OXFORD – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposed $18 million program to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic lamb and sheep industry is still going through the clearance process and as a result the sign-up period has been postponed.

It was anticipated that the Ewe Lamb Replacement and Retention Program would be implemented sometime this summer. However, clearance of the proposed regulation and application form has taken longer that expected. At this time an application sign-up period has not been announced.

Once the proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register, there will be a 30-day public comment period and a 60-day public comment period on the information collected on the application form.

The program will pay producers $18 a head for ewe lambs purchased or retained between Aug. 1, 2003, and July 31, 2004. Producers must also retain the qualifying ewe lambs in the herd for at least a complete offspring lambing cycle.

The USDA encourages producers to maintain their records so they will be prepared when the program begins. Records such as sales receipts showing proof of purchase, veterinarian certifications as proof of ewe lamb characteristics and scrapie program forms will be required.

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. Contact the Oxford County Farm Service Agency at 743-5789 for details.