductiontraitssuchaslittersize,weaningandpost-weaningweights,fleeceweight,fiberdiameter,andcommercialmilkproductiontraits.However,thegeneticparametersfortraitssuchasparasiteanddiseaseresistance,feedefficiencyandresidualfeedintakeofgrowinglambs,andmeatqualityandeatingsatisfactionarenotaswellknown.ThefewlargesheepresearchflocksstillpresentatuniversitiesandUSDAAgriculturalResearchServicestationsshouldbeutilizedtoestimatethegeneticparametersfordifficulttomeasureeconomicallyimportanttraitsandtoidentifygeneticallycorrelatedtraitsthataremoreeasilymeasured.

Ø Developeconomicselectionindices-Developimprovedselectionindexestoincreasetherateofgeneticimprovementofnetprofitunderdifferentproductionenvironments.

Knowledgeofgeneticandphenotypicparametersforeconomicallyimportanttraits,andtheireconomicvalues,canleadtothedevelopmentofsite-specific“netprofit”or“netmerit”economicselectionindicesthatcanincreasetherateofgeneticimprovementandresultinincreasedprofitability.

Ø Genomicinformation-Identifymajorgenesandmutationsassociatedwitheconomicallyimportantproductiontraitsanddiseaseconditions.

Singlenucleotidepolymorphism(SNP)“chips”areavailablethatcanidentifytheparticularcomponentofanindividualanimal’sDNAat50,000ormorelocationsthroughoutasheep’sgenome.Genomewideassociationstudies(GWAS)canbeusedtoassociateSNPdifferencesamonganimalswithcertaingeneticdefectsorproductiontraits.DNAtestscanthenbedevelopedtoidentifyanimalsthatarecarriersofgeneticdefectsorgenesthatareexpectedtoresultinincreasedperformanceforproductiontraits.Somecurrentlyidentifiedgenesaretherecessivespidersyndrome,scrapiesusceptibility/resistance,thepartiallydominantBooroolageneforincreasedovulationrate,theCallipygegeneformuscling,andtherecessive1haplotypefordecreasedsusceptibilitytoovineprogressivepneumonia.Therearelikelymanymoresinglegenesandgeneticmutationstobeidentifiedthathaveamajoreffectonaperformancetrait.

Ø Genomicbreedingvalues-Developgenomicbreedingvalues.AnotherfutureuseofSNP“chips”willbetoidentifymanylocationsinthesheepgenomethathavebothsmallandlargeeffectsonperformancetraits,withopportunitytousethisinformationtoselectsheepatveryyoungagesand,inparticular,selectfortraitsthataredifficult-to-measure(e.g.,diseaseresistance/tolerance;reproductivefitness;longevity).Ideally,thegenomicinformationiscombinedwithperformancerecordsoftheindividualand/orrelativestoproduceagenomicestimatedbreedingvalue(GEBV).SuchGEBVsareroutinelybeingusedtoacceleratetherateofgeneticimprovementintheU.S.dairycattleindustry.InordertodeterminetherelationshipbetweentheSNPdataandperformancetraits,bothgenomicandperformancedataonaverylargenumberofindividualsarerequired.WhilethegenomicdatacanbeobtainedatacostbysubmittingDNAsamplesofindividualstoacommerciallaboratory,theweaklinkinresearchingthistechnologyintheU.S.sheepindustryisthelackofphenotypicperformanceinformationonalargenumberofanimals.ThereisacurrentresearchinitiativetocollectbothgenomicandperformancedataonKatahdin,Suffolk,andRambouilletsheep.

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Whilesheepproducersareanxioustoharnessthepossibilitiesofgenomics,thereisacrucialneedfortherecordingofphenotypicperformancerecordsonmanysheepbeforegenomicscanbeutilizedforimprovementinmosttraits.EducationPrioritiesforGeneticsandBreeding

Ø Strategiccrossbreedingsystems-Educatorsshouldcontinuetoemphasizeorganizedcrossbreedingsystemsthataresuitedtolocalclimaticandmarketenvironmentsandthatoptimizebothbreedcomplementarityandhybridvigor.

The60+breedsofsheepintheU.S.representageneticreservoirthatallowsaproducertotargettheirdesiredlevelofproductionforanyeconomicproductiontraitbyusingasinglebreedorcombiningtwoormorebreeds.Iftwoormorebreedscanbeusedtomeettargetproductionlevels,advantagesresultingfromhybridvigoralsocanberealized.Educatorsshouldcontinueeffortstoinformproducersaboutorganizedcrossbreedingsystemsthataresuitedtolocalclimaticandmarketenvironmentsandthatoptimizebothbreedcomplementarityandhybridvigor.

Ø EBVstoimproveflockperformance–EducatorsshouldcontinuetopromotethepositivebenefitsofNSIPinordertorecruitandretainseedstockflocksintotheprogramandtoincreasethenumberofcommercialflockspurchasingramswithEBVsfromseedstockflocksenrolledinNSIP.

TheNationalSheepImprovementProgramisthecoreentityforthegeneticimprovementofthenationalflock.However,thenumberofseedstockflocksenrolledinNSIPisstilltoosmall.ContinuededucationalactivitiesarerequiredtopromotethepositivebenefitsofNSIPinordertorecruitandretainseedstockflocksintotheprogramandtoincreasethenumberofcommercialflockspurchasingramswithEBVsfromseedstockflocksenrolledinNSIP.

Ø Goal-basedproductionrecordsforcommercialflocks–Forcommercialflocks,productionrecordsusedtomakeselectionandcullingdecisionsshouldbesimpleandbasedonselectioncriteriathathaveahighprobabilityofresultingintruegeneticimprovement.

WhilethevastmajorityofgeneticimprovementincommercialflockswillcomethroughthepurchaseoframswithdesiredEBVsfromseedstockflocksenrolledinNSIP,someadditionalgeneticprogresscancomefromwithin-flockselectionofreplacementewelambsandcullingofewes.Productionrecordstomaketheseselectionandcullingdecisionsshouldbesimpleandbasedonselectioncriteriathathaveahighprobabilityofresultingintruegeneticimprovement.TheNationalResearchCouncilreportedthatkeyopportunitiesforenhancedindustryefficiencyandcompetitivenessiscontinuedimprovementsinproductivitythroughfurtheradvancesingenetics(includinggenebiotechnology),nutrition,health,andmanagementprograms.5NRCalsoreportedthatthegeneticpotentialexiststofurtherincreaseproductivitywithinthevariousproductionsystems.6

5NationalResearchCouncil2008.ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTradition.2008:5.6Ibid.

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Chapter 3 Flock Health Flockhealthrankedamongthetopfiveproducerchallengeswhenanalyzedbybothpercentbreedingewesandpercentoperations.Producerswereaskedtofurtherdefinetheirflockhealthconcernsthroughquestionsaboutlambandbreedingstockdiseasesanddiseaseconditions.ProducerSurveyResultsWhenproducerswereaskedwhichdiseasesordiseaseconditionsinlambsaremostdifficulttomanage,themostcommonconcernsacrossallflocks,regardlessoftypeofoperation,sizeofoperation,managementsystem,oryearsofexperienceraisingsheep,wereinternalparasites,starvation,pneumoniaandotherrespiratorydiseases,andcoccidiosis.Theonlyexceptionbeingthatinternalparasitesdroppedoutofthetopfourdiseases/diseaseconditionsforoperationswith1500ormorebreedingewes.Theselargeroperationstendtobelocatedinthewesternandintermountainstates(areaswithlimitedrainfall)andmanagedonopenrangewheregroundcontaminationisminimized.Mountain&Desert(Region6)andNorthernRockies(Region7)weretheonlytworegionswhereinternalparasiteswerenotrankedamongthetopthreemostdifficultdiseases/diseaseconditionstomanageinlambs.Again,managementsystemandannualrainfallcontributetotheseregionaldifferences.StarvationandpneumoniaandotherrespiratorydiseaseconditionsrankedfirstandsecondintheMountain&DesertandNorthernRockiesregions.Thesetworegions-accountedfor37percentofthetotalnumberofbreedingewescapturedbythesurveyand10percentofoperations.Onceproducersidentifiedthediseasesinlambsthatweremostdifficulttomanage,theywereaskedtoidentifythediseasesanddiseaseconditionsinlambswiththegreatesteconomicimpact.Forallflocks,internalparasiteswasthehighest-rankingconcernaffectinglambs,withstarvationaclosesecond.

Figure3-1Disease/DiseaseConditioninLambswithGreatestEconomicImpact(AllFlocks)

0.0%0.0%0.4%0.4%1.2%2.0%2.4%3.2%3.6%

10.7%13.8%

28.5%34.0%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

NavelorjointillPolyarthrimsSoreMouth

Ringworm(clublambfungus)Otherdigesmveproblems

OtherdiseaseWhitemuscledisease

Diarrhea(scours)Enterotoxemia

CoccidiosisPneumonia/respiratory

StarvamonInternalparasites

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Producerswerealsoaskedtoidentifythediseases/diseaseconditionsinbreedingstockthatarethemostdifficulttomanage.Acrossflocks,internalparasites,mastitis,andhoofconditions(footrot/scald)rankedasthemostdifficultdiseases/diseaseconditionstomanageinbreedingewesand/orrams.Abortion,pregnancytoxemia,otherrespiratorydiseases,ovineprogressivepneumonia(OPP),andcaseouslymphadenitiswerethenexthighestrankingdiseasemanagementchallenges.Verysmall(1-99breedingewes)andsmall(100-499breedingewes)operationsrankedinternalparasitesasthemostdifficultdisease/diseaseconditiontomanageinbreedingstockfor55percentand56percentofoperations,respectively.Mid-sized(500-1499breedingewes)andlarge(1500ormorebreedingewes)operationsrankedmastitisasthetoppriority,at57percentand45percentofoperations,respectively.Onceproducersidentifiedthediseasesinbreedingewes/ramsthatweremostdifficulttomanage,theywereaskedtoidentifythediseasesanddiseaseconditionsinbreedingstockwiththegreatesteconomicimpact.Acrossallflocks,internalparasiteswasthehighest-rankeddisease/diseaseconditionbyawidemargin.Mastitisandfootrot/scaldwereadistantsecondandthirdinranking.

Figure3-2Disease/DiseaseConditioninBreedingEwes/RamswithGreatestEconomicImpact(AllFlocks)

Insummary,acrossallflocks,internalparasiteshavethegreatesteconomicimpactinbothlambsandbreedingewes/ramsat34percentand44percent,respectively.Acrossallflocks,starvationinlambsandmastitisinbreedingewesrankedsecondintermsofeconomicimpact.MastitisandlambstarvationareamongtheclinicalsignsofOPPinfectioninewes.Ofcommercialoperationsidentifying“starvation”asoneofthethreemostdifficultdiseases/diseaseconditionstomanageintheirlambs,40percentalsoidentified“mastitis”asoneoftheirthreemostdifficultdiseases/diseaseconditionstomanageintheirbreedingewesand20percentidentifiedOPP.OPPrankedfourthintermsofeconomicimpactforbreedingewes.

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Amongflockhealthissues,theUSDA/APHIS/VSNAHMSSheep2011studyreportedewehealth/management-relatedissueswerethemostimportantmanagementissueforrespondents,withrespondentsrankingthisastheirfirst,second,orthirdmostimportantissue.Infectiousdiseasewasthesecondmostimportantmanagementissue(30percent),followedcloselybydiseaseprevention(29.5percent),predatorcontrol(22percent),lambhealth/management(21percent),anddeathloss(20percent).7

GreatestChallenge:InternalParasitesRegions2and5(Mid-Atlantic/SouthandTexas,respectively)hadthehighestpercentageofproducerswithinthoseregionsidentifyinginternalparasitesasoneoftheirthreemostdifficultdiseases/diseaseconditionstomanageinlambsand/orbreedingsheep,followedbyRegions1and3(NortheastandGreatLakes,respectively).NotsurprisinglyRegions6and7(Mountain&DesertandNorthernRockies,respectively)hadthelowestpercentagesofproducerswithinthoseregionsidentifyinginternalparasitesasoneoftheirmostdifficultdiseaseconditionstomanage.Climate(annualrainfall)andmanagementsystemimpactpotentialparasitechallenges.

Figure3-3PercentofOperationswithinaRegionIdentifyingInternalParasitesasaDifficultDiseaseConditionamongLambsand/orBreedingStock

Producerswereaskedtocharacterizetheeffectivenessofspecificparasitetreatmentpractices/technologies.Overall,93percentofproducersrespondingtoaquestionabouttheuseof

7USDA/APHIS,NAHMS,NAHMSSheepNeedsAssessmentFindings.2015.

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parasitemanagementtechnologies,haveusedcommercialde-wormersontheiroperations.8ThiswasfollowedbygrazingmanagementpracticesaimedspecificallyatparasitecontrolandtheFAMACHA©eyelidcolortestasanindicatorofanemiainindividualanimals,at77percentand61percentofoperations,respectively.Ofoperationsidentifyingparasitemanagementasamajorchallenge,73percenthaveusedtheFAMACHA©test,comparedto43percentofoperationsthatdidnotidentifyparasitemanagementasamajorchallenge.Ofproducersreportingtheuseofgeneticselectionasaparasitemanagementstrategy,33percentreportraisinga“HairSheep”breed.NotethatNSIPcalculatesEBVsforparasiteresistanceintheKatahdinbreedofhairsheep.Acrossalloperationsthathaveusedgeneticselectionasaparasitemanagementstrategy,thepercentagesofthosethatconsideredgeneticselectionsomewhattoveryeffectiverelativetothosethatconsideredgeneticselectionsomewhatineffectivetoineffectivewasnotsubstantiallydifferentacrossallbreedscomparedtohairsheepbreeds,at43percentand57percent,respectively.Notethatnotallhairsheepbreeds(orindividualswithinabreed)areconsideredparasiteresistant/tolerant.

Figure3-4UseofParasiteManagementTechnologies

Onceproducerswereaskedwhethertheyusedcertainparasitemanagementtechnologies,theywereaskedtoratetheeffectivenessofdifferenttechnologies.Acrossalloperations,onlytheDrenchRite®resistanceassayandnatural/alternativemethodsofparasitemanagementwereratedbyproducersassomewhattoveryeffective.Only13percentofproducersreportedusingtheDrenchRite®assay,and28percentreportedusingnatural/alternativeparasitemanagementtechnologies.

8ThisisconsistentwithfindingsfromtheUSDA/APHIS/VSNAHMSSheep2011studywhichalsoreportedthatinternalparasiteswereamajorconcernamongoperators.Thestudyreportedde-wormeruseasapreventativemeasurefor87percentand79percentofewesandlambs,respectively,(USDA/APHIS,NAHMS,Sheep2011PartIII:HealthandManagementPracticesonU.S.SheepOperations,2011.September2013).

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Natural/alternativeparasitemanagementtechnologieswerenotenumeratedinthesurvey,butcouldincludesuchthingsastheuseofcopperoxidewireparticles,diatomaceousearth,botanicals,herbs,etc.Theuseofhightanninconcentrateforages(e.g.Sericealespedeza)couldbeincludedundereithernatural/alternativeorgrazingmanagementtechnologies.Flocksizesforthosereportingtheuseofnatural/alternativeparasitemanagementtechnologiesrangedfromtwoto6,000breedingewes--with76percentofthosereporting100orfewerbreedingewes.Responsestothequestionregardinguseofparasitemanagementtechnologiesweresubdividedintothoseproducersidentifyinginternalparasitesasoneofthethreemostdifficultdiseaseconditionstomanageontheiroperationsversusthosethatdidnotidentifyinternalparasitesasatopdiseasemanagementconcern.Alargerpercentageofthoseproducersthatconsideredparasitemanagementamajordiseasechallenge,reportedusingeachoftheparasitemanagementinterventionslisted.Again,withtheexceptionoftheDrenchRite®resistanceassayandnatural/alternativemethods,producersconsideringparasitemanagementamajordiseasechallengeratedallothermanagementinterventionstrategiesrelativelymoreineffectivethaneffective.Conversely,producersthatdidnotidentifyinternalparasitesasamajordiseaseconditionchallenge,ratedallinterventionstrategiesasrelativelymoreeffectivethanineffective.ResearchPrioritiesforFlockHealthSomediseaseresearch,development,andeducationneedscanbesiteandregionspecific.Flockhealthrankedrelativelyhigherinpasture-basedandpasture/drylotmanagementsystemsthaninherdedopen-andfenced-rangesystems.Ingeneral,internalparasitesranksasoneofthemostimportantdiseasechallengesinbothlambsandbreedingstock.Internalparasites,starvation,pneumonia/respiratoryconditions,mastitisandfootrot/scaldareallconditionsidentifiedforfurtherresearch.

Ø Parasitecontrol–Bothbasicandappliedresearchaddressingparasitisminsheep,includinggeneticmarkersforparasiteresistance,developmentofvaccines,moreeffectiveanthelmintics,andimprovedmanagementpracticesarecriticallyneededbytheindustry.

Ø Lambstarvation-Examinetheriskofstarvationfromagenomicapproachofeweinfluencetogainabetterunderstandingofthegeneticinfluencesassociatedwithlambsurvival.

StarvationrankedfirstinRegions6(Mountain&Desert)and7(NorthernRockies)accountingfor37percentofbreedingewesand10percentofoperations.SomedatasuggestthatOPPmaybeacontributingfactor.

Ø Lambrespiratorydisease–Conductregion-specificresearchthattargetspneumoniaandother

respiratoryconditionsinlambs.

Pneumonia/respiratoryconditionsrankedsecondinRegions6(Mountain&Desert)and7(NorthernRockies).Regions6and7accountedfor37percentofthetotalnumberofbreedingewescapturedbythesurveyand10percentofoperations.

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Ø Mastitiscontrol–Mastitisinsheepisnotwellcharacterized.Etiologicalstudiesand

information,genomics,andbiologicalsareneededbytheindustrytoassistwithmastitiscontrol.

Mastitisrankedhighestamongdiseasemanagementchallengesinmid-sizetolargeflocks.Thisconditionoftenaffectstheheaviestmilkingewesandthereisaneedtobetterunderstandthedevelopmentofmastitisanditscontrol.MastitiscanbelinkedtoOPPaswellastobacterialinfectionsandtrauma.Theindustryneedsabetterunderstandingofmastitisinewesandgenomicsandbiologicalstoassistwithpreventionandcontrol.

