sheep nctes and news ISSUE 11, VOLUME 17, JANUARY - APRIL 1 984 Tciibl© ofTf 4 2 H0W T0 MAKE M0NEY IN raE sin ! r business 1 ■ QOIltSIlLtlS^0^ LETTER TO lilt 1983 ALBERTA SHEEP SYMPOSIUM 4 SUMMARY - SHEEP DISEASE SUMMARY 5 - 6 FEEDING MONENSIN TO FEEDLOT LAMBS 7 1984 ALBERTA RAM TEST STATION HAS RECORD ENTRY 8 FROM THE RESEARCH BENCH Effects of Cold Stress on Sheep 9 Livestock and Dairy Produce 9 - 10 Vaginal Stimulation NEWS FROM LAMBCO *2 PROGRESS ON RED MEAT STABILIZATION PLAN 13 KETONE TEST HELPS MANAGE EWE FEEDING 13 WORLD SHEEP AND WOOL CONGRESS Editor: Don Scheer Head, Sheep and Goat Section 7000 - 113 Street Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 Phone: (403) 427-5077 /dlberra AGRICULTURE Animal Industry Division Beef and Sheep Branch ' 910217 ! HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN THE SHEEP BUSINESS (A series of timely articles intended to help producers improve their net income) John Knapp - Sheep Specialist, Airdrie ARTICLE I Can I Make More Money Selling My Lambs Railgrade Vs Livewe'ght Yes, you probably can. In fact, on winter born concentrate fed lambs you may make up to $5 extra income per lamb simply by choosing to rail grade. For someone shipping 1000 lambs this could mean $5000 extra income. As a producer of course, you have the option of selling your lambs either "rail grade" or "liveweight" . If you choose to sell "rail grade" you receive a certain price per pound for the hot dressed carcass weight of your lamb (kidneys in, liver out). The current Lambco railgrade price (April 30) is $1.70/lb. for lambs grading Al, A2 weighing up to 58 lbs. Lambs which fall outside this range are subject to the price discounts outlined in Table 1 TABLE I LAMBCO RAILGRADE PRICE GRID (Apr 30, 1984) GRADE WEIGHT (Lbs) PRICE DISCOUNT Al, A2 58 and under NIL 59 - 63 25C 64 - 67 50c 67 + 75c A3 52 and under 15c (fat) 53 - 58 20c 59 - 63 40c 64 - 67 65c 67 + 90c A4 52 and under 20c (very fat) 53 - 58 25C 59 - 63 45C 64 - 67 70c 67 + 95c Bl, B2 52 and under 16c (under- 53 - 58 21C finished) 59 - 63 36c 64 - 67 51c 67 + 76c CI, C2 67 and under 70c (Junk) 67 + 95C 2 If you opt to sell liveweight you are paid a certain price/lb for your lambs based on their weight as they cross the scale at Lambco. If you live a long way from the plant and ship through an assembler you will be paid on the weight of lamb as it crosses his scale, less a certain % shrink which corresponds to the actual weight loss the lamb will undergo on its trip to Lambco. The current Lambco liveweight price is 78c - 80c/lb for oldcrop lambs and 80c - 82c/lb for newcrop lambs. The advantage to selling railgrade is based on the dressing % of your lambs. Let's examine this by following 2 very different lambs through the system. "Lambchops" is a rapidly growing newcrop lamb born in January on your farm 300 miles from Lambco. Just prior to loading, "Lambchops" weighs 110 lbs. During his journey to Lambcc he loses 4 lbs shrink and arrives weighing 106 lbs. Using Table II we can see that if you opt to sell on a liveweight basis "Lambchops" is worth 106 lbs X $.82 = $86.92. On the other hand if you opt to sell on a railgrade basis, and "Lambchops" dresses out at 51% he is worth 106 lbs x .51 X $1.70 = $91.90. The same lamb is worth $5.00 more rail grade versus live weight! TABLE II COMMON RANGE OF DRESSSING % ON NEW CROP LAMBS* DRESSINC % RAILGRADE RETURN ($1.70/lb) LIVEWT. RETURN (82c/lb) ADVANTAGE TO RAILGRADE 48 49 50 51 86.50 88.30 90. 10 91.90 86.92 86.92 86.92 86.92 - .43 + 1.38 + 3. 18 +4.98 *Assume lamb is 106 lbs livewight at Lambco, 120 days old, carrying 2.5 lbs wool. Of course it's unrealistic to expect that every lamb will grade perfectly. Let's suppose you ship 100 lambs which average 106 lbs live at the plant and dress out at an average of 50%. In your shipment 90 lambs grade Al , A2, 5 grade A3, 2 grade B, 1 grades C, and 2 are 60 lbs carcass weight. Using the discounts in Table I the shipment would be worth $8871.14 for an average value of $88.71 /lamb. On a liveweight basis each lamb is worth $86.92. It might be realistic therefore to expect approximately $2. extra/lamb by opting to railgrade newcrop lambs. A note of caution - during the heavy run of lambs in the summer months, a lamb may not be killed within 24 hours of arriving at the plant. Additional shrink may occur. However, railgrade lambs do receive priority on the killing floor. Ask your lamb buyer about this. 3 Now lets look at "Slowpoke," an oldcrop lamb 11 months of age who weighs 110 lbs prior to shipping. He has developed a sizeable rumen and is carrying 6 lbs of wool to which is attached 6 lbs of dried manure. As you can see from Table III if you opt to sell "Slowpoke" liveweight he is worth 106 X $.80 - $84.80. On the other hand if you opt to railgrade him and he dresses out at 46% he is worth 106 X .46 X $1.70 = $82.89. Railgrade in this case appears to cost you about $2. Beware. It's difficult to fool the packer. If you arrive with a load of very poor quality lambs thinking you are going to make a killing selling liveweight you may be very surprised to hear the lamb buyer say "Although the price is 80c today, this load is full oi B's and C's, so I can only give you 60c/lb liveweight." Of course if you opt to sell railgrade the packer knows he is protected from overfat, underf inished or overweight carcasses and from other "surprises" under the hide. Naturally he is prepared to i : a premium if he knows he is only paying you for the amount anc quality of saleable product yov deliver him. TABLE III COMMON RANGE OF DRESSISNG % ON OLD CROP LAMBS (106 lbs live at Lambco) DRESSING % RAILGRADE RETURN ($1.70/lb) LIVEWEIGHT RETURN (80c/lb) ADVANTAGE TO RAILGRADE 45 $81.09 84.80 - $3.71 46 82.89 84.80 - 1.91 47 84.69 84.80 .11 48 86.50 84.80 + 1.70 If you are weighing your lambs prior to shipping you should not have a serious problem with carcasses over 58 lbs. If you are concerned about the amount of finish on your lambs try shipping half your lambs railgrade. You may be pleasantly surprised by your railgrade returns. In reality there are many more "Lambchops" lambs than "Slowpoke" lanbs in the system. In fact, probably 95% of the winter born, concentrate fed lambs on your farm will fit into the "Lambchops" category. Consider railgrading these lambs. It could be worth a lot of money to you. 4 Letter to the Editor Dear Mr. Scheer: Please find enclosed a brief summary of the preliminary results of the sheep disease survey (see page 5 - 6 of this issue) that Dr. R. Curtis and 1 carried out last year. We have not yet completed the analysis of the data but we will attempt to disseminate the final results of the