_____ _____ _____ _____

2024 GENERAL SHEEP MANAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

OMB No 0579-0488

Approval Expires:9/30/2026

Project Code:930

NAHMS

Survey ID: 9080

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service

2150 Centre Ave, Bldg. B

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

Veterinary Services

National Animal Health Monitoring System

Please make corrections to name, address and ZIP Code, if necessary.

The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. Your responses will be kept confidential and any person who willfully

discloses ANY identifiable information about you or your operation is subject to a jail term, a fine, or both. This survey is conducted in

accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347 and other applicable Federal

laws. For more information on how we protect your information please visit: https://www.nass.usda.gov/confidentiality. Response is

voluntary.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a

collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB number is 0579-0488. The time required to

complete this information collection is estimated to average 60 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,

searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

Date: __ __ __ __ __ __

0002 MM DD YY

0003

BEGINNING TIME (MILITARY)

Instructions

We would like to ask you some questions about your sheep operation. In order to understand important issues in the sheep

industry, we need to obtain information about the health status of these sheep and any health problems they may have had,

as well as productivity and management information.

You may find it easier to answer some of the questions if you have records available. Response is voluntary and not required

by law. However, your report is needed to make regional and national estimates as accurate as possible.
2

Section A - Inventory

1. On January 1, 2024, were any sheep or lambs, regardless of ownership, on this operation?

INCLUDE Barbados and all hair breed sheep.

0564 1 Yes 3 No [Go to Section H, Item 5 on page 24]

a. On January 1, 2023, were any ewes 1 year and older, regardless of ownership, on this operation?

INCLUDE Barbados and all hair breed sheep.

1564 1 Yes 3 No

2. On January 1, 2024, of the total sheep and lambs on this operation, how many were in each of the

following categories?

DO NOT INCLUDE sheep or lambs that you own that are custom fed on another operation.

a. Breeding ewes 1 year old and older.....................................................................................................

b. Breeding rams 1 year old and older.....................................................................................................

c. Replacement lambs for breeding less than 1 year old (including unweaned lambs kept for

breeding)..............................................................................................................................................

d. Market lambs less than 1 year old and:

i. Under 65 pounds (including unweaned market lambs)..................................................................

ii. 65 to 84 pounds.............................................................................................................................

iii. 85 to 105 pounds...........................................................................................................................

iv. Over 105 pounds...........................................................................................................................

e. Market sheep 1 year old and older (not used for breeding).................................................................

3. [Add Items 2a - 2e and verify total]

Then the total sheep and lambs on hand on January 1, 2024 was?..........................................................

Head

0281

0282

0285

Head

0836

0837

0838

0839

0287

Head

0280
3

4. On January 1, 2024, of the total sheep and lambs on the operation (Item 3), how many sheep were the

following breeds?

INCLUDE all sheep only once. Head

a. Black face wool breeds (for example, Hampshire, Suffolk, Shropshire, Romanov, Oxford).................

b. Fine wool white face (for example, Rambouillet, Merino, Targhee)......................................................

c. Medium wool white face (for example, Columbia, Corriedale, Cheviot, Finn, Polypay).......................

d. Long wool (for example, Border Leicester, Coopworth, Romney)........................................................

e. Colored wool (for example, Black Welsh, Jacob, Navajo Churro, CVM, Shetland)..............................

f. Hair sheep (for example, Barbados, Katahdin, Dorper, St. Croix)........................................................

g. Milk sheep (for example, East Friesian, Rideau Arcott).......................................................................

h. Mottle-faced, brockle, or speckle-faced crossbred...............................................................................

i. Other crossbred (Specify: 0109____________________________________________)....................

j. Other (Specify: 0110_____________________________________________________)...................

k. Unknown..............................................................................................................................................

[Total must equal Item 3]

1001

1002

1003

1004

1005

1006

1007

1008

1009

1010

1011

Item 3

5. On January 1, 2024, of the total sheep and lambs on the operation (Item 3), how many sheep had the

following primary uses?

For lambs, report the uses for which they are intended. Do not report the same sheep or lambs in

multiple categories. Head

a. Meat production...................................................................................................................................

b. Wool production...................................................................................................................................

c. Show, competition, 4-H, or club lambs.................................................................................................

d. Seedstock/breeding stock....................................................................................................................

e. Milk production (include milk for cheese or other products).................................................................

f. Brush control, fire suppression, or solar grazing..................................................................................

g. Other (Specify: 0118 _________________________________________________)..........................

