Boudewijn, have you had any of your Barbados Blackbelly sheep genotyped for the scrapie codons? If so, what were the results? I don't know of any Blackbellies in the U.S. that have been genotyped. I would hope that a couple of the researchers on this list would let us know about current research in Blackbelly genotyping. It would be interesting to know if Blackbellies are genetically resistant. There have been no reported instances of scrapies in any hair sheep, and I would suspect that is because hair sheep breeds, and specifically the Blackbelly breed, are genetically resistant, but I'd like to know for sure. If that is the case, then I don't see how your gene pool would be changed. If all available BB rams in the Netherlands are tested and found genetically resistant, then you have the same options available as you always have. Am I missing something here?
Carol
At 09:47 PM 12/1/2003 +0100, you wrote:
You see we have a big problem with the outhorities here in the Netherlands becouse they forbid us to breed with no other rams than these genetic bloodlines which they say that are less susceptible to scrapie
Carol Elkins Critterhaven Estate Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz NEW! Christmas ornaments, stickers, calendars, and more at the Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafepress.com/blackbellysheep SAVE $5 off a purchase of $50 or more until November 15!
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