FEEDING MANAGEMENT
It is essential to monitor feed sources. Feedlots and other operations purchasing outside feeds should set up a sampling program to test for quality specifications in feedstuffs. This could include moisture, protein, foreign material, etc. Inform suppliers of your involvement in the SSQA program and that sampling of all products delivered will occur. A good business practice is to require all products to be accompanied by an invoice that includes the date, amount and signatures of both the person who delivered the product and the person who received the product. Meat and milk quality is affected both by the type and amount of feed consumed by sheep. Meat containing excessive amounts of fat is unacceptable to consumers. Lambs should be fed to maximize their genetic potential for size without producing excessive fat.

Producers need to be mindful not only of nutritional principles with respect to animal management, but also of secondary effects of flock-specific nutritional programs. Shortfalls in nutritional programs can have detrimental effects with respect to animal health, wool value, pelt value and meat quality.

Protecting the health of a sheep flock and the quality of consumer products starts with selecting and feeding high quality feeds. Sheep can be exposed to harmful chemicals through contaminated feed. Accidental chemical contamination of sheep feeds or mistakes made in mixing medicated feeds can cause health problems in the animals which consume such feedstuffs. Contaminants can be deposited in meat or milk products, thereby exposing consumers. Preventing contamination of livestock feeds involves proper harvesting, mixing and storage.

Meat, milk and pelt quality also can be affected by the presence of parasitic diseases. Since many of these organisms are passed in the manure, it is important to prevent contamination of feed and water with sheep droppings. This can be accomplished by using properly designed feeders and waterers. In confinement management systems, sheep should not be fed on the ground. In extensive range systems, where clean areas are available, supplements can be fed on uncontaminated ground. Effective disease prevention also can lower production costs by reducing expenses for medications and improving feed efficiency.

HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Correct administration is important for the proper use of animal health products. Abscesses and lesions can diminish carcass value. This loss can be passed back to the producer or forwarded to the consumer via price discounts and inferior product at an increased price, respectively. You can help to avoid product discounts as a result of abscesses and lesions by following these simple procedures:

A. Handle sheep gently and use proper management of facilities and transportation to minimize bruises.

B. Don't use chemical disinfectants while using a modified live virus product as efficacy will be decreased or even eliminated.

C. Use the needle size proper for the situation. Use the smallest needle possible to complete the injection, but large enough to prevent it from breaking off in the muscle.

D. Provide proper restraint to avoid breaking needles in animal tissue.

E. Purchase high quality needles, change needles often, and discard damaged needles.

F. During bad weather take extra care to see that the injection-site is free of manure and dirt and that syringes and needles are clean and disinfected. Injecting sheep during wet weather increases the potential for carrying a contaminant into the injection-site.

G. Wetting the area around the chute will reduce the chance of contamination from dust and other foreign material in injection-sites and open incisions.

H. Overall sanitation of equipment, working area and the cleanliness of your employees and coworkers will reduce injection-site defects. A sound educational effort directed toward sick-pen and processing crews offers great potential for helping eliminate these problems.

Administration (injections) of animal health products can affect the quality of meat and pelts that come from the animal. It is not unusual for meat processors to find abscesses and scar tissue from injections in expensive cuts of meat. These areas must be trimmed resulting in loss of value. Defects in the pelt can also result from injection site problems. These are especially costly if they develop in the middle of the pelt and cannot be easily removed. There are some simple practices that can be followed to prevent these problems.

1. Avoid the rear leg and loin areas when giving injections. These areas include high-priced cuts of meat. Use the neck region. The meat in this area is less valuable, and the pelt can be easily trimmed if damage occurs.

2. Give the injection under the skin (subcutaneous) rather than in the muscle (intramuscularly) if allowed. Subcutaneous injections cause less damage to the meat. However, there are injectable products that should be given only in the muscle, so read the product label carefully. If the injection must be given in the muscle, the product must be administered in the neck region.

3. Use the smallest gauge needle possible. This creates a smaller hole in the skin, reducing the chances that wool, dirt and bacteria will enter and cause an abscess.

4. Choose a location for the injection that is clean and dry. Wet animals should not be injected because moisture carries bacteria into the injection-site with the needle. Vaccinating shorn sheep is a good practice, as less dirt will be carried into the injection-site and it is easier for the operator to see that the injection is made properly.