[Total must equal Item 3]

1012

1013

1014

1015

1016

1017

1018

Item 3
__ __ __ __

4

Section B - General Management

Year (yyyy)

1. In what year did the primary operator first begin owning or managing sheep?................................ 2001

2. Compared to your inventory on January 1, 2024, how many sheep do you expect to have in 5 years?

[Select one]

2002

1 None

2 Fewer [Go to Item 5 on page 5]

3 About the same [Go to Item 5 on page 5]

4 More [Go to Item 5 on page 5]

3. What is your main reason for expecting to have no sheep in 5 years? [Select one]

2003

1 Retirement, lack of a successor, or another personal or family situation

2 Low price of wool

3 Low price of lambs

4 Market volatility

5 Predator loss

6 Labor shortage

7 Government regulations (Specify:0201___________________________________________________)

8 Sheep disease (Specify:0202__________________________________________________________)

9 Other (Specify:0203_________________________________________________________________)

4. Since you do not expect to have any sheep in the next 5 years, what do you intend to do? [Select one]

2004

1 Intend to sell farm/ranch land

2 Transition into another agricultural commodity (crops, cattle, etc.)

3 Other (Specify:0204_________________________________________________________________)
5

5. Does your operation belong to a national sheep association or club?........................................

6. Does your operation belong to a state or local sheep association or club?................................

2005 1 Yes 3 No

2006 1 Yes 3 No

7. During 2023, what was your operation's primary system for maintaining sheep production records?

[Select one]

2007

1 Livestock or sheep management software (Specify:0206____________________________________)

2 Other electronic record-keeping (spreadsheets, Word documents, etc.)

3 Handwritten records

4 Any other method (Specify:0207________________________________________________________)

5 Did not maintain sheep and lamb production records [Go to Item 9 on page 6]

8. During 2023, did your operation keep records for the following? [Select all that apply]

a. Individual animal disease events..........................................................................................................

b. Laboratory test results..........................................................................................................................

c. Preventive practices (vaccinations, deworming, or similar)..................................................................

d. Number of animals culled.....................................................................................................................

e. Number of animals that died................................................................................................................

f. Individual ewe breeding history (pregnancy, diagnosis/ultrasound).....................................................

g. Number of abortions.............................................................................................................................

h. Date of lambing....................................................................................................................................

i. Individual birth weights.........................................................................................................................

j. Number of lambs born..........................................................................................................................

k. Number of lambs weaned....................................................................................................................

l. Individual weaning weights...................................................................................................................

m. Hoof health management (lameness, trimming, or similar)..................................................................

n. None of the above production records were kept.................................................................................

2008

1

2009

1

2010

1

2011

1

2012

1

2013

1

2014

1

2015

1

2016

1

2017

1

2018

1

2019

1

2020

1

2021

1
6

9. During 2023, what types of formal training were provided by outside parties to anyone who had duties related to raising

sheep? Outside parties could include extension, veterinarians, presenters, and sheep organizations.

[Select all that apply]

a. Identifying sick or injured animals.......................................................................................................

b. Animal handling..................................................................................................................................

c. Euthanasia..........................................................................................................................................

d. Lamb rearing practices........................................................................................................................

e. Husbandry procedures (such as castration, tagging, shearing, milking).............................................

f. Transportation of sheep......................................................................................................................

g. Feeding and nutrition..........................................................................................................................

h. Sheep behavior...................................................................................................................................

i. Protocols for antibiotic use and withdrawal times................................................................................

j. Sheep quality assurance training........................................................................................................

k. Worker safety training.........................................................................................................................

l. Zoonotic disease prevention...............................................................................................................

m. Sustainable parasite control................................................................................................................

n. Other (Specify: 0235 ______________________________________________________________)........................

o. No training was provided.....................................................................................................................

2022

1

2023

1

2024

1

2025

1

2026

1

2027

1

2028

1

2029

1

2030

1

2031

1

2032

1

2033

1

2034

1

2035

1

2036

1

10. During 2023, did your operation complete any genetic selection, genetic testing, or participate in any genetic

improvement programs?

2037

1 Yes 3 No [Go to Section C on page 8]
7

11. Did your operation use genetic testing to control for scrapie or select scrapie-resistant sheep?

2038

1 Yes 3 No [Go to Item 13]

12. Which of the following selection practices did your operation use to control for scrapie or select scrapie resistant sheep?

[Select all that apply]

a. Using genetically less susceptible rams (such as RR alleles)............................................................

b. Selecting genetically less susceptible ewes (such as QR or RR alleles)............................................

c. Culling ewes that are genetically more susceptible (such as QQ alleles)...........................................

d. Other (Specify: 0242 ______________________________________________________________).......................

2039

1

2040

1

2041

1

2042

1

13. Did your operation use genetic selection or testing for any of the following purposes?

[Select all that apply]

a. Improve lamb or meat production.......................................................................................................

b. Improve wool quality or wool production............................................................................................

c. Improve the resistance of your sheep to internal parasites................................................................

d. Other (Specify: 0246______________________________________________________________)........................

2043

1

2044

1

2045

1

2046

1
8

Section C - Feed and Housing Management

1. During 2023, for how many months did your operation manage the majority of the sheep and lambs in

the following primary locations during daylight hours?

a. Open range (unfenced acreage with herder).......................................................................................

b. Fenced range (uncultivated fenced acreage).......................................................................................

c. Fenced farm (cultivated pasture or browse).........................................................................................

d. Outdoor dry lot (pen with dirt, concrete, or other surface not used for grazing)...................................

e. Indoors (enclosed building)..................................................................................................................

