WV Sheep Management Project “Activities & Update”

FUNDING STRUCTURE WV STATE LEGISLATURE TO PRESENT $150K/YEAR TWO PERSONNEL PLUS OPERATIONS

COOPERATION UNIVERSITY EXTENSION WV DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USDA/APHIS INDUSTRY

INITIAL OBJECTIVES REDUCE PREDATION LOSSES THROUGH A SHIFT IN LAMBING FROM SPRING TO FALL OUT-OF-SEASON BREEDING MARKETING STRTEGIES TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER EDUCATION RESEARCH POTENTIAL

CURRENT FOCUS SMALL RUMINANTS INFRASTRUCTURE-INVENTORY MARKETING- PROFITABILITY PERFORMANCE TESTING PRODUCTION RECORDS PREDATION PARASITISM

MEAT GOAT SURVEY ASSESS THE SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY IDENTIFY AREAS OF INTEREST- WHERE CAN EDUCATION/RESEARCH HELP? COLLECT BASELINE MARKETING DATA

Looking at goat prices at WV Livestock Auctions, we observe: Discounts for heavier goats (>80lbs = $3.30/head). Discounts for over-conditioned goats (aged goats = $5.72/head). Premiums for lot sizes in excess of 20 head (21-40 head = $4.70/head) Premiums for selling during Jan-June ($8/head)

Situation: Sheep numbers have declined throughout the US Lamb demand > supply in some months Lamb prices, particularly regional prices, have been relatively high during recent years West Virginia: Abundance of grass and forage Proximity to high demand markets Weather conducive to fall lambing

Challenges: Lack of infrastructure Predators Parasites and anthelmintic resistance Part-time farmers (labor) –2001 FSMIP survey: 63.2% Small flock sizes and breed diversity –supply & product inconsistency Seasonal production (supply) Seasonal markets (demand)

Background: WV Sheep Management Project Established: 1998 Cooperative Effort: WVU, Extension Service, WVSF, WVDA, USDA:Wildlife Services, and WV SHEPHERDS! Primary Funding: WV State Legislature Headquarters: Franklin, WV Initial Focus: “Increasing Farm Income by a Strategic Shift in Breeding Time for Ewe Flocks”

Rationale for Proposed Shift in Breeding/Lambing Time Sell lambs during periods of higher prices Reduce predator and parasite losses Consolidate labor Produce more uniform lamb crops Provide a more consistent supply of lambs Increase income for farmers

Activities: è Introduce new technologies è Provide producer services è Provide educational opportunities è Serve as an information resource & conduit è Develop industry relationships and alliances è Support WVU research and educational efforts

Estrous synchronization Breeding soundness exams Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis Parasite Management (FEC/PCV) Update: New Technologies & Producer Services

Update: Provide Educational Opportunities for Producers Program Topics: Reproductive Management Nutritional Management Forage Management Flock Health –Parasite Control –Foot Rot Control Genetics Predator Management Marketing –Ethnic Markets –Mainstream Markets

Update: Serve as an Information Resource & Conduit è News Ewe Can Use è Web site 3 Sheep Safety & Quality Assurance Program (SSQA) 3 National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) 3 Wool Outreach Program Lamb Meat Adjustment Assistance Program (LMAAP) 3 Wool & Mohair Market Loss Assistance 3 National Scrapie Eradication Program 3 Lamb Promotion, Research, & Information Order (“check-off”) 3 Wool & Mohair Marketing Assistance Loan Program (LDP)

Update: Develop Industry Relationships & Alliances WV Wildlife Services WV Shepherd’s Federation WV Purebred Sheep Breeder’s Association WV/OH Sheep & Wool Festival Northeast Sheep & Goat Marketing Program ARS: Appalachian Farming Systems WV Department of Agriculture American Sheep Industry Association Virginia Tech & The Ohio State Universities Maryland Cooperative Extension Service

Update: Graduate Education and Training (1999-Present) –1 Master’s Thesis –3 Doctoral Dissertations – Refereed Manuscripts – National and Regional Abstracts – Research presentations at national/regional meetings –Numerous opportunities for hands-on experience for other graduate and undergraduate students

Update: Proposed Shift in Breeding Season Breeding Lambing Market

Comparison of In- and Out-of-Season Production Systems on Cooperating Farms Update: Increase Farm Income

Case Study: Out-of-season Breeding Nelson Farm Location: Lewisburg, WV Flock Size: 200 maiden ewes Breed: Polypay ewes Suffolk, Dorset, Polypay rams Breeding: Early June

Year 1 Summary*: Pregnancy rate = 93.9% Ewes Lambing = 89.8% Lambing % = 150% (*ewes bred as yearlings, 1st time lambing) Year 2 Summary: Pregnancy rate = 92.2% Ewes Lambing = 92.2% Lambing % = 178%

Group I cycle 2 Group II cycle 1 Group I cycle 1

Update: FSMIP “Lamb Marketing Information Project” Objectives : Characterize lamb production and supply in WV Characterize the marketing environment Identify current marketing practices and outlets Assess producer marketing needs and concerns Assess producer interest in alternative marketing programs

Sampling 4Response rate: 338/925 = 36.5% 4Counties represented: 47/ breeding sheep inventory:  54% Lambs marketed:  55%

30 different purebred breeds reported Suffolk or Suffolk X –ewes: 63.1%rams: 49.5% Dorset or Dorset X –ewes: 32.9%rams: 28.7% Cheviot or Cheviot X –ewes: 9.5%rams: 9.4% Hampshire –ewes: 5.2%rams: 6.5% Long or colored Wool –ewes: 2.5%rams: 6.5% Hair Sheep –ewes: 1.8%rams: 2.9%

Average Monthly Supply & Prices WV Auctions ( )

“ Fall Run ” Christmas (+) (-) 3/6 4/8, 4/15 9/8, 9/17 11/17 12/17 12/10 12/25

Influence of Ethnic Holidays

Ethnic Consumers 3Jewish 3Muslim 3Greek 3Italian 3Latino 3Caribbean 3Pakistani 3West Indian 3West African

Market Italian Greek Muslim Freezer Lamb Kosher (forequarters only) Mainstream Weight Preference lbs lbs lbs lbs lbs 120+ lbs Consumer Markets

Marketing Philosophy…. …produce for a market …market what you produce

Average Monthly Lamb Prices at WV Markets ( )

Lamb Pools Transportation Pools

What’s Next? Based on survey results and initial market price analysis, a transportation pool pilot project is being developed to transport lambs to New Holland, PA to market. New Holland is the largest market for lambs in the region serving a number ethnic markets in the Northeast. Prices received at New Holland tend to be higher than prices received at WV livestock auctions. The pilot project will track market prices, the cost of transportation and shrink, and develop recommendations based on estimated differences in potential net income for different weights of lambs and for different marketing periods.

Business & Finance Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002 Saving the sheep farm Breeding experiment helps West Virginia hold onto a piece of U.S. lamb market by Vicki Smith The Associated Press MORGANTOWN - 6 January 2003 Meat & Livestock Australia: “US State Targets Lamb Productivity” Recognition: Local & International