Ø Footrotandscaldcontrol-Asignificanttoolforthecontroloffootrotisnolongeravailablein

theU.S.Moreeffectivecontroltoolsareneededtoassistflockownerswiththeprevention,treatmentandeliminationoffootrotandscald,includinggenomicsandbiologicals.

Footrot/scaldreceivedahighrankingamongdiseasemanagementchallengesinbreedingstock.Lamesheepperformatsubparlevelsandareawelfareconcern.Prolongedperiodsofwet,moistconditionsandcrowdingcanincreasetheincidenceofbothfootrotandscald.

Ø Alternativestoantimicrobials-Asthesub-therapeuticuseofantibioticsinanimalagricultureis

phasedout,researchisneededtoexplorealternativesthatprovidethesameorgreaterbenefitsintermsofimprovedfeedefficiency,diseaseprevention,andoverallanimalhealth.

Ø Scrapietransmissionandliveanimaltests–Betterknowledgeofenvironmentalcontaminationandreservoirsoftheinfectiveagentinthetransmissionofscrapieisneeded,aswellasthedevelopmentofimprovedliveanimaltests.

ScrapieeradicationisatoppriorityfortheU.S.sheepindustry.Since2002,theprevalenceofscrapiehasdecreasedsignificantlythroughexistingeradicationefforts,largelyaresultofeffectiveslaughtersurveillance.SinceslaughtersurveillancestartedinFY2003,thepercentofcullsheepfoundpositiveatslaughter(onceadjustedforfacecolor)hasdecreased90percent.9Theindustry’sgoalistoeradicatescrapiefromtheU.S.by2017andtoachieve“ScrapieFree”statusinaccordancewithWorldOrganizationforAnimalHealth(OIE)standards.

DevelopmentPrioritiesforFlockHealth

Ø Anti-parasiticpharmaceuticals-Developnewvaccinesandmoreeffectiveanthelminticsfortreatmentandcontrolofparasites.

TheNationalResearchCouncilreportedachallengetosheephealthisthelackofavailabilityofmanycriticallyneededdrugs.10

Ø Coccidiacontroltools-Theindustryneedsamorecompletesetofcoccidia-controltools.

9USDAAnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService,NationalScrapieEradicationProgram.Web.May2016.10NationalResearchCouncil.ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTraditional,2008.

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Coccidiosiscontinuestobeachallengeprimarilyingrassrearedlambswherecoccidiostatsaredifficulttoprovideinadequatedosesoraren’tpermissibleduetomarketspecifications.Inconfinementrearedlambs,thesesamemarketchallengesexist.Technologytransferandeducationwithrespecttoexistingcontrolmeasuresalsoneedtobesupported.

Ø Lambrespiratorydisease-TherehavebeennonewadoptabletoolstoassisttheU.S.sheep

industrywithlambrespiratorydisease.Suchtoolsareneededbytheindustry.

Ø Footrotvaccine-DevelopandlicenseaneffectivefootrotvaccineforU.S.sheepindustryuse.

Ø Qfevermitigationandcontrol-Coxiellaburnetiiresearchisneededtofurtherelucidatetransmissionbetweensheep,otheranimals,andhumansandmitigationandcontrolstrategiesareneededthatincludemanagementsystemsandvaccinedevelopment.

Qfeverisazoonoticdiseasethathaslongbeenconsideredanoccupationaldiseaseassociatedwithexposuretolivestockbyfarmers,veterinarians,slaughterfacilityworkers,andanimalresearchers.Qfeverisanacute/chroniczoonoticillnesscausedbythebacteriumCoxiellaburnetii.Thediseaseisamajorcauseofabortioninsheepandgoats,whichcanresultinsignificanteconomiclossestoproducers,andinsignificantriskoftransmissiontohumans.EvidencefromothercountriessuggeststhatuseofaCoxiellavaccineinlivestockisaneffectivemeansofminimizingdiseasetransmission.Atpresent,thereareatleasttwocommerciallyavailableC.burnetiivaccinesinotherpartsoftheworld,butnonecommerciallyavailableintheU.S.11

EducationPrioritiesforFlockHealth

Ø Adoptionofexistingtechnologies–Educatorsshouldpromotetheadoptionofexistingparasitecontroltechnologies,includingselectionandculling,untilmoreeffectiveresearchsolutionscanbeidentified.

Thesurveyindicatedthatthemostcommonlyusedparasitecontroltechnologywasdeworming.GrazingmanagementandtheuseoftheFAMACHA©testwerethesecondandthirdmostcommonlyusedtools.Akeypartofwormcontrolinvolvesdeterminingwhichdewormerworksinapopulationofanimals(flock)eitherbyperformingaFecalEggCountReductionstest(FECRT)or,alternatively,aDrenchRiteassay.Only13percentoftherespondentsindicatedthattheyusedtheDrenchRiteassayasaparasitemanagementtool.Thereisaneedtounderstandwhyavailabletools(suchasFECRT)arenotseeinghigheradoptionratesbysheepoperations.

Anthelmintic-resistantnematodeinfectionssignificantlyhamperthesurvivabilityofU.S.lambsinpartsofthecountrywhereclimatesustainsnematodelarvaldevelopmentongrass.EvenintheWest,therehavebeenrecentrainfalleventsthathavepromotednematodeinfectionsinlambswheretypicallynotexperienced.

Forlambsandbreedingewes,Regions2and5(Mid-Atlantic/SouthandTexas,respectively)hadthehighestpercentageofproducerswithinthoseregionsidentifyinginternalparasitesasoneoftheirthree11ProceedingsoftheOneHundredandSeventeenthAnnualMeetingUnitedStatesAnimalHealthAssociation.SanDiego,CA.17-23October2013.

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mostdifficultdiseases/diseaseconditionstomanage,followedbyRegions1and3(NortheastandGreatLakes,respectively).Regions6and7(Mountain&DesertandNorthernRockies,respectively)hadthelowestpercentagesofproducerswithinthoseregionsidentifyinginternalparasitesasoneoftheirmostdifficultdiseaseconditionstomanage.Internalparasiteshadthegreatesteconomicimpactacrossalloperations.

Ø Accurateinformation–Educatorsshoulddirectproducerstoaccurateparasitemanagementmaterials,includinginternetsourcesandtheSheepProductionHandbook.

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Chapter 4 Reproductive Performance Reproductiveperformanceisdirectlytiedtoprofitability.Commercialandseedstockoperatorswereaskedtoassesshowsatisfiedtheyarewiththereproductiveperformanceoftheirflock.Thecommonconcernsamongbothcommercialandseedstockoperatorswerenumberoflambsweanedperewelambingandnumberoflambsbornperewe.Thenumberoflambsweanedperewehasbeencitedasthetraitwiththegreatestfinancialimpactonsheepproduction.12Numberofeweslambingasyearlingsandlengthoflambingseasoncompletedthetopthreereproductiveperformanceconcernsforcommercialandseedstockoperations,respectively.

Figure4-1LeastSatisfiedAreasofReproductiveFlockPerformance

AssessmentofOut-of-SeasonBreedingUseIntheU.S.,thelambfeedingindustrydeveloped,inpart,tohelpaddressasymmetriesofseasonallambproductionandseasonallambconsumption.Out-of-seasonbreedingprotocolsandproductshavealsobeendevelopedtohelpsmoothseasonalproductionpatternsandaddressseasonalsupply.Whenasked:Inthepastthreeyears,wereanyofyourewesexposedforout-of-seasonbreeding?45percentofrespondentsreportedthattheyhadexposedewesforout-of-seasonbreedingduringthepastthreeyears.Ofthoserespondentsthatreportedewesexposedforout-of-seasonbreeding,97percentansweredHowsatisfiedareyouwiththeresultsofyourout-of-seasonbreedingprogram?Ofthosethatresponded,38percentreportedthattheywereverysatisfiedwiththeresultsoftheirout-of-seasonbreedingprogram,49percentreportedthattheyweresomewhatsatisfied,andonly13percentreportedthattheywerenotsatisfiedwiththeirresults.

12BradfordG.E.,Selectionforreproductiveefficiency,SheepGoatRes.J.17(2002)6–10.

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Thoseproducersrespondingthattheywereeither“Somewhatsatisfied”or“Notsatisfied”withtheresultsoftheirout-of-seasonbreedingprograms,wereasked:Whatfactorshavelimitedthesuccessofyourout-of-seasonbreedingprogram?Ofthose,44percentrespondedbreed/geneticswasalimitingfactor,followedbymanagementandlaborrequirements,andaneedformoreinformationonmanagementpractices,protocolsand/orproductavailability,at24percentand20percentofrespondents,respectively.

Figure4-2FactorsLimitingtheSuccessofOut-of-SeasonBreedingPrograms

ResearchPrioritiesforReproductivePerformance

Ø Reproductiveefficiency-Studiesexaminingfecundity,survivabilityandout-of-seasonlambproductionareimportanttoincreasinglifetimeproductivityperewe.

Reproductiveefficiencyisimportanttotheoverallproductivityandprofitabilityofindividualsheepoperations,andofthesheepindustryasawhole.WithdomesticproductioncurrentlysupplyinglessthanhalfofthetotalannualdisappearanceoflambmeatintheU.S.,improvementsinreproductiveefficiencyareessentialtothesustainabilityandcompetivenessofthesheepindustry.Ø Mastitisandinternalparasites-Mastitisandparasitescanhinderoptimalreproductive

performance.Recentdataindicatethatresistancetoparasitesinvolvesgeneticdifferencesintheimmunesystem.Studiesthatexaminemethodstostimulatetheimmunesystemandtheroleofgeneticsindiseaseresistanceandimmuneresponsecanimprovethehealthandwelfareofewesandwhilealsocontributingtoimprovedreproductiveperformance.

Ø Out-of-seasonbreeding–Out-of-seasonbreedingasameansforincreasingflockincomeand

managingtheseasonalsupplyoflambsremainsunderutilizedbytheindustry.Selection,hormonetreatment,andramintroductionareprovenpractices.However,studiesoffactorsthatinfluencethecomponenttraitsinrelationtoseasonalsuccessareneeded.Forexample,theneuralfactorkisspeptin,whichvariesseasonally,affectssecretionofgonadotropinreleasinghormone.A

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betterunderstandingoftheseinfluencesmayleadtoincreasedovulationrateorviabilityofoocytesshedinresponsetotreatmentswithlight,nutrition,melatonin,progestogen,orramintroduction.

Ø Geneticpotentialscoring-Researchisneededtodevelopamoreprecisemethodtoassessthe

reproductivestatusofanindividualanimalorflockrelativetoitsgeneticpotential.AGeneticPotentialscore,similarinprincipletoaFAMACHA©scoreusedtoassessparasitechallengeoraBodyConditionscoreusedtoassessnutritionalstatus,wouldservetogaugetheamountofgainthatcouldbeanticipatedinresponsetoreproductiveinterventionsinout-of-seasonbreedingprograms.Ifwellbelowgeneticpotential,treatmentsareeffective.Ifatpotential,treatmentshavenofurthereffect.Reproductivetechnologiescouldthenbebetterdirectedtohelpanimals/flocksachievetheirgeneticpotential,notmisdirectedtowheresuchtechnologieshavealowprobabilityofsuccess,andyielddisappointingoutcomesforflockowners.

Ø Ultra-soundassistedselectionforlittersize-Studieshaveshownthatembryonicandfetalmortalityinewesoccursthroughoutpregnancyandthattheselossescanbesubstantial.Countsofcorporaluteaandearlyembryosorfetuseswithultrasonographyandoflambsbornprovidetheopportunitytodeterminewhetherproducersapplyingthistechnologycanselectforembryonicorfetalsurvivalasatoolforincreasingnumberoflambsbornperewelambing.

Ultrasoundpregnancydiagnosis,stagingpregnancyandfetalcountscanalsoaidwiththenutritionalmanagementofpregnantewesandwithlambingmanagement.

Ø Ewe/lambbondingbehavior-Bondingbehavioriscriticaltoearlyneonatallambsurvival.

Investigationsoffactorsaffectingewe/lambbondingasameanstoimprovemanagementforearlylambsurvivalareneeded.

DevelopmentPrioritiesforReproductivePerformance

Ø Commercialavailabilityofreproductiveinterventionproducts-Thecommercializationofresearchoutcomesthatinvolveproductsusedtoenhancereproductiveperformance(e.g.,commercialavailabilityofhormonaltreatmentsusedinout-of-seasonbreedingprotocols)areessentialforthesetechnologiestobeadoptedandutilizedbytheindustry.

EducationPrioritiesforReproductivePerformance

Ø Onlineresources-Onlineresourcesspecifictoreproductiveperformanceandreproductiveefficiencyshouldbeexpandedwithemphasisonincreasingthenumberoflambsweanedperewelambing,out-of-seasonbreedingmanagement,andmastitispreventionandtreatment.

Reproductiveperformanceranked7thinimportanceamongconcernsofbothseedstockandcommercialflockoperators.Numberoflambsweanedperewelambing,acompositetraitofreproductiveperformance,wasthemostimportanttraitofconcern.Numberoflambsbornperewelambing,lengthoflambingseasonandlifetimeperformanceorlongevitywereidentifiedaslimitingfactorsinbothseedstockandcommercialflocks,withpercentageofewelambslambingasyearlingsbeingsomewhatmoreimportanttocommercialproducersthantoseedstockoperators.

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Chapter 5 Grazing and Forage Management & Nutrition Oneofthemorenotableandadvantageouscharacteristicsofsheepistheirversatilityandabilitytoadaptandthriveunderawidevarietyofenvironmentalconditionsandmanagementsystems.Sheepareefficientconvertersofrenewableforagetohigh-qualityfoodandfiber.Inmanypartsofthecountry,sheepprovideresidualeconomicbenefitfromcropproductionthroughthegrazingofcropaftermath.Sheepareusedtohelpcontrolweedsonstreambanks,croplands,andpastures,reducingtheneedforchemicalherbicides.Inrangelandareas,strategicsheepgrazingcanbeaneffectivetoolforcontrollinginvasiveplantspeciesthatcandamagecriticalwildlifehabitatandforsuppressingbrushforwildfirecontrol.Forty-twopercentofproducersidentifiedgrazingandforagemanagementasoneofthetopchallengesfacingtheiroperations.Amongsurveyrespondents,85percentreportedmanagingflocksonpastureoracombinationofpastureandsomeothertypeofsystem,with11percentmanagingflocksoneitherfencedoropenrange.Lessthanonepercentofsurveyrespondentsreporteddrylot-onlymanagementsystems.Nutritionalmanagement,on-the-other-hand,didnotrankhighamongthetopchallenges,withonly14percentofproducersidentifyingnutritionalmanagementasoneoftheirtopthreechallenges.Fromaproductionstandpoint,however,onmostoperationsgrazingandforagemanagementandnutritionalmanagementareinextricablyintertwined.Nutritionalmanagementisfundamentaltoreproductiveperformanceandexpressionofgeneticpotential,animalhealthandwelfare,lambgrowthandefficiency,andoverallflockproductivity.GrazingandForageManagementRangelandsintheU.S.areprimarilylocatedintheRegions4,5,6,and7–theUpperMidwest,Texas,Mountain&Desert,andNorthernRockies,respectively.Sixtypercentofthebreedingewescapturedbythesurveyweremanagedunderrangeconditions.Theaverageflocksizeofrangeoperationssurveyedwasjustover1500breedingewes.Pasture-basedsystemsarelocatedinallregions.Theaverageflocksizeofpasture-basedoperationssurveyedwasaround100breedingewes.Thesurveyaskedproducerstoidentifytheirtopthreegrazingandpasturemanagementchallengesandtoindicatewhichofthethreehasthegreatestpotentialforincreasingtheprofitabilityoftheiroperation.Thetopgrazingandpasturemanagementchallengesidentifiedbypasture-basedoperationswereintensiverotationalgrazingandpasturerenovation,at64percentand62percentofoperations,respectively,followedbymulti-speciesgrazingatadistant26percent.Thetopchallengeidentifiedbyrange-basedmanagementsystemswasmulti-speciesgrazingfollowedbypasturerenovation(presumablyrangelandecology),grazingcropaftermath/cropresidues,controllinginvasivespecies,andintensiverotationalgrazing(presumablytheability,orlackthereof,tobettermanageandcontrolgrazingrotationsonrangeland).

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Pasturerenovationandintensiverotationalgrazingwereidentifiedbybothpasture-basedandrange-basedsystemsashavingthegreatestpotentialforincreasingtheprofitabilityofthoseoperations.Forrange-basedoperations,thesewerefollowedequallybymulti-speciesgrazing,grazingcropaftermath/residues,andcontrollinginvasivespecies.

