Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
7/25/00
Contacts:
Dan Morrical, Extension Livestock Specialist, (515)
294-0847, morrical@iastate.edu
Elaine Edwards, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5168, eedwards@iastate.edu
Assistance for Sheep Producers
A new Lamb Meat Adjustment Assistance Program is available for sheep producers. Forms can be picked up at county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.
"The first-year funds are available to provide rebates on ram purchases, facility upgrades and sheep improvement programs," said Dan Morrical, ISU extension sheep and grazing specialist. "Second and third year monies are directed toward improving marketing."
Certain criteria are required in order to receive the funding. For first-year assistance, the sheep operations are limited to a maximum payment of $5500, ram payment is restricted to $100 per ram with a limit of 25 rams and facility improvement funds are rebated up to 20 percent or $2500. The last area is the genetic improvement program where producers receive 50 cents per ewe enrolled in a performance recording program. Applications can be submitted anytime until Oct. 13, 2000 for first-year programs.
Sheep can qualify for second- and third-year aid if specific standards are met. Market lambs can earn a $5 payment by producing a carcass weight between 55-75 lbs., obtaining a USDA quality grade of choice or prime and a yield grade of 2, and receiving an average choice or better muscling score.
Feeder lambs can receive a $3 per head payment if they are graded to be qualified as market lambs in the future. Feeder and market lamb payments begin Aug. 1, 2000 through July 31, 2002.
"Obtaining carcass information is not easily attainable for small groups of lambs," said Morrical. "USDA will allow pooling of groups of lambs in order to have adequate numbers for load identity and therefore carcass information. Producers will need to work cooperatively with their lamb buyer and fellow producers to capitalize on this program."
Additional information can be found at county FSA offices or on the FSA Web page at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/psd/LMAAP.html.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.