to mark the 10th anniversary of the switch to organic dairy cows on site You've got 45 minutes to make "Montorgueil", the Bergerie's famous cheese that takes visitors through all the steps involved in transforming milk into cheese in the form of riddles It's an opportunity to discover that the cows' milk is processed directly at the Bergerie and that dairy products are made using traditional methods La Bergerie aims to raise awareness of the challenges of organic and sustainable farming a mission you'll need to complete to receive your diploma and be able to taste the famous dairy products bank holiday and every day during zone C vacations at 2pm Refer your establishment, click here Promote your event, click here Rendez-vous aux Jardins is the long-awaited event for nature and culture enthusiasts in the Île-de-France region of France a large number of public and private gardens will be opening their doors for visits opening their doors during this not-to-be-missed event take the whole family on a free tour of Rambouillet's parks and gardens This treasure hunt has been created in partnership with the Centre des monuments nationaux available free of charge from the reception desk at the Palais du Roi de Rome Discover the Pavillon du Verger and its delightful medallion decor on a free self-guided tour discover stone in the Roi de Rome garden: the use of stone as a building material in the Palais du Roi de Rome and the Pavillon du Verger the romantic ruins installed by Léon Lafourcade.. Finish off this discovery with a little drawing workshop: the plinth in the middle of the orchard is just waiting for you to create a sculpture The Rafter 7 Merino sheep project began in 1990 with a crossbreed of Australian Merino rams and Rambouillet ewes They are renowned for their superfine wool and ability to thrive in extreme climates while the Rafter 7 Merino flock peacefully grazed in a feedlot at the Fish Creek Ranch a coyote stealthily approached the unsuspecting flock plotting the perfect opportunity to attack an army of white guard dogs camouflaged within the sheep was eyeing its every move strategically positioning to attack in defense of the flock the encircling guard dogs swiftly subdued and dispatched it as the herd dogs hurriedly guided the sheep to safety The Rafter 7 sheep flock, a research flock developed by the University of Nevada, Reno over 30 years ago and now globally recognized for its fine holds a special place beyond its role in research and is beloved by all who encounter or care for them Nevada.The story of the development of the Rafter 7 Merinos is an interesting one and illustrative of the University’s rich history of innovative contributions to the state’s agriculture and livestock industry The Rambouillet sheep was developed by the French government in the late 18th century in Rambouillet from a selection of Spain’s best Merino sheep in the mid-19th century and selectively bred to meet the needs of American sheep producers they are predominantly raised on the Western ranges of the U.S and have been regarded as the cornerstone of profitability in the sheep industry due to their many attributes "Rambouillet sheep thrive in the harsh weather conditions of the Nevada desert,” said Scott Huber the senior assistant director and research coordinator of the University’s Experiment Station who also manages the Center’s operations Their agility also allows them to navigate the mountainous terrains to forage.”Rambouillet sheep are renowned for their high-quality wool and meat and have strong milking maternal instincts They also breed out of season and are resistant to diseases making them a financially rewarding choice for farmers The University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources has managed the Rafter 7 Merino sheep project since it developed it in 1990 except for a brief period during which the flock was sold before being reacquired The flock is a crossbreed of the Rambouillet sheep hardy breed that thrives in extreme climates and sparse forage conditions which is also reared in similar arid climates in Australia The Rafter 7 Merino sheep project began with a partnership among the University the E.L Wiegand Foundation and the Rafter 7 Ranch The new breed was aptly named after its initial home – the 3,000-acre Rafter 7 Ranch which was purchased in 1988 by the Wiegand Foundation to develop the purebred Merino sheep and advance agricultural research and conservation efforts then chief financial officer of the foundation a newly appointed sheep specialist at the University’s Experiment Station and Raymond ‘Skip’ Avansino Jr. then chairperson of the Wiegand Foundation to create a new Merino breed by crossbreeding Rambouillet sheep with Australian Merinos."The desire to develop a flock that produces both high-quality meat and extra fine while also retaining the Rambouillet's hardiness and low-maintenance traits that enable it to thrive in extreme weather was the impetus for this project," said Gary McCuin Eureka County Extension educator and a former director of the Center Glimp and Avansino spearheaded the purchase of the initial breeding stock of approximately 400 Rambouillet ewes from ranches in Montana and Dakota considered to be among the best in the Western U.S. and had the ewes relocated to the Rafter 7 Ranch “That was the initiation and beginning of the Rafter 7 Merino herd,” McCuin said imported Australian Merino rams and semen