OSGA launches Mentor Program

Transcription

1 March 2013 Vol. 29 No. 2 OSGA launches Mentor Program Inside... Calendar...2 President s Message...3 New OSGA Mentor Program...4 Natural Selenium-Rich Feeds...5 ASI Annual Meeting videos...6 Sponsor Directory...7 The mission of OSGA is to promote and advance the interests of those individuals directly and indirectly associated with Oregon s sheep industry and to coordinate activites with the American Sheep Industry Association in the attainment of mutual objectives. Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin. SALEM, OR In practice, mentoring isn t new to members of the Oregon Sheep Growers Association. However, the newly formalized OSGA Mentor Program is. The first workshop was held in December, in Dallas, OR, the next was in Prineville and there are more in the works (see page 4 for mentor program guidelines and an upcoming schedule). Kris Jones, a central Oregon sheep grower and a newly elected director of the Oregon Sheep Growers Association, is helping OSGA President John Fine, and Gene Perelli, Polk County Extension coordinate the program. I am bursting at the seams with pride for our Oregon sheep industry and its amazing members, Jones said after the January Prineville workshop. Our team was made up of a fantastic set of veteran extension staff - Gene Perelli (Polk County) and Tim Deboodt and Mylen Bohle (Crook County). So many people have taken a role in this program as either association reps, panel members, presenters or much more, that it has Kris Jones, OSGA Mentor Program Coordinator. been gratifying to see everyone s generosity. I strongly believe these events will help us attract a great new crop of sheep producers and I truly believe this kind of diversity in our industry is the key to our success. Jones, who got her start with bummer lambs from Haycreek Ranch in Madras and the Keerin s Ranch in Izee, purchased a small group of purebred Suffolk ewes when she started 4-H sheep in 6th grade. After high school, she went to Oregon State University, majored in General Agriculture with a minor in Political Science and went on to get a Master of Science degree in Agriculture Education. She is currently on the board of directors of OSGA, president of the Oregon Purebred Sheep Breeders Association, and Open Class Livestock Coordinator for the Oregon State Fair. Continued on Page 6 Oregon Sheep Growers Association, Inc. Since Chemeketa St. NE Salem, OR 97301

2 Page 2 OSGA Events Calendar 2013 OSGA EXECUTIVE BOARD President John M. Fine johnandpeggyfine@charter.net 1st Vice President Paul Lewis lambchop@whitedorper.com Treasurer Jim Lunders karenlunders@netzero.net Past President Reed Anderson andersonranches@hotmail.com Oregon Sheep Commission John M. Fine, Chairman Second Vice Presidents: Pat Manning, Brownsville manningfarms@peak.org Jimmy Lunders, Eagle Point jimmymosquito@yahoo.com Cayle Krebs, Ione caylekrebs@yahoo.com Kathy Lewis, Bonanza lambchop@whitedorper.com Kris Jones, Prineville ktjones@crestviewcable.com Mac Stewart, Corvallis macstewart1977@yahoo.com The Oregon Sheep Grower is published by OSGA, 1270 Chemeketa St. NE, Salem, OR Basic membership is $50 per year. Editor: Jan Jackson janjjackson@comcast.net April 2, 2013 (day program) Oregon Forage & Grasslands Council Annual Meeting & Conference at Linn County Expo Center, Albany. Speakers: John Andrea, Clemson University, Grass to Beef: Forage management for optimizing livestock production and Don Horneck, OSU Extension Agronomist, Soil Test Interpretation, Lime Applications. Contact: Shelby Filley, or shelby.filley@oregonstate. edu April 9, 2013: 6:30 AM to 8 AM Linn & Benton County Livestock & Forages Breakfast Meeting at Pioneer Villa Restaurant in Halsey. Call Joel Pynch for program info. April 13: 8:30 AM-Noon Sheep Dairy Tour & Managing Sheep Parasites Visit a local dairy sheep operation, then attend a short course in sheep parasite management with Dr. Charles Estill, OSU Extension Veterinarian at the Deschutes County Public Library, Redmond. RSVP to Billie Estridge or tcf@ cbbmail.com April 13, 2013 Douglas County Livestock Assn. Spring Livestock Conference in Roseburg. Contact: Shelby Filley, or shelby.filley@ oregonstate.edu April 27-28, 2013 Oregon AgFest at State Fairgrounds in Salem. Volunteer in OSGA s booth and help provide educational fun for the whole family. April 29, 2013 Deadline for farmers & ranchers in Harney & Malheur Counties to apply for FSA low interest natural disaster designation emergency loans due to previous USDA designation. May 14, 2013: 6:30 AM to 8 AM Linn & Benton County Livestock & Forages Breakfast Meeting at Pioneer Villa Restaurant in Halsey. Call Joel Pynch for program info. May 20 to June 14 Sign-up period for Conservation Reserve Program. Producers with expiring contracts or environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to explore CRP options through their local FSA office. July 14-17, 2013 NLFA s Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School in San Angelo, Texas. Must apply by May 3rd. Coordinator: Dr. Frank Craddock. Agenda & application form online: July 15, 2013 Deadline to apply for OSGA Scholarship. Send for info: info@ sheeporegon.com. Up to $1,000 presented annually. August 16-18, 2013 Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival in Brownsville. OSGA will be there with a Lamb Booth serving Lamb Gyros. Headliners include: Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Volunteers are encouraged to put their name on the list for this year s festival. Enjoy the music and help promote Oregon Lamb or info@ sheeporegon.com

