The IFR Board of Directors met February 7th for its quarterly planning session. One of the items on the agenda was the extension of the Breed Improvement Program sunset date. The Board voted to extend the date for Source stock animals enrollment by one year. As members begin to see the improvement in their flocks that can be achieved by participating in the BIP, program participation has increased. Birth weights, survivability, rate of gain, carcass and wool traits have all improved. Scrapie resistance, introduced to the breed through the BIP, has increased. This is especially important as USDA/APHIS continues to find scrapie in flocks throughout the United States.