Sheep Industry News August 2022

President’s Notes SUSAN SHULTZ ASI PRESIDENT

Learning to Embrace Technology

I am pleased to introduce the second Genetics Issue of our ASI Sheep Industry News . Th is issue of our magazine has nearly 20 contributors from producers and scientists that believe in the power of adopting modern genetic technology to improve their fl cks. Th is year’s articles include updates from our Agricultural Research Service stations plus features on a few of the exciting new research projects that our university scientists are work ing on. Th issue also takes a look at the challenges faced by our breed associations and the relationships between seedstock providers and producers as our industry moves into the new world of genomics. Th ere is a great conversation that introduces two of our new er scientists who have chosen to be a part of our sheep world and an article that highlights collaboration that is written by Rusty Burgett and Karissa Isaacs on how the National Sheep Improvement Program and Flock 54 are able to work hand-in hand in advancing the next generation of genetic technology. Spearheading this collaborative e ff ort between ASI and Sheep Genetics USA are fi ve producer leaders: Tom Boyer of Utah, Rusty Burgett of Iowa, Bill Shultz of Ohio, Ben Lehfeldt of Montana, and Brad Boner of Wyoming. Th is group of volunteers were able to recruit and organize 10 action leads to guide the action committees that will provide input to this new organization. Leading the seedstock/registry committee

are Amanda Everts of Iowa and Todd Taylor of Wisconsin. Dan Lippert of Minnesota leads the Feeder and Packers team. Dr. Ron Lewis of Nebraska is the action lead for the Research and Emerging Technology committee, the NSIP committee is led by Brett Pharo of Michigan and Curt Stanley of North Dakota, and the Education and Outreach committee is led by Dr. Reid Redden of Texas and Dr. Whit Stewart of Wyoming. Dave Olilla of South Dakota leads the ASI/producer team and Karissa Isaacs of Colorado leads the ALB/consumer team. Th hope is that Sheep Genetics USA will become a forum for the exchange of ideas between all segments of our industry in the quest to adopt genetic technology. New genetic technology is ultimately depen

dent on sound data collection. Beginning with ac curate animal identifi ation to recording weight, carcass and wool data, plus reproduction and health information all are important to improving genetics. Key to implementing good data collection will be the willingness to adopt new management tools such as electronic ID tags and readers, elec tronic scales, and improved handling systems. Please enjoy this special edition of the Sheep Industry News. And a special thank you to each of you who have contributed to this collaborative eff ort. My best.

Denise and Ben Bartlett of Michigan utilize several working tools to improve the accuracy of data collection in their flock Electronic identifi ation ear tags, an RFID wand reader, a well designed working chute, and electronic scales allow them to collect data in a timely manner with reduced labor.

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