her shearing photo spring 06

HMFF Jacinta 152b Born '04 / twin / proven mom.  Out of Beechtree Danforth (white BFL) and HMFF Jasmina (silver BL). Lost her lamb a few weeks ago for unknown reason, but has been running with leicester rams , so may well be bred back for a late lamb. I am keeping her twin. Jacinta had a white ram lamb in 2005 and a white ewe lamb in 2006. She sheared 4.75# last spring. $200

her yearling photo from spring 06... she has grown out nicely since this photo was taken

HMFF Rampion 176b black twin born '05. Out of Beechtree Danforth (white BFL) and HMFF Rapunzel (black BL). Exposed to Beechtree Blackpark "Parker" (black GC Colored Ram at Michigan Fiber Fair 2006). Rampion will be having her first lamb this year. She sheared 3.75# last spring. $250

shearing photo spring 06

HMFF Golden Ticket "Goldie" 179b Born '05 triplet / proven mom (bred as a yearling). Out of Beechtree Danforth (white BFL) and HMFF Guenevere (white BL). Exposed to Beechtree Blackpark "Parker" (black GC Colored Ram at Michigan Fiber Farm 2006) Goldie produced a white ram lamb in 2006 and sheared 4.5#  $200

for more information on any of these sheep, contact me at hmffarm@fidnet.com

SHEEP NEWS

The Evolution of NAIS - the new word is VOLUNTARY!
By Garrett Hawkins
After months of work the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has
released a revised plan for the National Animal Identification System
(NAIS).  It’s been a long time coming, but the new draft User Guide
represents a substantial change in the Department’s vision for a
nationwide program.  From the beginning, officials have said the NAIS
would evolve, and will continue to evolve, based on the input of
livestock and poultry producers, agricultural organizations like Farm
Bureau, and other stakeholders.   
The new draft User Guide puts in black-and-white what USDA officials have
been saying for the past few months:  the NAIS is voluntary and will
remain voluntary at the national level.  As Deputy Agriculture Secretary
Conner told a crowd in Kansas City, “This is 'voluntary' with a capital
‘V’- not a currently voluntary, then maybe a mandatory system.  This is a
permanently voluntary system at the federal level.”  It should be noted,
however, that individual states still have the authority to require
participation in certain aspects of the program if they so choose. 
It also replaces all previously released plans, such as the 2005 Draft
Strategic Plan and last year’s “Strategies for the Implementation of
NAIS,” better explains how the program will be implemented through the
state-federal-industry partnership, and describes the optional levels of
participation for producers beginning with premises registration. 
The NAIS and its details may have changed, but its purpose remains the
same: to bridge the gaps in existing disease control programs and put in
place a system that will better enable animal health officials to respond
to and mitigate disease outbreaks.
Some have welcomed USDA’s new vision and the level of transparency they
have shown in recent months. Others have criticized them for not sticking
to the original draft plan or for not scrapping the NAIS altogether. 
At the recent Missouri Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, farmer and rancher
voting delegates discussed and debated the pros and cons of the NAIS and
adopted policy in support of a voluntary program.  They also reaffirmed
their concerns about cost, confidentiality and liability. 
Whether you have a small or large operation or somewhere in between, take
it upon yourself to learn the facts by reading the new draft User Guide. 
Better yet, after reading it share your views with USDA.  The document
and instructions on how to submit comments may be found on the Internet at
www.usda.gov/nais <http://www.usda.gov/nais>. 
Feedback provided to USDA will be considered as changes are made to the
new draft User Guide.  Will your comments be among them? 

from Missouri Farm Bureau:  ..."In light of past events and the elevated threat of agri-terrorism, we favor a voluntary national animal identification system that will provide
support for animal disease control and eradication and enable 48-hour
traceback of the movements of any diseased or exposed animal.
We do have concerns related to the following issues:
1. Producer confidentiality is of utmost concern. Confidentiality should
be protected to the greatest extent possible.
2. The cost of the identification program should be distributed on a fair
and equitable basis without undue financial burden on the producers.
3. Producers should have liability protection from the actions of others
after the animal has been sold by the producer.

Note: HMFF has been participating in the voluntary scrapie program for some years now and has no problem participating in the National Animal Identification System (which is virtually identical to the scrapie program). All sheep and goats that leave the premises are either tagged or tattoo'd in accordance with NAIS and/or VSP guidelines.



NASS (not to be confused with NAIS) Sheep and Goats Survey Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) is preparing its January Sheep and Goats Inventory Report. NASS will
release the report early next month.
The sheep and goat survey is conducted each January and July. The January
survey  covers all sized operations in the United States with producers being
contacted in the first two weeks of the year.
Chief of the NASS livestock branch, Dan Kerestes, says many producers in 48
states can expect to receive a request for information. The majority of the
contacts are completed through telephone interviews; however, some of the data
is also collected through mailed questionnaires and personal interviews.
Regardless of how the producers supply the information, Kerestes says,
participates are providing an important service to the sheep and goat industries
and to U.S. agriculture as a whole. Once the information is gathered, NASS uses
the data to identify trends in inventories and operations, providing a
comprehensive state of the U.S. sheep and goat production systems.
The information colleted is used in the development of two different reports.
The Sheep and Goats Report provides information on total inventory as well as
breeding and market sheep and lambs. Wool production is also included in the
January report.
The other report producers will have access to on Feb. 2 is Farms, Land in
Farms and Livestock Operations. The total number of livestock operations is
reported here along with a breakdown of how many operations have specific
livestock.
NASS reminds producers that any information provided is kept confidential.

Note: with 2009 being designated as Year of Natural Fibers, it is good that we as producers are heard from and accounted for.  HMFF participates in this survey each year just to let Uncle Sam know that the small farm is alive and still here.

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