Shropshire Voice Ad Deadline is February 25th
The ad deadline for the spring Shropshire Voice is February 25th. This will be the only Voice printed this spring as we have reduced the Voice will only be printed twice per year.
    Breeder directory listings need to be renewed prior to February 25th to be listed in the Shropshire Voice and on the website. Please contact Jeff at 785-458-9174 or nationalsheepregistry@gmail.com to update your listing.
    Ad prices are still the same:
Full Page $125
Half Page $75
Quarter Page $50
Front Cover (color) $325
Other 3 Covers (color) $250
Center spread (color) $375
Add color to any size ad $125
Each Photo (If color ad, no charge) $10

Contact: Rinda Maddox 
Cell/text: 217-474-9365

Updated Work Order & Fee Schedule
    Effective January 1, 2026, new fees went into effect for ASRA members. Senior dues are now $30. Single junior members' dues are $20. Multiple juniors on the same accounts' dues are $30. There is no option to register and/or transfer Shropshires as a non-member.
    Also new in 2026 anyone who buys a Shropshire must be a current paid member of the ASRA to own a Shropshire. Please keep this in mind as you sell Shropshires this year. Either you or your buyer will need to pay the membership fee. Click here for current work order.
    Now is a great time to submit your 2026 dues so they are current and do not delay your registry work or receiving your certificates on animals that you have purchased.

Shows and Sales Results available here

Online Shropshire Email Blasts The ASRA is again offering the opportunity for breeders the opportunity to promote their online sales. The cost remains at $100. If you are interested, please contact Jeff at 785-458-9174 or by email at nationalsheepregistry@gmail.com. Please submit your ads at least two days before you would like the ad sent to the membership.

Shropshire Judging Standard –available here.

Deaths in the Industry - Past Deaths in the Industry available here

Dwarf Gene Policy News
In 2023, after 2 years of discussion, the ASRA Board instituted a project to assess the presence of the Dwarf gene with in the Shropshire breed. The Dwarf Gene is a simple autosomal recessive defect that is characterized by the affected offspring being proportionally reduced in frame size and weight to approximately 80-85% of normal size.  These individuals are often characterized by “increased muscle shape” in the show ring.  It is unclear at this time if the difference in phenotype of the muscle is due to a change in the size of the muscle fibers or due to differences in the distribution of muscle related to the change in frame size.   Carrier animals (and in some cases affected individuals) cannot be easily distinguished from dwarf-free animals due to normal differences in phenotype between different bloodlines and individuals. The Dwarf gene is present mostly in the black-faced wether-type sheep.
    At any sale where Shropshire Futurity Ewes may be consigned, Shropshire consignors must be able to guarantee, by testing or parentage, the DNA of their sale entries. All sheep offered at these sales must be guaranteed to have the genotype FF, no Dwarf gene carriers  (FD) or Dwarf animals (DD) will be offered for sale. These genotypes will be posted on the sale orders at such sales or in online catalogs. This will continue into 2024 and 2025. In addition, some animals at designated shows be sampled and DNA tested through a recognized testing facility. All test results will be confidential and only the exhibitor will be informed of the result. Shows at this time include the All American Junior Show as well as the NAILE Open and Junior Shows. Other shows may be designated in the future. All Champion and Reserve Champion Rams and Ewes as well as 5 previously random drawn placings will be tested as well as the Ewe Lamb and Yearling Ewe Futurity winners.  There will be no penalty in 2024 for animals testing with 1 or more Dwarf alleles (D). In 2025, there will be penalties levied. The ASRA Dwarf/DNA committee will hear all appeals. The ASRA currently does not prohibit a breeder from registering animals with 1 or more D alleles but suggests that breeders use the technology available to make wise breeding decisions.
    In 2023, 26 samples collected at the AAJS and NAILE were sent to GeneCheck. A total of 3 samples had a result of FD. No results were DD. The exhibitors of these animals were notified by the secretary but otherwise, results are not shared.
    Further information about Ovine Dwarfism can be found at this link.