study to the sheep industry by publishing them in scientific journals and industry magazines . Dr. Curtis and 1 would like to thank you for encouraging producers to participate in this study and if you have any questions or comments about these prliminary results we would appreciate receiving them. Yours truly, lan R. Dohoo, D.V.M. Ph. D Agriculture Canada Food Production and Inspection Branch Room 413, Halldon House 2255 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9 1983 ALBERTA SHEEP SYMPOSIUM The 1983 Alberta Sheep Symposium held in Banff last December was a raging success. Over 200 participants enjoyed either the symposium speakers or the wool workshop, "A Touch of Class" by Linda McPhee from Edmonton. The highlight of the symposium was the fellowship and opportunity to discuss common concerns with others committed to strengthening the sheep industry. Everyone who attended the symposium should now have received a copy of the proceedings. If you haven't or if you didn't attend the symposium, but would like a copy of the proceedings please contact Don Scheer, Head, Sheep and Goat Section, 7000 - 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6, 427-5077. There are only a few copies of the proceedings remaining. 5 Summary -• Sheep Disease Survey RESPONSE 301 farms were contacted initially 224 farms replied to one or more of the 4 questionnaires 116 farms replied to 3 or 4 of the questionnaires FARM INFORMATION (based on all 24 farms that responded) - average flock size was 136 ewes (range xxx to xxx) - 89 flocks contained mainly purebred ewes - 49 flocks contained a mixture of purebred and crossbred ewes - 86 flocks contained mainly crossbred ewes - 20% of flocks had over 50% of ewes on a accelerated lambing - Frequency of deworming never 1 once a year 9% twice a year 427, three times per year S>» more then three times per year 12% PRODUCTION INFORMATION (based on the 116 farms returning at least 3 questionnaires) 12,257 ewes lambed 18,800 lambs born (1.5 lambs /ewe) 866 lambs still born (4.6% of all lambs born) CULLING (based on the 116 farms returning at least 3 questionnaires) - average culling rate was: 15.7% schedule - percentage of culls for reasons (as % of tota 1): - Percent of farms using various disease control procedures old age 24.8% mastitis 15.2% clostridial vaccine 79% lameness 2.0% enzootic abortion vaccine 3% poor mother 10.9% vibrio (Campylobacter) vaccine 1% pneumonia ( 3.6% orf (sore mouth) vaccine 4% bad teeth 1.7% foot rot vaccine 8% reproductive problems 9.8% lice and/or tick low production 15.3% control products 73% poor conformation 4.8% vit E and Se injections 76% other reasons 12.0% I LAMB DISEASES (based on the 1 1 6 farms returning at least 3 questionnaire % of % of % of I lOCKS lambs lambs disease at i ec ted SiCK dy ins Starvation 75 "3 7 p ii predator attack 7 u • c. n 1 u . 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Engstrom, P.Ag. Ruminant Nutritionist A.S.F.T.L. Sept/84. Many farmers are aware of the fact that drought stress this year has caused an accumulation of nitrate in cereal crops harvested for greenfeed or silage. Once representative samples from your feed supply have been tested for nitrate, you can then decide the best method of using these feeds. There are several methods used by feed labs in Alberta to report the level of nitrate in feeds. Be certain of the method of reporting your feeds before using the following table. Less than Greater than Method of Reporting % NO. 0.5 1.0 % N03-N 0.12 0.23 % KNO. 0.81 0.5-1.0 0.12-0.23 0.81-0.163 1.63 Comments Generally "safe" with no adverse effect on performance expected. CAUTION - may cause reduced growth or milk production, possibly a few abortions. HIGH NITRATE FEED - expect reduced growth and milk production, abortions, death loss. How do nitrates poison livestock? Nitrates in the feed are converted by rumen microbes into nitrites . Nitrites are absorbed into the bloodstream of the animal and change the oxygen transporting hemoglobin molecules into methemoglobin. Methemoglobin cannot transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. Therefore, "nitrate poisoning" is in fact suffocation. When nitrate poisoning is suspectea, call your veterinarian immediately. Although research has shown that the nitrate levels that cause reduced performance and death loss are highly variable, for practical purposes, it is best to play it safe. The recommendations for using HIGH NITRATE FEEDS (HNF) are given with this in mind. 1) HNF should be fed with feeds that contain little or no nitrate so that the overall ration is in the safe zone (less than 0.5% NO -) . An example of this would be to feed about 15 pounds of grass hay containing no nitrate with about 7 pounds of greenfeed containing 1.5% NO The grass hay should be fed first to prevent the hungry, aggressive cow from consuming more than the safe amount of greenfeed. A silage sample containing 3.0% NO^- could be used in a finishing ration for feeders at the rate of 15% of total dry matter to produce an overall ration that would have a level of .45% NO - (3.0% NO x .15 = .45% NO.-).3 2 Due to the high level of nitrates in many feeds this year, many farmers will be forced to feed rations that fall into the "CAUTION" range for nitrate levels. The following comments apply to rations that contain 0.5 to 1.0% NO -. 2. Research has shown that methemoglobin , the molecule that cannot transport oxygen in the blood, peaks at a much higher ■ (and more dangerous) level when one large meal of HNF is consumed as opposed to several smaller meals spread throughout the day. Therefore consider feeding the same total amount of feed in 2 or 3 offerings rather than all at once . 3. The microbes in the rumen adapt with time to high levels of nitrate and reduce the rate of converting nitrate to nitrites. Therefore, if possible, feed a ration with around 0.3 to 0.5% NO^- for two weeks before going on to a higher level. A. Tf rations that approach 1.0% nitrate are being fed then eliminate urea from the ration and provide supplemental protein from a plant source. 