[Total must equal 12 months]

2. During 2023, were any of this operation's sheep or lambs placed on the following types of land?

[Select all that apply]

a. Public land, including public, industrial, and grazing association (PIGA) land......................................

b. Grazing association land......................................................................................................................

c. Leased, private land.............................................................................................................................

d. Harvested fields for grazing.................................................................................................................

e. Irrigated land........................................................................................................................................

f. This operation's sheep are not placed on any of the above types of land............................................

3. When placed on public land or other land types listed above, were any of this operation's 3012

1 3 sheep commingled with sheep or goats from other operations?................................................. Yes No

4. During 2023, were the following feed sources or supplements used for any sheep or lambs on this operation?

[Select all that apply]

Months

Dollars

a. Cut hay (grass or legume)...................................................................................................................

b. Commercial complete feed (for example, "lamb chow").......................................................................

c. Concentrate/grain rations (for example, corn, milo, barley, wheat, oats, rye)......................................

d. High protein feed (for example, soybean meal, fish meal, or other protein).........................................

e. Crop residue/by-product feed (for example, fat, soy hulls, wheat middlings).......................................

f. Salt or mineral blocks or loose salt/mineral..........................................................................................

g. Other (Specify: 0319______________________________________________________________)..........................

h. None of the above types of feed sources or supplements were used..................................................

3001

3002

3003

3004

3005

12 months

3006

1

3007

1

3008

1

3009

1

3010

1

3011

1

3013

1

3014

1

3015

1

3016

1

3017

1

3018

1

3019

1

3020

1

5. What was the total cost spent on feed sources or supplements used during 2023?..................................

3021
3

9

Section D - Shearing and Wool Marketing

1. During 2023, were any of your operation's lambs or sheep shorn?

4001 1 Yes No [Go to Section E on page 11]

2. During 2023, how many lambs and sheep were shorn?............................................................................

3. During 2023, what percentage of the lambs and sheep shorn (Item 2) were sheared by the following

individuals?

a. Employees (including owners).............................................................................................................

b. Hired individual(s), not regularly employed by the operation...............................................................

c. Contracted shearing crew....................................................................................................................

d. Other (Specify: 0406 ______________________________________________________________) ........................

[Total must equal 100 percent]

Head

4002

Percent

4003

4004

4005

4006

100 %

4. During 2023, did the person who sheared the majority of your sheep clean and disinfect the handpiece, cutters, or

combs between operations?

1 Yes 2 Don't 3 4 4007 know No NA - Shearing equipment not used on another operation

4008

1 3 5. During 2023, prior to shearing, did you withhold your sheep from feed and water?................... Yes No

6. During 2023, were you able to contract a shearer?

1 Yes 3 No 4 NA - Did not try to contract a shearer

4010

1

4009

3 7. During 2023, was any of your wool measured by a wool testing lab?......................................... Yes No

8. During 2023, how many pounds of total wool produced were either sold as wool, sold as other

products, or not sold? Pounds

a. Sold as wool........................................................................................................................................

b. Sold as other products that used the wool...........................................................................................

c. Not sold................................................................................................................................................

4011

4012

4013

[If Item 8a equals zero (no wool sold as wool), go to Item 10 on page 10]

9. During 2023, was the majority of wool sold (Item 8a) on a clean or greasy basis? [Select one]

4014

1 Clean basis

2 Greasy basis
___ ___ ___ ___

10

10. What percentage of wool, including wool products that were sold (Items 8a and 8b), were marketed by

the following methods? Percent

a. Warehouse...........................................................................................................................................

b. Commercial buyer................................................................................................................................

c. Cooperative pools................................................................................................................................

d. Direct sales to consumers locally (within 400 miles from your farm) ...................................................

e. Direct sales to consumer not considered local.....................................................................................

f. Direct sales to a small mill...................................................................................................................

g. Other (Specify: 0421 _____________________________________________________________) ..........................

h. Not sold................................................................................................................................................

[Total must equal 100 percent]

4015

4016

4017

4018

4019

4020

4021

4022

100%

11. What did your operation do with the majority of its unsold wool? [Select one]

4023

1 Stored in bags or bales on the farm or at a warehouse

2 Given away (included if given to the shearer)

3 Thrown away

4 Used for alternative purposes (such as bedding, mulch, insulation, spinning)

5 Other (Specify: 0423 ______________________________________________________________)

6 NA - This operation did not have any unsold wool

12. Does your operation have any unsold wool from the following years? [Select all that apply]

a. 2022.....................................................................................................................................................

b. 2021.....................................................................................................................................................

c. 2020.....................................................................................................................................................

d. Prior to 2020........................................................................................................................................

4024 1

4025 1

4026 1

4027 1

[If Item 12d is not checked (no unsold wool from prior to 2020), go to Item 13]

Year (yyyy)

i. What is the earliest year for which you have unsold wool?.................................................

