The Ewe Lamb Replacement and Retention Program ends on Jan. 13. Interested producers that purchased or retained ewe lambs from their own flock may apply using form FSA-384.

The program pays producers to expand their ewe lamb breeding stock. One of the goals of the program is that by increasing the value and number of domestic lambs, this program will help our nation's sheep operations achieve sustained market competitiveness.

Nationwide an estimated 66,800 sheep and lamb operations have experienced long-term poor market conditions.

Increased imports and extreme drought in some domestic sheep-producing regions have forced decreased production and smaller flock sizes.

In our portion of Pennsylvania, there are 3,450 head with a value of $470,000. Upon reviewing the 1990 statistical summary, the number of sheep and lambs in the region was 7,700 head, which is a 56 percent reduction.

The program is expected to strengthen the lamb industry by boosting the purchasing power of the producers, including their ability to invest in larger and genetically improved breeding stock. Ewe lamb payments are expected to begin at the end of January. Eligible producers will receive $18 for each lamb retained or purchased for breeding purposes.

An eligible producer must have purchased or retained ewe lambs for breeding purposes between Aug. 1, 2003, and July 31, 2004, and must have retained the qualifying ewe lamb in the herd for at least one complete offspring lambing cycle.

In addition, during at least part of the base period, qualifying female ewe lambs must not have been older than 18 months and must not have produced an offspring. Other conditions apply as provided for in the program regulations and application.

As of Jan. 1, 1999, all payments issued by the county FSA office have been made by direct deposit. Forms are available at the FSA office to sign up for a direct deposit account. For those already signed up, it is important that we are notified any time there is a change in your account number or financial institution.