5. Many of the problems associated with HNF are often due to reduced feed intake. Monitor feed intake as well as you can and adjust the nutrient content of your rations to insure that the nutrient needs of your animals are met. Vitamin A should be increased by 50% if rations high in nitrates must be fed. Detailed recommendations are available from your Regional Livestock Supervisor. CORRECTION In the May-June, 1984 issue of Sheep Notes and News, the dates for the North-Central Sheep Sales were listed on page 5. The last sale in October and the first sale in November were dated incorrectly they should read: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8th - Grade ewes, fat and feeder lambs - Fat and feeder lambs 3 1984 ALBERTA RAM TEST STATION SALE - June 30 - OLDS COLLEGE STATION EARTAG LOT NUMBER BREEDER 160 Lloyd Pickard Box 747 Olds, Alta TOM IPO 556-6732 BREED Suffolk INDEX 126 BIRTH TYPE PRICE BUYER $ 625. R. A. Mc Kinnon Box 339 Dalenead, Alta TOJ 0V0 936-5480 177 Vivian Ceccato RR 3 Eckville, Alta TOM 0X0 746-5633 108 Dave Cadsand Box 572 Rimbey, Alta T0C 2J0 843-3537 Hampshire 127 Suffolk 125 $ 300. T. G. Meikle 21416 32 Ave Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 $ 500. Agriculture Canada (For United Breeders A.I. unit Guelph, Ontario) Contact Jin MacLeod (519) 821-2150 146 Olds College Olds, Alta TOM 1P0 556-8267 Suffolk 124 $1500. Agriculture Canada (For United Breeders A.I. unit Guelph, Ontario) Contact Jim MacLeod (519) 821-2150 Vivian Ceccato RR 3 Eckville, Alta TOM 0X0 746-5633 Hampshire 123 $ 400. Agriculture Canada (For United Breeders A.I. unit Guelph, Ontario) Contact Jim MacLeod (519) 821-2150 6 162 7 90 Lloyd Pickard Box 747 Olds, Alta TOM 1P0 556-6732 Patric Lyster Box 376 Vilna, Alta T0A 3L0 636-2007 Suffolk 122 $ 825 Denice Van Den Brink RR 1 Blackfalds, Alta TOM 0J0 885-5161 Suffolk 118 $ 600 S. Hosford Box 97 Edberg, Alta T0B 1J0 877-2226 8 47 Mike Ingratta Suffolk Poplar Point Farms RR //2 Okotoks, Alta T0L 1T0 938-7812 117 $ 750. Doug Knight Site 8, Bo: Creston, B.C. V0B 1G0 (604) 428-4577 RR 1 4 STATION EARTAG BREEDER BIRTH LOT NUMBER BREEDER BREED INDEX TYPE PRICE 18 125 Walt Strand SS1-3-63 Lethbridge, Alta T1J 4B3 327-9306 Suffolk 113 $ 500 19 10b Dan Cadsand Box 672 Rimbey, Alta TOC 2J0 843-6253 Suffolk 112 $ 500, 20 172 Vivian Ceccato Hampshire 111 2 $ 275. RR 3 Eckville, Alta TOM 0X0 746-5633 21 5 Bob Francis Dorset 111 2 $ 775. Gen. Del. Priddis, Alta T0L 1W0 931-2258 22 36 Tom Seaborn Box 1870 Rocky Mtn. House TOM 1T0 729-2267 Dorset 111 2 $ 425 23 Bob Francis Gen. Del. Priddis, Alta T0L 1W0 931-2258 Dorset 111 2 $ 425 24 WITHDRAWN 25 43 Tom Seaborn Box 1870 Rocky Mtn. House TOM 1T0 729-2267 Suffolk 111 1 $ 300, 26 155 Patric Lyster Box 376 Vilna, Alta T0A 3L0 636-2007 Suffolk 111 2 $ 380, 27 115 Chris Grab Box 143 Hay Lakes, Alta T0B 1W0 672-7350 Hampshire 110 1 $ 220, BUYER Agriculture Canada (Research Station Lethbridge, Alta) contact John Veselv 327-4561 Barry Nield RR L Okotoks, Alta T0L 1T0 938-5855 C. Osborne Box 958 Valleyview, Alta T0H 3N0 521-2011 Agriculture Canada (For United Breeders A.I. unit Guelph, Ontario) Contact Jim MacLeod (519) 821-2150 Agriculture Canada (Research Station Lethbridge, Alberta] contact John Vesely 327-4561 Agriculture Canada (Research Station Lethbridge, Alberta contact John Veselv 327-4561 P. Preston Box 67 Hays, Alta T0K 1B0 725-2152 Dan Buzogan Patricia, Alta T0J 2K0 378-4655 John Doig 21414 32 Ave. Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 5 STATION EARTAG BREEDER BIRTH LOT NUMBER BREEDER BREED INDEX TYPE PRICE 38 151 Olds College Rarabouillet 107 2 $ 400 Olds, Alta TOM IPO 556-8267 39 53 John Balderson Polypay 107 2 $ 500. Box 643 Magrath, Alta T0K 1J0 758-6392 40 183 Clarence Jones Suffolk 107 2 $ 340, Box 42 Dewinton, Alta T0L 0X0 938-7896 41 89 Patric Lyster Suffolk 107 1 $ 250 Box 376 Vilna, Alta T0A 3L0 636-2007 42 191 Barbara Ellis Suffolk 106 2 $ 280. Box 650 Grimshaw, Alta T0H 1W0 596-2282 43 192 Howard Rutley Suffolk 106 2 $ 240, Box 1168 Didsbury, Alta TOM 0W0 335-4523 44 WITHDRAWN 45 201 Mark Raven Suffolk 105 2 $ 275 Box 1093 Morinville, Alta TOG 1P0 973-6979 46 WITHDRAWN 47 141 Sudon Farms Suffolk 105 2 $ 310. Box 97 Edberg, Alta T0B 1J0 877-2226 BUYER Agriculture Canada (For United Breeders A. 1 . unit Cuelph, Ontario) Contact Jim MacLeod (519) 821-2150 Helmut Peters Box 156 Bragg Creek, Alta T0L 0K0 274-2364 F. Godberson Box 208 Barrhead , Alta TOG 0E0 674-5775 Fred Sohm Box 127 Dixonville, Alta T0H 1E0 971-2408 Ed Klassen Box 217 Linden, Alta TOM 1J0 546-3046 W. Welby Maverthorpe, Alta TOE 1N0 786-4383 Sonia Schwanko RR 1 Fort Sask., Alta T8L 2N7 998-2822 A & D Koppel RR 2 Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 4E3 (604) 759-4761 b LOT 57 STATION EARTAG NUMBER 58 63 59 46 60 188 61 156 BREEDER BREEDER BREED Bob Francis Dorset Gen. Del. Priddis, Alta TOL 1W0 931-2258 Sudon Farms Suffolk Box 97 Edberg, Alta TOB 1J0 877-2226 Tom Seaborn Suffolk Box 1870 Rocky Mtn. House TOM 1T0 729-2267 Clarence Jones Suffolk Box 42 Dewinton, Alta TOL 0X0 938-7896 Patric Lyster Suffolk Box 376 Vilna, Alta TOA 3L0 636-2007 INDEX 103 BIRTH TYPE PRICE $ 350 103 $ 250 103 $ 225 103 $ 200, 103 $ 200, 62 WITHDRAWN 63 184 Clarence Jones Suffolk Box 42 Dewinton, Alta TOL 0X0 938-7896 64 143 Olds College Suffolk Olds, Alta TOM 1P0 556-8267 103 $ 250, 102 $ 200, 65 44 Tom Seaborn Suffolk Box 1870 Rocky Mtn. House, Alta TOM 1T0 729-2267 102 $ 200 BUYER T. G. Meikle 21416 - 32 Ave. Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 Dan Buzogan Patricia, Alta T0J 2K0 378-4655 L. W. Demille & Sons Box 267 Morrin, Alta T0J 2B0 772-2106 John Doig 21416 - 32 Ave Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 B. P. Beadman Bonanza, Alta T0H 0K0 335-2600 F. Godberson Box 208 Barrhead, Alta TOG 0E0 674-5775 John Doig 21416 - 32 Ave Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 John Doig 21416 - 32 Ave. Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 STATION EARTAG BREEDER LOT NUMBER BREEDER 75 195 Bill Stephen RR 7 Calgary, Alta T2P 2G7 936-5463 76 100 Dave Cadsand Box 572 Rimbey, Alta TOC 2J0 843-3537 77 25 Gordon Kure RR 1 Innisfail, Alta TOM 1A0 728- 3361 78 83 Tom Seaborn Box 1870 Rocky Mtn. House TOM 1T0 729- 2267 BREED N. C. Cheviot INDEX 100 BIRTH TYPE Suffolk 100 Suffolk 100 Suffolk 100 PRICE BUYER $ 450. Don Kessi Harlan Route Box 267 Blodgett, Oregon USA 9737b (503) 438-4256 $ 200. John Doig 21416 - 32 Ave. Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2(604) 530-5006 (604) 530-5006 $ 220. John Doig 21416 - 32 Ave. Langley, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 $ 200. John Doig 2141b - 32 Ave Langlev, B.C. V3A 7R2 (604) 530-5006 The following is a summary of 1984 Ram Test BREED NUMBER A.D.G. NO. TESTED KG /DAY SOLD SUFFOLK 142 .550 51 HAMPSHIRE 23 .484 7 DORSET 20 .415 6 RAMBOUILLET 14 .451 6 N.C. CHEVIOT 1 .450 1 POLYPAY 3 .448 1 AVERAGE PRICE $376, $311, $474, $412. $450. $500. HIGH PRICE $1500, $ 520, $ 775, $ 475. $ 450. $ 500. From The J I Research Bene ANIMAL SCIENTISTS DEVELOP EARLY PREGNANCY TEST Clifton Anderson Agricultural Communications Centre University of Idaho COLUMBIA, Mo. — Cattle producers could increase their calf crops by using an early pregnancy test developed at the University of Idaho, according to Carla A. Ruder, UI animal science research associate. Speaking to the annual meeting of the Amercian Socity of Animal Science, Ruder said the successful procedure for pregnancy detection in cattle has led to development of a similar test for sheep. The new test detects preganancy in cattle as early as 24 day after conception. Palpation, the test most commonly used by cattle producers, is not reliable diagnostic tool until 45 days of pregnancy have elapsed, the Idaho researcher said. The pregnancy test is targeted at a protein called "protein B" which is present in a cow's blood only during pregnancy, Ruder said. The testing procedure is done by means of a double antibody readioimmunoassay . To make pregnancy testing as simple as possible, University of Idaho researchers are working toward developing a test kit that could be used by cattle producers. The accuracy of the pregnancy test for cattle has demonstrated in a series of field test, Ruder said. The pregnancy test now being developed for sheep is concerned with a blood antigen similar to protein B found in the blood of cows, Ruder said. Research data indicates that the test is "an accurate and accepted means for diagnosis of pregnancy in sheep," she reported. Second Law of Sociogenet ics - The law of heredity is that all undesirable traits come from the other parent. LAMB MILK REPLACEK FIELD TRIAL by John Knapp Sheep Specialist Alberta Agriculture, Airdrie In January, 1984 Dr. Arnold Pierce of Prairie Micro-Tech Inc. supplied Alberta Agriculture with 60Kg of "Wet Nurse" a new lambs milk replacer his company had formulated. A previous lamb milk replacer trial (see Sheep Notes and News, Issue #3, 1982) had compared "Land 0' Lakes" brand against two domestic milk replacers and had strongly confirmed the independent observations of many sheep producers that "Land 0' Lakes" was a much superior product. Using Land O'Lakes as the standardd therefore, cooperators Gordon and Goodie Kure were asked to assess the performance of orphan lambs reared on Wet Nurse. The lambs were divided into two groups and offered the milk replacers free choice, cold (4-8°C). All other environmental influences on the two groups were the same. Crowth Rate The tables below provide individual growth rates and group averages. Essentially no difference was observed in the mean growth rates for the lambs on the two treatments (Group I - .377 ♦ .033 kg Group II - .402 ± .027 kg; P=.512). The growth rates produced by both milk replacers were quite acceptable from the cooperators' viewpoint . Mixing and Feeding Instructions Poor wording on the label regarding mixing instructions, weaning procedure and treatment of lambs with scours were discussed with the manufacturer. He has promised a new label which corrects these problems so that mixing and feeding instructions are now very clear . ■NURSERY GROUP I - LAND O'LAKES LAMB I.D. SEX A.D.G. (kg) SEX CORRECTED A.D.G. (kg) 24 25 M F .442 .332 .442 .355 28 51 M M .320 .392 .320 .392 Group sex corrected A.D.G. .377 kg NURSERY GROUP II - WET NURSE LAMB I.D. 75 86 SEX F M A.D.G. (kg) .322 .435 SEX CORRECTED .345 .435 A.D.G. (kg) 87 88 103 106 F F M M .417 .474 .364 .295 .446 .507 .364 .316 Group sex corrected A.D.G. .402 kg 10 Mixing Qualities Both Wet Nurse and Land O'Lakes mixed very satisfactorily with an electric kitchen mixer. Both products produced a mix of acceptable consistency for feeding through artificial nipples. Odour Both products produced pleasant acceptable odours on reconstituting. The previous field trial as well as observations from many producers had identified a very foul rancid odour on reconstituting one of the other domestic brands. Settling Experiment Approximately 8 litres of each of the 2 brands were placed in containers and left overnight in a refrigerator. Both products produced less than 1 mm of sediment although the colour of the Wet Nurse sediment was slightly darker. The previous trial had identified sediment levels of 5-10 mm for the two other domestic brands. This means that where baby lambs are self-fed from large containers a considerable amount of the nutrients in the mix would settle out resulting in both insufficient and imbalanced nutrient intake. Wet Nurse's very low amount of settling should not cause this problem. Fat Level Wet Nurse brand, like Land O'Lakes, contains minimum 30% crude fat. Some research has indicated that lambs on a 24% fat milk replacer will perform well under warm barn conditions. However, in this country, the majority of orphan lambs are born and reared through cold temperature months of January - April. 24% fat on a dry matter basis versus 30% for the 2 brands evaluated in this study and 40% for natural ewe's milk may be insufficient to meet the enormous energy demand for maintenance under these cold conditions. Also many orphan lambs are from large bitter sizes (i.e.; triplet or more) or contain some Finnish Landrace blood. As a result, their bodies sizes are much smaller than normal lambs leading to quicker reduction in the core temperature. They also contain proportionately much less subcutaneous fat than normal leading to a greatly reduced layer of protective insulation. It may be therefore that a high fat diet is much more critical to survival for these "typical" orphans than for larger, stronger lambs reared on their dams. The minimum 30% fat in Wet Nurse is very likely a positive feature of this brand. Conclusion The growth rate of orphan lambs reared on Wet Nurse lamb milk replacer is quite acceptable. Although the label required some rewording and clarification, both mixing and aesthetic qualities are adequate. A minimum amount of settling and a high fat level make the product acceptable for using in self-feeding containers or under cold barn conditions. Apart from labelling, which as since been improved, all parameters evaluated lambs reared on Wet Nurse performed equally as well as those on Land O'Lakes. Given the clear superiority of Land O'Lakes over several other domestic brands, Wet Nurse is probably a much superior product as well. It is certainly an acceptable product for sheep producers rearing orphan sheep. Editor's Note: Wet Nurse is now available from most milk replacer suppliers in Alberta. 11 WHAT VALUE IS A DOG by Marv Brown Souris, Manitoba What value would you place on a hired hand who was alert and ready to work every morning, never gave any back talk, never had a hangover, didn't belong to a union and would rather work than eat? Do these hands exist? Yes, they are called Border Collies! 