11-30-12 ASI WEEKLY NEWS FOR SHEEP INDUSTRY LEADERS...

Convention News! Trade Show

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is pleased to again announce the inclusion of an abridged Trade Show at the 2013 ASI Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The show will be open to participants on Thursday, Jan. 24, and Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, in the Regency Foyer for maximum visibility.
The show provides companies an opportunity to display products, technology and/or services for convention participants. Attendance at this annual event is likely to exceed 450 people. This year, space is limited to 16 tables and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When space is filled, no other space will be available; however, a wait list will be maintained.

The ASI convention has become the place for sheep-industry related organizations to meet and exchange ideas. Joining ASI in San Antonio this year are the National Lamb Feeders Association, the American Lamb Board, the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, the American Goat Federation, the Western Range Association and the National Livestock Producers Association’s Sheep and Goat Fund Committee along with ASI Women and the Make It With Wool National Contestants.

The 2013 ASI Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio on the Riverwalk. Additional program, hotel reservations and registration information is available at www.sheepusa.org by clicking on the Events tab.

To receive more information about the trade show, email Judy Malone at judym@sheepusa.org.

Parasite Management Webinar 

Register now for the next American Sheep Industry Association webinar focusing on parasite management. The webinar, “Looking towards the future of parasite management through “host-colored” glasses,” will be held at 7 p.m. EST on Dec. 11. Scott Bowdridge, Ph.D., assistant professor of animal science with Virginia Polytech Institute and State University, will be the presenter. Moderating the session is Jay Parsons, Ph.D., Colorado State University and Optimal Ag.

Many producers have experienced loss in the form of reduced growth and often death as a result of parasitism within their flock. Development of multi-drug resistance in these worms, especially in the southeastern United States, has left many producers feeling helpless in the face of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism. As a result, some have left the sheep business, others have switched to a dry-lot system for lambs and the rest have tried everything else to keep these lambs growing on pasture.

The utilization of selective deworming has resulted in at least the maintenance of dewormer efficacy, yet, with limited drug choices, this option remains one of our best tools. Through the incorporation of parasite-resistant breeds, many have observed a less-frequent need for treatment. Concerns about the effect on growth and carcass quality, not to mention the effect on wool quality, have limited the use of parasite-resistant hair breeds of sheep.

Parasite-resistant sheep have, however, provided much of our understanding of functional host protective immunity, as these sheep generate a very rapid and robust immune response to worms. It is curious why the same response is not seen when commercial-crossbred sheep become infected. Perhaps parasite management should be equally focused on the host as it is on the pathogen.

To register, go to 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4044495595323369216
. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

2012 Research Journal Articles Uploaded

New articles have been uploaded to the American Sheep Industry Association’s (ASI) Sheep and Goat Research Journal for 2012. The full articles are available by clicking on the Research Journal tab at www.sheepusa.org.

Effects of Supplemental Dried Distillers Grains or Soybean Hulls on Growth and Internal Parasites Status of Grazing Lambs written by T.L. Felix, I. Susin, L.M. Shoup, A.E. Radunz and S.C. Loerch. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of supplementation of grazing lambs with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) or soybean hulls (SBH) on growth rate and nematode-parasite status. Supplementation of grazing lambs with DDGS in this study allowed for increased growth, reduced anthelmintic-treatment rate and reduced risk of becoming anemic as a result of internal parasites.

Performance of Meat Goats Control-Grazed on Winter Annual Grasses written by J-M. Luginbuhl and J.P. Mueller. The performance of yearling replacement does and castrated male goats controlled grazed on cereal rye, annual ryegrass (RG) and triticale was evaluated during a three-year study. Results indicated that yearling goats achieved satisfactory body weight gains when fed only on these forages under controlled, rotational-grazing management, but that RG resulted in significantly greater body weight gains per hectare.

Research Symposium Utilization of Genomic Information for the Sheep Industry moderated by Larry R. Miller. During the ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., January 26, 2012, a research symposium titled Utilization of Genomic Information for the Sheep Industry was co-sponsored by ASI and the American Sheep and Goat Center (ASGC).

Especially in the past two decades, volumes of new genomic and genetic information have been generated by means of new research approaches, techniques and tools. This information created a challenge to harness, interpret and utilize the wealth of new genomic/genetic information by drawing upon disciplines, such as biochemistry, genetics, statistics, computer science, animal breeding and several other sciences associated with the biology of the animal.

USDA Study Tracks Trends in Ag R&D

The rapid growth and changing composition of private investment in agriculture research and development (R&D) has significant implications for the future of agriculture, according to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS).

In an article published in the journal Science, ERS researchers discuss how private-sector investments have expanded and in many cases offset sluggish growth in public-sector funding of agriculture R&D.

It was noted that most of the increase in global agricultural production over the past half-century has come from raising crop and livestock yields rather than through farmland expansion. Investment in research and innovation drove these productivity gains, but since around 1990, there has been a decline in the rate of yield improvements. Part of the reason could be that the rate of growth in public spending on agricultural R&D has also fallen.

