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Romney Ramblings Newsletter of the American Romney Breeders Association Sheep and Tranquility

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Romney Ramblings Newsletter of the American Romney Breeders Association Sheep and Tranquility SUMMER 2016 Romney Ramblings Newsletter of the American Romney Breeders Association Sheep and Tranquility Inside this Issue: Posbergh wins 2 scholarship Summer show 3 highlights From the Desk of ... 4 Director Reports 5 Southern Adirondack 6 show in September Calendar of events 7 Show pics 8-9 Science Advisory 13 Panel formed ARBA show results 14 President’s Message by Chris Posbergh Moorit designation 15 in Romneys First, I would like to congratulate the United Kingdom, to presenting the board members that were elect- research at an international genetics ed this spring. I also want to thank conference in Salt Lake City. Because American Romney everyone that ran for election and of all this, I apologize that my re- encourage members to run for the sponses to members have been slow Breeders board, or volunteer for committees, if during the past few weeks. Despite Association they are interested in helping ad- my absence, the drought and heat in website: vance the breed. the Northeast has persisted. Hopeful- http://american This has been a whirlwind past few ly we get rain soon to hold off feeding romney.org/ weeks as I have gone from teaching a hay this early in the year. course in Ithaca, to sampling sheep in Continued on page 14 Chris PAGE 2 ROMNEY RAMBLINGS ARBA President Posbergh wins scholarship American Romney Breeders As- ewes that are more likely to lamb -colored sheep) carriers. The re- sociation President Chris Posbergh out of season. Both of these objec- search project, proposed by Chris was recently named the winner of tives work toward increasing the and Heather Huson, will strive to the 2016 Sheep Heritage Founda- efficiency of the industry by reduc- identify the genetic variants re- tion Memo- ing maintenance costs associated sponsible for moorit in sheep by rial Scholar- with large size and increasing the using a candidate gene sequencing ship. The productivity of ewes through year- approach. Identifying the genetic $3,000 round lambing.” basis for moorit will provide shep- award will At 22-years-old, New Jersey na- herds with the information they be wel- tive Chris has been involved with need for breeding decisions. If comed by sheep since his dad brought home you’re interested in learning more Chris, a a bummer lamb about the study, or Ph.D. stu- when he was a wish to contribute dent at Cor- child, and he has to the campaign, nell Univer- since grown his visit the link at the sity in New York where he’s work- flock of Dorsets end of this article. ing on his research project: In- and Romneys. In The campaign is creasing Efficiency in Sheep Pro- the fall of 2015 he currently approxi- duction Using Genetics. The focus became the presi- mately one-third of Chris’ research is to identify ge- dent of ARBA funded and the netic variants responsible for out where he has deadline for contri- of season lambing, and to identify worked hard to butions is August genetic variants responsible for promote the breed 31st. mature body size. and support the Said Chris of his Regarding the first phase of his members. future plans, “I will study Chris said, “DNA markers Most of Chris’ probably end up can be developed to allow breed- research work has working for a uni- ers to control selection for mature focused on animal versity doing re- size earlier in a sheep’s life.” genetics. He is cur- search. I want to The second phase of his study rently running a crowd funding teach those in the sheep industry will be one sheep breeders will campaign to raise money for his how to benefit from the use of ge- want to sit up and take notice of. study on Determining the Molecu- netics.” Said Chris, “By analyzing lambing lar Basis for Brown Colored Sheep. records from flocks selecting for There are no current genetic tests CTRL CLICK or copy and paste this link: aseasonality, we identified individ- available to identify moorit (brown https://experiment.com/moorit-sheep uals that consistently lambed or failed to lamb out of season. Using Age limit changed for junior members these 53 individuals, we ran a Ge- During the July 30, 2016 meeting of the ARBA Board, discussion was nome Wide Association Study and conducted regarding the age range for junior members of the asso- have preliminary candidate genes. ciation. Currently, youth may remain as junior members of the asso- We are currently seeking more individuals from Dorset and Poly- ciation until they reach age 21. It was moved, seconded and ap- pay flocks to add to this dataset proved to modify the age limit to read as follows: “Junior member- and strengthen the associations ship has all the privileges and responsibilities of an active