[Jacob-list] Scrapie & Primitive Sheep

[sbennett]

That was an interesting article. My take on it: Jacobs, being a primitive 
breed, may not be genotypically scrapie resistant. Ms. Morris's concern 
seems to be that people will choose NOT to continue breeding primitive 
sheep at the very least and at worst eradicate them. 

She stresses that because of the AA RR QQ genotype these primitive breeds 
contain that they are less susceptible to oxidative stress, diseases, and 
certain plant toxins and agrochemicals. This suggests to me that  the 
issue is more complex than one gene pair. She also mentions there may be 
a link between the AA RR QQ gentotype and color. If we were to choose 
only scrapie resistant animals would we be choosing to breed only white 
sheep? What other problems might we see in the future? More research 
definitely needs to be done.

I would prefer monitoring (by joining the Volunteer Scrapie Eradication 
Program). I will be  closing my flock and removing the couple of Suffolk 
ewes we bought for market lamb projects to protect my primitive sheep 
from possible exposure.

Debbie Bennett
Feral Fibre