Leicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association (LLSBA)
Policies and Procedures
January 1, 2020
Membership
Members may join as active members (register sheep at least every two years), friends of the LLSBA (not actively breeding), junior members (21 years of age or under) or international members. Membership requirements and responsibilities are found in the LLSBA by-laws.
All associated forms can be found on the LLSBA website at www.leicesterlongwool.org.
A welcome packet will be mailed out to new individuals that have bought sheep, transferred ownership, and joined the Leicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association.
Flock Identification
Active breeders are assigned a unique flock identification code by the registrar when they join the Association for the first time. Applicants will request a farm code when they join. Example: If the farm name is “Old MacDonald’s Farm”, the prefix assigned by Registrar may be “MCDF”. If the prefix is already taken, a number will be added (for example, MCDF2 if MCDF is already assigned). Alternatively, the applicant will request a second and third choice. The assigned unique prefix will appear on the Certificate of Registry of the sheep registered by that farm, and along with the ear tag number, will identify the animal.
A list of registered prefixes is maintained by the LLSBA.
Registration Process
Only Leicester Longwool sheep of pure breeding and with registered parents will be accepted for registration. To register sheep, the applicant must be a current active member of the LLSBA with no restrictions imposed by the LLSBA. Full and complete registration application forms, along with payment and fee sheet, must be submitted to the LLSBA registrar.
Download Registration Application Form
Download Fee Sheet
Application for registration must include the required data to ensure the purity and integrity of the breed. These data include the name, sex, year, month and day of birth of the sheep, the name and registration number of the sire and dam, and an identification number such as tattoo or ear tag of the sheep to be registered. Farm ear tags have an identifier (name or number) selected by the breeder. Federal tags are associated with the USDA Scrapie Eradication Program and have a prefix assigned by the state in which the breeder resides.
If sheep are to be sold as non-breeders (rams or ewes removed from the breeding pool due to age, unsoundness, etc.) such animals must be sold as unregistered. The breeder/owner must notify the registrar to remove the animal from the database.
Foreign Registrations: To be eligible for transfer into the LLSBA’s registry, any sheep born outside of the United States must first be recorded in their respective country of origin’s flock book or registry. In order for the sheep to be transferred into the LLSBA’s registry, the owner must provide the LLSBA with a current registration certificate.
Registration applications must include the flock identification code and the animal’s unique name and number (e.g. HA Jenny 9801), and must be on the form provided for this purpose. A completed fee sheet must also accompany the application.
Bred Ewe Registrations: When purchasing a bred ewe, the breeder is the owner of the dam at the time of breeding. The offspring will be registered under the farm name of the owner of the ewe at the time of the breeding. The seller of the bred ewe must provide a breeding certificate to the buyer.
Download Bred Ewe Certificate - coming soon
When any sheep or lamb from a bred ewe is presented for registration, the dam must first be properly transferred to the party making the application for registration. Offspring will not be recorded in the flock book until the proper transfer of the dam has been furnished to the registrar.
Download Ownership Transfer Form
Artificial Insemination Registrations: Leicester Longwool sheep born as a result of AI may be registered in the LLSBA. Prior to registration of an AI offspring the sire will be given a registration number by the Association’s official registrar. If the breeder does not own the ram used to artificially inseminate the ewe, a Certificate of Breeding must be completed at the time the semen was collected, or by the owner of the semen at the time the breeding was done. The Artificial Insemination form must be signed by the AI technician. All other information required by the LLSBA must be supplied on the registration application for the lambs to be registered.
Download Breeding Certificate - coming soon
Download Artificial Insemination Certificate of Service Form
Download Transfer of Ownership for Semen Form
Embryo Transfer: Applications for sheep born as a result of embryo transfer may be submitted just as if the sheep were natural born. Donor ewes (i.e. the ewe providing the eggs) used in an embryo transfer must be registered with the LLSBA. The owner of the donor ewe will be listed as the breeder on the certificate of registration issued for lambs born as a result of embryo transfer. If embryos are sold, the lamb born must be transferred from the owner of the donor ewe to the purchaser of the embryo. If the breeder does not own the ram used to artificially inseminate the ewe, a Certificate of Breeding must be completed at the time the semen was collected, or by the owner of the semen. The Embryo Transfer Certificate must be provided. All other information required by the LLSBA must be supplied on the registration application for the sheep to be registered.