Figure5-1GrazingandPastureManagementChallenges

Figure5-2GreatestGrazing/PastureManagementwithPotentialtoIncreaseProfitability

Pasturerenovation,rotationalgrazing,andmulti-speciesgrazingeachentailaslightlydifferentfocusdependingonwhetheranoperationispasture-basedorrange-based.Pasturerenovationgenerallyfocusesonimprovingthemixandbalanceofintroducedorimprovedplantspecies,whereasthefocusof

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rangelandrenovationistypicallyonimprovingtheproductionofnativevegetation,controllinginvasivespeciesandmayalsoincluderiparianareaprotection,erosioncontrol,andfirecontrol(suppressionandrecovery).Manyrangeoperationsgrazesheeponpubliclandsforallorpartoftheyear.Rotationalgrazingpracticesandopportunitiesontheseoperationsaregenerallylimitedbytheconditionssetforthinfederalorstategrazingpermits.Onpubliclands,governmentagencies,toalargeextent,controlmanyofthebasiclivestockgrazingmanagementpractices,leavingtherancherwithlittleflexibility.Grazingpermitsdictatewhenlivestockareallowedtograzecertainareas,stockingrates,mixoflivestock,etc.Grazingperiods,stockingratesandlivestockmixesarebasedontheaveragetimeofrangereadinessandforageproduction,andmaynotmatchwellwiththeactualconditionandreadinessoftherangeatanygiventimewhichcanresultinlowerefficiencyandpoorutilizationofforageresources.Thereisabodyofresearchtosupportthebenefitsofmulti-speciesgrazing–showingincreasesinbothproductionandprofitability,underbothpastureandrangeconditions.Theadvantagesofmulti-speciesgrazingarebasedoncomplementarityinforageselectionandgrazinghabits.NutritionalManagementSheepproducersareconstantlylookingforfeedandforagealternativesthatsupplytheappropriatelevelsandbalanceofnutrientstooptimizehealth,improveproductionefficiency,andreducefeedcosts.Ingrazingsystems,nutritionalmanagementisbuiltaroundboththeforagebaseandtheproductiongoalsoftheoperation.TheNationalResearchCouncil(2015)notesthatnutritionaladvancementsinfoodanimalsarebeingmadetoenhanceanimalreproduction(e.g.,long-chainpolyunsaturatedfattyacids,selenium,andvitaminE),improvethequalityandnutritionalvalueofanimalproductsfortheconsumer(e.g.,dietaryvitaminEtoextendmeatshelf-life),andimproveanimalhealth(e.g.,copperandguthealth,seleniumandvitaminEforimprovedoxidativestability).13Overwhelmingly,themostsignificantnutritionalchallengeforrange-basedoperationswasdroughtmanagement,identifiedby60percentofrangeoperations.Thiswasfollowedequallybynutritionalmanagementofewesbyproductionperiodandleast-costrations.Pasture-basedoperationsidentifiedthesesametopthreechallenges,althoughwithdifferentorderingandweights.Forrangeoperations,droughtmanagementalsoshowedthegreatestpotentialtoincreaseprofitabilityamongthenutritionalchallengesidentified.Forpastureoperations,thetopthreenutritionalchallengesaffectingprofitabilityfollowedthesameorderingasthetopthreenutritionalmanagementchallenges,least-costrations,nutritionalmanagementofewesbyproductionperiod,anddroughtmanagement.

133AnimalAgricultureResearchNeeds:U.S.Perspective."NationalResearchCouncil.CriticalRoleofAnimalScienceResearchinFoodSecurityandSustainability.Washington,DC:TheNationalAcademiesPress,2015.doi:10.17226/19000.

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Figure5-3NutritionalManagementChallenges

ResearchPrioritiesforGrazing&ForageManagementandNutrition

Ø Productionefficiency-Developintegratedmethodsforincreasingtheefficiencyofsheepproductionunderbothextensiverangelandconditionsandintensivepasture-basedsystemsasaresponsiblemeansofutilizingrenewableforageresourceswhilesimultaneouslyimprovingthequalityandvalueoftheproductsproduced.

Ø Multi-purpose,multi-usepubliclands-Science-based,economicallyviablesolutionstothecomplexchallengesthatarisefrommulti-purpose,multi-use,publiclandsandcompetinginterestsarecriticaltothesheepindustry.Managementstrategiesandpracticesareneededthatenhanceandconserverangelandecosystemswhileprovidingmultipleecosystemservicesincludingforagesforwildlife,sheepandotherlivestock,controlofnoxiousweedsandinvasiveplantspecies,conservationofwildlifehabitat,soilandwaterconservation,firecontrol,andrecreationalopportunities,underchangingenvironmentalconditions.

Ø Multi-speciesgrazing-Thereisaneedforbothscience-basedinformationand“bestpractice”

examplesoftheenvironmentalandeconomicbenefitsofmulti-speciesgrazing.Thisincludesco-grazingofrangelandsbydomesticandwildlifespeciesandco-grazingbymultipledomesticspecies(sheep,cattle,goats)ofpasturelands.

Ø Sustainabilityindicators-Afundamentalchallengetotheissueofsustainabilityismeasurement

anddeterminingkeyindicatorsormetricsofsustainabilityinrangelandmanagement.The

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developmentandapplicationofnewtechnologiesformonitoringandpredictivemodelingthataddressclimatechange,livestockgrazing,andwildlifemanagementpracticesarecriticallyneededtodemonstratesustainabilityandbenefitstorangelandecosystemsundermulti-useandmulti-speciesgrazingsystems.

Ø Matchingstageofproduction,breedtype,andforageresources-New/updatedinformationis

neededtoincreaseproducerknowledgeandskillinmeetingthenutritionalneedsofewesatcriticalproductionstages,aswellasselectingthemostappropriatematernalandterminalsirebreed(s)tocomplementavailableforageresources,whileimprovingthequalityoflambsproduced,andincreasingprofitability.

Ø Alternativefeedsandforages–Researchisneededtoidentifyandincorporatetheuseofalternativefeedsandforagestohelpmeetnutritionalrequirementsduringdifferentstagesofproductionwhilereducingproductioncosts.

Ø StrategicParasitecontrol–Continuedresearchanddevelopmentofstrategicgrazingsystemsaimedatparasitecontrolandreducingparasiteloadsonpasturesthatarebotheffectiveandpracticaltoimplementareneeded,includingpasturerotationandrestprotocols,multispeciesgrazing,andintroductionofplantspecieswithanti-parasiticproperties.

DevelopmentPrioritiesforGrazing&ForageManagementandNutrition

Ø Onlineinformation–Improvetheonlineavailabilityofgrazingandforagemanagement,andnutritionalmanagementtools,products,andsolutions.

EducationPrioritiesforGrazing&ForageManagementandNutrition

Ø Programtopics–Focusededucationaleffortsonlong-termcooperativestrategies,cover-cropoptions,residue/aftermathnutritionalvalue,feedsupplements,andfencingandwatersourcemanagementareneeded.

Ø Updatedliterature–Updatedliteratureisneededtoincreaseproducerknowledgeandskillofmeetingnutritionalneedsofewesduringcriticalproductionstagesandselectingthemostappropriatematernalbreedtomatchavailablenutritionalresourcesinanareaorregion.Improvingthenutritionofpregnantandlactatingewescanresultinbetterlambgrowthratesandsurvivaltoweaning.

Ø Train-the-Trainer–ProvideTrain-the-Traineropportunitiestoeducateextensionpersonnelingrazingandforagemanagementandnutritionalmanagementtools,products,andsolutions.

Ø Web-andworkshop-basedprograms--Web-andworkshop-basededucationalcampaigns

focusedonselectingbreedsthataremostsuitedforthegrazingenvironment,withparticularattentiontobreedsappropriatefordrought-proneenvironments.

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Ø Riskmanagementinsuranceeducation–ProvideeducationalopportunitiesintheuseofUSDA-RMAPastureRangeandForagerainfallinsuranceprogramasariskmanagementtool,particularlyindrought-proneregions.

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Chapter 6 Public Interest and Social Issues

Manysheepoperationsfaceincreasedregulatoryburdenfromfederalagencies.Publicpolicyconcernsinvolveanumberofcomplexissues,including:

• Wildlifehabitatandlivestockgrazing• Ecologicalstabilityandsustainability• Watersheds,wetlandsandriparianareas• Potentialfordiseasetransmissionbetweendomesticandwildlifespecies• Preservationofendangeredspecies• Predatorcontrol• Immigrationreform

Commercialoperationswith1500ormorebreedingewesidentifiedgovernmentregulationsandcompliance,laborandlabormanagement,andpredatormanagementasthetopchallengescurrentlyfacingtheiroperations.Thesetopchallengeswereidentifiedby65percent,61percent,and48percent,oflargecommercialoperations,respectively.Producerswereaskedtoratetheimpactorpotentialimpactontheiroperationsofanumberofcurrentpublicpolicyissuesassignificant,moderateorminor.Theseissuesincluded:

1) Environmentalregulations(e.g.,CleanWaterAct)2) TheEndangeredSpeciesAct3) Publiclanduse(i.e.,multiple-use:livestockgrazing,recreation,timber,wildlifehabitat,etc.)4) Animalwelfarescrutiny(e.g.,docking,castrating,shearing,handling,humaneslaughter)5) Domestic/wildlifeinterfacesorconflicts(e.g.,Bighornsheep,sagegrouse,wolves)6) Immigrationreform/H-2Aworkers

Amongallsurveyrespondents,animalwelfarescrutinyandenvironmentalregulations/compliancerankedfirst(48percent)andsecond(41percent),respectively,foroperationsindicatingamoderatetosignificantimpact.Environmentalregulationsandcomplianceandanimalwelfarescrutinyareincreasinglyimportanttoconsumersandthereforehavebecomepartoftheoveralldemandequation,compellingsheepproducerstobecomemoreproactiveandtodemonstratesustainableandhumaneon-farmpractices.

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Figure6-1ModeratetoSignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations

Eightypercentofoperationsreporting1500ormorebreedingeweswereeitheropenrangeorfencedrangeoperations.Foreachofthepublicpolicyissueslisted,overhalfofrangeoperationsreportedthattheseissueshaveamoderatetosignificantcurrentorpotentialimpactontheiroperations.TheEndangeredSpeciesActandenvironmentalregulationsrankedatthetop,identifiedby71percentand69percentoflargecommercialoperations,respectively,followedbydomestic/wildlifeinterfaceorconflictsandimmigrationreformat56percenteach,andanimalwelfarescrutinyandpubliclanduseat53percentand52percentofrange-basedoperations,respectively.

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Largeexpansesofthecountry’srangelandarelocatedonpubliclands-withmanyoftheseareasdesignatedformultiple-use.TheBureauofLandManagement’s(BLM)multiple-usemissionissetforthintheFederalLandPolicyandManagementActof1976,whichmandatesthatpubliclandresourcesbemanagedforavarietyofuses,includinglivestockgrazing,recreation,timberharvesting,andenergydevelopment,whileatthesametimeprotectingawidearrayofnatural,cultural,andhistoricalresources14.Publicpolicyissuesareincreasinglybroughttotheforefrontbyspecialinterestgroupsthattargetmultiple-usepubliclandsinparticular.Nearlyone-thirdofthenation'sentiresheepproductionissuppliedbyranchesthatutilizesheepherders.15Theherders'understandingandfamiliaritywithlargerangelands,locationofwater,andidentificationofnoxiousplantsarekeenlyimportant,asistheknowledgeofsheepcareatshearing,lambingandshipping,andtheuseoflivestockguardiandogs.Atthetimetheproducersurveywasadministered,immigrationreformandthestatusofH-2Aherderswasinquestion.Theweekfollowingthesurvey,theU.S.DepartmentofLaborannouncedtheH-2AHerderFinalRuleontheemploymentofforeignworkersinjobsrelatedtotheherdingoflivestockontherange,includingsheepandgoats.Assuch,thetimingofthesurveymayhavecontributedtothelevelofresponsetoquestionsconcerninglaborandlabormanagementissuesandmoreparticularly,immigrationreform.Although,undoubtedly,laborandlabormanagementissueswouldstillhavebeenidentifiedasatopindustryconcernhadthesurveytimingbeenotherwise.Amongsurveyrespondents,immigrationreform/H-2Aworkershasthegreatestimpact/potentialimpactinRegions6(Mountain&Desert),7(NorthernRockies),and8(Pacific),affecting15percent,27percentand32percentofoperationsinthoseregions,respectively.Theaverageflocksizeforoperationsratingtheimpact/potentialimpactofimmigrationreform/H-2Aworkersasmoderatetosignificantwasaround1500breedingewes.Withrespecttoproductivityandproductionefficiency,theNationalResearchCouncil’s2015reportaddressinganimalagricultureresearchneeds,statedthatincreasingproductionefficiencywhilereducingtheenvironmentalfootprintandcostperunitofanimalproteinproductisessentialtoachievingasustainable,affordable,andsecureanimalproteinsupply.16Sustainability,asdefinedbythecommittee,encompasseseconomic,environmental,andsocialconsiderations.However,thecommitteealsonotedthatsustainabilityisoftenassumedtoaddressonlyenvironmentalissues.Assummarizedinthereport:

Productivityisakeyelementinachievingfoodsecurity,andproductionefficiencyrelatestosustainabilitythroughitseffectsoneconomicsandenvironmentalimpacts.Increasingtheproductivityperanimalunitandlandunitwhileconcomitantlydecreasingnegativeimpactsontheenvironment(sustainableintensification)canultimatelyproducesafe,affordable,andnutritiousfoodtohelpmeetoverallglobalfoodandproteinneeds.Technologicaladvancements,geneticimprovement,betternutrition,husbandry,andadvancesinanimal

14U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,BureauofLandManagement:MissionStatement.Web.http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/About_BLM.html.15AmericanSheepIndustryAssociation,Issues&Programs:Sheepherders.Web.May2016.16"3AnimalAgricultureResearchNeeds:U.S.Perspective."NationalResearchCouncil.CriticalRoleofAnimalScienceResearchinFoodSecurityandSustainability.Washington,DC:TheNationalAcademiesPress,2015.doi:10.17226/19000.

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healthandwelfareinanimalproductionhavecontributedtomajorproductivityandefficiencygainsinfoodanimals.17

ResearchPrioritiesforPublicInterestandSocialIssues

Ø Bighornsheep:speciesseparation–Itisimperativethatappropriatescientificstudiesdeterminetheinfluenceofdomesticsheeponthehealthofbighornsheepandthattheconceptofspeciesseparationisvalidatedbyresearch.

Apolicyofspatialand/ortemporalseparationbetweendomesticsheepandbighornisbeingadvancedasameanstoprotectandmaintainbighornsheeppopulations.Spatialseparationthreatenstodisplacelargenumbersofdomesticsheepfromhistoricalgrazingpermitsonpubliclands.Theconceptofspeciesseparationmustbevalidatedbyappropriatescientificresearch.

Ø Sagegrousehabitat–Researchisneededtofillinthegapsinrangemanagementandusepracticesaimedatensuringresilientsagebrushsteppethatisresistanttoinvasiveannualplants,facilitatessustainablelivestockgrazing,andprovideslong-termqualityhabitatforsagegrouse.

Thesagebrushsteppesimultaneouslyprovidesavitalnationalfood-securityresourcefromlivestockproductionaswellasanimportanthabitatforwildlife,suchassagegrouse.Land-managementagenciesaremodifyingrangeandforestmanagementplanswithaprimarygoalofsustainingandincreasingsagegrousepopulationstoavoidfutureconsiderationstolistsagegrouseundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct.Theseactionsborderonsingle-focusmanagement,whichplaceslong-standingrangeusepracticesandecosystemservicesatrisk,includingtheuseofrangelandsasafoodsecurityresource.

DevelopmentandEducationPrioritiesforPublicInterestandSocialIssues

Ø H-2Asheepherders/guestworkerprogram–DevelopmentofappropriatetrainingmaterialsforsheepherdersenteringtheU.S.undertheH-2Aguestworkerprogramareneeded,andshouldincluderelevantwildlifeandenvironmentalregulatoryinformation.Anobjective,uniform,andfeasibleauditsystemtodocumentefficacyandneedswouldalsobenefitandhelpmaintaintheintegrityoftheprogram.

Despiteindustryrecruitingefforts,areliabledomesticlaborsupplyofsheepherders,sheepshearersandlivestockworkersdoesnotexistinsomeareasofthecountry.TheH-2AguestworkerprogramandaccompanyingSpecialProceduresregulationsprovidethesheepindustrywithtrainedemployees,whichresultsinproperanimalcare,moreefficientlivestockproduction,andstewardshipofnaturalresources.

Ø Waste,manureandcarcassdisposal-Sociallyacceptablemethodsofwastehandlingandremovalandcarcassdisposalshouldbedevelopedthatareenvironmentallysoundandrespectthesensitivitiesofneighboringcommunities.

17Ibid.

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Ø CleanWaterAct–EnhancementofCleanWaterActprovisionstoreducetheassociatedcostsandregulatoryburdenwhilemaintainingresponsibleenvironmentalstewardship.

Ø Animalwelfareandhumanehandling-Animalwelfareandhumanehandlingeducationaltools

areneededforallindustrysectors.

Ø Foodandfibersecurity,continuityofbusiness,andsupplychainmanagementunderadverseconditionsandcircumstances–Thereisacriticalneedtodevelopandhaveinplaceplansthatprovideguidanceanddirectionforsupplychainmanagement,includingthemovementofliveanimalsandmeat,milk,andfiberproducts.Theseplansareneededtoensurecontinuityofbusinessandtomaintaindomesticfoodandfibersecurityunderadverseconditionsorcircumstancesthatmayariseincludingnaturaldisaster,thethreatoroutbreakofaforeignanimaldisease,oranunanticipatedeventorthreattonationalsecurity.

PredatorManagementUSDA/APHIS/VS/NAHMSreportedthatin2014,585,000sheepandlambsdiedofallcauses,costingtheindustryabout$102million.18NAHMSalsoreportedthatnearlythree-fourthsofadultsheeplosses(72percent)wereattributedtononpredatorcauses,whilejustoverone-fourthoflosses(28percent)wereattributedtopredators.Bycomparison,nonpredatorcausesaccountedfor64percentofalllambdeathlossesin2014.Predationandpredatormanagementissueshavestrongpublicpolicyunderpinnings. ProducerSurveyResultsAmongoperationsthatreportedthetopthreechallengesfacingtheiroperation,23percentidentifiedpredatormanagementasoneofthosetopthreechallenges.Ofthetotalnumberofbreedingewesonoperationsidentifyingpredatormanagementasoneoftheirtopthreechallenges,75percentwereonoperationswithgreaterthan1,000breedingewes.Combined,thisrepresentsone-halfofthetotalnumberofbreedingewescapturedbythesurvey.Ofoperationsthatidentifiedpredatormanagementasamajorchallenge,22percentwerelocatedinRegion8(Pacific)and18percentinRegion2(Mid-Atlantic/South),followedequallybyRegions5and7(TexasandNorthernRockies)at13percent.Region7(NorthernRockies)hadthehighestpercentageofbreedingewesaffectedbypredatormanagementchallenges(44percent).Ofthoseproducersthatidentifiedpredatormanagementasoneoftheirtopthreechallenges,58percentreportedusinglivestockguardiandogsontheiroperations.Ofthose,94percentindicatedthatlivestockguardiandogsareveryimportanttotheirsheepoperation.Amongalloperations,48percentreportedusinglivestockguardiandogsontheiroperation.Among15predatorcontroloptions,guardiandogswerethesecondmostcommonpredatorcontrolmeasureusedbysurveyparticipants.Wovenwireornetfenceswerethemostcommon.Whenaskedtoratetheeffectivenessofthosepredatorcontrolmeasuresusedontheiroperation,livestockguardiandogswereratedasthemosteffective.18USDA/APHIS,VeterinaryServices,NationalAnimalHealthMonitoringSystem(NAHMS),“SheepandLambPredatorandNonpredatorDeathLossintheUnitedStates,2015,”September,2015.