1 am astonished how many farms and ranches I go to in the States and Canada to find the owners are the dogs. People don't seem to realize stock have very little respect for a human. Man stands upright which makes him easy to see, and he moves slowly so the stock take advantage of him. If you're yelling, they know where you are without looking. Now, if a dog is working the stock, they are leery of him and his nip so they keep moving. Stock respect a dog! Dogs save man a lot of work and frustration. How much is this hand going to cost? This depends on how much the dog knows. Pups can be bought for $50.00 to $200.00. Started dogs, dogs that can run out a couple of hundred yards and gather stock in a workable manner, stop, and walk on when told, will start at $500.00. Now, a dog that will run out a half mile to gather, go left and right, drive away from you, shed off, and double lift is going to start over $1,000.00. A lot of time and work goes into a fully trained dog. Getting a Border Collie to drive away from his handler is the hardest part of training. When I talk of driving I mean you stay put and let the dog drive the stock up to the feed or whatever. I travelled Australia and New Zealand for six years and saw all kinds of good dogs and bad dogs. There were dogs that would get up on the sheep's back in the chute, run to the front and bark on command to keep the sheep moving. Money wouldn't buy some of these dogs. Those stockmen knew the value of their dogs. They could not run the large numbers of sheep and cattle they do if they didn't have dogs. How do you manage? Say a dog cost $1000.00. Sounds like a lot, but spread it over five years, it comes to $200.00 per year. Add another $50.00 per year for vaccinations and his food, it cones to $250.00 per year. One weeks wages give you the best hand for a full year. For people who purchase a puppy, my advice is to get a book on training. I recommend "Anybody Can Do It" by Pope Robertdon, available from Rovar Publishing; 522E, 2nd Street, Elgin, Texas U.S.A. 78621. The price is $10.75. This book goes through the step by step program of training a dog. It's easy to read - a good road map to follow. You can also learn a lot by attending training clinics. Contact me if you want to attend one in your area. We in the Border Collie game are always looking for a chance to display the ability of our dogs. If you or your organization would like an exhibition or trial held in your area contact me at the following address : Marv Brown Box 8 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 Ph: (204) 483-2632 ALBERTA FLEECE WOOL COMPETITION NOV. 1 - 3, 198^4. EDMONTON, ALBERTA. "WESTERN CANADA'S PREMIER WOOL SHOW" PRIZE MONEY Prize Money Offered - $532.00 The following Prize Money will be offered in each class: lst-$20;2nd-$18;3rd-S16:4th-S14;5th-S12;6th-S10;7th-$8:8thtol2th-S7 each. Class 44 FINE BLOOD STAPLE Fine Wools with a fibre of over 2Vi inches long. Merino and Rambouillet chiefly typical of this grade. Class 45 1/2 BLOOD STAPLE Fine medium staple wools with a fibre of over 2Vi inches long. Rambouillet and Romney chiefly typical of this grade. Class 46 3/8 BLOOD STAPLE Medium staple wools with a fibre of at least 24 inches long. Southdown, Shropshire and Suffolk chiefly typical of this grade. Class 47 1/4 BLOOD STAPLE Low medium stable - a longer fibre than in medium staple. Oxford and Hampshire chiefly typical of this grade. Class 48 Grand and Reserve Grand Champion fleece. 1 st and 2nd prize winners in above classes compete. Ribbons only. The Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Ltd. provide a trophy for the Champion Fleece. SPECIAL RULES 1. Fee of $1.00 per entry 2. Exhibits must be on grounds by October 31, 1984. 3. Exhibitor or Farm Unit is allowed only two entries per class. 4. Fleece must be grown on property of exhibitor and shown in 1984. 5. Fleeces will be classified by directors prior to show. NOTE: This competition is open to all exhibitors. If you are unable to deliver your fleeces to the fair, you may forward your entries and fees to the Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers Ltd., Box 1530, Stony Plain, Alberta. TOE 2G0 . The Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers Ltd. will enter the exhibits for you . 13 CANADIAN CO-OPERATIVE WOOL GROWERS LTD. STONY PLAIN BRANCH REPORT Will Verboven Branch Manager C . C . W . G . Stony Plain "WHERE THE HECK IS STONY PLAIN ANYWAY"? Many wool shippers have directed this question to me with various degrees of emphasis I might add, since our move last year. Stony Plain is located just south of Hwy. 16, 25 miles west of Edmonton. Shippers from South of Edmonton can bypass Edmonton by means of Devon and Hwy. 60. Producers in the Rimbey area could use highways #12 and #770 and the Genesee Bridge to reach Stony Plain from the south. 1984 wool volumes are slightly down from the previous year, however, deliveries are about three weeks ahead of normal, due to the mild winter. All branch wool is being sent to Lethbridge this year, prior to shipment to Carleton Place for grading. This is being done to utilize the new wool compacter which compressed the wool in such a way that twice as much wool can be shipped in the same rail car as was previously possible. This results in a significant saving in freight costs. Agriculture Canada has announced a stabilization payment of 10.98c/lb. for 1983 wool. If you have not already received your applications, contact the Stony Plain branch for a copy. Producers have for some time expressed their concerns over the high cost of the sheep branding paint presently available. So, in that regard, the Stony Plain branch has recently obtained some sheep branding paint from Australia, and has placed samples in the field for testing purposes. Producers in both Northern and Southern Alberta and B.C. will be evaluating this product for its effectiveness in this climate. This product is significantly less expensive than present ones available, if testing is successful, the product will be obtained in quantity. In the interim, paint imported from a new source in the U.S. will be available at a lower cost than the present ones listing in the catalogue . I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Pieter De Mooy, of 1395 Benveneto Avenue, Brentwood, B.C. 652-6273 or 652-1507, as our new sheep supply agent in B.C. Producers on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands will not be able to obtain their supplies quickly and conveniently from a local source. The Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers executive committee at their recent meeting declared that the Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers annual meeting will be held in Lethbridge on Saturday, April 20, 1985. The Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers directors and head office management will also be in attendance at the Northern Alberta Canadian Co- operative Wool Growers shareholders meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 1985 in Stony Plain. Best wishes and may the new year bring happiness and prosperity to you and your familv. Debbie Forge Karren Green >dlbcrra AGRICULTURE sheen 114 les JO. jU /I TC A 1 . / D -b? . Jo / 7 fin 64. 