FY 2004 Sheep & Goat Industry Grant Initiative (SGIGI)
Grant Awardees

Website: http://www.abga.org/

Objective: This grant will fund a proposal to: 1) develop a national genetic evaluation program for meat goats, 2) estimate genetic parameters needed for the genetic evaluation program, 3) produce printed educational materials to inform goat breeders and commercial goat producers about the use of information from a genetic evaluation program to improve their flock.

January 2004

Website: http://www.sheepusa.org

Title: Proposal for the Research and Development of a National Program for Sheep Price Risk Management

Scope: National Market Stability

Objective: The goal of the proposal is a research partnership to develop a viable price risk management program for sheep producers.  

Title: Safety and Quality Assurance for Sheep Producers in the Northeast

Scope: Regional Education

Objective: The project is a joint effort between the Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association Blue Ribbon Sheep Forum Committee, University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Departments of Animal Science and University Extension.  It is their belief that today’s sheep producers need to understand the five steps necessary for participation in the Sheep Safety and Quality Assurance Program(SSQA).  This will make it possible for them to implement the proper criteria with their flocks on their farms Their goal is to have SSQA Level 1 Training available in the New England region so that the area sheep producers have an opportunity to learn the industry standards for:

•    Use of Feed Additives and Animal Health Products

•    Animal Health and Maintenance

•    Harvested Feeds, Contaminants, and Sanitation

•    Feed Storage and Monitoring

•    Nutritional and Heath Management and Husbandry

Website: http://www.lsu.edu/index2.html

Title: Integrated approach for controlling nematode parasites in small ruminants

Scope: Production Research

Objective: The objective of the proposed project is to evaluate the field application of 3 scenarios using an integrated approach including smart drenching, restricted use of moxidectin, copper-oxide wire particles and FAMACHA^© to control worm infection in mature ewes and weaned goat kids and lambs. This work is expected to have an immediate impact on productivity and profitability of small ruminant production systems in the southeastern US and other regions where Haemonchus contortus can be a problem. They believe producers will be able to reduce overall anthelmintic usage by integrating an alternative compound (copper-oxide wire particles) with identification of animals in need of treatment (FAMACHA^©) and adopting smart drenching procedures, thereby reducing cost of production while improving animal health and productivity. Lower frequency of deworming will also reduce potential environmental impact of excreted anthelmintics and will decrease the development of resistance, thereby prolonging the usefulness of available anthelmintics. This integrated approach will provide a cornerstone for inclusion of future environmentally sound parasite prevention and control technologies to secure a sustainable, growing small ruminant industry. The project will particularly impact limited-resource producers and will increase stability of farming communities in those areas.

The organizations involved in the project are Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA and USDA-ARS, Booneville, AR.

Website: www.nuggetinternational.com/southern/index.htm

Title: Lazy M Lambskins & Saddle Shearling Branding of Domestic Sheepskins

Scope: National Marketing

Objective: Southern Wool & Skin is a division of The Melton Provision Company and was originally formed to make use of the skins generated by their packing operation.  They are committed to the long-term viability of domestic sheepskins through expansion of their current market segments.  They have an extensive product line but for the purposes of this grant are focusing on marketing two products; their vegetable tanned sheepskins (Lazy M ™ Saddle Shearling) and their rugs (Lazy M™ Lambskins).  They are focusing on these items because they fit a narrow niche and therefore don’t require expensive advertising campaigns. The overall objective of this grant is to stabilize or increase pelt credits to lamb producers and feeders by establishing a brand name for rugs and saddle shearlings made from American sheepskins.

Title: Investigation and Development of Convenience Food Products Made From Lamb

Scope: National Product Development

Objective: The goal of this grant is to fund the research and development of convenience food products made with lamb. The objective of the project is to investigate product manufacturing capabilities and formulations, develop and test prototype products and determine preliminary sales potential. Included in this will be the exploration of new technologies, formulations and methods to improve the eating quality as well as extend the shelf life of the products. Convenience food products that will be a part of the project include pre-seasoned items for the fresh meat case, prepared ready-to-eat dishes in the frozen food case, items for the deli case, and food court items.

Website: http://www.nlfa-sheep.org/

Title: 2004 Tri-Lamb Summit

Scope: International lamb issues coordination.

Objective: The National Lamb Feeders Association (NLFA) has received this grant to help offset expenses associated with US representatives participation in the 2004 Tri-Lamb Summit with representatives from the lamb industries of Australia and New Zealand to be held in Australia.  In addition to this grant the NLFA and American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) will both make considerable contributions to finalize the total expenses associated with the American participation.  The U.S. attendees are industry leaders and volunteers who will donate two weeks of their time to participate in the summit.

