Comment from William Hoag, Royal White Sheep Association

In regards to market value of what this organization produces? In regards to Royal White sheep, a federal trademarked living animal. The first new breed of sheep in the US in over 25 years. The value of a novel ovine PrP polymorphism and scrapie resistant genotypes. Many countries patent new polymorphisms, I see little of this being done here.. The value of this breed of ovine is in the genes, mainly the survivability of lambs, immune transfer, innate primitive genes and no upgrading schemes permitted from other breeds of sheep. The association's headquarters is in Ohio, only infusion of new genes is authorized by me to register. Private party from Australia was at my facility in Texas they are trying to change bio security requirements to allow these sheep there. Private development and privately funded development of highly disease resistant sheep may be compromised with this rule. This new animal over a 10 year plan cost in excess of $2,000,000 to produce all with private funds. I can't produce enough of these animals for the country now, the military alone needs 2 million feet of the leather on an annual basis. The leather value on an older ewe is worth more than the ewe in the slaughter market. These sheep are capable of producing two lamb crops per year. So, in regards to the comment 114 farms with incomes of $500,000 per year...you may want to review that again.