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Ofthoseoperationsthatidentifiedpredatormanagementasoneoftheirtopthreechallengesandalsoratedtheeffectivenessoflivestockguardiandogsinpredatorcontrol,57percentratedlivestockguardiandogsasextremelyeffective,and92percentratedguardiandogsaseitherextremelyeffectiveorsomewhateffective.Only8percentratedguardiandogsaseithernotveryeffectiveorineffective.Themostdifficultpredatorstomanagewerecoyotes(reportedby89percentofoperations),followedbydogs(51percent)andfoxasadistantthird(15percent).Forproducersreportingpredatormanagementasoneoftheirtopthreechallenges,themostdifficultpredatortomanageacrossallregionswascoyotes.

ResearchPrioritiesforPredatorManagement

Ø Predatorcontroltechnologies–Continuedresearchanddevelopmentoftechnologiesaimedatreducingdepredationareessentialtoeffectivepredatormanagement.Thesetechnologiesincludealternative/newlethaltoxicants,aswellascorrectiveandpreventativenon-lethalcontrolmeasures.

Ø Discriminantpredatormanagement-Researchisneededtoexploretheavenuesformoreeffectiveanddiscriminant(species-specific)predatormanagement.

DevelopmentPrioritiesforPredatorManagement

Ø Public-privatepartnerships-Developpublic-privatepartnershipsthatwillengagethepublicsectortohelpreducedepredationbywildlifeanddomesticdogs.

TheNationalResearchCouncilreportedthatincreasingpredationproblemsinwildlifepopulationsinmanystatesindicatetheneedforsheepindustryalliancestoworkcloselywithwildlifeagenciesandotherinterestgroupsandwiththoseinvolvedwiththreatenedandendangeredspeciesmanagementprograms.19EducationPrioritiesforPredatorManagement

Ø Educationandoutreach–Improvededucationandoutreachregardingtheuseandeffectiveness

ofcurrentlyavailablepredationmanagementtools,includingspecies-specificriskassessmentandthresholduseoflethalandnon-lethalpredatorcontroltools.

Ø Increasedawareness-IncreasedproducerawarenessofUSDA,AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionServiceWildlifeServicesinformationandservicesandofstateandfederalregulationsastheyapplytoanimaldamagecontrol.

19NationalResearchCouncil.ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTradition.2008.

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Chapter 7 Lamb Marketing

Lambmarketingwasidentifiedasanimportantchallengefacingmanysheepproducers.Apanelofindustryexpertshelpedidentifythemarketingconstraintsfacingproducersandmaderecommendationsofhowbesttoeasemarketingconstraintsbaseduponsurveyresults.

Figure7-1PercentofCommercialLambOperatorsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyFlockSize

ProducerSurveyResultsThirty-fourpercentofcommercialflockoperationsand32percentofseedstockoperationsreportedmarketingasatopproducerchallenge.Amongcommercialoperationscitingmarketingasachallenge,37percent,27percent,and14percentweresmall,medium-size,andlargeoperations,respectively.Ofcommerciallambproducersidentifyingmarketingasamajorchallenge,22percentofoperationsarelocatedinRegion2(Mid-Atlantic/South)and22percentinRegion3(GreatLakes).One-thirdofseedstockproducersidentifyingmarketingasamajorchallengearelocatedinRegion4(Mid&UpperMidwest).Marketweightsoflambssoldduring2014(feederandslaughter)didnotdiffersubstantiallyforthoseoperationsidentifyingmarketingasamajorchallengeandthoseoperationsthatdidnotidentifymarketingasamajorchallenge.Asmallerpercentageofsmallcommerciallamboperationssoldlambsintheheaviestweightclassification(120+lbs.)–generallydescribingtraditionalcommercialslaughterlambmarkets.Conversely,noneofthelargecommerciallamboperationsreportedsellinglambsinthelightestweightclassification(<50lbs.)–generallyassociatedwithnontraditionalorethnicmarkets.Mostlambssoldweighedbetween50-120lbs.withlargeoperationssellinganequalpercentageoflambsweighing50-120lbs.andlambsweighingover120lbs.

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Thereisawiderangeofmarketingchannelsavailabletocommercialoperators.Thelargestpercentageoflargecommerciallamboperationsmarketlambstofeedlots,nationalpackers,andthroughlambpoolsandothercooperatives,respectively.Thelargestpercentageofmedium-sizecommerciallamboperationsmarketlambsthroughlocalauctionmarkets/salebarns,on-farmtoindividuals/families,andthroughorderbuyers/dealers,respectively.Thelargestpercentageofsmallcommerciallamboperationsmarketlambson-farmtoindividuals/familiesandthroughlocalauctionmarkets/salebarns,respectively.

Figure7-2CommercialLambOperationsbyMarketOutletandFlockSize

TheUSDA/AHPISNAHMSsheepstudyhadconsistentfindings.Amuchhigherpercentageoflambsweremovedfromherded/openrangeoperationstofeedlots(66percent)thanfromsmalleroperations--fencedrange(32percent),pasture(19percent),anddrylot/feedlotoperations(14percent).20TheNAHMSsheepstudyalsofoundthat55percentofsmall(20-99head)and52percentofmedium(100-499head)operationssoldtolocalauctions/salebarns,comparedtoalowerpercent(30percent)oflargeoperations(500+head).21Thenontraditionalandethnicmarketsaregrowingwithinthecommerciallambindustry.ThereareagrowingnumberofflockswithhairsheepandhairsheepcrossesacrosstheU.S.thatareparticularlywell-matchedtotheethnicmarket.Texas,thelargestsheepstate,hasseenagrowthinDorperlambflocksinrecentyears.TheSouthandSoutheastarealsoseeingincreasedhairsheepproduction—areasthattraditionallyhavenotseensheepflocks.TheNAHMSSheep2011studyreportedthatthepercentageofoperationsthathadhairbreedsincreasedoverfourfoldfrom2001to2011(5percentto22percent,respectively).22

20USDA/APHIS,VeterinaryServices,NationalAnimalHealthMonitoringSystem(NAHMS),“Sheep2011,PartII:ReferenceofMarketingandDeathLossonU.S.SheepOperations,”December2012.21Ibid.22USDA/APHIS,VeterinaryServices,NationalAnimalHealthMonitoringSystem,“Sheep2011,Part1:ReferenceofSheepManagementPracticesintheUnitedStates,2011,”May2012.

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AccordingtotheNationalResearchCouncil,“Theemergenceofnewmarketsforlambproductspresentsarguablythebestopportunityforgrowthofthelambindustry.ThegrowthinthenumberofMuslimswhoresideintheUnitedStatesisoneexample.”23TheNRCcontinued:“Hairsheeplambsarewellsuitedtotheethnicmarketsbecauseoftheirsmallercarcasssize,presenceoftail,andlowerlikelihoodoffeedlotfinishing.”Value-basedpricingcanrewardinvestmentsinlambproductionandbettertargetqualityattributestomeetconsumerneeds.Eighty-fivepercentofthosethatexplainedwhytheysoldonagridresponded:“Receivehigherprices/rewardedinhigherpricesforproductionefforts”.Value-basedpricingofteniscoupledwithmarketingagreementstoselllambsatalaterdate.Ofcommercialoperationsthatsellontherail,36percenthaveacontractinplace(writtenororal)tosellallorpartoftheir2016lambcrop.Thiscomparesto9percentofcommercialproducersthatdonotsellontherail,and14percentofallproducers.The2008NationalResearchCouncilrecommendedadoptionofelectronicgradingtoimprovetheaccuracyofvalue-basedpricing.24However,theshareofslaughterlambsharvestedunderformula/gridpricinghascontractedoverthepast13years-decliningfromnearlyhalfofallfederally-inspected(FI)slaughterlambsin2002,to24percentofFIslaughterlambsin2015.25Packer-ownedlambs,lambsprocuredatauctionandlive,andnegotiatedtradesalltrendedupwardduringthissameperiod.Useofvalue-basedpricingintheproducersurveyappearedtoberelatedtosizeofflock,locationandexperience.Nearlythree-quartersofflocksthatusedvalue-basedpricingwereinthemedium-sizerange(100-1,499head),28percentwerelargeflocks(1,500head+).Formulausewasnegligibleamongsmallproducers(lessthan99head).Theaveragenumberofewesbythesubsetofoperationsthatuseformula/gridpricingis1,200headcomparedto300headforthosethatdonot.Proximitytoalargenationalpackerand/orlambpoolalsoappearstoberelatedtovalue-basedpricingadoption.One-quarterto1/3ofthosesellingonagridsoldthroughalambpoolorcooperativeortoanationalpacker.Locationisimportantforgriduse.Experiencewasalsoimportantforgriduse.Seventypercentofthosereportingformula/gridusehadover30yearsofexperienceraisingsheepand55percentofthosereportingformula/gridusewerefrommulti-generationaloperations.Thirty-eightpercentofthosecommercialoperationsnotcurrentlyparticipatinginformula/gridpricingwouldliketoparticipate.LivestockRiskProtection-Lamb(LRP-Lamb)priceinsuranceisariskmanagementtoolavailabletolambproducersandfeeders.LambfeedersaremajorparticipantsintheLRP-Lambprogram.Inaddition,63percentoflargecommercialoperationscapturedbythesurveyhavealsopurchasedLRP-Lambpriceinsurance.

23NationalResearchCouncil.ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTradition.2008.24Ibid.25EstimatederivedfromUSDA,AgriculturalMarketingServiceandASI.

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LambFeederSurveyResultsAfeedersurveywasconductedtoassesstheconstraintsfacingfeedlotoperatorsandtohelpdefineresearch,development,andeducationalneedsintheproducer/feedercomplex.Theconcernsfacingfeedingoperationsincludefeederlambavailably,laborcosts/availability,marketpricesforfeederandslaughterlambs,processingcontracts/killslotavailability,andtheriskassociatedwithmarketinglambs.Thirty-threepercentoffeederssurveyedreportedthattheywereeithersomewhatsatisfiedornotsatisfiedwiththefeedefficiencyoffeederlambsongrowingrations.Athirdwerealsosomewhatsatisfiedornotsatisfiedwiththefeedefficiencyofthelambsonfinishingrations.Thetopthreecausesofdeathinfeedlotsincludeshippingfever/pneumonia,otherrespiratorydisorders,andrectalprolapse.Overall,feedersarelookingtodevelopoptionsforreducingoreliminatinguseofantibioticsinfeedand/orinwater.Feederlambsaremostoftenpurchasedonaliveweightbasis.Ingeneral,feedersdonotofferpremiumpricingforpreconditionedlambs.Theyalsogenerallydonotoffersupplierspremium/discountedpricingforknowngeneticsorreputationoflambs.Manyfeederssellslaughterlambsonagrid,withformulapricingbaseduponcarcasscharacteristics.Amongrespondents,43percentreportedthatgettingpaidfortheactualquality/valueoflambswasthemostimportantbenefitofformula/gridpricing.Feedersroutinelyreceiveakillsheetforlambssoldonaformula/grid.Akillsheetwilloftenincludethedressingpercentage,numberofrespectiveyieldgrades,peltcredit,offalcredit,anddiscounts.Feedersroutinelyreceivefeedbackfrompackersonpeltquality,bruising,abscesses,andparasites.Inturn,feederswillsometimesreporttoproducersabouthowtheirlambsperformedonfeedandcarcassquality.Riskmanagementpracticesinfeedlotsincludeforwardpricingandraisingsomeoftheirownfeed.FeedersuseDriedDistillersGrains(DDGs)ingrowingrations.Oftenupto75percentoflambsarecommittedtoapackeruponarrivalatthefeedlotwhichreducesmarketingrisk.Feedershave—onaverage—purchasedatleastone13-weekLivestockRiskProtectionpriceinsurancecontractforslaughterlambs(LRP-Lamb).Feedersaresomewhatfamiliarwith,butmanyhavenottakentrainingintheSheepSafetyandQualityAssuranceProgramtrainingcourse.Environmentalregulationsspecifictocarcassdisposalandwaterregulationsandrestrictions(CleanWaterAct)wererankedassignificantconcernsamongfeeders.LambPacker/ProcessorSurveyResultsLambpackersandprocessorswerealsosurveyedtogainabetterunderstandofthechallengestheyface.Thesurveyaskedforinputandhelpedidentifyresearch,development,andeducationprioritiesforthepacker/processingsector.

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Twenty-threepercentofpacker/processorrespondentsreportedthatlaboravailability/costistheirtopchallenge,followedbyconsumerdemand(15percent)andgovernmentregulations/compliance(15percent).Themostsignificantqualitydefects/deficienciesorattributesofdomesticlambsneedingthemostimprovementweresizeconsistencyandayear-roundsupplyofgrass-fedlambs.Themostfavorablequalityattributeswerefreshness,theabilitytosourceregionally,andgrass-fedlamb.Halal,grass-fedandlocalwerecitedasthemarketsfordomesticlambthathavethegreatestgrowthpotentialoverthenext5years.Packers/processorswereaskedtoidentifyonechangethathasbeenmadeinanyareaoftheiroperationthathasproducedthegreatestbenefit.Commonresponsesweretheincreaseincustomprocessingandimprovementinsizeandbreedconsistencyoffedlambs.Packerswereaskedtoidentifyarea(s)ofindustryand/orpublicinvestmentinresearch,development,andeducationthatwouldprovidethegreatestbenefittotheirbusiness.Commonlyidentifiedresearchneeds/prioritiesweremeasuresandpredictorsofeatingsatisfaction,packagingandshelflife.Thedevelopmentpriorityidentifiedwassupplysecurityandtheeducationprioritywasconsumereducation.ResearchPrioritiesforLambMarketing

Ø Demandsignals-Sustainableandprofitableproductionsystemsmustrespondtomarket-drivenconsumerdemandsignals.Itiscriticalthatpriceanddemandinformationbecaptured,reported,analyzedandcommunicatedsothatproducers,feeders,packersandprocessorscanmaketimelydecisionsandeffectivelyrespondtothosemarketsignals.

Ø Pricevolatilityandriskmanagement–Strategiesandtoolsareneededformanagingprice

volatilityandmarketrisk.Marketaccessismultifaceted,comprisingphysicalaccess,accesstovalue-basedcontractsandinformationalaccess.Theextremevolatilityinlambpricesduringthelastfewyearscanhelpexplainwhymarketingwasahigh-rankingchallenge.Pricevolatilityincreasesthecostofdoingbusiness,erodingprofitsandconstraininginvestment.Relatedtothatisthelimitednumberofpriceriskmanagementtoolsavailabletothesheepindustry.Thedecliningnumberofmarketsincludingauctionmarketsandpackerplantsalsocreatesamarketingchallengeformanysmallerproducers.

Ø Demandindexanddemanddrivers-Updatethelambdemandindexandmaintainacurrentunderstandingofdemanddrivers.

Thelambindustryiscomplexanddynamic,withanequallydiverselambconsumerbase.Understandingconsumerdemandwillallowtheindustrytoimproveitsmarketingefforts.TheAmericanLambBoard(ALB)maintainsalambdemandindexwhichtrackschangesinlambdemand.Theindexshouldbeupdatedquarterlyorannuallytoreflectthecurrentdynamicsofthelambindustry.

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DevelopmentPrioritiesforLambMarketing

Ø Marketinformation-WorkwithUSDA/AMStoimprovetheavailabilityoflambmarketinformation.

Thesheepindustrycontinuestostrugglewithadecliningamountofpublicmarketinformation.Fromaresearchanddevelopmentperspective,theindustryneedstoaddresstheproblemofhowtodealwithlessandinconsistentmarketinformation.Limitedavailabilityofmarketinformationisonereasonwhymarketingisahigh-rankingindustrychallenge.

§ ItisrecommendedthattheindustryidentifythecostsoflimitedandinconsistentmarketdataandworkwithUSDA/AMStoimprovemarketdataaccess.CurrentpriceinformationisintegraltotheLRP-Lambinsuranceprogram,neededtoestablishbaselineformulaandgridpricingandservesasabenchmarkforcountlessotherfeederandslaughterlambtrades.Theinjurytotheindustryresultingfromalackoftransparencyinmarketpricesisunknown.However,giventhatpricesareoftenonlyavailableforheavier,lower-valuedlambs,thislimitedpriceinformationcouldpotentiallyresultinaseriousundervaluingofthenationalflock.

§ Separatemarketingchannelsarethoughttoexistforhairbreedlambsversuslambsfromwoolbreeds.TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureshouldbeurgedtorecordandpublishwoolandhairbreedinventoriesseparatelyinitsannualproducersurvey-bothnationallyandbystate.Whenpossible,USDAAgriculturalMarketingServicemarketreportsshouldprovideaseparatebreakoutofhairsheep/lambprices.Exploringthefeasibilityofcapturingbetterethnicmarketdemandandsupplyinformationcanimprovetheindustry’sunderstandingofethnicmarkettrends,challenges,andopportunities.

FromtheNationalAcademiesReportinBrief:“Thecurrentfoundationoftheindustry,lambmeat,isprimarilymarketedthroughatraditionalchannel,inwhichlambsmovefrompasturestohigher-qualityfeedingsystemstogrowtoharvestweightandthenarecommerciallyharvested.However,increasingnumbersoflambsarebeingsoldasearlyharvestlambtomeetthedemandforbetterquality,lighter-weightlambsand/orarebeingsolddirectlyfromthefarmgatetoindividualconsumers.Officialgovernmentdatacapturesinformationaboutthetraditionalchannel,butprovidesincompleteinformationabouttheotherchannels,(2008).26

Ø Objectivemeasuresandpredictorsofmeatqualityandeatingsatisfaction–Developobjective,consistentmeasuresandpredictorsofmeatqualityandeatingsatisfaction.

Ø Supplymanagement–Newandinnovativemethodsofmanagingslaughterlambsuppliesare

needed,includingseasonalsupplymanagementandprocessingthroughputscheduling.

Ø PackagingTechnologies–Developimprovedpackagingtechnologiesthatwillmaintainproductquality,freshness,appearance,andincreaseshelf-life

Ø Processingopportunities-Identifynewand/orexpandedprocessingandinvestment

opportunitiesanddevelopverticallyintegratedproducer-drivenprocessingopportunitiestoaddresstheneedsofsmalleroperationswithlimitedaccesstoslaughterandprocessingplants.

