Sheep 2024 - Timeline Biologics, Web

NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study
Timeline
The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Sheep 2024 study is designed to provide
participants and industry stakeholders with benchmarking information on the U.S. sheep industry.
Information collected will contribute to critically important data that will inform disease management
and preparedness strategies to safeguard the sheep industry. This document describes the timeline
and participant benefits for the NAHMS Sheep 2024 study. The study will start in January 2024 in
the top 30 sheep producing states on operations with 1 or more ewes. For more study information,
please refer to the NAHMS Sheep 2024 Launch Sheet and the Informational Flyer.

Phase I: NASS Contact
• General Sheep Management Questionnaire
o Administered by National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) staff.
o Operations with 1 or more ewes in 30 States.

January–February 2024
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS SERVICE (NASS)

• Consent Form for Phase II
o Producer consent for contact from Veterinary Services
(VS) for operations with 20 or more ewes.

Phase II: VS Contact
• VS Questionnaire (health and management)

April–July 2024

VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

• Biological Testing
o Fecal Parasite Test: Fecal egg counts on a composite fecal collection will provide information
about parasite burden. Select operations will be examined for dewormer effectiveness. To allow for
accurate test results, sheep should not be dewormed 60 days prior to sampling.
o Enteric Microbe Test: Detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Salmonella, E. coli, and
Campylobacter in your sheep.
o Lameness Pathogens Test: Swabs will be tested for lameness pathogens on the operation.

Reports
• Individual Biologic Test Results

Summer 2024–Onward

o Operation-specific biologic test results mailed to producers in a sealed envelope.

• Interactive Dashboards and Reports

o Reference guides and targeted reports for benchmarking and analyzing trends
in the industry.

• Manuscripts, Information Sheets, and Infographics
o Focused analyses on important issues to the industry.

NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study
Benefits
Safeguarding the U.S. Sheep Industry
Collectively, selected sheep producers play an important role in safeguarding the
U.S. sheep industry. Information provided in the Sheep 2024 study will:
• Provide transparent, credible information on U.S. sheep industry practices.
• Assist policymakers and industry stakeholders in making more informed
decisions affecting the sheep industry. Results will also allow producers to
compare their production management with other sheep producers in their region.

Fecal Parasite Test: $600 Value*
Fecal samples from individual sheep will be combined and a composite fecal egg count will
be provided to determine the overall gastrointestinal (GI) parasite burden on the operation.
Common GI parasite eggs found in sheep include Haemonchus, Ostertagia, and
Trichostrongylus spp. Select operations will have the sample tested for dewormer resistance
using the DrenchRite Assay.
• Sheep should not be dewormed 60 days prior to sampling.

Fecal Microbe Test: $1500 Value*
Fecal samples from individual sheep will be tested for the following fecal microbes.
Positive cultures will be tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Participants will
receive individual animal results for:
• Salmonella
• E. coli
• Campylobacter

Lameness Pathogens Test: $1100 Value*
Interdigital swabs from selected sheep will be tested for lameness pathogens, which tend to
cause digital dermatitis and foot rot. Participants will receive individual animal results for:
• Treponema spp.
• Dichelobacter nodosus (causes foot rot)
• Fusobacterium necrophorum
* Values are based on estimated average cost at diagnostic laboratories for samples taken from 20 sheep and
include both diagnostic testing and confidential results.
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