NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study Launch Sheet, Web

NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study
Study Launch
In January 2024, the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in collaboration with the
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), will conduct its fourth national study of the U.S. sheep
industry. Sheep 2024 will take an in-depth look at U.S. sheep operations and provide the industry with new and
valuable information regarding priority health and management issues facing the U.S. sheep industry.

Background

Study Activities

Priority health and management issues facing the
sheep industry were identified from over 1,000
responses to a needs assessment survey and through
communications with sheep producer associations,
veterinarians, and university and extension experts.
Approximately 4,900 sheep producers with 1 or more
ewes from 30 of the Nation’s major sheep-producing
States (see dark shaded States in the map) will have
the opportunity to participate in the study.

Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary.
If an operation is selected to participate in the Sheep
2024 study, and decides to do so, their answers will
represent many other producers in their State.
In January 2024, representatives from NASS will
contact selected producers to complete a
questionnaire. For operations that are eligible to
continue in the study, representatives from USDA's
Veterinary Services will schedule a visit from April to
June 2024 to administer a second questionnaire,
perform a free lameness evaluation, and collect
interdigital swabs and blood and fecal samples.
NAHMS will return results to the producers.

Study Objectives
The NAHMS Sheep 2024 study is designed to provide
stakeholders with valuable information about the U.S.
sheep industry. This study will:


Describe occurrence of common, economically
important diseases of sheep as well as
management and biosecurity practices
associated with those diseases.



Describe antimicrobial stewardship on sheep
operations and estimate the prevalence of enteric
microbes and antimicrobial resistance patterns;



Describe management practices producers use to
control internal parasites and reduce resistance to
dewormers;



Describe changes in animal health, nutrition, and
management practices in the U.S. sheep industry
from 1996–2024; and



Provide serum to include in the serologic bank for
future research.

“The NAHMS Sheep 2024 study is the fourth
comprehensive survey of flock health,
management practices, and other important factors
in the U.S. sheep industry. This study will provide
the American Sheep Industry and other
organizations, sheep researchers, and
policymakers with valuable information on the
priority issues facing our business. I fully support
this effort and strongly encourage all selected
producers to participate fully.”
Susan Shultz, Immediate Past President
American Sheep Industry

Opportunities for Free
Biological Sampling
Producers who fully participate in the study will have
the option to complete biological sampling of their
sheep. Fecal samples will be tested for gastrointestinal
parasites and enteric microbes, including Salmonella, E.
Coli, and Campylobacter. Interdigital swabs will be
tested for foot rot pathogens. Respondents will receive
their test results, and results are confidential. Interested
producers can participate in any or all of the sampling
opportunities.

“By participating in the Sheep 2024 Study, you
help guide efforts that advance the American
sheep industry. This survey helps researchers,
industry organizations, and veterinarians
understand what U.S. sheep producers are
facing in order to promote applied research and
extension efforts to help develop solutions to
health and management issues. The more input
we receive from the survey, the better we can
respond to the needs of the industry.”
Jaelyn Whaley, Sheep Extension Field Specialist,
South Dakota State University

Confidentiality

Scientific Approach
NAHMS was established to collect accurate and valuable
information on animal health and management in the
United States. Since 1990, NAHMS has developed
national estimates on disease prevalence and other
factors related to the health of U.S. sheep, bison, beef
cattle, dairy cattle, swine, goat, equine, poultry, and
catfish populations.
NAHMS studies are national in scope, science-based,
statistically valid, collaborative, voluntary, and
anonymous.

Benefits of the Sheep 2024 Study
Participating producers will receive:
 Results of gastrointestinal parasite and
enteric microbe testing


Information about lameness and results from
lameness pathogen testing

The sheep industry will benefit from:


Benchmark data on important sheep health
management practices and the health of sheep in
the United States



Improved understanding of disease preparedness on
sheep operations

 Information important for policy makers and

industry stakeholders
 Identification of educational needs and

opportunities related to sheep health

Because NAHMS relies on voluntary participation, the
privacy of every participant is protected. No name or
contact information will be associated with individual
data, and no data will be reported in a way that could
reveal the identity of a participant. Data are presented
only in an aggregate manner.
NAHMS is recognized as a statistical unit by the
Office of Management and Budget. All information
acquired for the NAHMS Sheep 2024 study will be
used for statistical purposes only and treated as
confidential in accordance with the Confidential
Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act
(CIPSEA). Data collected under CIPSEA are protected
from Freedom of Information requests.

• Please visit www.agcounts.usda.gov/
static/get-counted.html and sign up to
be counted in future surveys. This
ensures that we report the best
information to support U.S.
agriculture.

For More Information
USDA Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health
NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7 2150 Centre Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 Phone: 866-907-8190
Email: [email protected]
Or visit NAHMS at: www.aphis.usda.gov/nahms
#793.1121
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