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CHARLOTTE SANKEY
District I Director
819 Clement Hill Road
Contoocook, NH 03229
(603) 746-5025 Phone
(603) 746-6640 Fax
lamanchanh@aol.com
First Quarter, 2006
District I Members,
As I write this letter, we are experiencing our January thaw here in New England, even though we have had less than our normal amount of snow and cold it is still nice to be above freezing and nearly 50 degrees. I actually saw a robin two days ago as I was driving home; I had to remind myself it was still January and not March. Perhaps the robin was a signal that spring will be here early this year, I sure hope so! This year’s new crop of kids will start arriving soon, always my favorite time of year, registering them early will you save you money.
There has been much discussion recently on the Goat Lists and among the ADGA Directors regarding the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). For those members who aren’t familiar with NAIS it is a government program that is being worked on with the purpose of tracking the movement of all livestock in this country. This program will not only affect dairy goats, but also sheep, cattle, horses, llamas, alpacas, swine and poultry. The main objective is to develop and implement a comprehensive information system that will support ongoing animal disease monitoring, surveillance, and eradication programs. Additionally, successful advancements of NAIS will enable State and Federal animal health officials to respond rapidly and effectively to animal heath emergencies such as foreign animal disease outbreaks or emerging domestic diseases, NAIS is currently a voluntary program. NAIS will be established over time through the integration of three key components: Premises identification, animal identification, and animal tracking.
Premises Identification
To track animals, animal health officials must know where they are born and where they are moved. Therefore, identifying locations that manage or hold animals—referred to as premises—is the starting point of the NAIS. Each premise will be identified with a unique seven character identifier, or a Premises Identification Number (PIN). Currently not all states have made this mandatory here in New England, but it will be coming.
Animal Identification
To track animals as they move from premises to premises, animal health officials must have a standard way to identify them. Animals will be identified either individually with a unique Animal Identification Number (AIN) or, if they are managed and moved through the production chain as a group, with a Group/Lot Identification Number (GIN).
Animal Tracking
Various species working groups, including the Goat Work Group, have suggested that certain basic events will trigger the need for reporting animal movements (e.g., change of ownership, interstate movement, multiple owners commingling their animals, etc). Each location will have a Premises Identification Number (PIN), and the responsible party will report the AIN or GIN of all animals that arrive at that premises and the date of their arrival.
The ADGA directors in all the districts would like to see NAIS work in a way that impacts it’s members the least, especially with reference to movement, and still be in compliance to provide the best security for the country should a health outbreak occur. To learn more about NAIS and the potential impact it will have on not only dairy goats but the other animal species, I recommend you go to the following website:
http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/index.shtml
Phil, Jennifer and I welcome your questions and comments about this very important topic or any other issues you would like to address.
Have a wonderful spring!
Charlotte Sankey
Director, District I
HELEN SNYDER
District II Director
2101 Little Buffalo Road
Newport, PA 17074
(717) 567-3554 Phone
starfirenubians@pa.net
First Quarter, 2006
Greetings District II Members!
Well, we certainly have had a mild winter to date. Hopefully it will remain uneventful into the spring and summer. We are way past due for a good hay and crop year here in PA.
The Dairy Goat Industry here in our area is booming! What an exciting time to be involved in goats! Dairies are cropping up everywhere and sales are at a great high. Shipments of goats have been going all over our country, replacing the export income we had lost the last several years. Please let me know if you have a surplus of goats and I will try to connect you to someone looking to increase their herds. Also, if you are interested in shipping milk, contact me privately and I will give you information on the new markets opening up in our area.
One big issue facing our industry right now is the National Animal Identification System and what it means to us as individuals. One thing for sure is that what is being proposed is not acceptable to the average producer. What can we do? One thing that you as an individual can do is contact your State and Federal Legislators and tell them your thoughts on NAIS and how it will affect you. Although I am no expert by any means, I will be happy to talk to any of you with questions on this issue on an individual basis, so please, feel free to give me a call anytime.
The National Show will be in Indianapolis, Indiana this year from July 15 - 22, 2006. That is within a reasonable driving distance for us. I hope many of you can make the trip and show off the incredible animals we have here in District II once again. The Indianapolis group has been hard at work to make this event one of the largest and successful show in years.