3 President s Message From John Fine, President, Oregon Sheep Growers Association Page 3 Good morning, Oregon Sheep Producers, Two days ago it was 65 degrees in Roseburg and the sun was brightly filling the sky. The grass seemed greener and the sheep seemed to be more content as they moved about the pasture. Today, it is 43 degrees and the rain is pounding down. Even though things may not be as bright and shiny, I am sure spring will be here soon and the grass will again grow tall. In this business, no matter our size, we are constantly at the will of Mother Nature. The new year will again bring challenges and each producer will overcome them. The ASI Convention in San Antonio in January was a very positive event for Peggy and I. We found time to visit some of the city and enjoyed the river walk. The majority of the convention for me was spent attending meetings. The meetings of the ASI committees and councils were very educational and I truly enjoyed the idea-sharing and educational presentations. My only hope would be that each of our members could receive this valuable information. The ASI business meeting was a highlight for Oregon with the election of Clint Krebs as the ASI president. It was very enjoyable to see a strong delegation of OSGA members in San Antonio and I hope many can attend the Convention in Charleston next year. Two bills (HB 3387 and SB 719) to change the assessment for the Oregon Sheep Commission from wool to meat have been introduced in the Legislature. It seems as though this change has been in process for many years. This change was discussed at the Oregon Sheep Growers convention and I believe the final bill includes any concerns that have been expressed. The date of the hearing will come soon. If you are available to testify in support of these bills, please contact the office so they can coordinate our effort. Written comments can also be submitted electronically to the Legislative Committee. Call the office for information. I want to thank everyone who has devoted time to the success of this issue. A major activity of the Oregon Sheep Growers Association in recent years has been the promotion of lamb. We will do promotions again this year. The first is at the Willamette Valley Vineyards near Salem First place winner in action category; photo by Mike Cowdrey, Shearer, Scio. on Memorial Day Weekend. The Sheep Growers serve lamb sliders to those who attend the Memorial Weekend Open House and Blind Tasting Competition. This has been a very positive event to encourage people to try lamb and to assist them in purchasing lamb in the future. If any members are able to assist with this event, please contact the office or me. The second event is our lamb gyro booth at the Willamette Country Music Festival. On August 16-18, 2013, over 15,000 potential lamb consumers will converge on Reed Anderson s field for a weekend enjoying country music. This is an incredible opportunity to promote lamb and enjoy fellowship with other producers. Please contact the office or me if you can help. As each of you progress through this year, may the grass always be green, your lambs grow large, and lamb prices be great. What does it take to make a great picture? Great pictures just stop time. They capture something that did not continue. It just was then, and that was the perfect moment. It wasn t the moment before. It wasn t the moment after. It was that moment. Kudos, Mike. You did it. Keep those cameras on ready to shoot for Jan Jackson