Download Breeding Certificate
Download Embryo Transfer Certificate
Transfers: The seller of the sheep must provide the original certificate of registration with the information of the new owner completed on the back of the certificate, along with the transfer application to the LLSBA registrar within 90 days of sale. A completed fee sheet must also accompany the application.
Time Limitations: No sheep will be accepted for registration after it is two (2) years old, unless in the opinion of the Board of Directors, special circumstances warrant its registration. If more than two years has passed, a petition for registration must be submitted to the Board of Directors. The Board will have the authority to approve or disapprove the petition. The petition will include photos of animal and the ear tag(s) or tattoo number, registration information of both parents, and reason for lack of registration within two years.
Rush Fees
Any registrations or transfers that require expedited processing must be filed electronically and include payment plus rush postage and handling. A completed fee sheet must also accompany the application.
Show Policy
Card Grading: The preferred method for showing Leicester Longwools is a card grading event. For sheep to be shown in an official LLSBA card grading event the animals must be over one year of age and must be registered with the LLSBA. The exception is ewes with lambs at foot may have their lambs accompany them in the ring.
Special Event/National Card Grading Shows: The LLSBA occasionally hosts official card grading shows (e.g. at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival). These are solely for educational purposes to help members improve the quality of their sheep according to the breed standard. Evaluators are chosen by the Board of Directors to evaluate the sheep that participate in the card gradings. These evaluators will have extensive knowledge about Leicester Longwools. For these official events, the LLSBA will provide liability insurance for the shows. Expenses for conducting card grading shows will be covered by the LLSBA unless otherwise noted beforehand.
Regional Card Grading Shows: Regional shows may be conducted by the membership of the LLSBA. With prior approval, the LLSBA may make available full or partial funding for providing evaluators that have knowledge of the breed standard. The membership is responsible for all other aspects of conducting the show, such as location, expenses, personal insurance, etc.
Open Show: It is the policy of the LLSBA that Leicester Longwool sheep may only be shown in the white or natural colored wool sheep classes. There are to be no Leicester Longwool breed classes. Leicester Longwools should be shown in their natural state with no fitting or washing with the exception of cold water washing around tail and legs. Hoof trimming, tail trimming, and the separation of individual locks are allowed. An informational sheet about the Leicester Longwool breed standard may be shared with the judge prior to showing.
Insurance
Insurance for the LLSBA sponsored events will be provided by the association. Regional events must arrange for their own personal and venue insurance.
Promotional Materials
The LLSBA has a display that shows the history of the Leicester Longwools. This display is available to active members and may be used at fiber shows, fairs or any other functions. The LLSBA will mail or deliver this display to the membership upon request. It is the responsibility of the member to keep the display from being damaged and to return the display to the secretary. If any damages are incurred, they are to notify the secretary immediately upon return.
The LLSBA website has many helpful links for handouts that can be printed by the membership to give to the public, including the LLSBA brochure.
The LLSBA has items available for purchase with a Leicester Longwool logo.
LLSBA Youth Development and Education Fund
The LLSBA Youth Development and Education Fund was created to provide a pathway for encouraging youth to learn about, care for, and ensure the survival of the Leicester Longwool breed. Funds will be obtained through donations, fund raising programs and Memorial Contributions. Unless otherwise designated by the contributor, Memorial Contributions made to the LLSBA in honor of an individual that has passed will be used for Youth Development programs.
The LLSBA board will make available $500.00 to award to youth members of the LLSBA (21 years or under) to attend sheep related classes, seminars or schools (e.g. sheep shearing school, workshops offered by the Extension service or sheep breeders, groups, etc.). The award will be presented at the discretion of the Board of Directors (or the Youth Development and Education Fund committee), and may be one award or several awards for smaller amounts. Applicants may apply by sending the Board (or committee) a description of the proposed event they would like to attend, the cost of the event (including travel and hotel expenses) and how attending the event will benefit the youth. The application must include the class description and any contact information for the class instructors in case the board needs to contact the instructor. The application must also include two references (e.g. 4-H leaders, teachers, club leaders). This award is available annually. The award may not be awarded every year if a suitable applicant does not apply.
In addition, Youth Flock Support packages may be given to junior members. Such support packages may include lamb/sheep survival items, books, or other useful tools.
The Youth Development and Education Fund committee may receive proposals and recommendations sent to the board for grants or supportive funding for special individuals or group educational needs that are complementary to youth LLSBA projects.