13. During 2023, did your operation participate in certification programs specifically for wool?........

4028

4029

1 Yes 3 No
___ ___ ___ ___

1

11

Section E - Movement and Marketing

1. During 2023, were any sheep or lambs permanently added to this operation from outside sources?

5001 1 Yes [Continue to Item 2] Year (yyyy)

3 No - In what year were any sheep or lambs last added to this operation?...................... 5002

[Go to Item 7 on page 13]

2. Did your operation always require the following prior to arrival, or before commingling, for these newly added sheep or

lambs before introducing them to the rest of your flock? [Select all that apply in both columns]

Required prior to arriving

on the operation?

Done on your operation

before commingling with the

rest of the flock?

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

Veterinarian examinations..................................................

Any vaccinations................................................................

Foot trim.............................................................................

Medicated footbath.............................................................

Internal parasite fecal exam...............................................

Internal parasite treatment (deworming).............................

External parasite treatment................................................

Inspect sheep for abscesses and/or scars from previous

abscesses..........................................................................

Preventive antiobiotic treatment (oral bolus or injectable)..

Other inspections or treatments

(Specify:0511_________________________________________).....

No procedures required or completed................................

5003

1

5013

1

5004

1

5014

1

5005

1

5015

1

5006

1

5016

1

5007

1

5017

1

5008

1

5018

1

5009

1

5019

1

5010

1

5020

1

5021

1

5011

1

5022

1

5012

1

5023

1

3. During 2023, were any of the newly added sheep or lambs quarantined (prevent nose-to-nose contact with other sheep

from this operation and prevent sharing of feed, drinking water, and equipment) to prevent the spread of disease?

5024

Yes 3 No [Go to Item 4 on page 12]

a. How many of the newly added sheep were quarantined?.........................................................

b. How many days on average were sheep quarantined?............................................................

5025 head

5026 days
12

4. During 2023, were any of the following types of sheep added to this operation? If Yes, how many were added to the

operation?

Any added to the

operation?

If Yes, how many were

added?

Head

a. Lambs (under 1 year old)...................................................

EXCLUDE lambs born on the operation

5027

1 Yes 3 No

5031

b. Ewes.................................................................................. 5028

1 Yes 3 No

5032

c. Rams.................................................................................. 5029

1 Yes 3 No

5033

d. Wethers (castrated rams)................................................... 5030

1 Yes 3 No

5034

5. How many of the following types of sheep that were added to the operation in 2023 (Item 4) came from the following

sources? If none of the given type of sheep was permanently added, check the box at the top of the column.

Number of head

Lambs (under 1

year old)

EXCLUDE lambs

born on the

operation

Ewes Rams

Check none if the sheep type was not permanently added 5035

1 None

5041

1 None

5047

1 None

a. Sheep wholesaler or dealer............................................. 5036 5042 5048

b. Directly from another premises........................................ 5037 5043 5049

c. Livestock market or auction............................................. 5038 5044 5050

d. Fair or show.................................................................... 5039 5045 5051

e. Other (Specify:0538_________________________________)....

5040 5046 5052

[Total must equal the total for that age class from Item 4] [Item 4a] [Item 4b] [Item 4c]

[If Item 5b = 0 or is missing and Item 5c = 0 or is missing for all three types of sheep (no additions directly from another

premises or from a livestock market or auction), go to Item 7 on page 13]

Percent

5053

livestock market or auction (Item 5c), what percentage of those additions were made through online

contacts or purchases?.........................................................................................................................

6. For the sheep added to the operation directly from another premises (Item 5b) or through a
1

1

13

7. During 2023, did any sheep or lambs leave this operation, attend an event (for example, fair, show, sale, rodeo, or visit to

another operation for breeding), and then return to this operation?

5054 Yes 3 No [Go to Item 9]

8. During 2023, when sheep or lambs temporarily left and returned, did you quarantine them (prevent nose-to-nose contact

with other sheep from this operation and prevent sharing of feed, drinking water, and equipment) for any period prior to

reintroduction to the flock?

[Select one]

5055

1 Never quarantine - [Go to Item 9]

2 Only quarantine for a specific reason such as exposure to disease - [Go to Item 9]

3 Routinely quarantine after returning to operation

a. If sheep or lambs were routinely quarantined after returning to the operation, what was the

minimum number of days these returning sheep or lambs were quarantined?.........................

9. During 2023, were any live sheep or lambs permanently removed from this operation?

EXCLUDE sheep or lambs that died.

5057 Yes 3 No [Go to Section F on page 15]

5056

days

10. During 2023, how many live sheep or lambs from the following classes were permanently removed from this operation?

a. Lambs (under 1 year old).....................................................................................................................

b. Cull sheep............................................................................................................................................

c. Breeding or other sheep......................................................................................................................

d. Total [add Items 10a - 10c]...................................................................................................................

5058

5059

5060

5061
14

11. Of the live sheep and lambs that were permanently removed (Item 10), how many were permanently removed through

the following channels? If none of the given type of sheep was permanently removed, check the box at the top of the

column.

