OXFORD – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching a new $18 million program to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic lamb and sheep industry and re-establish producers’ purchasing power.

The Ewe Lamb Replacement and Retention Program will pay producers $18 per head for ewe lambs purchased or retained between Aug. 1, 2003, and July 31, 2004. Laura Rand, executive director of the Oxford County Farm Service Agency, said in addition to meeting the purchase-retention dates, producers must retain qualifying ewe lambs for at least one complete offspring lambing cycle.

“Adequate record keeping is a must for this program,” Rand said. “Producers should keep records such as sale receipts as proof of purchases and retention, veterinarian certifications as proof of ewe lamb characteristics and scrapie program forms.”

Documentation must disclose the dates of lamb purchase, birth and death, if applicable; lamb identification and control information; the number of ewe lambs purchased; and identification with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service approved scrapie program.

Scrapie is a degenerative disease of sheep and goats that affects the central nervous system. APHIS conducts a voluntary scrapie flock certification program to certify scrapie-free herds.

Rand said no sign-up date has been announced. However, interested producers are encouraged to contact the Farm Service Agency in order to have their name placed on a mailing list.

Since funding for the program is limited to $18 million, the $18 payment rate will be subject to available funds.

Copy the Story Link