Let us know when you get the tests back on your sheep. It will be good data to add to our very limited information about how our breeds test in this area. Because your flock is a cross-bred flock, it could be that you end up with a higher percentage of QR/RR than a purebred flock.
For me, even though I am part of the voluntary scrapie certification program, if I ever must choose between remaining in the program or continuing my efforts to preserve the entire Barbados Blackbelly breed in the U.S. (there are fewer than 200 of 'em), then I will simply leave the program--with many letters to officials explaining their part in exterminating the breed in the U.S. What's the connection? Because unless we get some outside genetics, our breed is doomed (or at least will lose the very characteristics that make it such a desirable sheep) from lack of a broad enough genetic base. And the only way we can bring in outside genetics (after the U.S. puts in place an import protocol), is to be part of the voluntary scrapie program. So if the caretakers of the genetics are forced out of the voluntary program, then we won't be positioned to receive imported semen if it ever becomes available. That's the connection. Our government's idiocy increases exponentially. Carol At 03:27 PM 2/2/2006 -0600, you wrote: >I believe it will take 10 years to establish an 'RR' flock of Barbados >Blackbelly at my location. > >How many "voluntary" programs will become "mandatory" in the next 10 years? > >Consider all the government interest and involvement in tagging livestock. >How soon before we are "required" to use electronic tags? _______________________________________________ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info http://lists.blackbellysheep.info/listinfo.cgi/blackbelly-blackbellysheep.info