Number of head

Lambs (under 1

year old) Cull sheep Breeding or othersheep

Check none if the sheep type was not permanently removed....... 5062 1 None 5072 1 None 5082 1 None

a. Direct sales to consumer or ethnic market.........................

i. Of these direct sales, how many were slaughtered on

the operation?..............................................................

b. Direct sales to slaughter plant/packer................................

c. Moved to a feedlot separate from this operation................

d. Direct sale to a backgrounder (non feedlot feeders)...........

e. Direct sales to another sheep producer..............................

INCLUDE 4-H/show sales

f. Auction/sale barn................................................................

g. Buyer/dealer for resale.......................................................

h. Slaughtered for personal use ............................................

[Total must equal the total for that age class from Item 10]

5063 5073 5083

5064 5074 5084

5065 5075 5085

5066 5076 5086

5067 5077 5087

5068 5078 5088

5069 5079 5089

5070 5080 5090

5071 5081 5091

[Item 10a] [Item 10b] [Item 10c]

12. Of the live sheep and lambs permanently removed (Item 10d), what percentage were moved to the

following final destinations? Percent

a. In-state.................................................................................................................................................

b. Out-of-state..........................................................................................................................................

c. Do not know.........................................................................................................................................

[Total must equal 100 percent]

5092

5093

5094

100%
15

Section F - Identification

1. Has this operation been assigned a unique flock identification (ID) as a part of the National Scrapie Eradication

Program, such as a Flock Identification Number/Scrapie Premises Identification Number (PIN)?

6001 1 Yes 2 Don't 3 know No

2. Do any of the sheep currently on this operation have an ear tag, tattoo, collar, ear notch, leg band, brand, microchip, or

other device that identifies them?

6002 1 Yes 3 No [Go to Item 6 on page 16]

3. Were each of the following types of ID used for the sheep and lambs on your operation? If yes, how many head had this

type of ID, and what information was on the ID?

[Flock identification uses a tag, brand, or other marker that indicates a sheep is a member of your operation's flock.

Individual identification is unique and applied to each animal so it can be distinguished from all other sheep in the flock.]

[An official APHIS ear tag has the U.S. shield logo, State code, and a unique flock identification number.]

ID type

Did your operation use this

type of ID for sheep and

lambs?

If Yes, how

many head of

sheep and lambs

had this type of

ID?

Head

If Yes, what information was included on

the ID?

Individual animal

only Flock only Both

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

Tattoo..........................

Collar or leg band........

Ear notch.....................

Hot iron or freeze

brand...........................

Paint brand..................

Electronic ID or

microchip.....................

Unofficial plastic ear

tag...............................

Official APHIS ear tag

with U.S. Shield logo

(including metal

6003 1 Yes 3 No 6012 6021 1 2 3

6004 1 Yes 3 No 6013 6022 1 2 3

6005 1 Yes 3 No 6014 6023 1 2 3

6006

1 Yes 3 No

6015 6024

1 2 3

6007 1 Yes 3 No 6016 6025 1 2 3

6008

1 Yes 3 No

6017 6026

1 2 3

6009

1 Yes 3 No

6018 6027

1 2 3

6010 6019 6028

i.

scrapie ear tags,

plastic scrapie ear

tags, and other official

ear tags) .....................

Other (Specify:0620__________

1 Yes 3 No 1 2 3

6011 6020 6029

__________________

__________________

1 Yes 3 No 1 2 3

[If Item 3h equals No (no official APHIS ear tags), go to Item 6 on page 16]
16

Head

4. During 2023, how many of the (Item 3h, column 2) sheep that had an official APHIS ear tag had that tag

fall out or was otherwise lost?......................................................................................................................

6030

5. Who applies the majority of your operation's official APHIS tags? [Select one]

6031

1 You or another farm worker

2 Veterinarian

3 Market

4 Other (specify:0631______________________________________________)

6. During 2023, of the sheep that were permanently removed through a

concentration point (slaughter, auction markets, fairs) approximately what

percent had an official flock identification (ear tags, tattoos, or other

official identification) when they left this operation or when they arrived at

the concentration point?..............................................................................

NA - no sheep removed Percent through concentration point

0632 6032

1

[If Item 3h, column 1, equals Yes (used any official APHIS ear tags), go to Section G on page 17]

7. Which of the following describes why your operation does not use official APHIS ear tags in your flock?

[Select all that apply]

a. I only sell slaughter lambs, so am not required to apply official APHIS ear tags....................

b. I do not move sheep off my farm, so I am not required to apply official APHIS ear tags........

c. I did not know I was required to officially identify my sheep before they leave the farm........

d. I use official flock ID tattoos instead of official APHIS ear tags..............................................

e. I use registry tattoos instead of official APHIS ear tags.........................................................

f. I use registry recorded electronic identification implants instead of official APHIS ear tags...

g. I use another type of official identification instead of official APHIS ear tags

(Specify:0639_________________________________________________________)........

h. Official APHIS ear tags are no longer free so I stopped using them .....................................

i. I do not use official APHIS ear tags for another reason

(Specify:0641_________________________________________________________)........

