IT IS TIME TO REGISTER AND HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Over the last year and one- half an effort has been made to re-establish the Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program. There are several phases to this process. We have completed changing the law, written the petition requesting the re-establishment along with the necessary signatures and hearings held.
 
We are now in the voter registration phase. This phase requires that at least twenty per cent (20%) of commercial sheep producers in Indiana register in writing in order to vote on the petition.  This includes ANYONE who has owned at least one sheep in 2012.  The registration process has begun! At least 367 producers must register before we can move on to the voting phase! Registration forms are available at all Purdue Extension Offices across the state.  You will also be able to find one on this website.

Although times have been good for our industry in recent years, the high costs of feed, hay, fuel and land, just to name a few, have put each of us at greater risk should lamb prices fall back to the $.45/lb range again.  By re-establishing the Market Development Council, we as producers will have Indiana people serving to strengthen the Indiana sheep industry.  As you can see, our next step in this process is to register to vote.  As the 4-H season nears, most of you will be visiting your local extension office.  Take a few extra minutes to fill out the voter registration for the Market Development Program.

It was brought to my attention that some of you have left messages on my phone that has been listed on the website.  I had not paid attention to what number was being posted.  We use that phone for internet service, fax and conference calls and rarely check the messages.  If you need to reach me, please call my cell phone at 765-366-3135 or email me at crowdersheepfarm@hotmail.com.  I apologize if you tried to reach me and I didn’t return your call or answer your message.

See you at the Symposium,
Mike Crowder
President, ISA

Parasite Management Webinar Recording Available

The recording of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) webinar, "Looking towards the future of parasite management through "host-colored" glasses," which took place on Dec. 11 is now available at www.optimalag.com/webinars/2012-12-11_ParasiteManagement.wmv. This is a Windows Media file and plays on Windows Media Player. It is a large file and may load slowly. The PowerPoint slides for this presentation and information on all of the webinars are available at www.SheepAgriculture.com/?cat=9.

Questions, comments and feedback can be forwarded to Jay Parsons at jay.parsons@optimalag.com.

The program is funded by ASI and the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.

The Indiana Sheep Association is a non-profit organization that exists to serve, support and advance the Indiana sheep industry and Indiana agriculture.

The present Indiana Sheep Association was originally founded as the Indiana Wool Growers Association in 1876. The Indiana Sheep Association is one of the oldest livestock organizations in Indiana. The unification effort by early members indicates tremendous wisdom to realize the collective efforts of many can often accomplish what the best singular efforts of one cannot. ISA…Bringing Indiana’s sheep industry together Since 1876.