member, we currently have. The long term except they must be under 22 years of age on show day, and they goal is to develop genetic markers can not vote. Junior members age 18-21 may vote if they enroll as that breeders can use to select for an active member and pay the appropriate membership fee.” SUMMER 2016 PAGE 3 Summer show highlights Contact Information by Charlene Carlisle This year we had 84 head only sheep present, but For American At long last I am sitting of sheep (from four they held their own in the Romney Breeders down at the computer in states) which included ring. The following Rom- Association an attempt to reflect on Meat, White Wool and ney Juniors participated: my last six weeks. Time NC Wool divisions, as well Alexandra Rogers (NJ), Chris Posbergh, President has rushed by and has left as market lamb classes. Ava Jo Hayes, Hunter and 381 Burnt Mill Road me little time to write Fitting and Showmanship Colton Hayes (NJ), Molly Somerville, NJ 08876 down all the info, so was well received with 30 Stark, McKinley and Elijah 908-310-8548 please excuse any over- youth participating. Fun Stark (PA), McKinley Stark president@american romney.org sights, but feel free to let and learning is encour- (PA), Kyle Pearson and me know so that I can aged, with minimal pres- Sarah Pearson (NJ). Many Randy Thompson, correct them. The youth sure and lots of prizes and pictures can be found on Vice President shows are a lot of fun, but smiles. Our youngest par- the Stars and Stripes Fa- 4004 50th St. Ct. E. by the time they are fin- ticipant was three-years- cebook page, as well as Tacoma, WA 98443 ished, so am I! old, and the oldest was 253-926-8150 the website. Please con- [email protected] The Stars and Stripes 21. No affiliation with 4-H sider this show next year Livestock Show has been or FFA is required, and for any first-time show- JoAnn Mast, around for 14 years and sheep do not have to be men, and any other Secretary/Treasurer takes place in Moore- registered. This year beef youth. It gives the kids a 58221 Lee Valley Road stown, NJ, right in my cattle, meat and dairy practice show before Coquille, OR 97423 541-572-3094 backyard, literally. It is goats, poultry, rabbits their county shows start. secretary@ held in my backyard— and small animals made The All American Jr. americanromney.org actually my side yard. This their way to our arena, Sheep Show is a spectac- is a youth show, held on and fun was had by all. Charlene Carlisle the last Sunday in June, Romneys were not the Continued on page 12 Director At Large run by a few families who 510 Centerton Road Moorestown, NJ 08057 wish to maintain an agri- ARBA annual meeting date set 856-866-1747 cultural presence and The annual meeting of the American Romney c.carlisle@littlehooves promote livestock in- Breeders Association will be held on Saturday, Nov. romneys.com volvement, showing, and 12, 2016, in Louisville, Kentucky. The meeting will education to the public. Anne McIntyre-Lahner be held in conjunction with the sheep show at NAILE Director At Large We offer shows for all and provide the opportunity to watch junior mem- 2577 Boston Post Road species and run 100% on bers of ARBA exhibit in the show ring. Guilford, CT 06437 donations. Stars and Time and location details will be posted on the AR- 203-458-3070 Stripes has obtained NJ BA website when confirmed. Mark the date on your [email protected] Fair Status, and is a 501c3 calendar now and be prepared to join the member- nonprofit organization, Scott Culver ship for dinner, conversations and an update of how Director At Large allowing any donations to the association has been working on your behalf. 3455 N.E. Granger Road be tax deductible. Special Reservations for dinner will be taken, and a list of Corvallis, OR 97330 thanks to all who help possible lodging options will be posted on the web- 541-231-3398 support us and our youth. site. scott.culver@oregon state.edu Associated Sheep Find us on Facebook at Registries https://www.facebook.com/pages/American- PO Box 231 305 Lincoln Romney-Breeders-Association/104644142899461 Wamego, KS 66547 PAGE 4 ROMNEY RAMBLINGS Romney Ramblings From the Secretary’s Desk by JoAnn Mast The Romney Ramblings is the news- As the new fiscal year begins, it website. letter of the American Romney is time to give a few reminders to Registering and transferring Breeders Association. The purpose the membership. There are some ownership of animals is done by of the Ramblings is to provide sheep industry news, highlight the efforts of details that need to be outlined, so completing a work order and in- ARBA, announce events and activi- that will follow in an order some- cluding the necessary forms and/ ties, provide an outlet for promotion what as items appear throughout or registry certificates for pro- of your sheep and wool products and recognize the accomplishments the year.
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