4 Page 4 OSGA Sheep Mentor Program Guidelines The mentor program is a voluntary effort of the Oregon Sheep Growers Association. The purpose of the program is to foster a transfer of knowledge from experienced sheep producers to novice or new producers. The following guidelines are designed to assist the mentor and mentee (hereafter known as student) in creating a useful educational experience. Mentors The mentoring program is an educational experience between mentor (teacher) and student (novice or inexperienced producer). Mentors should be patient with students and recognize there is no dumb question. Mentors will be screened and approved by the Oregon Sheep Growers Association Board or their designated authority. The mentoring program is not intended for personal financial gain in enterprises outside of the sheep enterprise. Mentors should avoid entering into financial enterprises with a producer they are mentoring. Mentors should avoid giving financial advice to producers they are mentoring. Mentors should refrain from recommending animal health products or services which may be in violation of the Veterinary Practices Act. An example would be recommending a particular antibiotic to treat an illness in sheep. Mentors should define methods and frequency of contact that will be agreeable to both mentor and student. A fair period of time will be set for notification of withdrawal from the program by any mentor. Mentees (student) The mentoring program is an education experience between mentor (teacher) and student (novice or inexperienced producer). Mentors are volunteers and students should recognize that, at times, their ability to respond may be limited. Assignment of a mentor to a student will be the responsibility of the Oregon Sheep Growers Association Mentor Program coordinator. Mentors should not be used as a replacement for a practicing veterinarian by a participant in the program. Students should respect the methods and frequency of contact as defined in the beginning of the mentor-student relationship. The mentoring program is not intended for personal financial gain in enterprises outside of the sheep enterprise. Students should avoid entering into financial enterprises with a mentor. Feedback Issues and concerns that arise in a mentor-student relationship will be addressed by the Mentor Program coordinator or the Oregon Sheep Growers Association Board. The Oregon Sheep Growers Association may ask mentors and students for feedback in order to evaluate the success of the program. For information on the Mentor Program, contact OSGA president John Fine at johnandpeggyfine@ charter.net Spring Sheep Producer s Workshops Veteran Central Oregon sheep producers, in cooperation with Oregon State University Extension Service will present the Spring Sheep Producer s Workshop Series in Central Oregon. This free series is designed to give all ages and levels of sheep producers an opportunity to connect, observe and learn firsthand knowledge about lambing techniques, pasture management, sheep dairies and parasite control. March 23: 9:00 AM-noon Managing a Healthy Pasture Learn the best ways to keep your pastures functioning at their optimal levels irrigated pasture and grazing management in central Oregon will be the focus. Soil fertility and fertilizers, irrigation management, grass and legume species, plant and root growth, grazing height, etc. will be among the topics covered. Mylen Bohle, Central Oregon Extension Agronomist with OSU Crook County Extension Service will spend the morning reviewing the best techniques to keep your Continued on Page 6

5 This report describes the progress relevant to a cooperative agreement between the Oregon Sheep Commission and the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station. Natural Selenium-Rich Feeds manage selenium deficiency in Oregon Sheep Dr. J. Bret Taylor, USDA, Agriculture Research Service Page 5 DUBOIS, ID - SePR, is a pelleted product, manufactured by Intermountain Farmers Association (Salt Lake City, UT) using a natural selenium-rich, high-protein forage as the main ingredient. The product s recommended daily allowance was 1.5 to 2 lbs per ewe and it was fed to ewes during early lactation. At Locations A and B, SePR was included as a part of the total ration. At Location C, SePR was fed daily as a pasture supplemental feed. Ultimately, SePR was fed for 22, 20, and 40 days at Locations A, B, and C, respectively. Best time to enhance selenium status in lambs SePR enhanced the selenium status of ewes and nursing young. Selenium content of whole blood in ewes increased 21%, 18%, and 52% for Locations A, B, and C, respectively. Selenium content of whole blood in lambs nursing ewes fed SePR increased 25% and 117% for Locations B and C, respectively; whole blood samples were not collected from lambs at Location A. Note that the increases were greatest for Location C, which is an effect of feeding SePR twice as long as was fed at other locations. Also note that lambs did not consume SePR and, thus, received the benefit of the product through the ewes milk. This response demonstrates that the best time to enhance selenium status of lambs is to feed SePR to the ewes during early lactation. Selenium in wool Selenium content of wool doubled at all locations after SePR was fed to the ewes. Enrichment of wool with selenium is similar to what is observed in skeletal muscle when SePR-like products are fed to sheep. When a doubling of wool selenium is observed, one can expect a similar response in muscle. This is where products that are high in selenomethionine, like SePR, really shine. Selenomethionine is an amino acid form of selenium, which readily incorporates in the skeletal muscle. The muscle tissue acts as a selenium reserve, which slowly releases selenium back to the body over long periods of time; an effect not possible with sodium selenite. Short term feeding brings long-term results These data demonstrated that feedstuffs that are naturally rich in selenium can be used in a shortterm feeding program to rapidly enhance the long-term selenium status of ewes and nursing lambs. The potential enrichment of skeletal muscle with selenium, as estimated by wool results, will have a long and lasting effect well after feeding SePR on the selenium status of the ewes and lambs. In other words, a shortterm feeding strategy was used to achieve a long-term positive effect. The U.S. Sheep Experiment Station is grateful for the cooperation of the Oregon sheep producers who participated in the project and for the financial support provided by the Oregon Sheep Commission. Dr. J. Bret Taylor may be reached at U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID or Bret.Taylor@ ARS.USDA.GOV