13 CI T> J L . Z J 58.88 100 75 116.77 52.25 -64.52 60. 13 -56.64 68.00 48.77 75.88 40.89 125 100 122.41 68.00 -54.41 78.50 -43.91 89.00 33.41 99.50 22.91 150 125 128.06 83.75 -44.31 96.88 -31.18 1 10.00 18.06 123. 13 4.93 175 150 133.70 99.50 -34.20 115.25 -18.45 131.00 2.70 146.75 13.05 200 175 145.34 115.25 -30.09 133.63 -11.71 152.00 + 6.66 170.38 25.04 225 200 152.98 131.00 -21.98 152.00 - .98 173.00 + 20.02 194.00 + 41.02 250 225 160.63 146.75 -13.88 170.38 + 9.75 194.00 + 33.37 217.63 + 57.00 275 250 168.27 162.50 - 5.77 188.75 +20.48 215.00 + 46.73 241.25 + 72.98 300 275 175.91 178.25 + 2.34 207.13 +31.22 236.00 + 60.09 264.88 + 88.97 TABLE V Spring Lambing (105 Lb. Lamb Marketed) Price/Lb. 60c 70c 80C 90c Cost Gross Return/ Gross Return/ Gross Return/ Gross Return/ of Return Ewe over Return Ewe over Return Ewe over Return Ewe over % % Production per Cash per Cash per Cash per Cash Born Marketed ($) Ewe($) Costs($) Ewe($) Costs($) Ewe($) Costs ($) Ewe($) Costs ($) 75 50 97.33 36.50 -60.83 41.75 -55.58 47.00 - 50.33 52.25 - 45.08 100 75 98.37 52.25 -46. 12 60. 13 -38.24 68.00 - 30.37 75.88 - 22.49 125 100 99.41 68.00 -31.41 78.50 -20.91 89.00 - 10.41 99.50 + .09 150 125 100.46 83.75 -16.71 96.88 - 3.58 110.00 + 9.54 123. 13 + 22.67 175 150 101.50 99.50 - 2.00 115.25 +13.75 131.00 + 29.50 146.75 + 45.25 200 175 108.54 115.25 + 6.71 133.63 +25.09 152.00 + 43.46 170.38 + 61.84 225 200 111.58 131.00 +19.42 152.00 +40.42 173.00 + 61.42 194.00 + 82.42 250 225 114.63 146.75 +32. 12 170.38 +55.75 194.00 + 79.37 217.63 +103.00 275 250 117.67 162.50 +44.83 188.75 +71.08 215.00 + 97.33 241.25 +123.58 300 275 120.71 178.25 +57.54 207.13 +86.42 236.00 +115.29 264.88 +144. 17 Tables IV and V look pretty grim don't they! Their message is clear. There's no money in the sheep business if you can't produce at least a 200% lamb crop. In fact if you are serious about making money you have to set your sights on a 300% lamb crop! There is one ray of hope in the sheep industry. Tables IV and V are based on a 105 lb. lamb. Lambs in excess of 130 lbs. are now being sold in the Western United States without discount. Research at the Alberta Ram Test Station suggests most existing breeds have the capability to produce lean, desirable 150 lambs. Let's assume we could market a 150 lb. lamb at 70c/lb. and that the cost of the additional 45 lbs. gain was 33c/lb. At a 200% crop born (spring lambing) we would realize an extra $25 net return/ewe. This small increment in weight therefore would double our return/ewe over cash costs and reduce our break even point by a staggering 50% lamb crop. When the day of heavier lambs without penalty comes - and come it must - the sheep industry will look a whole lot more attractive ! 4 Another point these tables bring home is that the price/lb. must be fully 20c higher to justify the additional costs entailed in winter lambing. For example in table V (spring lambing) you can see that at 175% marketed a producer requires only 60c/lb. to cover his cash costs. But in table TV (winter lambing) at 175% marketed the price must be 80c/lb. before cash costs are covered. In 1983 the average price spread at Lambco between lambs marketed April - June and lambs marketed August - October was only 14c/lb. In 1984 it was only 10c/lb. In the last 2 years therefore the price differential has not been high enough to justify winter lambing for those commercial producers who have the option of lambing in the spring. Now let's answer our original question (how much debt can my sheep operation support) by using the following assumptions: (1) A 500 ewe flock might constitute an economic unit. Therefore multiply the "return/ewe over cash cost" by 500 to obtain a flock return over cash costs. (2) The sheep industry like other segments of agriculture is fraut with risk - an abortion stor.n, a late spring blizzard, a serious dog attack, a batch of poisoned feed, a price drop to 55c, etc. To allow for this risk we reduce our flock return over cash costs by 10% of the cost of production. (3) Most modern farm families require a minimum living allowance of $ 1 5 , 000/annum. Therefore deduct $15,000 living costs from the risk-reduced flock return over cash costs to derive a "residual for debt surviving" amount. (4) Most mortgages on farm land are for 20-25 year terms. Most loans for livestock, buildings and machinery are for 5-10 year terms. Assume therefore that the average repayment period for the capital loans on your farm is 15 years. (Remember we have already paid interest on our operating loan in table I.) Assume that the average interest rate on these loans is 13%. Using a table entitled "Capital Recovery Factors" (available in most economic texts, the Alberta Farm Guide, or from your banker) we find that the factor for a 15 year amortized loan at 13% interest is .1547. Divide this into the residual for debt servicing figure to determine how large a loan our sheep operation can support . The foregoing assumptions can be worded into a simple formula: [(Return/Ewe Over Cash Costs - 10%) X 500] - 15,000 = maximum debt . 1547 This formula results in tables VI and VII. 5 TABLE VI Winter Lambing (105 Lb. Lamb Marketed) Debt Carrying Capacity Price /Lb. 60c 70c 80c 90c Maximum M;a V -{ mum i ICX J\ X 11 I Li 111 MflYi mi im i la A 1 111 Li II ' Maximum Residual Debt Residual Debt Res i dua 1 Debt Re s 1 dua 1 Debt for Debt Opera t ion for Debt Odp rfl t" i fin fr»r Dphf i. \J L U L Onprs t" i on for Debt 1 W 1. UL l' L Opera t ion % Servic ing Can Servic ing Can Sp tv i r i no Can Se rv icing Can Marketed ($) Carry ($) ($) Carry ($) ($) Carry ($) ($) Carry($) 50 -57,870 Nil -55,245 Nil -52,620 Nil -49,995 Nil 75 -53,100 Nil -49,160 Nil -45,225 Nil -41,285 Nil 100 -48,325 Nil -43,075 Nil -37,825 Nil -32,575 Nil 125 -43,560 Nil -36,995 Nil -30,435 Nil -23,870 Nil 150 -38,785 Nil -30,910 Nil -23,035 Nil -15, 160 Nil 175 -37,310 Nil -28,120 Nil -18,935 Nil - 9,745 Nil 200 -33,640 Nil -23,140 Nil -12,640 Nil - 2,140 Nil 225 -29,970 Nil -18,155 Nil - 6,345 Nil + 5,470 35,359 250 -26,300 Nil -13,175 Nil 50 Nil +13,075 84,518 275 -22,625 Nil - 8,185 Nil + 6,250 40,401 +20,690 133,743 TABLE VII Spring Lambing (105 Lb. Lamb