from Australia which they bred both naturally and artificially into the original breeding stock of Rambouillet ewes "During this period, around 16 rams and semen from 41 Australian rams were imported to enhance the Rambouillet’s genetic pool," said Andrew Hess, an assistant professor of animal breeding and genetics in the College’s Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences who has been assisting in developing the breeding program and conducting genetic research at the Center "The ewe selection criteria included parameters such as wool fiber diameter growth rate and reproductive performance traits." the project developed two distinct breeding lines The Rafter 7 Pure Merino line was developed by a grade-up program where the imported semen was progressively bred into the Rambouillet ewes until they became 100% Merino which is approximately 60% Merino and 40% Rambouillet exhibited favorable characteristics and was subsequently developed “The Rafter 7 Pure Merino line’s wool fiber diameter was reduced by an average of three microns making its wool more superior compared to the foundation flock,” Hess said “It was bred for its high fleece weight while the Rafter 7 line was developed for high fleece weight consistent twin births and fast growth traits.” the Rafter 7 Merino flock had expanded to about 1,300 ewes the Wiegand Foundation decided to sell the ranch In a press release published by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation a private foundation chartered by Congress to conserve wildlife in riparian ecosystems “We recently completed our objectives and decided that it was time to sell the Ranch.” The foundation sold the ranch to the conservation group’s Walker Basin Restoration Program the University decided to sell the flock to Rick Powers a wool buyer familiar with the value and quality of the Rafter 7 Merino line Powers relocated the flock to Diamond Valley in Eureka County and continued to inseminate the Rafter 7 Pure Merino line with the Australian genetics In 2014, the University appointed Bill Payne as the dean of the College, and two years later, he and Glimp began discussions on reacquiring the Rafter 7 Merino flock from Powers. Their goal was to house the flock in a future agricultural research center, which is now the Great Basin Research & Extension Center, jointly operated by the College’s Experiment Station and Extension units Since then, the Center has commercialized the Rafter 7 wool and forged partnerships with several entities for its processing and sale. Through collaborations with Jimmy Beans Wool, Mountain Meadow Wool Mill in Wyoming and the campus Nevada Wolf Shop Rafter 7 yarn and branded merchandise are sold to do-it-yourself clients Due to the specialty niche of handling such fine wool spinning and manufacturing is managed by Mountain Meadow Wool The hand-dyeing process for Jimmy Bean’s yarn is overseen by Madelinetosh The Center also independently sells the Rafter 7 wool to commercial wool buyers “The high-quality Merino and Rambouillet rams and ewes offer Nevada and Western range sheep producers an opportunity to improve the wool quality of their flocks and increase their profitability with wool that rivals what one might find in New Zealand or Australia,” McCuin said “The wool and its products are made possible by Nevada sheep all working together to give Nevada shoppers a better option.” Since the reacquisition of the Rafter 7 flock life at the Center has transformed into a whirlwind of operational activities From meticulously documenting the flock’s reproductive phases and wool data to orchestrating key events such as the annual autumn ram sale the sheepherders and veterinarians hardly find a moment of leisure amidst their responsibilities The first major undertaking of the year is shearing the sheep in early spring This process involves carefully removing the sheep’s fleece from the belly Wool sales are the Center’s primary source of income with the Rafter 7 Merino wool consistently fetching the highest price for U.S.-grown wool over seven consecutive years Huber and his team shift their focus to lambing processes Pregnant ewes are sorted into groups every two to three days as they near their due dates the newborn lamb and mother are transported to a lambing barn where they are placed into individual pens called jugs to bond for about 24 hours without interference from other animals," Huber said "This allows the lamb to safely nurse colostrum from its mother before they are transferred to a mixing pen with other new pairs allowing time for the newborn lamb and ewe to bond and for the newborn lamb to safely nurse." This process continues throughout the lambing season which typically spans around a month and a half each spring feeding and monitoring the sheep as they await the arrival of new lambs making for an intensive yet rewarding process Cartagena begins arrangements for sending the flock out to graze in the hillsides ewes and lambs into five groups for each herder The goal is to keep the rams separated from the ewes and lambs to prevent premature breeding and to allow the lambs to spend time with their mothers while grazing Cartagena coordinates the transportation of the sheep hauling trucks and trailers that serve as living quarters for the herders during their time in the hillsides He also ensures that the herders have an ample supply of food water and other supplies.The turnout season continues until October the herders bring the sheep down to the valleys to graze in open pastures or return them to the Center to be fed alfalfa grown on site or purchased from other growers Cartagena maintains daily phone contact with the herders and makes weekly visits to each of the herders who typically oversee a herd of 500 to 800 sheep along with five herd and guard dogs and a horse.