6 Page ASI annual meeting videos available online By ASI President Clint Krebs Reprinted from ASI website February 15, Each year a great deal of information is dispensed during the sheep industry s annual meeting that I feel may also be valuable to producers who were unable to attend. Portions of the joint American Sheep Industry Association s (ASI) Lamb Council and American Lamb Board (ALB) meeting have been placed online, as well as footage from the Board of Director s Informational Session. Topics available on video include the lamb market situation and outlook, export opportunities, mandatory price reporting for lamb, ALB s industry assessment study and The Honorable Edward Avalos, undersecretary of marketing and regulatory programs, to name a few. To view these videos, go to ASI s home page, Presentations To read Clint s full message, visit: Sheep_Industry_News_Detail/newsID/5496 Mentor Program Continued My first job out of college was teaching high school Ag in Hood River, Jones said. I moved back home to Central Oregon and taught Alternative Education to Native American students and Agriculture at Madras High School. In 2002, I retired from teaching to raise my family and further focus on my sheep. I am passionate about the quality of our amazing Oregon sheep industry and truly believe that diversity in our industry is the key to our success. The first mention of mentoring in history can be found in Homer s Odyssey, which was first written down about 800 B.C. Here Mentor, the Goddess Athene in disguise, takes Odysseus son on a developmental journey in order to maintain the Kingdom of Ithaca and develop a successor to the throne. The OSGA push for a mentoring program however, came from OSGA member sheep grower and retired ag teacher Joel Pynch from Brownsville/Halsey area. Change is always happening and I could see the young people I worked with needed a local connection to the real world, Pynch said. I felt that a program where an older more experienced person could support and engage in discussions with younger and often less experienced mentees was a good match for OSGA and I m glad to see that it is finally taking place. The Mentor Program is sponsored by OSGA in cooperation with Oregon State University. New and/or experienced adult sheep producers needing more information on the Mentor Program should contact Kris Jones, or ktjones@crestviewcable.com. Jan Jackson In Memory of Dorleen Lou Dawson Surrounded by her husband Ben and family, Dorleen Lou Dawson passed away in January after a short illness. Donations can be made in her name to the Glide 4-H Program, P.O. Box 1165, Roseburg, OR, 9747 or Pine Grove Church in Roseburg OR. Spring Workshops Continued pastures in peak performance to enhance your sheep operation. Location: 4-H Clover Club Building, 502 SE Lynn Blvd. in Prineville. April 13: 8:30 AM-noon Sheep Dairy Tour & Managing Sheep Parasites Have you wanted to learn more about the growing trend of dairy sheep operations in Oregon? Join us with as we visit a local sheep and goat dairy prior to the parasite workshop. Are parasites sucking your profits away? Take back control. Join Dr. Charles Estill, Oregon State University Extension Veterinarian, for a short course in sheep parasite management at the Deschutes County Public Library in Redmond. For information and to RSVP: Billie Estridge tcf@cbbmail.com