Marketed) Debt Carrying Capacity Price/Lb. 60c 70c 80c 90c Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Residual Debt Residual Debt Residual Debt Residual Debt for Debt Operation for Debt Operation for Debt Operation for Debt Operation % Servicing Can Servicing Can Servicing Can Servicing Can Marketed ($) Carry($) ($) Carry($) ($) Carry($) ($) Carry($) 50 -50,280 Nil -47,655 Nil -45,030 Nil -42,405 Nil 75 -42,980 Nil -39,040 Nil -35,105 Nil -31,165 Nil 100 -35,675 Nil -30,425 Nil -25,175 Nil -19,925 Nil 125 -28,380 Nil -21,815 Nil -15,255 Nil - 8,690 Nil 150 -21,075 Nil -13,200 Nil - 5,325 Nil + 2,550 16,484 175 -17,070 Nil - 7,880 Nil + 1,305 8,436 +10,495 67,841 200 -10,870 Nil 370 Nil +10, 130 65,482 +20,630 133,355 225 - 4,670 Nil + 7,145 46,186 +18,955 122,527 +30,770 198,901 250 + 1,530 9,890 +14,655 94,732 +27,780 179,573 +40,905 264,415 275 + 7,735 50,000 +22,175 143,342 +36,610 236,652 +51,050 329,994 Tables VI and VII look really grim! If you are lambing in the winter and marketing even a 200% crop you still require an off-farm job to indulge yourself in the luxury of keeping sheep. Spring lambing looks considerably better at a 200% crop marketed, but even here you would have to count on the very high price average of 80c/lb. before your operation could carry a modest debt load of $64,000. 6 You may be inclined to say to yourself "These figures can't possibly be right." Unfortunately they are very near the truth. Proof of this comes in the enormous failure rate (estimated at 90%) in sheep operations financed by the Federal Farm Credit Corporation and Provincial Agriculture Credit Agencies. The problem is not limited to Canadian producers. At a recent meeting of the American Sheep Producers Council a major U.S. lender stated that 4 out of every 5 sheep loans he had made were in arrears and the situation was growing steadily worse. If these figures are untrue how else do we explain the incredibly transient nature of sheep flocks, the ritualistic passing on of the flock every 3 years from one disillusioned producer to another naive beginner armed with the silly notion that a 150% lamb crop is great? How else do we explain the mood of desperation amongst those who are "hanging in there" supporting their sheep operations with outside income? The message is clear. Unless we improve our level of productivity fast we are not going to have something we can call an industry. This should not come as a great surprise. Other segments of agriculture have faced similar situations. Several decades ago the dairy and poultry industries were challenged to double and triple their level of productivity. They were able to meet that challenge and as a result have survived and prospered . In the sheep industry that challenge comes in the form of a 300% lamb crop. Productivity at that level does not mean abandoning pasture or the concept of the ewe as a ruminant but it does mean accelerating to 1.5 lamb crops/year. We do have both the technology and the breeds to produce a 300% crop. Witness the growing number of large flocks in Canada and the U.S. producing 2.9 - 3.7 live lamb s /ewe /year . Let's get with it! It can be done! The sheep industry can be profitable! REGULATIONS TO IMPORT FEEDER LAMBS The Veterinary Inspection Directorate of Agriculture Canada has issued new regulations governing the importation of feeder ]ambs from the United States. The following applies: 1. Feeder lambs may enter Canada from the U.S. without the usual blood tests. 4. Upon arrival at the feedlot, all lambs must be tested for Blue tongue and the ram lambs for Brucella ovis. 5. Any reactors found at that time will be removed to slaughter without compensation. 2. They must enter Canada between November 1st and March 31st. 3. They must travel directly to a previously approved feedlot for quarantine. Further information can be obtained from Dr. L.G. Gould, Regional Veterinarian, //750, 220 - 4th Avenue, S.E. Postal Station "M", Bag 2998, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3C3. MEDICINE LAKE PROVINCIAL CRAZING RESERVE "Another Dr. Ralph Shute of the Health Management Branch, Alberta Agriculture has reported that the sheep flock on the Medicine Lake Provincial Grazing Reserve has, for the second consecutive summer, been free of footrot. An intensive footrot eradication program has been in place over the last 4 grazing seasons. The sheep are inspected by a veterinarian at their home farms before entering the grazing reserve, again at entry, and several times over the summer when sheep are handled for any other reasons. As well, the sheep are all inspected as they leave the pasture. The eradication of this crippling disease greatly improves the economic performance of sheep, not only while on pasture, but at the home farm as well. Numbers of sheep making use of the provincial grazing reserve have dwindled due to the fear of one's sheep contracting footrot and due to some infected flocks not qualifying for entry. It is expected that numbers of sheep entered onto the pasture will increase now that footrot has been el iminated. The Health Management Branch in cooperation with the Sheep & Good Year" Coat Section, both of Alberta Agriculture, will be pleased to assist any sheep producer who may have footrot in their sheep to eradicate the disease from their flocks. A home flock, free of footrot, or any other contagious disease is necessary to qualify sheep for entry to the Medicine Lake Provincial Grazing Reserve. The Medicine Lake Provincial Grazing Reserve is located 4.5 miles west from Winfield along highway 13 and 2.5 miles south. The pasture season is approximately from May 15 to October 15. Several entry and take- out dates are usually scheduled. Pasture charges were 5.4c/day/ewe plus 48c/ewe/season to cover salt, minerals and pharmaceuticals. The flock is divided into breeding (wet) and non-breeding (dry) pastures. Ewes on the wet pasture are charged an additional fee. In addition to the footrot eradication program an ongoing predator control program has also been successful. Applications for the 1985 season will be accepted up to January 31, 1985 and are available from Morris Seiferling, Regional Manager, West Central Grazing Reserves, P.O. Box 411, Drayton Valley, Alberta TOE 0M0 (Phone: 542-3537). 