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Sheep & Goat Health Committee
Mid-Year Report
September 9, 2003

During the 2003 NIAA Leaders Forum, the following report was given:

During the summer, the Sheep & Goat Health committee completed an intensive project for the Scrapie Eradication Education Initiative.  We developed a powerpoint presentation that details how genetics can be utilized in the control of scrapie.  This presentation has two intended uses.  It has been placed for self-viewing by producers and others on the NIAA website.  It has also been burned on CD-ROMs that were distributed at the July 2003 AVMA meeting.  Plans for further distribution are being developed.  This presentation has an extensive notes section, a glossary and an appendix that were developed to assist the presenter with their presentation.

The chair has attached a memo regarding the MUMS legislation for informational purposes.

A few committee members are working on a draft ID plan for the national sheep flock utilizing RFIDs.  This draft will be presented and discussed at the upcoming USAIP meeting in Kansas City in September.  A few committee members have been actively participating in three of the subcommittees of the USAIP and one is also on the steering committee.

Dr. Cindy Wolf, Chair                                        Dr. LaRue Johnson, Vice Chair