5. Use properly maintained equipment. All equipment should be clean. Wash syringes in soapy water after each use. Rinse syringes with clean water to be sure that no traces of cleaning solution remain in the syringe, especially when giving vaccinations. Some products can be inactivated by disinfectants. Syringes that cannot be cleaned or are defective should be discarded. Needles should be clean and sharp and should not be used if they are bent, dull or dirty. Needles and syringes should be kept in a clean, dust-free cabinet or container and out of the reach of children. Use a lubricant in syringes that is compatible with vaccines.

6. Always use a clean needle when drawing up medications or vaccinations from a bottle. A needle that has been used for an injection should never be use to draw up another dose from the bottle. A contaminated needle introduces bacteria into the bottle and can infect other animals. If multiple doses are drawn from a bottle, place a clean needle through the stopper of the bottle and use it to draw out the dose(s) needed.

Producers who need assistance in giving injections should ask their veterinarian to demonstrate the proper technique. Also, family members or employees who assist a producer in giving injections should be instructed in proper techniques and record-keeping.

NEEDLE SELECTION
Visit with your veterinarian if you have any questions about the following needle selection information for vaccines, antibiotics and supportive therapies.

Needles contribute to injection-site defects. Use needles that are no larger than necessary to adequately complete the injection, but large enough to prevent the needle from bending or breaking off in muscle tissue. The leading cause of needle bending is improper restraint, but using dull, damaged or poor quality needles may also contribute to the problem.

Primary considerations in needle selection include route of administration, size of animal, and location or site of injection (SSQA requires that all injections be given in front of the point of the shoulder). Secondary consideration in needle selection includes how thick and tenacious the fluid is and the volume/amount of fluid injected.

Select needle size to fit the size of the sheep:

FACILITIES
The environment in which sheep live affects the quality of the products derived from them. Protruding nails, pipes, boards and sharp edges can injure animals. Besides causing them pain, this results in bruising and trimming of the carcass as well as pelt defects. Buildings and pens should be kept in good repair to prevent these problems.

The use of polypropylene twine in sheep facilities causes contamination of the wool. Each bale of hay wrapped with polypropylene will also have several short pieces of twine where the baler ties and trims each bale. This is especially true when the twine becomes weathered and begins to fray. Other methods of fastening gates and panels should be used in place of polypropylene twine. Frayed plastic tarps can also cause polypropylene contamination and should be repaired or discarded.

Proper design of housing and handling facilities for sheep simplifies their movement and protects their health. Chutes and pens should be designed to take advantage of the natural "following behavior" of sheep so that physical force is unnecessary. A curved chute with solid sides prevents sheep from seeing the activity taking place up ahead. The use of well-designed facilities will minimize the need for the use of prods. This results in more humane treatment of the animals as well as improved quality of consumer products.

Housing units must have adequate ventilation to prevent pneumonia. Dust must be controlled to prevent dust pneumonia and to keep dirt out of the wool. Pneumonia is one of the most common problems observed in confinement-fed lambs.

Plans for sheep housing and facilities can be found in the Midwest Plan Service Sheep Housing and Equipment Handbook, available from state extension offices, as well as the SID Sheep Production Handbook, available from the American Sheep Industry Association.

HANDLING / TRANSPORTATION
Handling and transportation play a very important role in overall sheep management. Improper handling or transportation can result in bruising, broken bones, pelt and wool damage, isolation by USDA-FSIS and even death. Condemnation data from 1998, 1999, and 2000 reveal that injuries result in 3.67% of the carcass condemnations in mature sheep (6th leading cause of condemnations) and 7.77% of the carcass condemnations in lambs and yearlings (5th leading cause of condemnations). Both percentages are significantly higher than those of 1998 as percentages are 6 times the reported 1998 values. Proper handling facilities and techniques minimize stress to the sheep and the handler. It is the responsibility of livestock producers to consider the welfare of the animals in their care. Cruelty, abuse and neglect cannot be tolerated.

Injuries to sheep can occur during transportation. Several factors should be considered when transporting animals. The use of a reputable livestock trucker with experience hauling sheep is preferred. Overcrowding should be avoided, especially for long-distance hauling, in order to reduce injuries and stress to the animals.

A twelve-hour fast is recommended before loading sheep onto trucks or trailers. Sheep that have fasted are easier to load onto trucks. They also produce less urine and manure, minimizing sanitation problems and wool contamination. Fasted sheep are less likely to lie down in the trucks. This reduces the chances of animals being stepped on or crushed.

