The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), has announced a comprehensive nationwide study focusing on the health and management of sheep and lambs. This study, part of a decennial research initiative, is scheduled to run from December 2023 to July 2024. The research will be conducted in two phases: biological sampling and the administration of two questionnaires. The primary objective of this study is to gather data that will significantly contribute to understanding the national sheep’s health status. This information is crucial for shaping future policies that impact the sheep industry, enhancing disease preparedness, and understanding management practices. Natalie Urie, the lead for the NAHMS sheep 2024 study, emphasised the importance of this survey. She stated that the data collected will be pivotal in informing policy decisions based on real and accurate data. The study aims to identify the economic impacts of sheep diseases, update Extension programs to address current challenges faced by sheep producers and prioritise research for tackling health and disease issues in the US sheep industry. Specific focus areas include the impacts of common diseases, management and biosecurity practices, antimicrobial use and resistance patterns, and strategies for controlling internal parasites. Participating producers will be offered free and confidential biological sampling of their sheep. This includes faecal egg counts to assess internal parasite issues and swabs to detect pathogens causing lameness. The USDA has assured that all information collected during the study will be kept confidential as mandated by law. The data will be used solely for statistical purposes and published in aggregate form to ensure the anonymity of individual producers. The results of the study are expected to be published following its conclusion, providing valuable insights into the health and management of the sheep population across the United States.