The National Show Long Range Committee had asked me to look into the possibility of bringing the National Show back to Harrisburg 2008 or after. The Pennsylvania Dairy Goat Association has given the nod to go ahead with the proposal. I have been working on getting a bid together and look forward to bringing the Nationals back to our district in a few years. If we get the bid, we will once again be asking for the support of all of District II.
My letter would not be complete without my usual plea to consider going on test and signing up for Linear Appraisal this year. Now is the time to be considering these programs for the year. It is easier than ever to be on test with Owner/Sampler now one of the options. You no longer have to have a group of four to be on test. If you are interested in one of these programs and need help in getting signed on or need additional help or explanations, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I will be glad to help! These programs are truly the pedigree makers!
Looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming shows and events this year!
Helen Snyder
Director, District II
RUTH WEAVER
District III Director
515 W.R. Clark Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-5457 Phone
lsweaver@mindspring.com
First Quarter, 2006
Hello to Members in District III:
We’re into a new year of ADGA activities and events. Most of us have our plates full with the usual schedule, i.e., kidding, milking, marketing, showing, etc. However, in our ever-changing lives, new issues are before us.
It’s time to get your PIN in order to begin online registrations (the certificates will be mailed back to you). Get the form for applying for the PIN at the ADGA web site.
The Constitutional Amendments presented in the N&E need your attention. They affect how ADGA spends your money either by improving efficiency or protection ADGA resources. Choose what works for you, but express your opinion – vote.
Much discussion is going on about the National Animal Identification System and its ramifications for goats. An ADGA statement of position is being prepared for publication. At present, only cattle have a plan. Plans for goats and other species are still in committee. Some states are going ahead with identifying places that have livestock by issuing premise ID numbers. I encourage you to learn all you can by reading committee reports and USDA documents. Some useful web sites are:
http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/index.shtml
http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/audiences/goats/goat_qa_factsheet.shtml
http://usanimalid.com/2004report.html
http://www.animalagriculture.org
your state government web site
Then contact your Congressional Representatives and your State Veterinarian’s office to express your opinion and concerns.
By now, you should have renewed or enrolled in DHIR and LA. Appraisal comes early here this year. I consider it an opportunity to get a head start on the season by getting ready for Appraisal. Lisa has prepared an explanation for interpreting the PTI’s and what constitutes “Superior Genetics”. It is available on the ADGA web site or at the office.
When the ballot comes, send your nominations for regional director. District III will be electing two directors this year.
Yours in goatkeeping,
Ruth Weaver
Director, District III
DANIEL J. CONSIDINE
District IV Director
N8873 Currie Road
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-2016 Phone
(608) 742-1577 Fax
sunshine@jvlnet.com
First Quarter, 2006
ADGA members:
In 2006, we have in District IV both the National Show and the Annual Meeting & Convention. Hopefully many of you can make it to one or both of these events.
The ADGA directors faced some difficult decisions last fall and I appreciate the comments sent by members before and after the board meeting.
We did increase registrations by $1 and kept the $1 incentive on registration from September 1 to March 31. This has really helped even out the work load. It has been a high priority for me as a director and officer to keep the fast turnaround time that we have enjoyed the last three years. The rate increase will help keep ADGA financially strong. Be sure to note the early membership renewal this fall will be $20 – this is in effect till January 1, 2007.
ADGA is well into the development of the member-only web site. This is taking some time, but will enable each member to find details about their ADGA account and to track work in progress. This is a phased-in system that will eventually enable members to do registration applications on-line with live interaction with the database. Members can already print off most forms on-line and submit PIN application for registry by email (an assigned PIN is needed to do this).
The National Animal Identification System is slowly evolving and it does appear that goat keepers will face tag or chip costs and extra record keeping. To me, it seems important to remember that a system is going to be implemented by USDA and state Departments of Agriculture. We as goat breeders can try to influence the details of the system to keep it as reasonable as possible. There are several ADGA members involved in advising USDA. These people and I welcome your comments on this subject.