6033

1

6034

1

6035

1

6036

1

6037

1

6038

1

6039

1

6040

1

6041

1
17

Section G - Biosecurity and Health Management

1. Does your operation have a written flock health management plan?

7001 1 Yes 3 No [Go to Item 4]

2. Were any of the following resources used in the development of the flock health management plan?

[Select all that apply]

a. Veterinarian............................................................................................................................

b. Extension (university)............................................................................................................

c. Other producers.....................................................................................................................

d. Reference materials (online or book).....................................................................................

e. Other types (Specify:0706_________________________________________) ...................................

f. No resources used.................................................................................................................

7002

1

7003

1

7004

1

7005

1

7006

1

7007

1

3. How frequently is the flock health management plan reviewed and updated if needed? [Select one]

7008

1 More frequently than yearly

2 Yearly

3 Less frequently than yearly

4 Not reviewed and updated

4. During 2023, did members of the general public come on to your operation, other than the home?

7009 1 Yes 3 No [Go to Item 6, on page 18]

5. During 2023, did those members of the general public that visited your operation, other than the home, have access

to areas or facilities on your operation that house or contain animals, feed, manure, or farm equipment?

7010 1 Yes 3 No
18

6. During 2023, what level of interaction did each type of visitor have with the sheep on your operation?

Select one in each row

Did not come

onto the

operation

Came onto the

operation but

did not touch

sheep or walk

through areas

sheep are kept

on the

operation

Came onto the

operation and

touched sheep

or walked

through areas

sheep are kept

on the

operation

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

l.

m.

n.

o.

Private or company veterinarian...........................................

Federal/State veterinarian or animal health worker...............

Extension agent or university veterinarian............................

Nutritionist or feed company consultant................................

Agricultural tour visitors (school groups, university

students, 4-H groups, agritourism, or similar).......................

Customer (private individual) purchasing sheep, milk, fiber,

meat, cheese, or other products...........................................

Sheep or wool wholesaler, buyer, or dealer..........................

Renderer...............................................................................

Milk truck driver.....................................................................

Mobile slaughter team members...........................................

Shearers...............................................................................

Other agriculture-related visitors (volunteers, feed delivery

and service personnel)..........................................................

Family, friends and/or neighbors...........................................

Other visitors

(Specify:0724_________________________________________) ......

Please check if there were no visitors on this operation

7011 1 2 3

7012 1 2 3

7013 1 2 3

7014 1 2 3

7015

1 2 3

7016

1 2 3

7017 1 2 3

7018 1 2 3

7019 1 2 3

7020 1 2 3

7021 1 2 3

7022

1 2 3

7023 1 2 3

7024

1 2 3

0725

1

7. During 2023, how often were any visitors that had contact with sheep required to take the following measures?

Select one in each row Always Sometimes Never

a. Change into clean clothes or overalls...................................

b. Use a footbath before entry..................................................

c. Change into clean boots or use shoe covers........................

d. Scrub shoes before or immediately after entry into sheep

production area.....................................................................

e. Wash hands before handling sheep......................................

f. No contact with other livestock for at least 24 hours before

visiting...................................................................................

g. Park away from sheep area..................................................

h. Please check here if there were no visitors or no visitors

had contact with sheep.........................................................

7025 1 2 3

7026 1 2 3

7027 1 2 3

7028

1 2 3

7029 1 2 3

7030

1 2 3

7031 1 2 3

7032

1
19

8. During 2023, did this operation normally require or perform individual animal testing for any of the following diseases?

[Select one in each row]

Testing performed in

Resident

sheep in

flock only

New flock

additions

only

Both resident

sheep and

new additions

No testing

performed

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

OPP (ovine progressive pneumonia)............................

Johne's disease (paratuberculosis)..............................

Brucellosis (B. ovis, Epididymitis).................................

Q fever (coxiellosis)......................................................

Caseous lymphadenitis (boils, CL, abscesses).............

Scrapie genotype (DNA)...............................................

Tuberculosis.................................................................

Other

(Specify:0704_______________________________________)...

7033 1 2 3 4

7034 1 2 3 4

7035 1 2 3 4

7036 1 2 3 4

7037

1 2 3 4

7038

1 2 3 4

7039 1 2 3 4

7040

1 2 3 4

[If Items 8c equals No testing performed (no testing for brucellosis), go to Item 12, on page 20]

9. During 2023, for which of the following reasons were the sheep tested for brucellosis (B. ovis, epididymitis)?

[Select all that apply]

a. Movement requirement.............................................................................................................

b. Show or exhibition requirement.................................................................................................

c. Veterinarian (nonregulatory, private practitioner) recommendation...........................................

d. State requirement......................................................................................................................

e. Concern for milk safety.............................................................................................................

f. Other (Specify:0746_________________________________________) .................................................

7041 1

7042 1

7043 1

7044

1

7045

1

7046

1

10. During 2023, when sheep were tested for brucellosis, which of the following types of tests were used?

a. Blood test...................................................................................

b. Other (Specify:0748_______________________________)......