26NationalResearchCouncil.“TheNationalAcademies:ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,”2008.

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Thereducednumberofsheepauctionhousesandtheconsolidationoflambprocessingplantsreducesmarketaccessformanyproducers.Acrossmanyruralareasthereisadearthoflivestockpackingplants,particularlyforsheep,andparticularlyofUSDA-inspectedfacilitiesthatarerequiredofretailsales.Incentivesforpackingplantinvestmentsareneeded,especiallyinunderservedareasoftheU.S.

Ø Localmarkets-Developdirect,locallambmarketingandnichemarketingopportunities.Somedomesticconsumers,largelyinurbanareas,wanttoknowwheretheirfoodcomesfrom.Theywanttoknowiftheanimalswerehumanelyraised,whattheywerefed,andwheretheywereraised.Direct,localmarketopportunitiesshouldbeexploredandtheseopportunitiessharedwithproducers.Grass-fedproductionsystemsalsoplaywellintothesetypesofnichemarketingopportunities.EducationPrioritiesforLambMarketing

Ø Value-basedpricing–Expandtheuseofvalue-basedpricing.Improvementsinlambqualityandconsistencycanbesupportedbyensuringthatlambproducersreceivepricesbaseduponmeasuredqualityattributes.Feedbackonfeedlotperformanceandcarcassmeritareintegraltovalue-basedpricingandqualityimprovement.

Surveyevidencerevealedarelativelylowlevelofparticipationinvalue-basedpricing.Accessandproximitytopackersplaysaroleinproducerparticipationanduseofvalue-basedpricing.Thelarger,nationalpackersprimarilyoffervalue-basedpricingandattractlargerproducersintheirareas.Increasedutilizationofvalue-basedpricingcanhelpraisetheoverallqualityandconsistencyofU.S.lambs.Pricingbasedonquality,ratherthanliveweight,rewardsqualityandthereforeenablestheindustrytobetterserveconsumers.Apricingstructurethatrewardsqualityattributescanimproveconsumerofferingsandstimulatedemand.Theindustryshouldencouragepackerstoutilizeelectronicgradingequipment,offervalue-basedpricingforalllambs,andprovidecarcassqualityfeedbacktoproducersandfeeders.TheNationalResearchCouncilrecommendedtheadoptionofavalue-basedgradingsystemthataccuratelysortscarcassesbasedonqualityandyield.27TheAmericanLambBoardRoadmapProjectalsorankedtheadoptionofvalue-basedpricingandelectronicgradingasatoppriorityrequiringimmediateaction.28

Ø RiskManagement:LRP-Lambpriceinsuranceeducation–ProvideeducationalopportunitiesintheuseofUSDA-RMALivestockRiskProtection-Lamb(LRP-Lamb)priceinsuranceprogramasariskmanagementtool.

27NationalResearchCouncil.ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTradition.2008.28HaleGroup.TheAmericanLambIndustryRoadmapProject--FinalPresentation,December10,2013.

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Chapter 8 Wool Marketing Woolisasignificantjoint-productofsheepandlambproduction.Investmentsinwoolproductioncanserveasanimportantrevenuestreamforsheepflocksthatcanhelpanoperationdiversifyandmanagerisk.ProducerSurveyResultsTwenty-fivepercentofsurveyrespondentsidentifiedwoolproductionaseithertheirprimaryorsecondarytypeofoperation-8percentastheirprincipaltypeofoperationand17percentastheirsecondarytypeofoperation.Woolgrowersuseavarietyofmarketingchannelstomarkettheirwoolasshownbelow.Woolwassolddirecttoawoolbuyer(34percent),awoolpool(19percent),andawoolwarehouse(13percent).Otheroutletsincludeddirectsalestoconsumers(9percent),tosmalllocalprocessors(7percent),toalargenationalprocessor(3percent)andfurtherprocessed(3percent).

Figure8-1WoolSalesbyMarketingOutlet

Amongthoseoperatorsthatrespondedtohowsatisfiedtheyarewiththeirwoolclip,28percentwere“verysatisfied”,40percent“somewhatsatisfied”,7percent“notsatisfied”and12percentresponded“notimportant”.

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Figure8-2RecommendedFactorstoHelpImprovetheWoolClip

Thosegrowersthatreceivefeedbackregardingwoolqualityappeartobemoresatisfiedwiththeirwoolquality.Alargerpercentageofproducersthatare“verysatisfied”withthequalityoftheirwoolclipreceivefeedbackfromtheirwoolbuyer(73percent),comparedtothosethatare“notsatisfied”withthequalityoftheirwoolclip(32percent).Similarly,alargerpercentageofthoseproducersthatare“verysatisfied”withthequalityoftheirwoolclipcoretest(37percent),comparedtothosethatare“notsatisfied”withthequalityoftheirwoolclip(9percent).Ofthoseproducersthatreceivefeedbackfromtheirwoolbuyeraboutthequalityoftheirwool,54percentreceiveinformationaboutaveragefiberdiameter,followedby48percentreceivinginformationaboutcontamination.Amonggrowerssellingwool,56percentreportedthathigherwoolpriceswouldhelpimprovethequalityoftheirwoolclip--presumablythroughincreasedinvestmentinwoolqualityattributes.One-halfofproducersindicatedthatreducedcontaminationwouldimprovethequalityoftheirwoolclip.WoolBuyer/ProcessorSurveyThetotalsumofgreasywoolhandledbysurveyrespondentsis20.185millionlbs.,76percentofgreasywoolproductionin2014.One-thirdofallwoolsurveyrespondentsexpecttheirbusinesstoexpandoverthenext5years,27percentexpecttheirbusinesstocontractand40percentreportedlittletonoexpectedchange.Oftherespondentsexpectingtoreducethesizeoftheirbusiness,50percentreportedthatreducedavailablyofwoolwasthereasonforbusinesscontraction.Respondentsalsoidentifiedlowmargins(25percent)andcompetitionfromothernaturaland/orsyntheticfibers(25percent).One-halfofallsurveyrespondentsreportedthatthereasonforbusinessexpansionwasstrongerdomesticdemand,25percentduetomoremilitarycontracts,and25percentduetootherincreasesintheircustomerbase.

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Sixty-threepercentofrespondentsreportedtheirbusinesshandlesgreasywool,44percenthandlecleanwool,and31percenthandlefurtherprocessedwool.Sixty-sevenpercentofrespondentsprocessedwool,50percentproducedyarn,17percentproducedfabric,and33percentproducedfinishedproducts.Forty-sevenpercentofsurveyrespondentsidentifiedtheirprincipaltypeofbusinessaswoolprocessor,24percentaswoolbuyer/broker,and19percentaswoolwarehouse.WoolprocessorsalsoincludedacarpetmanufacturingandknittedproductsNearlyhalfofsurveyrespondentspurchasedwoolfromwarehouseswith18percentbuyingwooldirectlyfromgrowers.Halfofwoolbuyers/processorsreportedthatthefactthatU.S.woolislocalisthetop-rankedquality/valueofU.S.wool.RespondentsreportedthattheoriginofU.S.woolisitsgreatestattribute.Otherpositiveattributesthatalsoreceivedhighrankingincludedtraceability,style,andmicron.WoolprocessorsalsomentionedspecificallythattheBerryAmendmentisoneofthesingle-highestquality/valueattributesofU.S.wool.AccordingtotheDepartmentofCommerce,theBerryAmendmentisastatutoryrequirementthatrestrictstheDepartmentofDefense(DoD)fromusingfundsappropriatedorotherwiseavailabletoDoDforprocurementoffood,clothing,fabrics,fibers,yarns,othermade-uptextiles,andhandormeasuringtoolsthatarenotgrown,reprocessed,reusedorproducedintheUnitedStates.

Figure8-3Quality/ValueAttributesofU.S.Wool

Woolbuyers/processorsalsoidentifiedweaknessesinU.S.wool.Justoverhalf(54percent)ofrespondentsreportedthatcontaminationwasthesingle-greatestquality/valueweaknessofU.S.wool.Contaminatesincludedpaint,staining,vegetablematter,andpolypropylene.One-quarterofrespondentsreportedvegetablemattercontaminationisthemostcostlyqualitydefect/deficiencyinU.S.woolthatimpactstheirbusiness.Another25percentreportedpaint

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contamination.Othermentionswerefiberdiameter,staplelength,coloredfibercontamination,packaging,lotsize,and“preparationatshearingtime”.Aboutone-fifth(23percent)ofrespondentsreportedthatthetopweaknesswasavailabilityofU.S.wool,orlackofsupply.Fifteenpercentofrespondentsreportedthatfiberlengthwasthegreatestquality/valueweakness.Highmicronwasalsomentionedasaqualitydefect.Woolgrowereducationwasidentifiedasanimportantsteptowardgrowth,buttherewerealsoareasforimprovementinwoolresearchanddevelopment.Expandeddomesticmarketingresearchrankedhighest(38percent)amongareasforresearchanddevelopmentamongallsurveyrespondents.Domesticmarketdevelopment(33percent)alsorankedhighestasaninvestmentpriorityforallsurveyrespondents.

Figure8-4Quality/ValueWeaknessesofU.S.Wool

Woolbuyers/processorswereaskedtoidentifyareasofneworcontinuedresearchemphasisimportanttotheirbusiness.Forty-fourpercentofrespondentsmadecommentsrelatedtoresearchneededfornewproductdevelopment.Commentsrelatingtonewproductdevelopmentrangedfromnew,improvedpackagingto“Newnaturaluseproductandproductlines,”and“DevelopandpromoteviablecertifiedOrganicwool.”Thirty-eightpercentmadeacommentregardingtheneedforimprovedwoolquality.Onerespondentcommented:“Woolquality,especiallypaint,wecouldwashalotmorevolumeiftherewasmorepaintfreewool.”Mentionsweremaderegarding“objectivemeasurementofspecificqualityattributes”and“Quickandreliableobjectivemeasurement.”Woolbuyers/processorswereasked:WhatthreeareasofresearchanddevelopmentcouldhelpaddvaluetoU.S.wool?Twenty-sevenpercentofrespondentsreported“newproductdevelopment”followedby24percentwith“expandeddomesticmarketingresearch”.“Expandedmilitarycontracts”wasalsoimportantat20percentofmentions.

Supply23%

Conmminamon54%

Length15%

HighMicron8%

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Figure8-5ResearchandDevelopmentPrioritiesthatAddValuetoU.S.Wool

ResearchPrioritiesforWool

Ø Value-basedpricing–Researchisneededtodetermineifwoolpricesaccuratelyreflectwool

quality.Doesthemarketprovideincentivesthroughpricesignalingtoencouragebetterwoolqualityandwoolpreparation?Pricesshouldrewardhigh-quality,contaminate-free,well-preparedwool.Inturn,pricepremiumsshouldencouragereinvestmentinwoolproductionandpreparationbygrowers.TheNationalResearchCouncilconcludedthatpricepremiumsfromimprovedwoolclippreparationprovideamarketingopportunityforwoolgrowers.29Thesurveyresultsrevealedthatgrowersareawareofqualitydefectsintheirwool,andwoolbuyers/processorsstressedthatwoolcontaminationisthenumberoneshortcomingofU.S.wool.

DevelopmentPrioritiesforWool

Ø Marketingcampaign-DevelopadomesticwoolmarketingcampaigntoexpanddemandfordomesticwoolamongU.S.consumers.TheU.S.currentlyexportsabout60percentofitsgreasywoolclip.ExpandeddomesticdemandforU.S.woolcouldraiseU.S.woolprices,increasereturnstoindustrystakeholders,andpromoteU.S.woolsectorgrowth.

29NationalResearchCouncil.ChangesintheSheepIndustryintheUnitedStates,MakingtheTransitionfromTradition.2008.

Expandeddomesmcmarkemngresearch24%

Newproductdevelopment

27%

Expandedmilitarycontracts

20%

Other17%

Expandedinternamonalmarkemngresearch12%

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Ø Newproduct/marketdevelopment–Developnewproductsthataremarketdrivenwithprivate-sectorcollaboration,thatmayincludesocialinterestattributessuchas“natural”,“organic”,“knownorigin”,etc.withappropriatewoolmarketingstrategiesandsystems.

Ø Militaryapparel–Thedevelopmentofnewandbettermilitaryapparelwillultimatelyleadto

greaterusageofdomesticwoolinmilitaryapparelapplications.

Ø Dye-resistantfibers-Solutionsareneededtoaddresstheproblemofdye-resistantfibers,includingcoordinatedeffortsbetweenwoolgrowersandwoolindustries.

Ø Developmentandexplorationofwoolmeasurementequipmentandtechnologies-Objectivemeasurementistheonlywaythatwoolcanbeaccuratelydescribedandspecified.Woolprocessesmoreefficiently,economicallyandproducessuperiorproductswhenitisuniform,cleanandmeetsfirst-stageprocessorandmillstandards.

Ø Peltdefects-Peltdefectscanbedifficulttodetectinrawunprocessedpeltsandcanleadto

significanteconomiclosses.Arapidmechanicalmethodtodetectcockle,scarringandotherimperfectionsinrawpeltsisneededsothatpeltscanbesortedpriortoprocessingbasedonqualityandanticipatedmarket.

Peltsareanimportantby-productoflambproduction.Cockle,ablemishcausedbysheepkeds,andscarringcausedbyseedburrows,flystrike,etc.seriouslydowngradepeltqualityandlimitmarketopportunities.Cockleisrecognizedassmalldensenodulesthatdisfiguretheleatherandareimpenetrabletodyes,leadingtosignificanteconomiclossesofseveralmilliondollarsfortheleatherindustryintheU.S.peryear.30Othertypesofscartissuecanleavesmallholesafterprocessingandaffectedareasdonotdyeuniformly.Arapidmechanicalmethodtodetectcockle,scarringandotherimperfectionsinrawpeltsisneededsothatpeltscanbesortedpriortoprocessingbasedonqualityandanticipatedmarket.EducationPrioritiesforWool

Ø Continuededucation-Developcontinuededucationforwoolgrowersaimedatimprovingwool

qualityandreducingcontaminantsandencouragetheuseofCodeofPracticestandards.

Ø Returnoninvestment-Developestimatesforproducersofthemonetaryreturnthatcanberealizedwithsmallinvestmentsinwoolpreparation.

30TexasA&MAGriLifeExtension.LivestockVeterinaryEntomology:SheepKeds.Web.May2016.

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Chapter 9 Resource Allocation for Research and Education and Trends in Public Funding Prioritiesforresearchandeducationareestablishedatmanylevels(local,state,national,industry-wide,etc.)andthereiscompetitionforresourcesateverylevel.Thecomplexprioritysettingprocessofteninvolvespeoplewithvaryingdegreesofknowledgeaboutthespecificdisciplines,commodities,orprogramsforwhichtheyaremakingprioritydecisions.Thisbecomesmoreevidentasprioritiesaremergedandpackagedforjustificationatthenextlevelofprioritization.Settingprioritiesforsheepresearchandeducationfundingandresourceallocationisnoexception.Theprocessfortheallocationofresourcestoresearchandextension/educationhasundergonesignificantchangesoverthepastfewdecadesmanyofwhichhavenotbeenfavorabletosheepresearchandeducation.Examplesofchangesanddifferencesinclude:

§ adecreaseintargetedfundingforresearchbyCongress§ moreemphasisoncompetitiveresearchgrantsespeciallyfocusedonbasicresearch§ moreemphasisontheallocationofresourcestofewercommoditiesattheStatelevel§ theallocationprocessdiffersgreatlyamonguniversities,Stateagencies,andfederalagencies

(thesedifferencesmakecoordinationofresearchandeducationactivitiesmoredifficult)§ sharingofresourcesacrossuniversitiesislimitedduetoStatefundingaccountability

requirementsandadministration/politicalinfluences§ increasedrequirementsforuniversityfacultytoobtaincompetitivegrantfundingwherebythe

grantprioritiesdirectthetypeoffunding§ lessdirectinteractionwithsheepproducers(severalfactorsaffectthisincludingtravel

restrictions)§ prioritydecisionsaremadeatmultiplelevelsinuniversitiesandinfederalagencies§ manyprioritiesareimpactedbyregulations,legislation,andspecialinterestgroupsoutsidethe

traditionalagriculturalarenaThefollowingcomparisonsprovideanoverviewofthecurrentresourceallocationtrendsforsheepresearchandextensionandacontextforallocatingandmanagingfutureresourcesforthesheepresearchandextension/educationinfrastructure.Totalpublicfundingforallagricultureresearchdecreasedfrom$4.04Bto$3.88Bbetween2002and2014,a4percentdecrease.Publicfundingforanimalagricultureresearch(poultry,beef,dairy,swine,sheep,horses,animalsingeneral–excludingaquaculture)decreasedfrom$792.9Mto$737.3Mbetween2002and2014,a7percentdecrease.Publicfundingforsheepresearchdecreasedfrom$48.3Mto$33.7Mbetween2002and2014),a30percentdecrease.LargestdecreaseswereStateAppropriations(sourcesoutsidefederalgovernment)andOtherNon-Federal(e.g.,productsales,industrygrants,misc.non-federal).Publicextensionexpendituresfortheanimal300KnowledgeAreas(i.e.,animalproductionandhealth)decreasedfrom$110.2Mto$97.1Mfrom2007to2014,a12percentdecrease.Note,publicextensionexpendituresforSubjectofInvestigation(e.g.,sheep,beef,corn,etc.)arenotreportedtoUSDA-NIFA.

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Figure9-1Funding/ExpenditureTrends

Thenationaltotalnumberofscientistyearequivalents(SYs)decreasedfrom111infiscalyear2001to61infiscalyear2014.However,thenumberofSYsatuniversitiesdeceasedfrom85to42,agreaterrateofdecline.Duringthisperiod,totalnationalpublicfundingdecreasedfrom$42.7millioninfiscalyear2001to$32.5millioninfiscalyear2014.DataforeachyeararesummarizedinAppendixD.InstitutionalFrameworkPrioritiesforResearch,Education,andDevelopmentThesheepandlambindustryischallengedtodomorewithlessandtodosomethingsdifferently.Thepublicresearchandeducationinfrastructurehasbecomesmallermakingitessentialtofocusontheprioritiesandchallengesmostimportanttotheindustry.Astheindustryseesitssecondyearofinventoryincreasesitisimperativetomaintainthemomentumandensurerecentgrowthissustainableandthus,long-term.Theindustryischallengedtohelpthegrowingnumberofsheepoperationswiththeirsheepchallengestomitigateriskandpromotegrowth.Movingforward,thechallengetotheindustryishowbesttoallocatelimitedresearchandeducationresourcestowardthemostimpactfulgain.Focusgroupparticipantshelpeddevelopaplanforafuturethatwillrequireheightenedcollaborationamongsheepstakeholderstoimprovetheefficiencyofresearchanddevelopmentprogramsandeducationdelivery.