Please come to Milwaukee and join Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association at the big event in October.
Daniel J. Considine
Director, District IV
GREG A. MORRIS
District IV Director
854 County Road 1850 E
Eureka, IL 61530
(309) 467-3509 Phone
Redbird2@elspaso.net
First Quarter, 2006
Hello Fellow District 4 Members:
First, I would like to thank everyone that voted for me in last year’s election. It was a busy convention and board meeting. I’m sure many of you are aware of the Board’s actions. If you are interested in a transcript, please contact the ADGA office to obtain your copy of the minutes.
One of the big topics being discussed is the National Animal Identification System or NAIS. The plan as it is currently drafted has some flaws in it and we as goat breeders need to let our voices be heard in Washington about the issues that we have with it. You can go to http://usanimalid.com. This web site has a lot of good information and links to the USDA where you can read a DRAFT of the plan. Let me emphasize the word DRAFT, however, if we don’t let our voice be heard it could become law. If you would like a written copy of the draft, you can contact your state department of Ag. If you have any problems finding the information, please feel free to contact me.
With kidding season upon us now, it is a busy time, so don’t forget to register your newborns before March 31st to get the off season discount. There has been some confusion about this, as some have asked if there was additional fee increase this year. The answer is no; we still pay the same amount as last year but get a $1.00 discount for off season registrations from September 1st through March 31st.
I’m very hopeful that we will have online registration ready before the season rush. There may be a few bumps in the road to get the results we want; please be patient. For those who prefer to fill out the form and send it in, you will still be able to do this, as this procedure has not changed. If you have not requested your PIN number, you need to get it as soon as possible, that way when the member only section is up you’re ahead of the game. The members only section will allow you to look up account information and check for updates on transactions.
I hope many of you have signed up for the ADGA performance programs or continue to support the programs you have used in the past. These programs are great assets to the industry as a whole to collect data to see how we are improving animals. This is especially true today with the new superior genetics designation we are starting to see on our papers.
With summer show season coming soon, I hope to see many of you at the National Show this year. As everyone knows, it is right here in our backyard in District 4, just a short drive to Indianapolis. They’re planning on a large show, which we hope will be a great success. So let’s not let them down and be there to support them with bringing out all the fine animals we have here in our district. I would like to thank the Indiana Dairy Goat Association for their hard work. It will be a fun time, so don’t miss out. Also, several members of our district have offered raffle kids for the ADGA fundraising booth; so make sure to buy your tickets.
Don’t forget that District 4 will also be hosting Convention this fall in Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association is well into the planning stages. If you think you’ve got a nice animal to consign to the Spotlight sale, don’t miss the opportunity to show case your herd. We will have members coming from all across the country to our district this year so please give them all a warm Midwest welcome.
Please feel free to contact me with any question or concerns.
Sincerely,
Greg Morris
Director, District IV
MARSHA DALE GUSTAFSON
District V Director
11554 State Highway KK
Marshfield, MO 65706
(417) 859-6047 Phone
gus@dialnet.net
First Quarter, 2006
Dear District 5 Members,
Three main issues have come across my desk since my last letter. I will do my best to address each of them. It is now January and changes may have occurred by the time you receive this letter.
The big issue is the National Animal Identification System. While you may or may not support this idea, it is here to stay. The NAIS is not a completed program and there is still time for you to express your ideas and opinions. I encourage each of you to contact, on the Federal and State level, your Senators, Representatives, Department of Agriculture, and the NAIS. Let them all know the method of identification that will and will not work in your situation and why. Let them know what animal movement you feel should and should not be reported. Again, tell them why. Be sure to include a time frame and method for this notification.
One thing that we all need to remember is that ADGA is a goat registry and not a government agency. ADGA can not dictate what the NAIS will or will not do. ADGA members have been included in discussion groups. Several members have put their blood, sweat, and tears into these discussions with no financial help from ADGA. They have worked for the goat industry by supplying information and asking questions. We all need to remember that they can only discuss and do NOT set policy. We owe them our thanks.