“When I visit the herders I examine the flock to make sure they are healthy and well fed,” he said hay for their horses and food for the dogs,” he said The Center has 26 dogs serving as either herd or guard dogs The former steer straying sheep back into the fold blend in with the flock to protect them from predators.“You’d never know the guard dogs are among the sheep unless you are closely observing,” Cartagena said “They naturally position themselves in front of and circle the sheep when they sense a predator.” Cartagena’s team starts selecting sheep for sale around July, while the flock is out grazing, culminating in the annual September ram and ewe sale and reproductive and breeding potential to improve the quality of their herds.Buyers come from all over the country seeking to replace old or deceased animals and improve their existing stock by breeding with the desirable Rafter 7 traits “We usually retain the top 8 to 10% of the highest quality sheep to continue breeding our own line,” Huber said not sold as part of the sale to buyers or selected for breeding purposes are either sold to others to process for meat or processed by our Wolf Pack Meats in Reno to be sold as local This year, the Center is launching a new initiative called the Replacement Development Program. The program will establish a systematic process for gathering meat yield and quality data from the Rafter 7 flock. Approximately 300 Rafter 7 Merinos will be transferred from the Center to the University’s Main Station Field Lab for extensive genetic studies and data collection. This initiative, and the wider research at the Center, aims to enhance research and support for the U.S. sheep industry by using genomics to analyze the sheep’s DNA and improve their meat and wool traits. The program will also employ precision phenotyping to meticulously record measurements of the sheep’s physical characteristics to enhance the selection of sheep with superior qualities and resilience. Hess, who will oversee the program, said that locating it at the Main Station Field Lab, which is closer to campus, will also give students the opportunity to gain practical experience with sheep breeding practices and help them to foster an appreciation for and greater understanding of the sheep industry. “I’ve gotten to know the guys a bit, and each one of them will tell you that the reason they’ve decided to move away from their countries and stay away for long periods of time in rural Nevada is to improve the livelihoods of their families,” Huber said. “Some of them have told me that they’ve put their kids through college doing this job as well, which I find pretty noble.” The process of hiring Cartagena was a university affair. The University’s legal counsel successfully petitioned the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for Cartagena’s work permit, with references from McCuin and Filbin. “I’m very happy for this opportunity to work with the Rafter 7 sheep,” he said. “It has changed my professional and personal life because I have the opportunity to work with such high-quality animals alongside some of the most knowledgeable sheep experts in the U.S., or even the world.” Neighborhood ‘ambassadors’ needed to help prepare communities for wildfire University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada Division of Forestry holding informational meeting May 7 Extension offers Home Horticulture Certificate Program Program provides information for home gardeners and those interested in becoming Master Gardeners College of Education & Human Development hosts first-ever Student Teaching Welcome Celebration Students discover where they will be student teaching in Fall 2025 Getting ready to plant? Hit local plant sales University of Nevada, Reno programs offer locally grown plants to support local horticulture programs 2025 Three-Minute Thesis competition finalists announced A peek into Nevada Woman Filmmaker of the Year’s newest documentary, 'The Muralist' Leading with safety: professor of microbiology and immunology recognized for displaying excellence in lab safety Subhash Verma, Ph.D., and research team voted recipient of 2025 Excellence in Laboratory Safety Award Giving Day: The Wolf Pack Way raises over $750,000 More than 1,600 donors, from all 50 states, contributed to make an impact Honoring faculty through awards and fellowships Doctoral student and professor selected for prestigious International Science Education Institute Spencer Eusden and Li Ke, Ph.D., chosen to participate in the 2025 Abell Institute Sanford Center for Aging impacts older adults in northern Nevada During Older Americans Month, Sanford Center shares data and programs in the community College of Business celebrates student success and research excellence Annual banquet honors outstanding students, faculty, alumni and partners Chemical & Materials Engineering Assistant Professor Maryam Raeeszadeh-Sarmazdeh shares a few thoughts about her work and the potential impact of biomolecular engineering Myrton Running Wolf, ‘a force of nature,’ to be remembered at campus memorial service Journalism faculty member known as actor, screenwriter and advocate for Indigenous peoples Volume 15 - 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2024.1471185 This article is part of the Research TopicGenetic Markers Identification for Animal Production and Disease ResistanceView all 14 articles Genetic association of wool quality characteristics in United States Rambouillet sheep A Corrigendum on Genetic association of wool quality characteristics in United States Rambouillet sheep by Becker GM, Woods JL, Schauer CS, Stewart WC and Murdoch BM (2023). Front. Genet. 