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Ø Improveinformationresources

Apanelofindustryexpertsagreedthatthenumberonechallengeinprovidingsupporttosheepproducersisgettingtheinformationtotheminatimely,efficient,accurateandeffectivemanner.Therearefewersheepextensionspecialistsavailableforsheepproducersgivenshrinkingbudgets,andatthesametimethereisanexplosionofsheepadviceontheInternetthatmay--ormaynotbe--accurate.Inaddition,thereisanexpansionintheindustryincertaingeographicareasespeciallybyproducerswithsmallerflockswhichcreatesmoreofachallengeforinformationdelivery.Howtopromotesheepeducationisthechallengemovingforward.Surveyedproducerswereaskedhowoftenvarioussourcesofinformationareused.Amongrespondentsansweringhowofteneachinformationsourcewasused,the“Internet”wasusedthemostroutinely(67percent),followedby“Otherproducers(informal)”(43percent)and“Veterinarians”(37percent).Twenty-fourpercentofoperationsreportedusingExtensionspecialists/countyagentsroutinely.

Ø Developcollaborative,regionalsheepcentersforresearch

Overall,focusgroupparticipantsagreedfortheneedforincreasedpartneringbetweenuniversities,sheepinstitutions,theprivatesectorandfederalsheepresearchefforts.Surveyrespondentsrecommendedimprovedcommunicationandsharingofresourcesamongstatesheeporganizations,theAmericanSheepIndustryAssociation,universitiesandtheextensionsystem.Thefocusgroupparticipantsrecommend:

§ Continuedsupportforcentersforsheepresearchandtodevelopacollaborativeeffortbetweentheindustry,universitiesandtheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,AgriculturalResearchService.

§ Encouragepublicandprivatepartneringtoleverageresourcesforefficiencyandeffectiveness.§ Continuetotakeadvantageoftheexistingprivateandpublicresearchandeducation

infrastructure.TheALBRoadmaphadaconsistentfinding.Itaskedwhetheraconsortiaoflandgrantuniversitiescouldexecutecoordinated,collaborativeappliedresearchfortheirlargerregion.Coordinatedactivitiescouldaddressspecificissuesuniquetodifferentregionsandsheepproductionmodels.StatesheepassociationsandstateExtensionServicepersonnelshouldcollaboratetodevelopalong-termplanforproducereducationthatisbestfortheirstate.Instateswithlowsheepinventories,severalstatesshouldconsiderdevelopingaplanforamulti-stateregion.

Ø Developexpandedsheepcheckofffunds

Arecurringquestionamongfocusgroupparticipantsishowtofundsheepresearch,developmentandeducationaleffortsinaperiodofdecliningsheepbudgets.Onerecommendationistopromoteprivatesectorfundingoptions.Anexpandedsheepcheckoffcouldprovidefundsforsheepresearchincludingbroaderlambmarketingresearchandwoolresearch.TheAmericanLambBoardiscurrentlyfundedwithlambcheckoffdollars.Anotheroptionistoallocateaportionofthecurrentcheckofffundstoresearchandoutreach.

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Ø DevelopanInternetonlinehubofsheepresourcesandsupport(TheexistingwebsiteeXtensionispositionedtodothisifresourcesaredevotedtoit).

TherecurrentlyexistsanonlinesheepeXtensionsystem--aknowledge-to-actionservicewithresearch-basedinformationthatisanintegralpartoftheU.S.CooperativeExtensionSystem31--thatcouldbefurtherpopulatedwithinformationandreorganizedtobetterservesheepproducers.CreationofanonlineInternethubwasalsorecommendedbyindustryexpertsacrossallprioritytopicstohelpeducateproducers.Keygoalsofthisonlinehubwouldbefirst,itiseasytouse.Thesitewouldnotcontainanoverloadofinformation,butrelevantinformationthatcoverstherangeoftopicsprioritizedinthesurvey.Achatroomwithinthesitecouldgenerateconversation.Theonlinehubcouldbesupportedbyanetworkoforganizationsandspecialiststodirectspecificquestionsto,mostlypublicinstitutions.

31Extension.https://extension.org/accessed4/17/16.

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APPENDIXA—DemographicProfilesandSurveyResultsChapter1:DemographicsandGeneralInformationA.1.1ProducerSurveyResponsebyFlockSizeA.1.2PercentOperationsbyFlockSizeA.1.3PercentBreedingEwesbyFlockSizeA.1.4PrincipalTypeOperationbyPercentOperationsA.1.5PrimaryTypeofFlockManagementbyPercentOperationsA.1.6IdentificationofASIRegionsA.1.7PercentOperationsbyASIRegionA.1.8PercentBreedingEwesbyASIRegionA.1.9PercentRespondentsbyYearsofExperienceRaisingSheepA.1.10PercentRespondentsbyAgeofPrincipalOperatorA.1.11CurrentSizeofOperationComparedto2010byPercentOperationsA.1.12CurrentSizeofOperationRelativeto2010byASIRegionA.1.13CurrentSizeofOperationRelativeto2010byFlockSizeA.1.14PercentOperationsthatCurrentlyHaveMoreEwesthanin2010byFlockSizeA.1.15PercentOperationsthathaveIncreasedFlockSizeoverthePastFiveYearsbyRegionA.1.16PercentOperationsthathaveDecreasedFlockSizeoverthePastFiveYearsbyRegionA.1.17ExpansionPlansovertheNextFiveYearsbyPercentOperationsA.1.18ExpansionPlansovertheNextFiveYearsbyRegionA.1.19ExpansionPlansovertheNextFiveYearsbyFlockSizeA.1.20PercentOperationsPlanningtoIncreaseFlockSizebyRegionA.1.21PercentOperationsPlanningtoIncreaseFlockSizebySizeofFlockA.1.22PrimaryReason(s)forDecreasingFlockSizeRelativeto2010byPercentOperationsA.1.23PrimaryReason(s)forNOTIncreasingFlockSizeovertheNextFiveyearsbyPercentOperations

DemographicsofGreatestChallengesA.1.24GreatestChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperationsA.1.25GreatestChallengesbyPotentialtoIncreaseProfitabilityA.1.26GreatestChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandRegionA.1.27GreatestChallengesbyPercentOperationsandRegionA.1.28GreatestChallengesbyTypeandSizeofFlockA.1.29GreatestChallengesbyPrimaryTypeofFlockManagementA.1.30GreatestChallengesbyYearsofExperienceRaisingSheepChapter2:GeneticsandBreedingA.2.1PercentOperationswithEwesExposedforOut-of-SeasonBreedingDuringthePastThreeYearsbyTypeandSizeofFlockA.2.2FactorsLimitingtheSuccessofOut-of-SeasonBreedingProgramsbyPercentOperationsthatExposedEwesforOut-of-SeasonBreedingA.2.3ReasonsGivenbySeedstockProducersforNOTUsingEBVsChapter3:FlockHealthA.3.1Lambs:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyFlockSizeA.3.2Lambs:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyRegionA.3.3BreedingEwes/Rams:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyFlockSize

65

A.3.4BreedingEwes/Rams:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyRegionA.3.5Disease/DiseaseConditioninLambswithGreatestEconomicImpactA.3.6Disease/DiseaseConditioninBreedingEwes/RamswithGreatestEconomicImpact

ParasiteManagementA.3.7PercentOperationswithinaRegionIdentifyingInternalParasitesasaDifficultDiseaseConditioninLambs&/orBreedingSheepA.3.8UseofParasiteManagementTechnologiesA.3.9UseofParasiteManagementTechnologiesbyParasiteManagementChallengeA.3.10EffectivenessofParasiteManagementTechnologiesbyOperationsReportingParasitesareaDifficultDiseaseConditiontoManageA.3.11EffectivenessofParasiteManagementTechnologiesbyOperationsReportingParasitesareNOTaDifficultDiseaseConditiontoManageChapter4:ReproductivePerformanceA.4.1SatisfactionwithReproductivePerformanceofFlockbyPercentOperationsA.4.2ReproductivePerformance:LeastSatisfiedwithOutcomesbyPercentOperationsChapter5:GrazingandPastureManagementandNutritionA.5.1GrazingandPastureManagementChallengesbyPercentRange-basedandPercentPasture-basedOperationsA.5.2GrazingandPastureManagementChallengeswithGreatestPotentialtoIncreaseProfitabilityA.5.3NutritionalManagementChallengesbyPercentRange-basedOperations,PercentPasture-basedOperations,PercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperationsA.5.4NutritionalManagementChallengeswithGreatestPotentialtoIncreaseProfitabilityChapter6:PublicInterestandSocialIssuesA.6.1ModeratetoSignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperationsA.6.2ModeratetoSignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentRange-basedandPercentPasture-basedOperationsA.6.3SignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperationsA.6.4SignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyFlockSize

PredatorManagementA.6.5RespondentsIdentifyingPredatorManagementasaMajorChallengebyRegionA.6.6RespondentsIdentifyingPredatorManagementasaMajorChallengebyFlockSizeA.6.7MostDifficultPredatorstoManagebyPercentOperationsandPercentBreedingEwesA.6.8MostDifficultPredatorstoManagebyTypeofManagementA.6.9MostDifficultPredatorstoManagebyRegionA.6.10EffectivenessofPredatorManagementTechnologiesChapter7:LambMarketingA.7.1OperationsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyTypeofOperationandRegionA.7.2CommercialLambOperationsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyFlockSizeA.7.3CommercialLambOperationsbyFlockSizeandWeightofMarketLambsSold

66

A.7.4CommercialLambOperationsbyMarketingasaMajorChallengeandWeightofMarketLambsSoldA.7.5CommercialLambOperationsbyMarketOutletandFlockSizeA.7.6CommercialLambOperationsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyMarketOutletandFlockSizeChapter8:WoolMarketingA.8.1WoolSalesbyMarketingOutletA.8.2Producer-IdentifiedNeedsforImprovingWoolA.8.3WoolBusiness-IdentifiedQuality/ValueAttributesofU.S.WoolA.8.4WoolBusiness-IdentifiedQuality/ValueWeaknessesofU.S.Wool

67

Chapter1:DemographicsandGreatestProducerChallengesDemographicsA.1.1ProducerSurveyResponsebyFlockSize

A.1.2PercentOperationsbyFlockSize

68

A.1.3PercentBreedingEwesbyFlockSize

A.1.4PrincipalTypeofOperationbyPercentOperations

45.8%

8.3%

33.5%

1.2%

7.1% 1.5% 2.7%

Commerciallamb WoolSeedstock DairyShow,4-H/clublamb SustainablelandmanagementOther

69

A.1.5PrimaryTypeofFlockManagementbyPercentOperations

A.1.6IdentificationofASIRegions

Region1 Region2 Region3 Region4 Region5 Region6 Region7 Region8

NortheastMid-Atlantic

SouthGreatLakes

Mid&Upper

MidwestTexas

Mountain&Desert

NorthernRockies

Pacific

CT AL IL IA TX CO MT AKME AR IN KS NM ID CAMA DE MI MO UT WY HINH GA MN NE AZ ORNJ FL OH ND NV WANY KY WI OKPA LA SDRI MDVT MS

NCSCTNVAWV

70

A.1.7PercentOperationsbyASIRegion

A.1.8PercentBreedingEwesbyASIRegion

71

A.1.9PercentRespondentsbyYearsofExperienceRaisingSheep

A.1.10PercentRespondentsbyAgeofPrincipalOperator

72

A.1.11CurrentSizeofOperationComparedto2010byPercentOperations

A.1.12CurrentSizeofOperationRelativeto2010byASIRegion

ASIRegion MoreEwes Same#Ewes FewerEwes

1=Northeast 54.7% 29.3% 16.0%2=Mid-Atlantic/South 58.9% 27.4% 13.7%3=GreatLakes 59.2% 27.6% 13.3%4=Mid&UpperMidwest 58.3% 32.1% 9.5%5=Texas 42.6% 29.6% 27.8%6=Mountain&Desert 40.0% 35.0% 25.0%7=NorthernRockies 26.5% 44.1% 29.4%8=Pacific 48.7% 25.0% 26.3%UnknownRegion 46.7% 26.7% 26.7%All 52.1% 29.5% 18.4%Acrossrowtotal(withinregion)equals100%.

73

A.1.13CurrentSizeofOperationRelativeto2010byFlockSize

A.1.14PercentOperationsthatCurrentlyHaveMoreEwesthanin2010byFlockSize

FlockSize MoreEwes Same#Ewes FewerEwes

1-100ewes 55.1% 28.4% 16.4%101-500ewes 49.5% 28.3% 22.2%501-1000ewes 33.3% 38.1% 28.6%1001-5000ewes 40.7% 33.3% 25.9%5000+ewes 0.0% 100.0% 0.0%UnknownFlockSize 42.9% 28.6% 28.6%All 52.1% 29.5% 18.4%Acrossrowtotal(withinflocksize)equals100%.

74

A.1.15PercentOperationsthathaveIncreasedFlockSizeoverthePastFiveYearsbyRegion

A.1.16PercentOperationsthathaveDecreasedFlockSizeoverthePastFiveYearsbyRegion

75

A.1.17ExpansionPlansovertheNextFiveYearsbyPercentOperations

A.1.18ExpansionPlansovertheNextFiveYearsbyRegion(percentoperations)

ASIRegion MoreEwes Same#Ewes FewerEwes Don'tKnow

1=Northeast 35.4% 45.6% 13.9% 5.1%2=Mid-Atlantic/South 53.0% 38.0% 5.0% 4.0%3=GreatLakes 48.5% 35.6% 9.9% 5.9%4=Mid&UpperMidwest 55.3% 32.9% 2.4% 9.4%5=Texas 52.7% 38.2% 1.8% 7.3%6=Mountain&Desert 36.8% 47.4% 10.5% 5.3%7=NorthernRockies 29.4% 50.0% 14.7% 5.9%8=Pacific 39.5% 39.5% 13.2% 7.9%UnknownRegion 54.5% 21.2% 6.1% 18.2%All 46.6% 38.1% 8.2% 7.0%Acrossrowtotal(withinregion)equals100%.

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A.1.19ExpansionPlansovertheNextFiveYearsbyFlockSize(percentoperations)

A.1.20PercentOperationsPlanningto A.1.21PercentOperationsPlanningtoIncreaseFlockSizebyRegion IncreaseFlockSizebySizeofFlock

FlockSize MoreEwes Same#Ewes FewerEwes Don'tKnow

1-100ewes 45.6% 39.2% 7.6% 7.6%101-500ewes 46.9% 37.8% 12.2% 3.1%501-1000ewes 57.1% 28.6% 9.5% 4.8%1001-5000ewes 57.7% 23.1% 3.8% 15.4%5000+ewes 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0%UnknownFlockSize 50.0% 30.0% 10.0% 10.0%All 46.6% 38.1% 8.2% 7.0%Acrossrowtotal(withinflocksize)equals100%.

ASIRegion %Operations FlockSize %Operations

1=Northeast 10.3% 1-100 71.6%2=Mid-Atlantic/South 19.6% 101-500 17.0%3=GreatLakes 18.1% 501-1000 4.4%4=Mid&UpperMidwest 17.3% 1001-5000 5.5%5=Texas 10.7% 5000+ 0.0%6=Mountain&Desert 2.6% Unknown 1.5%7=NorthernRockies 3.7% Columntotalequals100%.

8=Pacific 11.1%Unknown 6.6%Columntotalequals100%.

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A.1.22PrimaryReason(s)forDecreasingFlockSizeRelativeto2010byPercentOperations

A.1.23PrimaryReason(s)forNOTIncreasingFlockSizeOvertheNextFiveyearsbyPercentOperations

Reason(s) %Operations

Weather/drought-related 34%Landavailability 33%Part-timeorworkingofffarm 23%Laborcost/availability 20%Age/Health 19%Predation 17%Flockhealth 17%Marketprices 14%Otherenterprisesmoreprofitable 10%Other 9%Accesstofinancing 7%Marketaccess 5%Governmentregulation/compliance 5%Columntotalisgreaterthan100%.

Reason(s) %Operations

Landavailability 44%Satisfiedwithcurrentoperationsize 41%Part-time/workingofffarm 32%Laborcost/availability 28%Retirement 24%Feedresources 21%Predation 12%Marketprices 9%Weatherrelated 9%Marketaccess 7%Accesstofinancing 7%Flockhealth 7%Gov'tregulations/compliance 6%Otherenterprisesmoreprofitable 6%Other 3%Columntotalisgreaterthan100%.

78

GreatestProducerChallengesA.1.24GreatestChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations

A.1.25GreatestChallengesbyPotentialtoIncreaseProfitability(percentoperations)

GreatestChallenges %breedingewes %operations

Labor/labormanagement 55.4% 29.6%

Predatormanagement 51.8% 22.9%

Governmentregulations/compliance 47.9% 8.9%

Marketing 31.8% 33.3%

Flockhealth 26.5% 32.6%

Grazingandforagemanagement 20.4% 42.0%

Facilitiesandfencing 14.7% 28.4%

Estateplanning/generationaltransfer 11.7% 8.9%

Reproductiveperformance 11.1% 19.3%

Genetics 9.6% 22.3%

Financialmanagement/financing 8.7% 14.9%

Nutritionalmanagement 7.4% 14.2%

Animalwelfareissues 3.9% 3.4%

Biosecurityissues 1.0% 2.3%

Other 0.6% 3.0%

PotentialtoIncreaseProfitability %breedingewes %operations

Marketing 27.8% 17.7%


Labor/labormanagement 9.4% 6.3%

Grazingandforagemanagement 8.0% 16.6%

Flockhealth 7.7% 11.4%

Reproductiveperformance 6.1% 10.6%

Governmentregulations/compliance 5.2% 1.3%

Genetics 4.7% 13.4%

Financialmanagement/financing 4.1% 3.8%




Other 0.4% 1.4%

Animalwelfareissues 0.0% 0.0%

Biosecurityissues 0.0% 0.0%

Columntotalsequal100%.

