[Jacob-list] Voluntary Scrapie Program

[Mary Hansson]

Cheryl,
 
The scrapie program has a voluntary side and an involuntary side to it.
We are all operating under the involuntary side if we chose not to
operate under it voluntarily, and all sheep are required to have tags in
their ears before they leave your property to trot off to the neighbor's
vegetable garden.
 
I have participated for 2.5 years here in NC and found our vets to be
most helpful, knowledgeable, accomodating, and in general........just
downright great to work with.  They have been vastly forgiving of my
various and sundry inadequacies.  They have answered lots of questions
that probably sounded the most mundane and weird that could be
asked---and they kept their composure through it all.  
 
In fact, I have my scrapie vet to thank that I even HAVE a vet.  They
were my only access to veterinarians for several years, and it was this
year after I had some problems in the summer that one of them pulled
rank and strings and found me a vet practice that will come out to my
farm.  In fact, they were out this afternoon studying the sheep.
 
Do a simple search on the internet and find your state vet phone number
and just call and set the appointment.  
 
If you don't bring in any ewes for 5 years and they are checking your
records in and out and nobody comes up with scrapie (so far, there
haven't been any Jacobs found with it), you are certified free.  I am
not changing my purchasing practices, and I DO bring in girls as well as
boys into my flock.  I doubt I will ever get to be certified free until
there are enough Jacob breeders out there that have a significant pool
of bloodlines that the dates won't keep dropping down to the lowest
common denomenator......ie the day I bring the sheep home........
 
My start date is sometime in the summer 2001.  My effective date is over
Labor Day weekend 2002.
 
There is a difference between certified free and participation in the
program as you can see.  I don't know what you individual state
requirements are, but we aren't having any difficulties bringing sheep
into NC or taking them out that I have heard about.  

Mary Ellen Hansson, ISeeSpots Farm 
Jacob Sheep:  Those horny, fuzzy critters 
Shop:  Knitting, crochet, spinning supplies 
www.iseespots.com (336) 854-6209 

-----Original Message-----
From: jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com
[mailto:jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com] On Behalf Of RnS1260 at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 9:04 AM
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Subject: [Jacob-list] Voluntary Scrapie Program


Could someone enlighten me on the Scrapie Program. As per my
conversation with the vet from the Voluntary Scrapie program, a vet from
the state will visit our farm once a year. He says, this is the only way
to be certified Scrapie free. Also that in the not to distant future, we
will need this certification to be able to transport any animal out of
state. What is the other path that can be taken? 
Every time I think I'm getting a grasp on all of this, I'm reminded that
I don't have a clue. I would appreciate any input. 
Thanks, 
Cheryl 
Rise "N" Shine Farm 

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