The USDA is launching a new $18 million program to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic lamb and sheep industry and to 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.

Ron Robbins, executive director of the New York 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," Robbins said. "Producers should keep records such as sale receipts as proof of purchase and retention, veterinarian certifications as proof of ewe lamb characteristics and scrapie program forms."

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Source: Waukon Standard
November 16, 2004

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