The agricultural deans cite the drought of 2012 to illustrate the value of agricultural R&D, noting that in Iowa, the last significant drought in 1988 resulted in a 35-percent decrease in corn yields from the year before. In this drought year, Iowa corn yields dropped only about 17 percent from 2011. Much of the difference results from public and private research in plant genetics and cropping systems.

Continued advancements in agricultural productivity will be critical in avoiding food shortages, skyrocketing food prices, starvation and unrest as the world’s population grows and available land and resources for agricultural production shrink.

But who will fund future R&D as government spending tightens? The ERS researchers found that private spending has contributed to the overall growth in R&D for agricultural in the face of slowing or stagnant public funding, but addressed a narrower set of research topics and industries than publicly funded R&D.

Globally, about half or more of all private investment in food and agricultural research and development has focused on food manufacturing, rather than areas that directly increase agricultural production such as animal genetics, animal nutrition, animal health, farm machinery, fertilizers, crop seed, biotechnology and agricultural chemicals.

Reprinted in part from Drovers CattleNetwork.com

Approving Antibiotics – What’s the Problem?

In an era of instant-everything, it’s hard to understand why we can’t develop, research and bring to market new antibiotics for animals that can solve disease issues as well as prevent against antibiotic resistance in the human population.

But while we can instantly upload a video to YouTube for free with a touch of a button on our smart phone, it can take 7-10 years and as much as $100 million to get a new compound approved for food animals in the United States.

Speaking at the 2012 National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s Antibiotic Symposium in Ohio, Rich Carnevale, VMD, Animal Health Institute, said bringing a new product to market involves discovery, approval and post-approval.

Consumer media sometimes makes it sound like drugs for food animals are approved willy-nilly, but they don’t realize it’s a long and arduous process that starts with scientific discovery, preliminary trials, pre-clinical trials, clinical trials, regulatory review, product approval and then monitoring for adverse reactions post-approval.

The Food and Drug Administration approval for antimicrobials involves safety, efficacy and quality. Safety considerations include animals, environment and human food safety. An approval must follow Guidance for Industry #152, which includes determining the potential for resistance selection to impact human health through food. These processes, Carnevale explained, are unique to antimicrobials.

“The process is more complicated for animal drugs than human drugs,” he said.

Carnevale shared 2011 data from the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH), which represents global animal health. IFAH’s survey of length-of-time for submission of a new animal drug for food animals to approval showed a mean of 9.4 years, with a range of 7-13 years. In contrast, for companion animals the mean was 6.4 years.

For a food animal pharmaceutical, the average cost was $38.8 million and about $21.6 million for companion animal pharmaceuticals.

The presentations from the symposium are now available online. To listen to the audio of the presentations, go to www.animalagriculture.org/Solutions/Symposia/2012_antibiotics/proceedings.html.

Reprinted in part from USAHA

Defending Public-Lands Grazing

This week on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Beltway Beef audio report, host Chase Adams interviewed Colorado rancher Brice Lee, the recently elected president of the Public Lands Council (PLC). Lee said that PLC formed in 1968 to help address public-lands issues, and now represents about 22,000 ranchers who graze livestock on National Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

According to Lee, PLC’s current priorities include:

- Prevention of the addition of the sage grouse to the Endangered Species List. Lee says that with good management, sage grouse numbers are improving in many areas and several states offer hunting seasons.

- Reform the Equal Access to Justice Act. This act makes a provision that allows the courts and its agencies to award costs and fees to parties who succeed in litigation against the federal government. Many believe it encourages environmental groups and other activists to file suits over land-use issues.

- Pass the Grazing Improvement Act, which would double from 10 to 20 years the period of a term for grazing permits and leases for domestic livestock grazing on public lands or lands within national forests in 16 western states.

- Reform the Endangered Species Act and federal estate taxes.

Reprinted in part from Drovers CattleNetwork.com

Vilsack Statement on Soaring U.S. Exports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its second Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade in fiscal year 2013 and the latest forecast continues an astonishing trend for American farm exports that began in 2009. In the years since, U.S. agricultural exports have climbed more than 50 percent in value, from $96.3 billion in 2009 to the most-recent forecast of $145 billion in 2013. Overall, these exports support more than 1 million American jobs. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement on the forecast:

“Today’s forecast is further confirmation of the concerted effort by President Obama to expand export opportunities and level the playing field for American businesses and workers. Because USDA is working harder than ever to remove unfair barriers to trade and provide businesses with the resources they need to reach new markets, American agriculture is booming. Demand for products like American soybeans, wheat and tree nuts is surging across the world, with notable gains in China, Europe, and Southeast Asia expected to support strong cash receipts through year. Earlier in the week, USDA forecast net farm income at its second-highest level since the 1970s. Taken together, this data shows a robust agricultural economy poised to recover from the worst drought in more than a generation.

“Since 2009, more than 1,000 U.S. companies and organizations-mainly small and medium sized businesses-participated in 110 USDA-endorsed trade shows in 24 countries, racking up 12-month projected sales estimated at more than $4.2 billion. We’ve led nearly 150 U.S. businesses on trade missions to China, Colombia, Georgia, Indonesia, Iraq, Panama, Peru, the Philippines Vietnam and Russia. And we’re keeping good-paying jobs here at home by resolving issues and removing barriers to trade that have freed up billions of dollars in American-grown products.