Injured or sick animals should be transported separately and should not go to intermediate facilities prior to harvest. If the animal is in extreme distress or the condition is obviously irreversible, it should be humanely euthanized without delay. In the case of a recent injury to a healthy animal, immediate slaughter is an alternative.

Producers should be involved in the transportation process to let the trucking contractor know what is expected. In some instances, producers may also outline routes and follow routes of trucking contractors with global positioning systems to maintain biosecurity, thereby limiting contact with other livestock during transport. Involvement of truckers in careful handling and transport will result in healthy unblemished sheep being delivered to the packing plant or feedlot.

HANDLING OF DISABLED SHEEP
Sometimes sick or injured animals do not respond to treatment or have a condition that is irreversible. In these cases, the animals should not be allowed to suffer unnecessarily, but should be humanely euthanized. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends the following procedures:

1. If the animal is in extreme distress, or if the condition is obviously irreversible, it should be moved humanely and directly to a state or federally inspected harvest plant. Alternatively, it may be harvested on the farm, or immediately and humanely euthanized.

2. If the animal is not in extreme distress and continues to eat and drink, the producer should contact a veterinarian for assistance and provide food, water, shelter and nursing care to keep the animal comfortable.

3. If the condition involves a recent injury to a healthy animal, the animal should be shipped directly to a state or federally inspected harvest plant or harvested on farm.

4. Animals that are unable to walk should never be sent through intermediate marketing channels. They should be euthanized or shipped directly to a state or federally inspected harvest plant or public waste facility designed to accept and bury dead animals.

Understanding Sheep Behavior
An understanding of sheep behavior will allow the appropriate design of facilities and equipment and result in improved ease of handling. There are several factors to consider regarding sheep behavior. They are wide angle vision, lighting, noise, flight zone, lead animals, environmental conditions, and memory.

Wide Angle Vision
Sheep have a range of vision that allows them to see behind themselves without turning their heads. They depend heavily on their vision. Excess wool around their eyes (wool blindness) causes severe problems in handling and loading sheep. Wool-blind sheep are more likely to spook and become difficult to move. Wool blindness can be managed by shearing face wool (facing). Wool blindness is a highly heritable trait, and can therefore be eliminated through genetic selection.

Flight Zone
All sheep have a flight zone that can be used to an advantage when moving them. When a person enters the sheep's flight zone, the animal will tend to move away. However, chasing sheep will only cause them to panic, which often results in injury to the sheep and frustration for the handlers.

Lighting
The lighting of handling facilities is an important factor to consider. Sheep have a tendency to move toward light. They are attracted to diffuse light. Bright glaring lights or lights that cast shadows cause balking and should be avoided. The position of the sun should be taken into account when setting up handling facilities. Corrals and runways with variable lighting make sheep processing difficult.

Noise
Sheep are very sensitive to noise. Excessive noise, confusion and yelling will cause them to balk. Sheep handling should occur as quietly as is possible.

LEAD ANIMALS AND HERDING DOGS
Lead animals, such as a halter-trained sheep or goat, can be of great help because sheep have a strong tendency to follow the leader. Herding dogs can also be useful when moving groups of sheep. However, they should work calmly and not be allowed to bite, bark or chase unnecessarily. Sheep should not be moved by grabbing their wool and using it as a handle, as this causes bruising and pain for the animals.

Sheep are herd animals and they are likely to become highly agitated and stressed when they are separated from their herd mates. Many serious sheep handling accidents have been caused by isolated, frantic sheep. If an isolated animal becomes agitated, other animals should be put in with it as sheep are motivated to maintain visual contact with each other. Allow livestock to follow the leader and do not rush them. If animals bunch up, handlers should concentrate on moving the leaders instead of pushing a group of animals from the rear. Proper handling management will reduce stress related to shipping fever and carcass damage resulting from bruising.

Memory
Sheep can remember bad experiences. Therefore, the use of well-designed facilities and humane handling of sheep should be employed from the start. Handling problems will only increase with time if improper techniques are used. Understanding and working with sheep behavior is vital in the proper handling of sheep. Every possible effort should be made to ensure that the sheep are kept moving on their own without poking, prodding or shouting. This will result in a less stressful working situation, both for the sheep and their handlers.

Training
All family members and employees who are involved in the treatment of the flock should be trained in the proper use of medications. Particular care should be taken in reading drug labels and in following withdrawal times. This will prevent consumers of sheep products from being exposed to violative drug residues.

