During the 2010 Budget Hearing, the Oregon Sheep Commission adopted a new budget for the 2010-2011 FY, approved several funding requests, and moved to adopt a change in administrative rules to increase the wool assessment from 2.5 cents to 3 cents per pound of wool sold, effective Jan. 1, 2011.

A brief description of the funding requests approved is included below. A copy of the 2010-2011 Approved Budget may be requested from the Commission office: 503.364-5462.

Wool Assessment Proposal

The last increase in the wool assessment from 2¢ to 2.5¢ per pound became effective on Jan. 1, 2007. The continuing decline in the demand for wool worldwide and the decreasing number of commercial wool sales in Oregon has made the Commission’s annual budget unstable. Commission members discussed the fact the wool assessment was established to provide funds for educational, promotional and research projects to benefit the industry. With declining funds available, the Commission’s ability to undertake projects with real potential to impact the industry has similarly declined.

The current assessment on wool is specified in OAR 644-010-0010. The proposed rule making action to increase the wool assessment requires a public hearing. Information about the proposed change to the Commission’s administrative rule OAR 644-010-0010 will appear in the October Administrative Rules Bulletin published by the Secretary of State. The public hearing will be held on Nov. 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in Halsey, OR at the Pioneer Villa Travelodge restaurant. Producers may attend and submit oral comments or write to the Commission at 1270 Chemeketa St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Written comments must be received by Nov. 30, 2010. The Commission is expected to hold a meeting in conjunction with the December OSGA Convention in Sunriver, OR. Comments will be reviewed by the Commission at this meeting before taking final action on the rule.

2010-11 Funding Requests approved

• Research into Potential Loss of Selenium during Transportation of Lambs by Gene Pirelli, Jean Hall and Tom Nichols, Oregon State University – Funding approved: $1,980.00.

A three-month research project is planned to evaluate the potential loss of selenium in lambs due to transportation stress. A 2006 research project conducted at OSU and funded by the Commission provided valuable information concerning the long-term retention of selenium from fertilized forage. The short-term exposure of sheep to high rates of selenium-fertilized forage resulted in increased whole blood selenium concentrations sufficient to maintain adequate concentrations for nine months.

Adequate levels of selenium are necessary for maintaining animal health. Stress, such as transport may result in selenium loss; consequently, putting the animal at risk for disease or lower production after the stress event. Low selenium levels lead to increased incidence of disease under certain conditions, such as lambs in a feedlot. However, it is not known whether loss of selenium occurs in the transportation and adaptation of the lambs to a new environment. The short-term research study to be conducted by OSU will test this theory.

2011 National 4-H Congress – Funding approved: $ 500

During the 2009-10 fiscal year, the Commission contributed $500 to the 2010 National 4-H Congress. This year’s request was presented to the Commission by one of the former participants in the National 4-H Congress program. Rebekah Polacek urged the Commission to renew their support for this program and assured the Commissioners the donation would be applied to a student with a sheep/livestock background. 

Oregon Make It with Wool – Funding approved: $1,000

Oregon’s Make It with Wool Program requested funds for additional web site development and support for the 2011 National Competition. The Oregon MIWW Program has not received any Commission support since the 2004-2005 fiscal year. The program is both an educational and promotional tool that helps focus public attention on the beauty and versatility of wool. The 2010 Oregon Contest to be held on Dec. 4th at the Sunriver Resort will be Oregon 63rd contest. This event has a long and successful history as a promotional tool, but is also recognized as an outstanding educational program for the participants, ages pre-teen and older.

OSGA request for National Support - Funding approved: $2,000

OSGA submitted a request to help the association maintain their national affiliation with ASI–American Sheep Industry Association. In accordance with ORS 576.304, the Commission may participate in “local, state, national and international private organizations or governmental agencies that engage in work similar to that of a commodity commission.” While the Commission agreed the efforts of ASI’s Wool Council and Lamb Council are similar to the functions of OSC, the amount of the request was reduced to $2,000, with a request for OSGA to continue communication with all Oregon producers through the Quarterly newsletter.

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