7047 1 Yes 3 No 2 Don't know

7048 1 Yes 3 No 2 Don't know

11. Is your flock currently certified brucellosis-free?....................................................................

7049

1 Yes 3 No
20

12. At any time during the previous 3 years, have any of the following been suspected or confirmed in your flock by a

veterinarian or laboratory? [Select one in each row]

Not

suspected

Suspected,

but not

confirmed

Confirmed by a

veterinarian or

laboratory

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

i.

j.

k.

l.

m.

n.

o.

p.

q.

Johne's disease (paratuberculosis)....................................

Scrapie...............................................................................

Ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP)................................

Foot rot..............................................................................

Caseous lymphadenitis (lumpy jaw, abscesses, CL).........

Enterotoxemia/overeating disease (clostridium C&D, not

grain overload, pulpy kidney disease)................................

Other clostridial diseases (for example, blackleg,

malignant edema, braxy, tetanus, botulism, big head).......

Coccidiosis.........................................................................

Sore mouth (contagious ecthyma,orf)................................

Ring worm or club lamb fungus.........................................

Blue tongue........................................................................

Toxoplasmosis...................................................................

Q fever (coxiellosis)...........................................................

Chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion).......................................

Campylobacteriosis (vibrio abortion)..................................

Lamb pneumonia (Mycoplasma)........................................

Cysticercosis......................................................................

7050 1 2 3

7051 1 2 3

7052 1 2 3

7053 1 2 3

7054 1 2 3

7055

1 2 3

7056

1 2 3

7057 1 2 3

7058 1 2 3

7059 1 2 3

7060 1 2 3

7061 1 2 3

7062 1 2 3

7063 1 2 3

7064 1 2 3

7065 1 2 3

7066 1 2 3

13. Have you or any of your family members or employees ever suspected or been confirmed with the following diseases?

[Select one in each row]

Not

suspected

Suspected,

but not

confirmed

Confirmed by a doctor

or laboratory

a.

b.

Q fever...............................................................................

Sore mouth (orf).................................................................

7067 1 2 3

7068 1 2 3

14. How familiar are you with scrapie? [Select one]

7069

1 Very 3 familiar Heard of name only

2 Somewhat 4 familiar Never heard of
21

15. Who would your operation contact if a sheep showed signs of neurologic problems, such as circling, tremors, lip

smacking, loss of coordination, rubbing against fences? [Select all that apply]

a. Private or university veterinarian.........................................................................................................

b. State veterinary office.........................................................................................................................

c. USDA veterinary office........................................................................................................................

d. Other sheep producers.......................................................................................................................

e. Other (Specify:0774_________________________________________) ...........................................................

f. I would not contact anyone.................................................................................................................

7070 1

7071 1

7072 1

7073 1

7074 1

7075 1

16. Are you a veterinarian?

7076 1 Yes 3 No

17. During 2023, did this operation consult a veterinarian for any reason related to sheep health, productivity, or

management?

7077 1 Yes 3 No [Go to Item 20]

18. During 2023, for which of the following reasons was a veterinarian consulted? [Select all that apply]

a. Regular or routine visits (for example, pregnancy checks, flock health visits, breeding soundness,

exams, health certificate)

b. Emergency visits (for example, birthing difficulty, sick sheep, lameness)...........................................

c. Veterinary Feed Directives or antibiotic prescriptions..........................................................................

d. Diagnose parasite infections...............................................................................................................

e. Make decisions about dewormer treatment........................................................................................

f. Other (Specify:0783 ___________________________________________)......................................

7078

1

7079 1

7080 1

7081 1

7082 1

7083 1

19. During 2023, how did you consult your veterinarian? [Select all that apply]

a. In person or on-farm visit...............................................................................................................

b. By phone, text, or email.................................................................................................................

c. Other (Specify:0786 ___________________________________________).................................

7084 1

7085 1

7086 1

20. How would you describe your operation's Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) for your sheep?

[Select one]

7087

1 A written agreement between my veterinarian and me

2 A verbal agreement between my veterinarian and me

My veterinarian has not formally mentioned a VCPR for my sheep but I consider that I have one based on his/her

3 relationship with my operation

4 No VCPR
22

[If Item 17 equals Yes (consulted a veterinarian for sheep in 2023), go to Item 22]

21. During 2023, if no veterinarian was used, which of the following best describes why not? [Select one]

7088

1 Veterinarian available in the local area but not knowledgeable about sheep

2 No veterinarian available in the local area

3 Too expensive

4 No veterinarian needed on this operation - no health-related problems

5 No veterinarian needed on this operation - animals treated by farm personnel

6 No veterinarian needed on this operation - other reason (Specify: 0788________________________________________)

7 Other (Specify: 0789_________________________________________)

22. One goal of these studies is to understand availability and barriers to accessing animal health products, including

antibiotics. Were you aware that on June 11, 2023, a new FDA regulation was put in place prohibiting the sale of

medically important antibiotics (antibiotics important for human use) over-the-counter?