SHEARING
Care should be taken to select shearers who avoid cutting the sheep, minimize stress and prevent damage to the pelt. The shearer also should avoid second cuts that result in short, less valuable fibers. Often it is assumed that the shearer knows the best procedure for wool handling and preparation. However, it is the producer who has the final responsibility to make sure that high quality wool and blemish-free pelts meet the desires of the buyer.

When harvesting wool, it is important that producers know the preferences of the wool buyer and make every attempt to meet the buyer's specifications. Most wool processors do not want fleeces tied. Fleece ties represent extra work for processors and can cause damage to their equipment. Packaging of the wool is another issue that should be considered. Wool bales are preferred by most large wool manufacturers. Baled wool allows more weight to be loaded on trucks and reduces transportation costs. Easier storage with minimal dust and dirt contamination in the warehouse are additional advantages of wool bales over traditional wool bags.

The producer also assumes the responsibility of being prepared for shearing. This includes having sufficient labor, having facilities in good order, and organizing activities so that the shearers have minimal problems performing their work. The American Sheep Industry's "Wool Handling Guidelines" is an excellent source of information for proper wool handling and preparation.

Quality wool preparation starts long before shearing. Wool producers must understand the demands of the market and consider their marketing goals before the time comes to sell wool. Wool processors are concerned about the diameter of the fiber as well as its length. They prefer wool with a consistent fiber diameter and a uniform length greater than three inches. Producers can, through genetic selection, manage their flock to meet the needs of their wool market if wool production and value is a priority of the operation.

Wool contamination is a major concern; contamination can originate from a number of sources. These include both natural sources such as urine, manure, black fiber and vegetable matter as well as man-made sources such as paint and insecticides.

Colored Fiber
When colored wool is mixed with white wool, it creates defects in the resulting fabric. Even a few black fibers can ruin a white or light-colored cloth. Colored and black face sheep should be sheared after white sheep to prevent contamination of white wool with black fibers. Colored fleeces or wool with black fibers should be packaged separately. In mixed flocks, separation of belly wool will reduce the amount of black fiber contamination. Ideally, colored sheep, or those with black fibers, should not be commingled with sheep in an all-white flock.

Vegetable Matter
Vegetable matter contamination can come from a variety of sources including feed, bedding and weed-infested pastures. Wool used for fine woolen production is not carbonized (treated to remove organic materials); so, hay stems, grass leaves, and weed seeds are not removed. These materials align with the wool fibers and are incorporated into the scoured wool that is used to make yarn. The presence of the foreign material reduces the value of the final wool products. Skirting or separation of the belly wool and other contaminated areas may be necessary.

Paint
Paint is a source of wool contamination. If paint branding cannot be avoided, only that labeled as "scourable" should be used. Even scourable paint can stain the wool. Freezing or over-heating of the paint causes congealing of the pigment, making it very difficult to remove. Use of excessive paint also can result in staining. When using marking crayons or chalk, marks should be placed on the head or face to prevent fleece and pelt contamination.

Polypropylene
Polypropylene (poly) is a contaminant that can originate from many sources. Plastic twine made of poly is the most common source. When a square baler cuts the knot after tying the bale, it leaves one inch of loose fragments of twine. These fragments may stick to the bale and later be transferred to the sheep when the hay is fed. Fragments also may fall to the ground where they are packed up in the wool when the sheep bed-down in the area.

Poly is made up of small fibers that are difficult to detect once they become mixed with wool. When contaminated wool is made into cloth, the fibers cause a defect that is costly to remove. In addition to baling twine, other sources of poly include bags used for feed or salt, frayed tarps, sheep jackets and bags that are used for baling wool. Most poly contamination occurs in the belly and britch. Removal of belly and britch wool from the fleece at shearing is an important method of reducing poly contamination.

Preparation For Shearing
Prior to shearing, the flock should be sorted. If possible, sheep with a common fleece type should be grouped together. Place all sheep with black fiber in one group and white-fleeced sheep in another group. Colored sheep should be shorn last to prevent the contamination of white fleeces with colored fibers. Shear young sheep first to avoid the spread of caseous lymphadenitis. Separate any sheep which have swellings or draining abscesses and shear them last. Be prepared with soap, water and a disinfectant for cleaning of shearing equipment and work area in case an abscess is accidentally opened. It is a good idea to disinfect shearing equipment routinely while shearing.