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A.1.26GreatestChallengesbyPercentBreedingEwesandRegion

A.1.27GreatestChallengesbyPercentOperationsandRegion

Labor/labormanagement 32% 23% 28% 44% 60% 90% 63% 47% 64% 55%

Predatormanagement 3% 46% 13% 17% 46% 46% 86% 36% 79% 52%

Governmentregulations/compliance 2% 5% 5% 1% 2% 39% 81% 69% 51% 48%

Marketing 27% 29% 31% 30% 9% 8% 53% 39% 3% 32%

Flockhealth 45% 57% 35% 39% 23% 5% 26% 22% 29% 27%

Grazingandforagemanagement 38% 39% 21% 19% 48% 4% 25% 18% 7% 20%

Facilitiesandfencing 25% 24% 35% 15% 24% 1% 9% 9% 31% 15%

Estateplanning/generationaltransfer 16% 8% 20% 16% 35% 4% 14% 8% 0% 12%

Reproductiveperformance 26% 20% 37% 30% 10% 7% 1% 11% 2% 11%

Genetics 19% 17% 25% 27% 20% 2% 2% 7% 3% 10%

Financialmanagement/financing 18% 8% 18% 17% 3% 27% 0% 5% 8% 9%

Nutritionalmanagement 26% 8% 11% 22% 2% 1% 9% 1% 4% 7%

Animalwelfareissues 2% 2% 2% 17% 4% 0% 1% 1% 11% 4%

Biosecurityissues 15% 0% 6% 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% 1%

Other 9% 2% 2% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1%

Columnandrowtotalsaregreaterthan100%.Producersaskedtoselectuptothree.

Region5Texas

Region6Mountain&

Desert

Region7NorthernRockies

Region8Pacific

UnknownRegion

ALLRegionsGreatestChallenges

byPercentBreedingEwesRegion1Northeast

Region2Mid-Atlantic

South

Region3GreatLakes

Region4Mid&UpperMidwest

Grazingandforagemanagement 49% 46% 37% 33% 48% 30% 38% 45% 36% 42%

Marketing 44% 33% 35% 41% 18% 30% 24% 37% 12% 33%

Flockhealth 28% 40% 40% 30% 36% 15% 11% 26% 42% 33%

Labor/labormanagement 31% 24% 29% 37% 21% 40% 38% 32% 33% 30%

Facilitiesandfencing 33% 35% 25% 25% 38% 20% 16% 22% 30% 28%

Predatormanagement 9% 24% 10% 16% 30% 30% 46% 38% 33% 23%

Genetics 23% 19% 24% 25% 32% 15% 27% 15% 18% 22%

Reproductiveperformance 9% 21% 22% 24% 23% 20% 11% 18% 18% 19%

Financialmanagement/financing 24% 12% 15% 13% 14% 15% 5% 13% 18% 15%

Nutritionalmanagement 17% 14% 18% 11% 9% 15% 22% 8% 12% 14%

Estateplanning/generationaltransfer 6% 5% 9% 17% 7% 10% 16% 6% 3% 9%

Governmentregulations/compliance 6% 8% 7% 2% 4% 25% 27% 17% 18% 9%

Animalwelfareissues 3% 4% 1% 6% 5% 5% 8% 5% 3% 3%

Other 9% 1% 5% 0% 4% 5% 0% 0% 3% 3%

Biosecurityissues 4% 2% 6% 1% 0% 5% 0% 0% 0% 2%

Columnandrowtotalsaregreaterthan100%.Producersaskedtoselectuptothree.

Region6Mountain&

Desert


Region8Pacific

UnknownRegion

ALLRegionsGreatestChallenges

byPercentOperationsRegion1Northeast

Region2Mid-Atlantic

South

Region3GreatLakes


Region5Texas

80

A.1.28GreatestChallengesbyTypeandSizeofFlock

A.1.29GreatestChallengesbyPrimaryTypeofFlockManagement(percentoperations)

FlockSize1-75

FlockSize76-225

FlockSize226-500

AllSeedstock&ShowFlocks

FlockSize1-99

FlockSize100-1499

FlockSize1500+

AllCommercial

Flocks

%AllBreedingEwes

%AllOperations

Labor/labormanagement 23% 32% 43% 26% 27% 38% 61% 32% 55% 30%Predatormanagement 15% 21% 57% 18% 17% 43% 48% 27% 52% 23%Governmentregulations/compliance 5% 6% 0% 5% 7% 9% 65% 11% 48% 9%Marketing 35% 21% 43% 32% 39% 30% 17% 34% 32% 33%Flockhealth 33% 32% 0% 32% 35% 31% 22% 32% 27% 33%Grazingandforagemanagement 41% 40% 43% 41% 51% 32% 13% 40% 20% 42%Facilitiesandfencing 27% 17% 14% 24% 36% 26% 9% 29% 15% 28%Estateplanning/generationaltransfer 8% 9% 43% 9% 5% 15% 13% 9% 12% 9%Reproductiveperformance 21% 21% 14% 24% 14% 23% 9% 16% 11% 19%Genetics 36% 38% 14% 36% 15% 12% 9% 13% 10% 22%Financialmanagement/financing 19% 6% 0% 16% 17% 11% 9% 14% 9% 15%Nutritionalmanagement 18% 9% 0% 15% 14% 13% 9% 13% 7% 14%Animalwelfareissues 2% 0% 29% 2% 4% 4% 9% 4% 4% 3%Biosecurityissues 2% 9% 0% 4% 2% 2% 0% 2% 1% 2%Other 2% 2% 0% 0% 4% 1% 0% 2% 1% 3%Columntotalsaregreaterthan100%.Producersaskedtoselectuptothree.

GreatestChallenges

Seedstock&ShowFlocks CommercialFlocks ALLFlocks

Animalwelfareissues 5% 7% 2% 5% 0%

Biosecurityissues 0% 2% 2% 3% 0%

Estateplanning/generationaltransfer 9% 16% 8% 8% 8%

Facilitiesandfencing 5% 35% 29% 29% 15%

Financialmanagement/financing 14% 12% 12% 21% 8%

Flockhealth 9% 19% 35% 34% 23%

Genetics 5% 21% 23% 23% 23%

Governmentregulations/compliance 64% 16% 6% 6% 23%

Grazingandforagemanagement 27% 28% 51% 35% 23%

Labor/labormanagement 73% 40% 26% 28% 54%

Marketing 14% 21% 35% 35% 54%

Nutritionalmanagement 5% 5% 15% 16% 0%

Predatormanagement 59% 56% 19% 17% 38%

Reproductiveperformance 5% 9% 21% 22% 0%

Columntotalsaregreaterthan100%.Producersaskedtoselectuptothree.

GreatestChallengesHerdedOpenRange

FencedRange

PastureCombinationPasture&DryLot

Other

81

A.1.30GreatestChallengesbyYearsofExperienceRaisingSheep(percentoperations)

GreatestChallenges <6years 6-10years 11-20years 21-30years >30years unknown

Animalwelfareissues 1.9% 2.7% 1.9% 3.2% 7.0% 16.7%

Biosecurityissues 1.0% 1.4% 5.8% 3.2% 1.0% 0.0%

Estateplanning/generationaltransfer 5.8% 4.1% 5.8% 9.6% 12.9% 16.7%

Facilitiesandfencing 40.8% 31.1% 32.7% 19.1% 21.9% 50.0%

Financialmanagement/financing 26.2% 13.5% 19.2% 10.6% 8.5% 33.3%

Flockhealth 33.0% 35.1% 24.0% 48.9% 27.4% 16.7%

Genetics 16.5% 25.7% 28.8% 20.2% 22.9% 0.0%

Governmentregulations/compliance 8.7% 2.7% 6.7% 4.3% 16.9% 33.3%

Grazingandforagemanagement 49.5% 54.1% 47.1% 42.6% 28.9% 50.0%

Labor/labormanagement 20.4% 24.3% 31.7% 21.3% 41.8% 33.3%

Marketing 48.5% 28.4% 31.7% 34.0% 27.4% 33.3%

Nutritionalmanagement 12.6% 23.0% 17.3% 12.8% 10.0% 0.0%

Other 2.9% 1.4% 4.8% 2.1% 3.0% 16.7%

Predatormanagement 11.7% 25.7% 8.7% 25.5% 34.8% 16.7%

Reproductiveperformance 12.6% 20.3% 21.2% 18.1% 21.9% 0.0%

Columntotalsaregreaterthan100%.Producersaskedtoselectuptpthree.

82

Chapter2:GeneticsandBreedingA.2.1PercentOperationswithEwesExposedforOut-of-SeasonBreedingDuringthePastThreeYearsbyTypeandSizeofFlock

A.2.2FactorsLimitingtheSuccessofOut-of-SeasonBreedingProgramsbyPercentOperationsthatExposedEwesforOut-of-SeasonBreeding

11.2%

15.4%

19.6%

24.5%

44.1%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Noteconomicallyfeasible

Other

InformaTonneeds

Management/laborintensive

Breed/geneTcs

83

A.2.3ReasonsGivenbySeedstockProducersforNOTUsingEBVs

84

Chapter3:FlockHealthA.3.1Lambs:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyFlockSize

A.3.2Lambs:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyRegion(percentoperations)

Internalparasites 44% 46% 46% 14% 43%

Starvation 34% 51% 61% 50% 40%

Pneumonia/respiratorydisease 27% 46% 64% 45% 34%

Coccidiosis 27% 34% 18% 32% 28%

Enterotoxemia 11% 21% 11% 18% 14%

Diarrhea(scours) 14% 14% 0% 14% 14%

Otherdigestiveproblems 14% 8% 11% 23% 13%

None 16% 4% 4% 5% 12%

Otherdisease 9% 7% 4% 0% 8%

Whitemuscledisease 6% 4% 0% 23% 6%

Navelorjointill 4% 4% 21% 14% 6%

SoreMouth 3% 7% 4% 5% 4%

Ringworm(clublambfungus) 2% 3% 0% 0% 2%

Polyarthritis 1% 2% 4% 5% 1%

1-99 100-499 500-1499 1500+ All

Coccidiosis 18% 40% 32% 34% 17% 20% 18% 23% 28%

Diarrhea(scours) 8% 16% 10% 11% 24% 25% 12% 11% 17%

Enterotoxemia 18% 7% 9% 18% 9% 15% 36% 12% 17%

Internalparasites 47% 65% 39% 36% 63% 20% 15% 32% 45%

Navelorjointill 3% 2% 9% 4% 2% 15% 9% 8% 7%

Otherdigestiveproblems 9% 9% 14% 16% 15% 20% 21% 12% 3%

Otherdisease 9% 9% 5% 10% 9% 5% 15% 6% 7%

Pneumonia/respiratorydisease 24% 25% 37% 36% 26% 35% 52% 43% 41%

Polyarthritis 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 6% 0%

Ringworm(clublambfungus) 0% 0% 4% 4% 4% 0% 0% 2% 0%

SoreMouth 2% 5% 4% 3% 9% 5% 0% 5% 0%

Starvation 39% 35% 53% 45% 20% 40% 52% 28% 38%

Whitemuscledisease 20% 1% 3% 4% 0% 10% 9% 9% 0%


Region8Pacific

UnknownRegion

Region1Northeast

Region2Mid-Atlantic

Region3GreatLakes


Region5Texas

Region6Mountain&

Desert

85

A.3.3BreedingEwes/Rams:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyFlockSize

A.3.4BreedingEwes/Rams:DiseasesDifficulttoManagebyRegion(percentoperations)

InternalParasites 55% 56% 36% 18% 53%

Mastitis 33% 44% 57% 45% 37%

Footrot/Scald 26% 30% 25% 23% 27%

Abortion 12% 15% 14% 18% 13%

Pregnancytoxemia 10% 12% 11% 32% 12%

Otherrespiratorydisease 8% 13% 25% 18% 10%

Ovineprogressivepneumonia(OPP) 4% 13% 32% 23% 8%

Caseouslymphadenitis 8% 10% 4% 0% 8%

ExternalParasites 7% 6% 7% 14% 7%

Thinewesyndrome(chronicwasting) 4% 9% 7% 5% 5%

Bluetongue 2% 5% 7% 5% 3%

Otherdisease 3% 3% 4% 0% 3%

Pinkeye 3% 1% 0% 0% 2%

Ramepididymitis 0% 2% 4% 9% 1%

Scrapie 0% 1% 0% 0% 0%

1-99 100-499 500-1499 1500+ All

Abortion 8% 7% 18% 18% 9% 15% 18% 10% 12%Bluetongue 0% 1% 0% 3% 2% 10% 9% 12% 0%Caseouslymphadenitis 3% 4% 12% 3% 23% 10% 9% 6% 4%ExternalParasites 6% 4% 7% 8% 2% 15% 3% 12% 8%Footrot/Scald 23% 48% 27% 15% 0% 25% 3% 37% 38%Internalparasites 63% 68% 54% 45% 68% 25% 24% 40% 50%Mastitis 29% 31% 38% 49% 28% 45% 55% 34% 35%Otherdisease 5% 3% 1% 6% 2% 0% 0% 1% 4%Otherrespiratorydisease 5% 4% 11% 13% 15% 20% 9% 13% 12%Ovineprogressivepneumonia(OPP) 6% 6% 8% 13% 2% 5% 15% 15% 8%Pinkeye 6% 0% 2% 0% 4% 5% 0% 1% 0%Pregnancytoxemia 15% 7% 15% 15% 9% 5% 15% 7% 8%Ramepididymitis 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 10% 3% 4% 0%Scrapie 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%Thinewesyndrome(chronicwasting) 8% 4% 8% 6% 2% 0% 9% 4% 4%

Region6Mountain&

Desert


Region8Pacific

UnknownRegion

Region1Northeast

Region2Mid-Atlantic

Region3GreatLakes


Region5Texas

86

A.3.5Disease/DiseaseConditioninLambswithGreatestEconomicImpact(percentoperations)

A.3.6Disease/DiseaseConditioninBreedingEwes/RamswithGreatestEconomicImpact(percentoperations)

87

ParasiteManagementA.3.7PercentOperationswithinaRegionIdentifyingInternalParasitesasaDifficultDiseaseConditioninLambs&/orBreedingSheep

A.3.8UseofParasiteManagementTechnologies(percentoperations)

88

A.3.9UseofParasiteManagementTechnologiesbyParasiteManagementChallenge

A.3.10EffectivenessofParasiteManagementTechnologiesbyOperationsReportingParasitesareaDifficultDiseaseConditiontoManage

30%

39% 40% 40% 40%43%

57%61%

70%

61% 60% 60% 60%57%

43%39%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%somewhattoveryeffecTve somewhatineffecTvetoineffecTve

89

A.3.11EffectivenessofParasiteManagementTechnologiesbyOperationsReportingParasitesareNOTaDifficultDiseaseConditiontoManage

59%

53%57%

55%57% 56%

60% 61%

41%

47%43%

45%43% 44%

40% 39%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%somewhattoveryeffecTve somewhatineffecTvetoineffecTve

90

Chapter4:ReproductivePerformanceA.4.1SatisfactionwithReproductivePerformancebyPercentOperations

A.4.2ReproductivePerformance:LeastSatisfiedwithOutcomesbyPercentOperations

Notsatisfied

Somewhatunsatisfied

Somewhatsatisfied

Verysatisfied

#eweslambingperewesexposed 3.6% 7.3% 41.9% 47.2%#lambsbornperewelambing 3.8% 12.8% 47.7% 35.8%Lengthoflambingseason 4.2% 12.8% 40.2% 42.7%%eweslambingasyearlings 4.9% 12.7% 39.6% 42.9%#lambsweanedperewelambing 4.9% 20.6% 41.5% 33.0%Lifetimeproductivity/longevityofewes 3.1% 10.8% 42.2% 43.9%Rowtotalsequal100%.