“It is important that Congress help ensure that this success continues by passing a comprehensive, multi-year Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that provides greater certainty for farmers, ranchers and businesses, and their millions of customers around the world.”

MARKET NEWS

Weekly National Market Prices for Wool 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s prices for wool can be accessed at www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=prsu&topic=col-nl-wm. The effective repayment rate is the lower of either the 30-day average or weekly rate.

< 18.6 Micron 3.88 4.84 Not Available 18.6-19.5 3.38 4.58 Not Available 19.6-20.5 2.94 4.31 Not Available 20.6-22.0 2.72 4.17 Not Available 22.1-23.5 2.56 4.04 Not Available 23.6-25.9 2.33 3.46 Not Available 26.0-28.9 1.78 2.09 Not Available > 29 Micron 1.38 1.66 Not Available

GREASE PRICES in $ per pound

Ungraded Wool 40 cents 49 cents Not Available Unshorn Pelt

6.865 lbs x
Ungraded Wool LDP

Not Available Wool LDPs are not available when the weekly repayment rate is above loan rate.

Market Summary, Week ending November 23, 2012 
Feeder Prices, from two weeks ago: San Angelo: 55-65 lbs. for 120-122 $/cwt.; 73 lbs. for $106/cwt.; 90-105 lbs. for 90-98 $/cwt.
Slaughter Prices – Negotiated, Live, wooled and shorn 130-145 lbs. for 90.50-95.50 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 93.22)
Slaughter Prices – Formula¹, 4,108 head at 202.22-251.47 $/cwt. for 70.90 ave. lbs.; 4,408 head at 191.94-219.56 $/cwt. for 92.10 ave. lbs.
Equity Electronic Auction, from two weeks ago: no sales.
Cutout Value/Net Carcass Value², $272.78/cwt.
Carcass Price, Choice and Prime, YG 1-4, weighted averages, 856 head at 55-65 lbs. for $282.39/cwt., 1,127 head at 65-75 lbs. for $254.70/cwt., 1,555 head at 75-85 lbs. for $235.70/cwt., 1,034 head at 85 lbs. and up for $208.26/cwt.
Boxed Lamb, weighted average prices ($/cwt.), Trimmed 4″ Loins $486.05, Rack, roast-ready, frenched $1,102.78, Leg, trotter-off, partial boneless $436.56, Ground lamb $530.62, Shoulder, square-cut $241.92
Imported Boxed Lamb, weighted average prices ($/cwt), AUS Rack (fresh, frenched, cap-off, 28 oz/up) NA, AUS Shoulder (fresh, square-cut) $179.65, AUS Leg (fresh, semi-boneless) $281.36, AUS Rack (frozen, frenched, cap-off, 20-24 oz to 28 oz/up) $918.86, NZ Rack (frozen, frenched, cap-off, 12-16 oz & 20 oz/up) $1,178.18.
Exported Adult Sheep, 0.
Wool, Price ($/pound) Clean, Delivered, 19-Week Old Price Denoted with *: 18 micron (Grade 80s) NA, 19 micron (Grade 80s) NA, 20 micron (Grade 70s) 3.73*, 21 micron (Grade 64-70s) 4.36, 22 micron (Grade 64s) 3.99, 23 micron (Grade 62s) 3.78, 24 micron (Grade 60-62s) 3.63, 25 micron (Grade 58s) 3.28, 26 micron (Grade 56-58s) 2.90, 27 micron (Grade 56s) 2.51, 28 micron (Grade 54s) NA, 29 micron (Grade 50-54s) NA, 30-34 micron (Grade 44-50s) NA.
Australian Wool, Clean, delivered FOB warehouse & gross producers ($/pound), 18 micron (Grade 80s) 4.61-5.23, 19 micron (Grade 80s) 4.37-4.95, 20 micron (Grade 70s) 4.11-4.66, 21 micron (Grade 64-70s) 4.07-4.62, 22 micron (Grade 64s) 3.96-4.49, 23 micron (Grade 62s) 3.91-4.43, 24 micron (Grade 60-62s) 3.64-4.13, 25 micron (Grade 58s) 3.17-3.59, 26 micron (Grade 56-58s) 2.93-3.32, 28 micron (Grade 54s) 2.18-2.47, 30 micron (Grade 50s) 2.00-2.27, 32 micron (Grade 46-48s) 1.77-2.00, Merino Clippings 2.35-2.66.
¹Prices reported for the two weight categories of the largest volume traded. Second, multiplying the carcass prices by an estimated 50.4% dressing percentage yields live weight prices. ²The cutout value is the same as a net carcass value. It is a composite value that sums the value of the respective lamb cuts multiplied by their weights. It is also the gross carcass value less processing and packaging costs.
(Source: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service)

American Sheep Industry Association; 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360; Englewood, CO 80112-2692
Phone: (303) 771-3500 Fax: (303) 771-8200 Writer/Editor: Judy Malone E-mail: judym@sheepusa.org
Web sites: 
http://www.sheepusa.org
 and 
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