Website: http://www.nlfa-sheep.org/

Title: Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School Advancement

Scope: National Producer Education

Objective: The leadership school provides a unique educational forum designed to provide current and future sheep industry leaders a comprehensive understanding of the production, feeding, marketing and promotion practices currently being utilized. The school’s goal is to stimulate the attendees’ awareness of new technologies and enhance their problem solving abilities through an intense hands on and academic training program. This proposal will enhance the outreach of the leadership school and increase participation in the leadership school during for the 2004 program year.

Website: http://www.purdue.edu/

Title: Development of a Quality Assurance Program targeted to 4-H and FFA youth enrolled in small ruminant projects.

Scope: National Producer Education

Objective: The goal of this project will be to develop a national online quality assurance program for youth enrolled in 4-H and FFA sheep and goat projects.  More than 225,000 youngsters were enrolled in a sheep and/or goat project in the year 2002 (USDA, 2003). The number of animals marketed through the U.S. food chain from these projects represents a significant portion of the total number of sheep and goats marketed in a production year.

Website: http://www.texsalp.com/

Title: Objective interlotting of wool using laserscan technology

Scope: National product improvement and development

Objective: In 1995, a group of sheep and goat producers from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico joined together to create an innovative approach to marketing their product and Producers Marketing Cooperative, Incorporated (PMCI) was born. PMCI is a producer owned and controlled co-op which markets sheep and goat products and provides services for the maximum benefit of the membership while serving the needs of its customer base.  The headquarters for the operation is in San Angelo, Texas. The cooperative has taken a lead in wool preparation, packaging, and selection to enhance marketing options. In fact this is one of their main purposes and objectives.

     Website: http://www.redlandscc.edu/

         Title: Goat Producers Certification, Training, Information, Dissemination Program

Scope: National Goat Producers Improvement

Objective: This is a joint project with Redlands Community College, Langston University and the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education with support from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.  The goal is to develop and design a Goat Producers Certification and Information Dissemination Program to enhance the quality of production, distribution and processing of high quality meat goats.

 
 Small Farm Produce, LLC

dba  Farmer's All Natural Creamery

Title: Goat Dairy Production by Farmers' All
 Natural Creamery

Scope: Regional dairy production and marketing improvement

Objective: The grant is for equipment to process goat milk, develop marketing materials, purchase packaging and purchase inventory.  This project will significantly boost awareness, availability and consumption of goat milk products, help meet an already unmet demand for such products and bolster production of specialty items which are in low supply.  Initial goat dairy products will include: butter, ice cream, yogurt and fluid milk.   The creamery has started with several herds.  There is no lack of supply of goat milk in the area.  Amish producers have indicated a willingness to sell to the Creamery as opposed to having the only outlet for their goat milk be for cheese processed in Wisconsin.

Website: http://sanangelo.tamu.edu

Title: Evaluation of Dorper vs. Rambouillet Ewes for Lamb Production

Scope: Regional Breed improvement

Objective: This grant proposal is to conduct a research trial evaluating lamb production of Dorper and Rambouillet ewes in a common environment. The Dorper breed is a hair sheep that was developed in South Africa and recently imported into the US (1990s). The Rambouillet is the predominant breed in many of the traditional sheep raising areas of the US. The Dorper may be an alternative to the Rambouillet for US sheep producers because the Dorper breed has been selected for its adaptability to harsh environmental conditions and for carcass traits. The results of this project will provide sheep producers with the information needed to make a choice of breeds for lamb production.

Title: Exploring New Leather Markets with the Utilization of Hair Sheep Pelts.

Scope: Sheep product development

Objective: The Texas Hair Sheep Producers Coalition (THSPC) is a newly formed organization to respond to possible new leather markets utilizing pelts from the various breeds characterized as hair sheep. Individual producers have already had sample hides tanned and tested by professors at the Leather Research Institute at Texas Tech University. These studies have returned positive results and, because of their interest and enthusiasm, the coalition was formed. The Coalition is currently working on 1) building interest in hair sheep hides, 2) obtaining written letters of interest from several end users, 3) sourcing and pooling hides in Texas and the U.S. to create a captive supply of U.S. product, 4) proceeding with the price discovery for the finished product so negotiations can begin with interested parties and 5) create a producer co-op that sells source verified branded leather for use in high end products such as; garments, coats, boots, upholsteries, vehicle seats and vehicles accessories.

Website: http://www.utm.edu/

Title: Pasture Systems for Meat Goat and Sheep Production: A Research-Education Model

Scope: National goat and sheep research and education.

Objective: The primary goals of this grant are to fund a project to develop an infrastructure for developing and providing useful information to goat and sheep producers in the Mid-South.  At the current time there is limited data and resources available to support the small-scale producers that make up the majority of the sheep and goat industry in this region