Navajo Project

NAVAJO U.S. Genetic Improvement for Scrapies Resistant Sheep
26-0631-02

The Genetic Improvement for Scrapie-Resistant Sheep project is located in a disadvantaged area of the Navajo Nation with over 58 percent of the people living below the poverty line. There is a high high-school drop-out rate and an increasing suicide rate among youths. This project offers an opportunity to 90 FFA members to gain knowledge, new skills and self-esteem by doing applied research that combines aquaculture of Gambusia fish to control the mosquito transmitter of the West Nile virus with five species of pastured poultry to monitor the virus, and have an early detection of the virus in birds at a stage where damage to the sheep, horses and humans can be prevented. This project will also involve the genetic selection of Suffolk sheep with RR genes, which will equip the students with new tools to raise animals resistant to Scrapie and other mosquito-transmitted diseases. It will increase the potential of developing profitable sheep production, enabling them to carry on their native traditions with the training and animals received. This is a new youth project of high importance to Heifer’s Southwest Program because of its social, environmental and economic impact.

This project has been sponsored by BHT and D Financial Group.