My personal opinion is that ADGA’s tattoo policy, coupled with some type of electronic chip placed in the tail, is the identification needed in goats. The reason for the chip is that tattoos fade. Animal movement should be required for travel across state lines and market sale by toll free phone calls or in writing postmarked within 36 hours of the event. Advanced movement notification of these types should be allowed. Any other movement that is determined to be required by NAIS should be filed in quarterly reports. While I don’t like the NAIS becoming part of my life and farm, in today’s world, I do understand the need for it. My idea is to keep this as simple a plan as possible with little invasion into everyone’s privacy.
Another issue is the signing of the AGS show win form by ADGA judges at shows. This was presented to the BOD at the last convention. To put it in a nut shell, ADGA does NOT require or prevent an ADGA licensed judge from signing these forms. That is totally the decision of the individual judge. If this is an issue for you or a show, ask the judge if they sign these forms before you show under them or hire them to judge your show. Some want the judge to sign and some do not. With communication, you and the judge are on the same page.
The third main issue is regarding the registration of wethers. ADGA does not, nor has the BOD, approved the registration of wethers. As a service, the BOD has approved the development of a separate program for the issuing of a Certificate of Identification. These animals will be identified in a totally separate database with no crossover with the breeding stock registry database. This is a work in progress and the database does not yet exist. At this point in time, the ADGA Office can not issue anyone a Certificate of Identification. Only after this separate database is created will this service be available.
Over the last three years, it has been my honor to serve as your District 5 Director. I have tried my best to serve you and ADGA honestly. Unfortunately, life has thrown a few rocks in my path. It is with great regret that I must inform you that I will not be running for re-election this year. Goats, ADGA, and you have been, and will, continue to be very important to me. Your friendship and support mean more to me than I can express. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity and honor of serving as your director.
During this warm January, some of you have started kidding and some are still looking forward to the arrival of that first kid. I want to wish you all a season filled with beautiful doe kids and that very special buck kid. May each doe present you with the kids of your dreams.
Still here to serve you,
Marsha Dale Gustafson
Director, District V
VIVIAN PROCTOR
District VI Director
P.O. Box 385
Leakey, TX 78873
(830) 232-5700 Phone
cadiproctor@hctc.net
First Quarter, 2006
Dear Member of District VI:
I have never tried to write a letter and found it as hard to do as this one is. I wish I could have said, “was” instead of “is” since it isn’t finished yet. I have worked diligently on this letter for days, but interruptions keep coming up and intervening. This could be called procrastination, but honestly, it isn’t; I’m trying. For instance, the word “transferred” keeps being underlined, indicating incorrect spelling and it’s hard to argue with a computer dictionary or to even imagine it’s wrong; it was and is. There are two “r’s” in “transferred” regardless of what my computer insists on. Then we got into it over “its” and it was wrong about that, too. You see, I found myself in trouble with this dictionary a long time ago when it said there was no such word as “scurs” and you members jumped all over me; you were right. When I checked the book, I learned the hard way that my computer dictionary is sometimes wrong. Will you believe that as I write, I notice this machine is indicating there is no such word as “scurs”.
NAIS: I am supportive of this and will vote accordingly. At the same time, I think we will be brought along with whatever program the government chooses. When we are told there has been only one case of mad cow disease in this country and that the disease has been found in only one cow from Canada, I have a hard time believing in programs.
RAW MILK: This subject has also been on email a lot. While I don’t support the sale of raw milk, I won’t fight it. Selling raw milk of any kind can get you into more trouble than you can foresee. I realize it is a way to afford your goats, but that doesn’t make it less dangerous. On the other hand, raw milk does get into our food system through imported cheese, curd, etc. If this is permissible, why not all milk?
SHOWS
If you are into shows and seriously thinking of winning, you need to have more than a passing acquaintance with all of the rules governing the show. Here, I am addressing specifically the ADGA rules. These are found in the 2005 ADGA Guidebook. New rules and changes approved at the board meeting last October are not included, regardless of the fact that when these items are approved without a date stating when they are to go into effect, they go into effect immediately. You actually receive your Guidebook seven months after most items in it went into effect. If you do not understand what I have written in this paragraph, you may want to read it again.
