"We hope that producers called to volunteer 
[for the NAHMS Sheep 2001] will be able to do so. 
The results of this study will provide important input to the industry."

Paul Rodgers, 
ASI's Director of Animal Health & Product Safety

Producer/Industry Benefits 

StudyTimelines 

NAHMS

"We rely heavily on the NAHMS analysis 
to guide decision-making for the future."

Neil V. Anderson, DVM,
Manhattan, KS

Eligible Producers

Sheep 2001 producers were selected from 22 of the major sheep-producing states* to statistically represent a minimum of 70 percent of sheep and sheep operations in the U.S. 

* AR, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MN, MT, NV, NM, OH, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WY.

Producer/Industry BENEFITS

Sheep 2001 data and biological and/or forage samples will be used to:

  • return individual test results for study participants.
  • determine the prevalence of specific sheep diseases/conditions in the U.S. sheep population and obtain data to understand them further.
  • help industry leaders and legislators make science-based decisions on issues confronting the sheep industry.
  • help researchers and pharmaceutical companies identify and focus on the highest priorities of the sheep industry.
  • provide a serum bank with which to address emerging disease issues in the future.
  • provide information on trends in sheep health and management.


enhance the U.S. position in international markets.
identify areas to emphasize in education of veterinarians and sheep producers.
Sheep 2001 Data Collection Plan

December 29, 2000-January 26, 2001         Approximately 1 hour

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) enumerator will visit 5,000 sheep producers to complete a questionnaire on general management.  The enumerator will ask eligible producers (those with 20 or more ewes) to sign a consent form enabling participation in the next phase of the study.

February 5 - April 27, 2001                         Approximately 1 hour

A State or Federal Veterinary Medical Officer will visit producers who consented to discuss participation in this phase.  The VMO will complete a questionnaire on health and management issues for producers who continue with the study.

Biological samples may be collected at this visit, or an additional visit may be necessary, depending on the options for biological sampling selected by the producer.  See Testing Options for more information.
(Time dependent on biological sampling choices)

Early summer, 2001                                     Approximately 20 minutes

The VMO will collect additional data on the lamb crop, likely via a follow-up telephone call to the producer.


Confidentiality

NAHMS' national studies rely on voluntary participation of U.S. livestock and poultry producers, so confidentiality is a top priority. Connections between NAHMS study data and the operation of origin are confidential. No identifying farm characteristics are recorded in the data set, and no test results will be returned to participants or sample collectors.

NAHMS:

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established NAHMS to collect timely, accurate, and user-friendly information on animal health and management. Since 1990, NAHMS has provided baseline measures and snapshots of health and management practices and assisted with identification of emerging issues for the national swine, dairy, beef cow-calf, beef feedlot, sheep, catfish, and equine populations.

  • NAHMS data identify opportunity areas for producers and veterinarians to improve management and product quality.
  • NAHMS results help officials and industry organizations define public risks and identify research needs.


NAHMS provides U.S. international trading partners with an established monitoring system to enhance global marketing efforts.