91

Chapter5:GrazingandPastureManagementandNutritionA.5.1GrazingandPastureManagementChallengesbyPercentPasture-basedandPercentRange-basedOperations

A.5.2GrazingandPastureManagementChallengeswithGreatestPotentialtoIncreaseProfitability

%Range-based %Pasture-based

Multi -species grazing 50% 26%

Pasturerenovation 41% 62%

Cropaftermath 37% 13%

Control invas ivespecies 31% 19%

Intens iverotational grazing 30% 64%

Forageanalys is 11% 19%

Alternativeforages 6% 16%

Other 4% 4%

Soi l testing 2% 15%


%Range-based %Pasture-based

Rotational grazing 22% 31%

PastureRenovation 20% 39%

Multi -species grazing 18% 9%

Cropaftermath 18% 4%

Control invas ivespecies 18% 4%

Alternativeforages 4% 6%

Other 2% 3%

Forageanalys is 0% 4%

Soi l testing 0% 1%


92

A.5.3NutritionalManagementChallengesbyPercentRange-basedOperations,PercentPasture-basedOperations,PercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations

A.5.4NutritionalManagementChallengeswithGreatestPotentialtoIncreaseProfitability

Alternativefeedsinbalancedrations 5% 8% 11% 8%

Balancingrations 11% 20% 11% 19%

Droughtmanagement 60% 27% 54% 31%

Earlyweaning/artificialrearingoflambs 11% 11% 9% 11%

Feedanalysis/feedquality 16% 21% 23% 20%

Feedefficiency 9% 17% 18% 16%

Feedhandling/deliverysystems 9% 21% 13% 20%

Finishingrationsforlambs 11% 6% 6% 6%

Growingrationsforlambs 11% 14% 6% 14%

Least-costrations 31% 36% 28% 35%

Micronutrientmanagement 16% 11% 8% 12%

Nutritionalmanagementofewes 31% 29% 35% 29%

Orphanlambmanagement 16% 21% 19% 21%

Supplementalfeedingpasturelambs 9% 15% 5% 14%

Other 0% 1% 0% 1%


%Range-based

%Pasture-based

%BreedingEwes

%Operations

Alternativefeedsinbalancedrations 2% 2%

Balancingrations 2% 5%

Droughtmanagement 33% 13%

Earlyweaning/artificialrearingoflambs 6% 3%

Feedanalysis/feedquality 8% 6%

Feedefficiency 2% 8%

Feedhandling/deliverysystems 4% 6%

Finishingrationsforlambs 4% 2%

Growingrationsforlambs 2% 5%

Least-costrations 12% 20%

Micronutrientmanagement 6% 3%

Nutritionalmanagementofewes 12% 15%

Orphanlambmanagement 4% 6%

Supplementalfeedingpasturelambs 2% 6%

Other 2% 1%


%Pasture-based

%Range-based

93

Chapter6:PublicInterestandSocialIssuesA.6.1ModeratetoSignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations

A.6.2ModeratetoSignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentRange-basedandPercentPasture-basedoperations

94

A.6.3SignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyPercentBreedingEwesandPercentOperations

A.6.4SignificantCurrentorPotentialImpactonOperationbyFlockSize(numberbreedingewes)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

EnviromentalRegulamonsEndangeredSpecies LandUse AnimalWelfareDomesmcWildlifeinterfaceImmigramonReform

1-99 100-499 500-1499 1500+

95

PredatorManagement

A.6.5RespondentsIdentifyingPredatorManagementasaMajorChallengebyRegion

A.6.6RespondentsIdentifyingPredatorManagementasaMajorChallengebyFlockSize

%operations%breeding

ewes

Northeast 5.2% 0.1%

Mid-Atlantic/South 17.8% 3.6%

GreatLakes 7.4% 1.4%

Mid&UpperMidwest 9.6% 3.6%

Texas 12.6% 5.3%

Mountain&Desert 4.4% 8.6%

NorthernRockies 12.6% 44.0%

Paci fic 22.2% 16.3%

Unknown 8.1% 17.0%

FlockSize %operations%breeding

ewes

1-100 49.6% 3.6%

101-500 28.1% 13.7%

501-1000 5.9% 8.0%

1001-5000 9.6% 41.8%

5001+ 2.2% 32.9%

Unknown 4.4% --

96

A.6.7MostDifficultPredatorstoManagebyPercentOperationsandPercentBreedingEwes

A.6.8MostDifficultPredatorstoManagebyTypeofManagement

%operations%breeding

ewes

Bear 11% 33%

Bobcat/lynx 10% 11%

Fox 15% 4%

Mountainl ion 15% 32%

Coyotes 89% 96%

Wolves 9% 34%

Dogs 51% 21%

Eagles 13% 15%

Vultures 14% 10%

Unknown 7% 4%

Other 4% 8%Note:co lumnto tals >100%P roducers as kedto s elec tupto three.

OpenRange

FencedRange

PasturePasture&Drylot

Other

Bear 18% 4% 3% 3% 14%

Bobcat/lynx 0% 11% 4% 4% 0%

Fox 0% 7% 7% 7% 0%

Mountainl ion 18% 9% 4% 5% 0%

Coyotes 36% 36% 36% 40% 57%

Wolves 20% 5% 0% 4% 14%

Dogs 4% 4% 26% 27% 14%

Eagles 0% 11% 6% 4% 0%

Vultures 0% 9% 7% 5% 0%

Unknown 0% 2% 4% 2% 0%

Other 4% 4% 2% 0% 0%

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

97

A.6.9MostDifficultPredatorstoManagebyRegion

A.6.10EffectivenessofPredatorManagementTechnologies

NortheastMid-

Atlantic/South

GreatLakesMid&Upper

MidwestTexas

Mountain&Desert

NorthernRockies

Pacific

Bear 4% 3% 0% 0% 0% 22% 13% 2%

Bobcat/lynx 9% 2% 0% 5% 18% 0% 0% 1%

Fox 6% 7% 4% 5% 14% 9% 6% 1%

Mountainl ion 2% 1% 1% 7% 2% 17% 11% 15%

Coyotes 45% 38% 45% 45% 27% 39% 40% 38%

Wolves 0% 4% 6% 0% 0% 0% 17% 6%

Dogs 21% 29% 32% 20% 8% 9% 8% 24%

Eagles 4% 2% 4% 13% 6% 0% 6% 7%

Vultures 6% 9% 3% 0% 16% 0% 0% 2%

Unknown 0% 4% 4% 5% 6% 0% 0% 0%

Other 2% 1% 0% 0% 2% 4% 0% 4%

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Haveusedtechnology

somewhateffectivetoextremelyeffective

somewhatineffetive

toineffective

Presenceofherders 18% 66% 34%

Wovenwire(ornet)fences 74% 79% 21%

High-tens i le,electricfencing 42% 75% 25%

Flagging/noise 11% 24% 76%

Livestockguardiandogs 48% 92% 8%

Livestockguardianl lamas 23% 56% 44%

Livestockguardiandonkeys 19% 58% 42%

Nightpenningsheep 44% 87% 13%

ElectronicGuard 7% 31% 69%

Trans location 8% 8% 92%

Shooting 44% 80% 20%

Snares 21% 77% 23%

Leg-holdtraps 18% 68% 32%

LivestockProtectionCol lar 5% 27% 73%

M-44CyanideInjector 11% 61% 39%

98

Chapter7:LambMarketingA.7.1OperationsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyTypeofOperationandRegion

A.7.2CommercialLambOperationsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyFlockSize

TypeofOperation Region1Northeast

Region2Mid-Atlantic

South

Region3GreatLakes

Region4Mid&Upper

Midwest

Region5Texas

Region6Mountain&

Desert


Region8Pacific

Unknown

CommercialLamb 14% 22% 22% 15% 3% 5% 8% 10% 2%

Wool 45% 0% 20% 5% 0% 0% 0% 30% 0%

Seedstock 13% 16% 13% 30% 8% 2% 3% 14% 2%

Dairy 33% 0% 0% 0% 0% 33% 0% 0% 33%

Show/4-H 15% 23% 31% 0% 15% 0% 0% 15% 0%

SustainableLandManagement 50% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 50% 0%

Other 25% 0% 0% 25% 0% 0% 0% 50% 0%

Acrossrowtotalsequal100%

99

A.7.3CommercialLambOperationsbyFlockSizeandWeightofMarketLambsSold

A.7.4CommercialLambOperationsbyMarketingasaMajorChallengeandWeightofMarketLambsSold

100

A.7.5CommercialLambOperationsbyMarketOutletandFlockSize

A.7.6CommercialLambOperationsIdentifyingMarketingasaMajorChallengebyMarketOutletandFlockSize

MarketOutlet Small( 1- 9 9 ewe s )

Mid-size( 1- 14 9 9 ewe s )

Large( 15 0 0 +ewe s )

Localauction/salebarn 52.3% 56.0% 15.8%Viainternetauction 0.9% 1.2% 0.0%Lambpool/coop 9.0% 11.9% 21.1%Toafeedlot 4.5% 8.3% 36.8%Nationalpacker 0.9% 13.1% 26.3%Local/regionalpacker 4.5% 7.1% 5.3%Localbutcher 9.0% 9.5% 10.5%Orderbuyerordealer 10.8% 23.8% 10.5%Restaurant 3.6% 8.3% 5.3%Grocerystore 1.8% 4.8% 0.0%"All-natural"grocer 0.9% 1.2% 15.8%FarmersMarket 4.5% 15.5% 0.0%Onfarm 62.2% 39.3% 10.5%Columntotalsmaybegreaterthan100%.

MarketOutlet Small( 1- 9 9 ewe s )

Mid-size( 1- 14 9 9 ewe s )

Large( 15 0 0 +ewe s )

Localauction/salebarn 44.4% 75.0% 0.0%Viainternetauction 2.2% 4.2% 0.0%Lambpool/coop 6.7% 8.3% 50.0%Toafeedlot 2.2% 4.2% 50.0%Nationalpacker 2.2% 20.8% 0.0%Local/regionalpacker 8.9% 8.3% 0.0%Localbutcher 8.9% 16.7% 0.0%Orderbuyerordealer 8.9% 20.8% 0.0%Restaurant 2.2% 8.3% 0.0%Grocerystore 4.4% 8.3% 0.0%"All-natural"grocer 2.2% 0.0% 0.0%FarmersMarket 6.7% 16.7% 0.0%Onfarm 73.3% 33.3% 0.0%Columntotalsmaybegreaterthan100%.

101

Chapter8:WoolMarketingA.8.1WoolSalesbyMarketingOutlet

A.8.2Producer-IdentifiedNeedsforImprovingWool

2.0%

9.5%

15.5%

17.6%

22.3%

22.3%

42.6%

49.3%

56.1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Other

WoolpreparaTon&handlinginformaTon

Skills/abilityofshearingcrew

Behershearing/handlingfaciliTes

Availabilityofshearers

Buyerfeedbackonqualityahributes

ImprovedgeneTcs(wooltraits)

ReducedcontaminaTon

Higherwoolprices

102

A.8.3WoolBusiness-IdentifiedQuality/ValueAttributesofU.S.Wool

A.8.4WoolBusiness-IdentifiedQuality/ValueWeaknessesofU.S.Wool

103

APPENDIXB--Research,Development,andEducationPrioritiesbySizeofOperationTheU.S.sheepindustryconsistsprimarilyoftwodistinctmanagementtypes:rangeoperationsinwesternU.S.andfarmflockoperationsraisingsheeponpastureand/orpasture/drylotsfoundprimarilyintheMidwestandEast.InCalifornia,ahybridofthetwomanagementtypesisoftenfound:manylarger,fencedoperations.Forcommercialoperations,asflocksizeincreases,thetoprankingchallengesshiftawayfromgrazingandforagemanagementtopredatormanagement,labor/labormanagementandgovernmentregulationsandcomplianceissues.Flockhealthconsistentlyranksfourthacrossallcommercialflocksizeranges.Marketingrankssecondamongsmallcommercialflockchallengesandfifthamongmedium-sizeandlargecommercialoperations.

GreatestChallengesofCommercialOperatorsbyTypeandSizeofOperationSmallcommercialoperations(1-99breedingewes).Thetopfivechallenges--inorderofimportance--were:

1. grazingandforagemanagement,2. marketing,3. facilitiesandfencing,4. flockhealth,and5. labor/labormanagement.

Mid-sizedcommercialoperations(100-1499breedingewes).Thetopfivegreatestchallengesdefinedbythissubsetwere(inorder):

1. predatormanagement,2. labor/labormanagement,3. grazingandforagemanagement,4. flockhealth,and5. marketing.

Largecommercialoperators(1,500+breedingewes).Largecommercialflocksrankedchallengesasfollows(inorder):

1. governmentregulations/compliance,2. laborandlabormanagement,3. predatormanagement,4. flockhealth,and5. marketing.

GreatestChallengesofSeedstockOperatorsbySizeofOperation

Forseedstockoperations,smallflocksweredefinedas1-75breedingewes;medium-sizeflocksweredefinedas76-225breedingewes;largeflocksweredefinedas226-500breedingewes.Smallseedstockoperatorsrankedchallenges(inorderofimportance):

104

1. grazingandforagemanagement,2. genetics,3. marketing,4. flockhealth,and5. facilitiesandfencing.

Medium-sizedseedstockproducersrankedchallenges(inorder):

1. grazingandforagemanagement,2. genetics,3. reproductiveperformance,4. labor/labormanagement,and5. flockhealth.

Thelargestseedstockoperatorsranked(inorder):

1. predatormanagement,2. estateplanning/generationaltransfer,3. marketing,4. labor/labormanagement,and5. grazingandforagemanagement.

105

APPENDIXC--DairySurveyResultsOnly1.3percentofrespondentsreportedthatdairywaseithertheirprimaryorsecondarytypeofsheepoperation.Onlyoneoperationreportedthat100percentofbothbreedingewesandbreedingramswereofadairy(milk)breed.Theremainingoperationsreported63percentofewesand70percentoframswereofa“milk-type”breed.Responsetothedairy-specificquestionswaslimitedamongdairyoperations,andnotsufficientforvalidinference.Seventy-onepercentofthedairyoperationsreported50breedingewesorfewerandtheremaining29percentofoperationsreportedbetween100and400breedingewes.Overhalfofdairyoperationscurrentlyhavemorebreedingewesthanin2010and86percentofoperationsplantoincreasebreedingewenumbersoverthenextfiveyears.Grazingandforagemanagementwasthetoprankingchallengeamongdairyoperationsfollowedequallybyflockhealth,marketing,facilitiesandfencing,andfinancialmanagementandfinancing.Pasturerenovationwasthetopgrazing/pasturemanagementchallengeamongdairyproducersandleast-costrationsthetopnutritionalchallenge.Rankingsforreproductiveperformancewerenotstatisticallydifferent.Internalparasitespresentedthegreatestdiseasechallengeforbothlambsandbreedingewes/ramsondairyoperations.

106

APPENDIXD--AllocationofPublicFundingforSheepResearchAllocationofpublicfundingforsheepresearchbyCRISKnowledgeAreabetweenFY2004andFY2013hasdroppedsignificantly.Belowisanationaloverviewoftheallocationofpublicresourcesforsheepresearchandeducation.Thedatarepresentresearchandeducationfundingatpublicuniversitiesandfederallaboratories.Thepublicsupportforsheepresearchandeducationhasdeclinedoverthepastseveralyearsasillustratedinthetablebelow.FigureD.1PublicSupportforSheepResearchandEducation

SheepResearchKnowledgeArea(KA) KANo.

FY2004PercentofTotal

FY2013PercentofTotal

ReproductivePerformance 301 31.0 37.6NutrientUtilization 302 8.1 6.1GeneticImprovement 303 3.9 6.5AnimalGenome 304 3.9 15.3PhysiologicalProcesses 305 5.9 7.3ManagementSystems 306 18.0 5.9ImprovedProducts 308 4.4 5.6Diseases 311 8.8 2.0InternalParasites 313 5.6 5.5AnimalWelfare 315 1.0 0.1MarketingandEconomics 600s 3.5 0.02Other 6.3 8.1NationalTotal 100.4 100.02

Thetotalpublicresourcesforsheepresearch,includingscientistyearequivalents(SYs)andfunding,aresummarizedbelowforfiscalyears2001through2014.Thedatarepresentresourcesforfederallaboratoriesandpublicuniversities.ThenationaltotalofSYsdecreasedfrom111to61duringthisperiod,whereasthenumberofSYsatuniversitiesdeceasedfrom85to42.Totalnationalpublicfundingdecreasedfrom$42.7millioninfiscalyear2001to$32.5millioninfiscalyear2014.

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FigureD.2PublicResourcesforSheepResearchFiscalYears2001through2014ScientistYears(SYs)andFunding($Millions) PublicResourcesforSheepResearch(1)

FY2001

FY2002

FY2003

FY2004

FY2005

FY2006

FY2007 FY2008

FY2009

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012 FY2013

FY2014

USDA(SYs)(2) 26.3 27.0 26.4 31.0 32.3 31.8 31.5 32.2 22.3 25.2 24.0 25.0 21.2 19.6Non-USDA(SYs)(3) 84.8 74.8 87.4 78.3 60.2 63.2 67.5 66.0 60.3 59.7 57.0 54.6 46.3 41.5NationalTotal(SYs) 111.1 101.8 113.8 109.3 92.5 95.0 99.0 98.2 82.6 84.9 81.0 79.6 67.5 61.1

NationalTotalPublicFunding($M) 42.70 46.05 50.80 54.72 41.30 44.71 49.07 46.41 38.87 46.65 47.25 45.82 37.73 32.47

(1) Source:CurrentResearchInformationSystem(CRIS),NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture,USDA(Nationalsummaries,TableC)

(2) USDAscientistyearequivalents(3) Universityscientistyearequivalents

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AcknowledgementsProjectTeam

• LarryR.Miller(LRMConsultingServices;formerlyUSDA,ResearchandEducation)• JulieStepanekShiflett(JuniperEconomicConsulting)• DeborahJ.Marsh(KnobEconomics)• PaulRodgers(AmericanSheepIndustryAssociation)

AppreciationisextendedtoeveryonewhoparticipatedinU.S.sheepindustryresearch,development,andeducationprioritiesstudy.Thisstudywouldnotbepossiblewithoutcontributionsfromallindustrystakeholders.Specialthanksisextendedto:

• DavidThomas(UniversityofWisconsin-Madison)• JessicaSampson(LivestockMarketingInformationCenter)• LindaDetwiler(consultant,formerlyUSDA,AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService)• RodneyKott(formerlyMontanaStateUniversity)• J.BretTaylor(USDA,AgriculturalResearchService)• EmmettInskeep(WestVirginiaUniversity)• CynthiaWolf(UniversityofMinnesota)

Contributors(includesparticipantsforfocusgroups,conferencecalls,andpriorityrecommendations)

• DebraAaron(UniversityofKentucky)• DavidAnderson(TexasA&MUniversity)• KeithBelk(ColoradoStateUniversity)• JoanBurke(USDA,AgriculturalResearchService)• RichardEhrhardt(MichiganStateUniversity)• LaurieFortis(USDA,NIFA,CurrentResearchInformationSystem)• ScottGreiner(VirginiaTech)• PatrickHatfield(MontanaStateUniversity)• JeffreyHeld(SouthDakotaStateUniversity)• DuaneKeisler(UniversityofMissouri)• SteveLeValley(ColoradoStateUniversity)• RonaldLewis(UniversityofNebraska-Lincoln)• JimLogan(WyomingStateVeterinarian)• KatherineMarshall(USDA,APHIS,NationalAnimalHealthMonitoringSystem)• LyleMcNeal(UtahStateUniversity)• JamesMiller(LouisianaStateUniversity)• DanielMorrical(IowaStateUniversity)• DavidNotter(VirginiaTech)• TimothyPetry(NorthDakotaStateUniversity)• ShawnRamsey(TexasA&MUniversity)• ReidRedden(TexasA&MUniversity)• JimRobb(LivestockMarketingInformationCenter)• ChristopherSchauer(NorthDakotaStateUniversity)• AnnSeitzinger(USDA,APHIS,VeterinaryServices)• WhitStewart(MontanaStateUniversity)

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• DianeSutton(USDA,APHIS,VeterinaryServices)• MichaelThonney(CornellUniversity)• HenryZerby(TheOhioStateUniversity)

Thankyoutoeveryonewhocontributedtotheonlinesurveysincludingproducers,feeders,lambpackers/processors,woolbuyers/processors,andfocusgroups.

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