The new rules are in print well before the middle of December and mailed from the ADGA office about December 26th to whomever they were sent to the previous year, unless otherwise specified. They are usually sent to the Show Secretary. Unless you are the show official who receives them, you are not apt to know the 2006 ADGA show rules. The resulting attitude is sometimes “This is for me to know you to find out.” ADGA doesn’t have a rule on how to deal with this, so let your conscience be your guide.
Guidebook: For the above reasons and for the fact that they are already in print in December, I think the next year’s Guidebook should be in all Members’ hands by as early in the upcoming January of the new year as the ADGA office is willing to get them there. I presented this to the Board a few years ago. They did not approve the change, mostly because of the cost to provide a special mailing for it. If it could be packaged with the Quarter N & E. it may not cost any more at all. If this is not cost-effective, then ADGA needs to tighten the belt on the unnecessary expenses so as to afford it.
Membership Directory: This directory takes six weeks to print what could and should be set and ready to go to the printer no later than March 5h which is five day after your dues must be postmarked to the ADGA office in order for your name to be included in the Membership Directory, thereby, giving you a vote for the next twelve months.
Report of Award: Just to refresh your memory.
Transfers: The show secretary is not allowed to accept a transfer as proof of ownership. If you own an animal that’s certificate has not yet been transferred into your name, you still may show it, but you must enter and show the animal in the name shown under owner on its certificate. Signed transfers are absolutely unacceptable.
Alterations: To the animal’s certificate, except made by the ADGA office, renders it null and void, so don’t be eager to add any notations even if you just completed its PCH.
Exhibitor: The owner or owners whose name(s) appears under owner on the registration or recordation certificate or the stamped duplicate application. Multiple names under one ID number are one exhibitor.
Owner: ADGA does not recognize you as the owner of that animal until its certificate has been processed by the ADGA office and your name is printed on its certificate, by ADGA, under owner.
Handler: The person showing the animal in the ring.
Agent: The person acting in place of the owner.
AWARDS: You may or may not know once again I am the chair of the Awards Committee. This is a big leap of faith for our president, Robin Saum, because I did nothing last year. With this second chance I’ve been given, I am determined to function come what may, and right there is one of the problems. Not a single soul submitted anyone for any award all last year and I haven’t received any so far this year.
Surely, there must be some deserving person out there, but someone is going to have to tell us about them or how are we supposed to know. At the same time, we don’t want to give an award just to be giving one, so be sure whoever you present for an award is worthy of it. Read the Awards carefully on page 17 and 18 of the 05 Guidebook. While you’re at it, if you would like to see any improvements in the guidelines for this committee, I would be happy to ask the committee members to consider your suggestions.
Thank you for your time.
As ever,
Vivian Proctor
Director, District VI
MIKE KORHONEN
District VII Director
876 Logan Hill Road
Chehalis, WA 98532
(360) 748-6123 Phone
whitehawkfrm@earthlink.net
First Quarter, 2006
Dear Fellow District 7 Members:
The Holiday Season and New Year has come and gone. I hope yours was as good as ours. Now the kidding season really gets going. Long nights, minutes of anxious anticipation and hopefully, great out comes will take there toll in time and energy. What a time to be involved.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the Regional Committee that made the Spokane Nationals a huge success. Without the individual efforts, there would have been no show. Everyone involved did a great job. Michelle and Pam must be singled out for their time, effort and dedication. District Seven did itself proud.
The Kansas City Convention was a success. The programs, field trips, and evening socials were well presented and attended. The Spotlight Sale went well. The Board of Directors dealt with several issues that had long range implications. The NAIS issue has been around several years. It has not received much attention until recently. Many emotional, superficial and uninformed statements have been presented by the doom and gloom advocates.
As I understand the program, it has as its goal to produce a procedure to identify diseased animals; animals which may effect human health and trace them so as to identify other possible involved animals. How we get to the end is still very much up in the air. Committees comprised of animal groups, i.e., goats, have been formed to make recommendations to the Department of Agriculture for implementation. No one can predict what the final proposal will look like, but when it is presented, we will each have an opportunity to give our two-bits worth.
