Volume 28 Number 5 September/October, 2007 This issue’s cover photo was submitted by Pam MacKenzie, of Brookfield, Nova Scotia, Canada. (Learn more about it in the Photo Contest Winners section on page 10)

Features Thistles: The Shepherd’s Thorn 26 Hoof Pains: They’re Not Just For Sheep Anymore 31 California’s Bellwether Farms: Leading The Way In Sheep Cheese Production 34 Local-Label Lamb Fetches Premium Prices 42 Municipal Uses For Small Flocks: Sheep Mow Japanese River Banks 49 Sheep Dog Secrets: Good Dogs Save Time, Effort & Money 50 Departments Scribblings 6 Photo Contest 2007 Winners 9 Photo Contest WinnersSeptember/October, 2007 10 Meeting of Minds 12 Must Badger-Face Color Pattern Come From Both Parent Sheep? 16 Onesies® Work For Lambs, Too 21 Selling Higher Up The Market Chain Makes Good Money 23 Selecting Hair Sheep That Are Right For Your Operation 23 Unusual Things To Look For In Low-Labor Sheep 24 Vet Check 29 Shearing Notes 37 Sheep May Safely Graze The Coyote Man: Ray Alcorn 38 Wool-Gatherings 41 Poor Will’s Almanack 44 Price Reports 54 News Bleat 56 Chameleon Wool Changes Color 56 Aussie NAIS Cuts Mutton Sales 80% 56 Advice To Aussies: “Eat More ‘Possum” 58 U.N.: One-Fifth Of Farm Breeds Face Extinction 59 Skin-Free Wool With BioClip 60 Shearing Career: “A Passport To The World” 60 Consumer Reports Says Over 90% Favor COOL 60 Buyers Pay Way More For Regional Folklore Wool Design 61 Screening For Fatal “Fragile Skin Disorder” 61 Breeders & Classifieds 62