7090 1 Yes 3 No [Go to Item 24]

23. How were you made aware of the new FDA regulation? [Select all that apply]

a. Through an industry organization (such as ASI, breed association, etc.).........................................

b. Through a state or federal veterinarian.............................................................................................

c. Through my personal veterinarian....................................................................................................

d. Through another producer................................................................................................................

e. Other (Specify:0795_________________________________________) ........................................................

7091 1

7092 1

7093 1

7094

1

7095

1

24. Have you purchased or acquired antibiotics from each of the sources below more frequently, about the same, or less

frequently compared to the period prior to June 11, 2023, when the new FDA rules went into effect prohibiting the sale of

medically important antibiotics important for human use (over-the-counter)?

[Select one in each row]

Source

Compared to before the new FDA regulation, I

have purchased or acquired antibiotics from the

following sources

More About the

same

Less Didn't use this

source

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

Brick and mortar store with veterinary prescription............

Direct from veterinarian......................................................

Online with veterinary prescription.....................................

Direct from distributor.........................................................

Other

(Specify:1701_________________________________________) ...

7096 1 2 3 4

7097 1 2 3 4

7098 1 2 3 4

7099 1 2 3 4

7101

1 2 3 4
23

25. During 2023, did you use any oral (e.g., in feed, water, or tablet), injectable, or topical antibiotics on any sheep on your

operation?

7102 1 Yes 3 No [Go to Section H]

26. During 2023, how did you usually determine the withdrawal period for a given antibiotic? (The withdrawal period

specifies the number of days that must pass after the last antibiotic treatment was given before any meat or milk can

enter the food supply). [Select one]

7103

1 No withdrawal period considered

2 Determined by a veterinarian

3 Based on the antibiotic label directions

4 Consulted with other producers

5 Searched the internet

6 Other (Specify: 1703_________________________________________)

27. During 2023, how often were the following recorded? [Select one in each row]

Always Sometimes Never

a. Names of antibiotics used........................................... 7104 1 2 3

b. Dates of antibiotic treatments...................................... 7105 1 2 3

c. Antibiotic withdrawal time............................................ 7106 1 2 3

d. Amount used............................................................... 7107 1 2 3

e. Identification of animal treated.................................... 7108 1 2 3

f. Reason for treatment.................................................. 7109 1 2 3

Section H - Conclusion

Thank you for completing the first phase of this study. Phase II of this study includes a follow-up questionnaire and the

chance to test your sheep for gastrointestinal parasites, pathogens that could cause foot rot or digital dermatitis, and enteric

microbes (E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter).

See the Informed Consent Form included in this mailing or at

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/sheep2024-nassconsent.pdf for more information about Phase II of this

study.

1. If you have 20 or more ewes, would you like the opportunity to participate in Phase II of this study?

8001 1 Yes 3 4 [Continue] No [Go to Item 4 on page 24] Fewer than 20 ewes [Go to Item 4 on page 24]

2. Please record the name, phone number, address, and email address for the best person to contact for Phase II of the

study.

Name Phone Number

8002 8003

Address

8004

Email Address

8005
____ ____ ____ ____

24

3. Respondent location (specific directions) and other comments:

8006

4. Did you use computerized or written records to assist in answering this survey?

8007 1 Yes 3 No

5. Enter interview response code. [Select one]

8008

1 6 Zero sheep on January 1, 2024 Complete, Phase II consent refused

Out of scope for General Sheep

2 Out 7 of business Management Questionnaire

3 Refusal 8 of General Sheep Management Questionnaire Office hold

Complete, fewer than 20 ewes, no Phase II consent form

4 9 offered Inaccessible

5 Complete, Phase II consent given

6. [If Item 5 is a Refusal (3), SELECT the code that best fits the reason]: [Select one]

8009

Bad time of year (planting, harvesting,

1 Does 6 not want to commit time to the project second job, or similar)

Currently has or recently has had

2 Does 7 not want involvement with government veterinarian disease problem with flock

Believes surveys and reports hurt the

3 Does 8 not have necessary records available farmer more than help

4 Has 9 participated in too many surveys Could not get owner's permission

No reason given, or other

5 Does 10 not want outside people on sheep operation miscellaneous reasons

ENDING TIME (MILITARY) 0004

This completes the survey. Thank you for your help.

OFFICE USE ONLY

Response Respondent Mode Enum. Eval. Change Office Use for POID

1-Comp

2-R

3-Inac

4-Office Hold

5-R – Est

6-Inac – Est

7-Off Hold – Est

9901 1-Op/Mgr

2-Sp

3-Acct/Bkpr

4-Partner

9-Oth

9902 1-PASI (Mail)

2-PATI (Tel)

3-PAPI (Face-toFace)

6-Email

7-Fax

19-Other

9903 9998 9900 9985 9989 __ __ __ - __ __ __ - __ __ __

R. Unit Optional Use

9921 9907 9908 9906 9916

S/E Name