You can follow the discussions and proposed options on the ADGA web site. Adga.org – scroll to National Ag. Resources
I believe that we must participate in the process. Something is going to happen. Unless we are involved, we will have to live with the outcome not having had our say. This is not to imply that we will all be happy with the result. However, unless we remember that politics is the art of compromise, we will not be able to influence the result. It is our right to be heard as the regulations are considered. Speak up in a civil manner; give positive input and not negative whining. It is okay to disagree, but disagree agreeably.
Keep in touch; looking forward to seeing many of you this summer and fall.
Mike Korhonen
Director, District VII
REX BACKUS
District VIII Director
3321 St. Helena Hwy. N.
Saint Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-2337 Phone
rabackus@sonic.net
First Quarter, 2006
Dear District VIII Members:
I am writing on Monday, January 24, just after attending the University of California 2006 Goat Day. All of the presentations were interesting and of value to goat breeders; however the presentation by Dr. Charles Palmer of CDFA is the first topic which I would like to discuss with you.
Dr. Palmer reviewed the Scrapie programs as they are administered in California: Mandatory Scrapie Eradication Program ID requirements for all sheep and goats which are sold and or exhibited, and the various voluntary Scrapie flock certification plans.
He announced that a recent policy decision of CDFA will allow small new-born LaMancha kids, who cannot be ear-tagged, nor have adequate tail surface, to be tattooed, to be offered at sale barns with an official Scrapie ID tag securely affixed to a chain, collar, or twine around their necks. This is welcome news to me, and I hope it solves a serious problem for other LaMancha breeders. Individual sale-barns may accept kids so identified at their own discretion.
Next he gave an overview of the federal National Animal ID System (NAIS), describing those aspects of the program which have been fixed, and discussing some aspects of the program which are not yet finalized. The USDA plans to make public its proposed rules in mid 2006. The NAIS consists of three components, to be implemented in sequential stages:
1. Premises Identification
2. Animal Identification
3. Animal Tracking
Some of the states have begun to implement Premises Identification, each apparently in their own way. California will begin to assign NAIS compliant Premise ID Numbers in the near future. Those of us who already have a "Scrapie Premise ID" assigned will in the future have a new NAIS compliant character sequence assigned to us automatically. No need to re-apply.
The Animal Identification and Animal Tracking components are scheduled to be implemented at a later time, with Animal Tracking starting January 2009. The definitive information on NAIS may be accessed at: http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/index.shtml
I have yet to speak to anyone who supports the adoption of the Draft Strategic Plan as it is now written. The ADGA board is nevertheless quite divided on how we should handle this problem.
I strongly urge each of you to become familiar with the details of this program. NAIS will probably result in more drastic changes to the way we manage our animals than anything we have seen in more than thirty years.
It is not too late to influence the final form of this program. Although there are strong financial imperatives in some parts of the livestock industry to see this program completed, there is still the opportunity to influence the cost and paper-work burden to each of us thru action of our elected representatives. Please let your ADGA directors know how you feel, but more importantly, contact your Senators, your Representative in Congress, your state Senator and your state Assemblyman. The same well-thought out letter may be sufficient for all.
My greatest disappointment as a new director was that I was not reappointed to the Constitution and By Laws Committee. I was informed by the chair that her committee would not be considering redistricting this year, and that she considered this to be my only interest. Fortunately, redistricting may be addressed in other ways. I have many interests which should be addressed by that committee, and I am particularly concerned that ADGA should be operating in a fair manner with respect to the rights and privileges of all members.
Const/By Laws is almost the only committee where several directors with long standing committee service were removed.
We Californians can tale pride in the variety of fine goat dairy products produced in our state: Grade A pasteurized milk from Summerhill Dairy, yogurt and cheese products from Redwood Hill Dairy and Creamery and a variety of goat milk cheeses from a number of suppliers. We welcome Pug's Leap Farm, where production was started in late '05, the pending start-ups of Mark and Deneane Ashcraft and Ana and Gilbert Cox, and all the others whose acquaintance I have yet to make.
Happy Kidding Season to all of you.
Sincerely,
Rex Backus
Director, District VIII
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