For the fifth year, the Nebraska Ram Project is available to sheep producers who want to increase the scrapie resistance in their flocks. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis after January 01, 2008, until the funds are depleted. Up to five rams per flock can be tested for Codon 171 with lab fees paid by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Producers will need to pay their veterinarian for the cost of collecting and submitting blood samples to Gene Check, Inc., in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Additional testing (Codon 136, or testing for Spider Lamb Syndrome) must be paid by the producer.

To be eligible for participation, producers must have a sheep flock number and rams being tested must be identified with official USDA scrapie tags. Flock numbers and tags may be obtained by calling the USDA, APHIS, VS office at (402) 434-2300.

Producers who would like to have rams tested should contact their local veterinarian to schedule an appointment. For more information, contact the BAI office at (402) 471-2351.