7 Page 7 Thank OSGA s Sponsors with your Patronage WOOL Buyers & Services Nugget International Inc. Mike Wheeler Oregon Shepherd Wool Insulation & Wooly Pet Beds Toll Free WOOL Roswell Wool Mike Corn Toll Free Utah Wool Marketing Will Hart Griggs Yocom-McColl Wool Testing Labs Denver, CO Financial Services/Insurance Bank of Eastern Oregon Jeff Bailey, President/CEO Heppner, OR ext Lucas Wagner Banner Bank, Hermiston, OR Rob Harvey Ward Insurance, Eugene OR Andy VanderPlaat Northwest Farm Credit Services Pendleton, OR Feed/Equipment/Supplies Cascade Animal Care Products Yakima, WA - Toll Free Central Oregon Ranch Supply Powell Butte, OR Toll Free: Currydale Farms, John Guynup Langlois, OR Douglas County Farmers Co-Op Roseburg, OR Land O Lakes Purina Feeds Ron Hammer: Greg Roush: Merrick s Super Lamb NW Farm Supply Nathan Crowther Hermiston, OR Nutritional Ag Products Jerry Johnson Lebanon, OR Pfizer Inc. - John Herkner Bend, OR Shaul s Mfg Sutter, CA Sheepy Hollow Ranch Headgates, Panels, Feeders, Creepgates Sagle, Idaho Simplot Grower Solutions Kevin Gunter Halsey, OR Source 1 Livestock Supply Kyle Marino Redmond, OR Venell Farms Corvallis, OR Western Stockmen s Ryan Corta Hermiston, OR Meat Processors Farmers Helper Custom Cutting & Mobile Slaughtering Harrisburg, OR Marks Meat Co Canby, OR Mohawk Valley Meats Springfield, OR Toll Free Lamb Meat Providers Anderson Ranches Reed Anderson Umpqua Valley Lamb Kathy Panner Shearers John Quimby Idleyld Park, OR Mike Cowdrey Scio, OR Trucking Services Michael P. Doherty Trucking Pendleton, OR Craig Wills Farm Supply Distributors Enterprise, OR Lee Rogers Trucking Igo, CA Breeders Directory Raush Burns, Blue Pines Ranch Ione, OR Gordon Clark, Hay Creek Ranch Madras, OR Dan & Jeanne Carver Imperial Stock Ranch Maupin, OR Cunningham Sheep Co. Pendleton, OR Everett Decker Culver, OR Ralph A Fisher Sublimity, OR Darroll Grant, Grants Dorpers Aumsville, OR Clint Krebs, Krebs Livestock Ione, OR Skye Krebs, Krebs Sheep Company Ione, OR Paul Lewis, Lewis White Dorpers Bonanza OR Jim & Karen Lunders Lunders Suffolks/Lunders Fabrication Irrigon, OR Pat Manning, Manning Farms Brownsville, OR Carey Moffett JMC Logging & Farming Junction City, OR Tom & Karen Nichols Dorsets Albany, OR Lynn Trupp, Crescent Lake Farms Portland, OR Tom & Karin Watson Silverdale Farms Hermiston, OR Lamb Buyers Superior Farms, Inc. Brian Phelan Dixon, CA Roger A. Ruckert Tangent, OR Miscellaneous Carson Oil Company Albany, OR

8 Oregon Sheep Growers Association, Inc Chemeketa Street N.E. Salem, OR (503) Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 106 Salem, OR WANTED: Large Sheep Ranch/ pasture/range. Young Sheep-Family looking to expand our current range operation. Buy or Lease ewe minimum. Call Eric or See: ATTN SHEEP RANCHERS: Coyote hunters protect your sheep. In Linn, Benton, Marion, and Polk counties. Contact Ken Anderson or Leonard Goss or Contact Goss on weekends or Anderson anytime. Office: Sutter, Calif. Shop: Live Oak, Calif. Building quality equipment for over 30 yrs. Our designs emphasize safety and minimize labor. Bill & Susan Shaul, Owners Visit our web site and see: Barn Setups Loading Chutes Gates Stock Racks Squeeze Chutes Panels Show Rails Fitting Stands Feeders Working Systems Or we custom make for you! Come see us: The Black Sheep Gathering, Eugene, in June The Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival, Canby, in Sept. For your livestock needs, contact us at: or