Sheep Industry News August 2023

Lafayette, Ind., exploits quantitative genetic and genomic principles to better understand traits associated with welfare, behavior and resilience in multiple livestock species. Hess is an assistant professor in the Department of Agri culture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences at the University of Nevada-Reno. After completing his Ph.D. at Iowa State University, he spent four years in New Zealand, where he conducted genomic studies in sheep and other species for AgResearch. He currently oversees research priorities of the Rafter 7 flock, where he has implemented strategies that uti lize precision livestock tools to identify sheep resilient to the challenges of extensive management through a combination of production, health and behavioral traits. While members of the new NSIP Technical Committee leadership team were all born after NSIP was founded, we have tremendous appreciation for those early pioneers that laid the foundation. We know there are many challenges that currently restrict growth in NSIP and the greater industry. We’ve seen market volatility, increased competition from foreign industries, domestic infrastructure contractions and a loss of sheep research programs across the country.

Participation in NSIP needs to grow, with recording and evaluating a wider range of traits. Routine elements of the ge netic evaluation, such as adjustment factors, heritabilities and correlations, and selection indexes demand ongoing attention to ensure updated services. Well-structured reference popula tions need to be constructed before genomic selection can be applied for standard and novel traits important to the indus try and its consumers. Solutions to these challenges come at a cost. But the one constant that will always be integral to the success of NSIP is sheep producers, scientists and industry personnel working together toward a common goal. We wanted to leave you with a quote from the book Sheep Industry of the United States , published in 1892 that still rings true today, “…I contend that it requires more patience, more practice, more experience, more ability, more brain power to take care of a flock of sheep than it does to take care of a herd of cattle. It is more of a study, and when the flock of sheep gets that attention there is no class or kind of stock on the face of the globe that will pay greater returns year in and year out.” We look forward to interacting with you at sheep industry events in the future.

Na tional Sheep Improvement Program Sales

AMERICAN RAMBOUILLET SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION www.rambouilletsheep.org 409.256.3687

Genetics that continue to perform Year after Year Generation after Generation

High Quality, Finewool Stud Rams Performance Tested Rams Rugged Range Ready Rams Sound, Foundation Females

June 21, 2023 NSIP influenced online replacement ewe sale on Production Livestock Auctions. July 11 - 13, 2023 NSIP online ram and ewe sales on Production Livestock Auctions. July 29, 2023 Center of the Nation Sale, Spencer, IA September 20, 2023 NSIP influenced online re placement ewe sale on Production Livestock Auc tions. For more information on consigning or buying check out the NSIP webpage or check with Jerry Sorenson (712 - 579 - 1511), Matt Benz (701 - 870 4135), Alan Culham (517 - 896 - 7378) or Rusty (515 708 - 8850).

Watch for Rambouillets at these upcoming sales: Newell Ram Sale Wyoming State Ram Sale

Montana Ram Sale National Ram Sale Utah Ram Sale

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