Flock certification process kick-off
We're starting the process to get our flock registered in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program - a 5 year process to get certified, assuming I keep a closed flock from here on out. The point is to have a certified scrapie-free flock (scrapie is a TSE). Our flock is clean, but the certification will be good to have, and doesn't cost us anything. The only catch is getting set back if I bring in new sheep from non-certified flocks.
Our current Premise ID (for the mandatory scrapie eradication program) can also be used for this, so I don't need to load the sheep up with additional ear tags (yay!). Tomorrow the USDA vet will be coming out to do the initial flock inspection, so I have to get the flock list updated with the new tag #s for the ones we replaced a couple of weeks ago and print a copy with the required information to go with the application.
Only one small problem - we put a new tag on Cleopatra 2 weeks ago (her original flock of origin tag had broken and fallen out), and we found the new tag on the ground a few days ago (not broken, so she probably ripped her ear). So I have to try to catch her tomorrow morning and get another new tag in her - that's not going to be a fun time. We're going to try to feed everyone in the holding pen tomorrow morning, and I'll let them back out into the barn field after the inspection.
Our current Premise ID (for the mandatory scrapie eradication program) can also be used for this, so I don't need to load the sheep up with additional ear tags (yay!). Tomorrow the USDA vet will be coming out to do the initial flock inspection, so I have to get the flock list updated with the new tag #s for the ones we replaced a couple of weeks ago and print a copy with the required information to go with the application.
Only one small problem - we put a new tag on Cleopatra 2 weeks ago (her original flock of origin tag had broken and fallen out), and we found the new tag on the ground a few days ago (not broken, so she probably ripped her ear). So I have to try to catch her tomorrow morning and get another new tag in her - that's not going to be a fun time. We're going to try to feed everyone in the holding pen tomorrow morning, and I'll let them back out into the barn field after the inspection.