Sick sheep, or those that are losing wool as a result of illness, should also be separated. Wool from these animals will be weak and of poor quality and should be kept separate.

It is very important that plenty of help be available during shearing. Tasks such as vaccinating, paint-branding and treating for parasites can be accomplished when the flock is sheared.

Shear only dry sheep and store the wool off of the ground in a dry area. This will prevent deterioration of the wool due to mold and mildew. Prevent access of insects such as moths into wool storage areas; use moth-balls or other insect repellants.

A high quality wool clip gives the producer more options and opportunities for marketing the wool. Wool quality is dependent on the means of preparation, the cleanliness of the wool and freedom from chemicals. Cleanliness of wool can be accomplished by removing belly wool and other contaminated wool, keeping the shearing floor clean and properly packaging the wool. Freedom from chemicals can be accomplished by using only approved insecticides, reading the label of insecticides, applying insecticides according to label directions, and properly storing insecticides.

CARE, HUSBANDRY AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Providing environmental protection and adequate water is not just an issue of animal welfare, but also is vital for optimizing sheep performance. Environmental protection should include excellent pen maintenance for confined sheep. Mud can result in lower returns in confined sheep, as mud increases maintenance requirements and has a negative impact on feed efficiency. Mud also causes considerable loss of pelt value, increases the cost of processing at the packing plant, and also may increase the microbiological load transmitted to carcass surfaces inside the packing plant. Providing environmental protection, mud control, and an adequate supply of fresh clean water are important parts of quality sheep management.

Environmental Conditions
It is important to remember that the sheep being handled are a food source. Care must be taken to prevent bruising and injuries. Sheep should not be poked and prodded as costly bruising can result. Electric prods should not be used. Sheep should not be restrained by the wool as this can also cause bruising. Bruised meat must be trimmed, resulting in economic loss. Similarly, damaged pelts have few uses and result in loss of profit. Working sheep in muddy conditions also should be avoided, as it will result in handling difficulties and contamination of the wool. Practices that result in pain or injury to the animal should be avoided and are unnecessary if facilities are designed incorrectly. Environmental conditions can also cause stress to sheep, which, in turn, can cause "fiery fat."

Environmental Damage
To avoid environmental problems, select products that are environmentally friendly. Herbicides and insecticides used around facilities to control weeds and flies can help create a clean and neat environment. However, improper use of these materials may create environmental damage. These chemicals are highly persistent; it only takes small amounts to cause a residue that can be easily detected at slaughter. Take time to realize where run-off will accumulate if rain occurs following application of a product.

Employee Training
On the job training is potentially the most effective method of instructing new employees. However, it is important to demonstrate that new employees have completed this training process. Documentation is important to provide evidence of the process followed to facilitate the learning process of new employees in the production system. Training must be ongoing and regularly updated in order to be effective.

Occupation Safety and Health Administration
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all employees be made aware of any hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed. In addition, managers must be sure that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS; Appendix B) accompanies all shipments of "hazardous materials". Many chemicals, which might not normally be considered hazardous, such as household bleach, are required by OSHA to have an MSDS on file. An MSDS, which contains information such as the proper use of each chemical, must be provided by the distributor of the chemical. The MSDS must be on file and readily accessible to all interested employees. Regular training updates (approximately every year) are important for all employees whose work is associated with pesticide use.

Worker Protection Standard
The Federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS) law requires all workers who handle or are exposed to general or restricted use pesticides be trained for handling, protective equipment, notification, decontamination, restricted-entry intervals, and emergency assistance. Contact your Extension Educator for more details.

Summary of Step 5 Criteria That Can Be Achieved By Use Of Objectives and Procedures

5.1 Provide appropriate nutritional and feedstuffs management.

5.2 Feed sheep to a compositionally appropriate endpoint.

5.3 Eliminate injection-site lesions by administering products via the preferred routes and in the preferred locations.

5.4 Maintain the health of sheep to assure satisfactory growth and performance and to decrease carcass condemnations.

5.5 Keep feed, water and handling equipment clean.

5.6 Inspect and maintain facilities (fences, corrals, load-outs, etc.) regularly to ensure proper care and ease of handling.

5.7 Prevent stress, bruising and/or injury during animal handling. Monitor bruising rates at the packing plant, when possible. Review excessive incidence rates and recommend corrective action.

5.8 Maintain pelt quality by controlling mud, manure and parasites.

5.9 Maintain an environment appropriate to the production setting.