Glimmerwood Farm

12/21/2024

You only live once, so buy the goats!! 🤣

Original digital artwork by my very own Brook!

12/14/2024

HAS SCRAPIE BEEN ERADICATED?

Susan Schoenian
Sheep & Goat Specialist Emeritus
University of Maryland Extension

Almost, but not quite. The last case of “classical” scrapie in the US was found in 2021. As of 2024, 47 states have not had a case of scrapie (or a traceback in sheep) for more than 7 years.

If we do not have another case of scrapie by 2028, the US will officially and finally be declared free from scrapie. Only Australia and New Zealand currently enjoy this status.

It has been a long road. While scrapie has been recognized as a disease in England and Europe for more than 250 years, the first case of scrapie (in a sheep) in the US wasn’t until 1947. The first goat was diagnosed in 1969.

In 2002, scrapie reached an all-time high in the US, when approximately 1 in 500 sheep were infected with the disease. Scrapie has never been as common in goats, but goats are essential to eradication.

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is among several diseases classified as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

TSEs became the subject of increased attention and concern when mad cow disease (BSE) was discovered in England in 1986, and it was hypothesized that TSEs were jumping species.

While scrapie is primarily a disease of older sheep/goats (over 2), animals usually get infected when they are very young (from mother to offspring) via contact with infected birth fluids, placenta, and milk.

Due to its long incubation period, scrapie is difficult to diagnose. Brain or lymphoid tissue is needed for testing.

The economic impact of scrapie in the US is estimated at $10-20 million per year, the result of lost production, lost exports, and increased production and disposal costs. In 1952, the National Scrapie Eradication Program went into effect. It was revised in 2001 to accelerate the eradication of scrapie from the United States.

Since 2001, there has been mandatory identification (with official scrapie ID; for traceback) of most sheep and goats, along with record keeping requirements. Genotypes having natural resistance to scrapie have been identified and used to select resistant stock.

An important part of the eradication efforts has been slaughter surveillance. Since 2003, 745,540 sheep and goats (mostly culls) have been tested for scrapie. All these efforts reduced the incidence of scrapie (in sheep) to 0.0% in 2020, and as previously stated no new cases since 2021.

To get the US sheep/goat industry to the finish line of eradicating scrapie, it is essential that every producer continue to do their part by identifying their animals (when they leave the home farm) and reporting any scrapie-suspect animals to their veterinarian or other animal health authority.

Scrapie symptoms include progressive weight loss, incoordination, gait and behavior abnormalities, and intense itching (rubbing).

Another way to help the efforts is to submit heads (of mature animals) for (free) scrapie testing, especially if the deceased animal died of unknown causes or displayed neurological symptoms before death.

Originally published in the Delmarva Farmer, December 2024

12/10/2024

Tuesday Tip - There are over 35 breeds of livestock guardian dogs worldwide. The most common breeds in Texas are Akbash, Anatolian Shepard, Great Pyrenees, and Maremma.

12/09/2024

12/07/2024

Goats are a a key part of winter holidays outside of the US...

12/03/2024

Yes!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

11/05/2024

😂

10/14/2024

Truth!

10/03/2024

A good way to help NC

NEED ASSISTANCE in NC?
Want to help?
The university is managing portals and has a wealth of resources to navigate. https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/

Our hearts are breaking for the families and farms impacted by the hurricane. Having lived in Asheville, there really is no way they could have anticipated or prepared for this disaster. It is wholly out of the realm of possible or even plausible had warning been given.
Since supplies are so limited - they do not need help on the ground outside of the organized efforts - but they do need donations.
If you are wanting to contribute to the efforts to help livestock, join an organized support effort - OR NEED ASSISTANCE - the university is managing portals and has a wealth of resources to navigate. https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/

09/12/2024

On the regular

09/03/2024

Civic-minded goats!

Kearney Police shared 24 goats were found wandering around Kearney High.

08/28/2024

On Wednesdays, we walk our goats.

08/19/2024

Mystery (Wee3Farms D Lady’s Man *B) has been very photogenic. He’s a bit shy, but a lovely boy. Mystery gave plenty of daughters I’ve kept this year, so he’s looking for new ladies.

Sire: Wee3Farms HC Debonair *B ELITE
SS: Heaven’s Hollow Charmer +*B
SD: SGCH Wee3Farms MT Tansy 5*M ELITE EVEE90

Dam: SGCH JDR Ranch MM Lady Baja 4*M ELITE
DS: JDR Ranch CS Maximus *B
DD: SGCH JDR Ranch CS Cherry Blossom 3*M ELITE VEEE90

Look at that Elite packed pedigree! Snap him up now before I change my mind. 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

Happy to work with transport. PM to discuss further.

PC: 4 Acre Woods, Wee3Farms

08/18/2024

Pretty boy Solaris (Spot x Smarty) says he’s about ready for ladies. Soon, buddy, soon!

08/17/2024

Springwater OSR Swiss Sue 7*M (pending) is looking for new pastures. Swiss has developed into a very capacious girl and hand and machine milks beautifully. I don’t have a current photo but can get one for serious parties. Swiss is currently dry.

S: Onaqui BQ Sweet Release *B (pending)
SS: Old Mountain Farm Bravo Quinn +*B VEE88
SD: SG Onaqui BH Sweet Elk 3*M EEEE91

D: Springwater A Girl Named Sue 6*M
DS: Sugar Moon NS Alejandro +*B ELITE
DD: FMG DB&R Tooty Fruity 5*M VVEV87

Can be bred before leaving. Happy to work with transport. PM to discuss further. Twelve oh oh.

PC: Springwater, Glimmerwood

08/13/2024

Glimmerwood LD Summer Moon aka Bunnie is looking for a new herd. DOB: 2/07/24. Bunnie is bottle raised and weaned.

Sire: Wee3Farms D Lady’s Man *B
SS: Wee3Farms HC Debonair *B ELITE
SD: SGCH JDR Ranch MM Lady Baja 4*M ELITE

Dam: Springwater AL Luna Moth ELITE
DS: SG Sugar Moon NS Alejandro +*B ELITE
DD: Daylight CB Hermione

This girl should put milk in the pail! Someone snap her up before I change my mind. 6️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣. Happy to work with transport. Please PM to discuss further.

08/08/2024

Firefly joins Smarty and Luna in the ELITE List!