8 "WOOL ISN'T WORTH BOTHERING WITH" "I DONT'T GET ANYTHING FOR IT" Will Verboven Branch Manager, Stony Plain Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers We hear these comments quite frequently from wool shippers. Producers are of course quite justified in their concern over the price received for wool. The price you receive for each particular grade of wool is the world price minus grading and shipping costs. Your co-op strives to keep operating costs low, however, only through a significant increase in total volume of wool, can further economies be achieved. Inflation effects the operation of your co-op the same as any other organization. Freight cost is another area that continues to increase. In order to reduce costs, the co-op recently installed a wool bag compactor in Lethbridge, this machine enables more wool to be shipped in a rail car. Producers should know that the freight cost on your grading statement is not the actual cost. The difference between the cost the producer pays and the actual cost of the freight is subsidized by the co-op. Producers can also increase their returns by separating out tags and excessive vegetable matter. Properly packed wool bags should contain 200 lbs of wool, this reduces your wool bag costs. Producers should also ship their wool as soon as possible after shearing. Many producers who store their wool for one or more years have found that when they do finally ship, the value of the wool has dropped as much as 60%. Remember, wool does deteriorate and shrink! ! I am pleased to announce that the Stony Plain Branch is now the Western Canadian distributor for Premier Sheep Supplies of the U.S.A. Many new sheep handling items will now be available, look for them in our upcoming branch catalogue . Remember for your calendar: Alberta North Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Shareholders and Wool Shippers annual meeting and open house is Wednesday, April 17th, 1985 C.C.W.G. - Stony Plain. REPORT OF CANADIAN CO-0 ERATIVE WOOL GROWERS LIMITED From the Head Office of the ' The 1984 wool marketing season has recorded price increases, on average, of 20% to producer returns. The main reason this has happened is increased world wide demand, brought about by generally improved economic conditions and lower interest rates. With consumer confidence being restored this in turn has encouraged woolen mills to put wool back into inventory rather than the past hand to mouth scenario which has existed. The current picture can be described as cautiously optimistic. In marketing any world commodity many factors have to be considered in determining selling prices. Supply and demand, fluctuations in foreign currencies and devaluations are primary ones. New Zealand and Australian wool stock piles stand at 400,000 and 1.2 million bales respectively and there is no doubt that these counties would like to see a lower level of inventories. Thus, one reason for a little uncertainty at this point in time with buyers taking a wait and see attitude. The U.S. dollar continues to be strong against other currencies and the devaluation of New Zealand currency by 20% in late July has caused a somewhat softer market at this time. Our most important concern this past summer has been making delivery of wool contracts sold earlier in the year for spring and summer delivery. The on-again off-again dock workers strike in the U.K. made it impossible to place these contracts and as a result wool had to be held in our inventory for an additional six to eight weeks. This situation has now been resolved but, it was an nadian Co-operative Wool Growers unforeseen circumstance that we had not anticipated. We realize the importance of diversification and that it is imperative for us to continue our efforts in introducing Canadian wool to a larger range of prospective buyers. In this regard we are looking at Pacific Rim countries and have recently sold a container of Domestic wool to Japan. We have also made contact with two Korean wool buyers and are hopeful of placing wool there as well. Domestic wool sales in Canada are slightly higher than at this time last year as we have been able to place wool with two new customers . The retail division within the Co-op, namely Stockmen Supplies and Manufactured Woolens are once again recording good sales growth. In addition to regular clientele we have noticed a much improved tourist trade this past summer and this has helped our business. On a national basis the overall volume of just under two million pounds will be maintained in 1984. The federal stabilization payment on 1983 wool has been established at 24c/kg and we encourage all producers to apply. Please contact us for the applicable forms. In the near future it is the intention of this organization to submit a proposal to government for a national wool incentive payment program, similar to the U.S. plan that has been in use for many years. It is totally funded by tariffs on wool imports and a program of this nature in Canada would go a long way in encouraging and developing the wool industry in Canada . 10 U.S. SHEEP EXPERIMENT STATION ANNUAL SALE DUBOIS - A total of 1741 head of surplus breeding sheep were sold at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Thursday, September 20, 1984 at the Station headquarters north of Dubois, Idaho. Buyers attended from 16 states and Canada which included: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Quebec, Canada. The top selling ram was an unregistered Rambouillet 2-year-old, purchased by Christenson Ranch, Dillon, Montana for $1,200.00. A Targhee 2-year-old registered ram sold for $950.00 to LaVonne Gemaehlick, Jacksonville, Oregon. The top Columbia registered 2- year-old ram sold to Bill Schmidt, MacKay, Idaho, Fall River Sheep Co., Weiser, Idaho, Sunny Hawley, Howe, Idaho and Jim Williams, Henderson, Kentucky for $300.00. The top Polypay ram brought $650.00 purchased by Jim Williams, Henderson, Kentucky. The top Finn x Rambouillet yearling ram sold to Gail Jacobson, Crowheart , Wyoming for $150.00. The high breed average for rams was $403.00 on 44 head of Rambouil lets . Eighty Polypay rams averaged $152.00, 52 Targhee rams $318.00, 14 Finncross rams $109.00 and 28 Columbia rams averaged $189.00. Don Simons, Quebec, Canada purchased 6 head of yearling cert i i ied-registered Polypay ewes and 5 head of yearling registered Polypay ewes for $250.00 per head. The top 2 head of registered Targhee 4-year-old ewes sold for $220.00 a piece to LaVonne Gemaehlick, Jacksonville, Oregon; Tom Blaine, Valley Ford, Washington and Francis Biegalke, Stanford, Montana paid $75.00 per head for 5 Columbia registered yearling ewes. Top Rambouillet ewes (yearlings) sold for $80.00 each to Marilyn McFarlane, Cut Bank, Montana; Cornell University, Ithaca, New York and Miller Bros., Chester, Idaho . Total receipts for the sale grossed $141,205.00. The annual sheep sale is held in cooperation with the University of Idaho. Lunch was served at the Station headquarters to a capacity crowd of the Sheep Station ladies.