13:1081175. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1081175 In the published article, there were errors in Results, Discussion, Table 5 and Figure 6 The details of these errors are given below: Predicted TFBS for SNPs located within genes Query sequences were analyzed with the major allele as “wild type” and the minor allele as “variant” sequence The score depicts the difference of wild type versus variant predictiosns Genes with biological functions relevant to follicular growth Significant SNPs identified in GWAS are located within or near genes with known biological roles relevant to skin and follicular growth 60S ribosomal protein L17-like (Yang et al. The figure illustrates the three types of fibers which comprise sheep’s wool 3.4 Genomic context of significant markers “Four SOX family TFBS were predicted at rs404487383 and a YY2 and MZF1 TFBS were predicted at rs402689377 There were no TFBS with score difference of 3/-3 or greater predicted at SNP OAR19_14805437.1.” “Four SOX family TFBS and a TCF7 TFBS were predicted at rs404487383 Three TFBS with a score difference of +3/-3 or greater were predicted at both rs402689377 and SNP OAR19_14805437.1.” A correction has been made to 4 Discussion “Two potential TFBS were predicted with matrix score changes between SNP alternate and reference alleles at s29455.1 a marker associated with skin wrinkle scores The TF MZF1 has been shown to diminish the expression of the gene PADI1 in human keratinocyte cells (Dong et al. These in silico analyses suggest functional ramifications of variant alleles associated with wool quality characteristics.” “These data suggest potential functional ramifications of variant alleles associated with wool quality characteristics.” The score depicts the difference of wild type versus variant predictions.] appear below There was an error in [Figure 6] as published. [The transcription factor MZF1 was incorrectly referenced in this figure]. The corrected [Figure 6] and its caption **[Genes with biological functions relevant to follicular growth The significant SNPs within 60S ribosomal protein L17-like and ABCC8 had predicted TFBS score differences between reference and alternate alleles The authors apologize for these errors and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher Stewart WC and Murdoch BM (2024) Corrigendum: Genetic association of wool quality characteristics in United States Rambouillet sheep Received: 26 July 2024; Accepted: 28 August 2024;Published: 05 September 2024 Copyright © 2024 Becker, Woods, Schauer, Stewart and Murdoch. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Brenda M. Murdoch, Ym11cmRvY2hAdWlkYWhvLmVkdQ== Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish The traditional Fête du Muguet de Rambouillet is back with a packed program of events While lilies of the valley will be offered on May 1st the festivities will continue in Rambouillet a few days later the white flower will be honored with a myriad of colorful events And while the last edition focused on the theme of the Olympic year the 2025 version will celebrate “the world’s festivals.” We can’t wait A highlight of the year for all Rambolitans the Fête du Muguet will once again be on the calendar for the 3rd weekend in May To celebrate the arrival of the white flower this event attracts a large number of participants every year especially when you look at the richly detailed program there will be a fashion show in the heart of the courtyard of the King of Rome’s palace during which shopkeepers will be invited to celebrate the lily of the valley After the traditional crowning of the Lily of the Valley Queen an incredible pyrosymphonic show brings the day to a close the festivities continue with a parade of colorful floats and we’re looking forward to seeing you on May 17 and 18 Lily of the Valley Festival – May 17 and 18 Broadband TV News December 3, 2024 12.18 Europe/London By Julian Clover Eutelsat Group is pressing ahead with the sale of land antennas and connectivity circuits for its portfolio of teleports and SNPs The Paris-based operator has exercised the put offer signed with private equity fund EQT Infrastructure VI in August The decision follows the completion of the consultation processes with relevant employee representative bodies of Eutelsat Eutelsat and EQT have now signed a binding Share Purchase Agreement EQT will acquire an 80% stake in a newly created entity The transaction values the new entity at an enterprise value of €790 million the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026 Filed Under: Satellite, Top Story Edited: 3 December 2024 12:18 Julian Clover is a Media and Technology journalist based in Cambridge, UK. He works in online and printed media. Julian is also a voice on local radio. You can talk to Julian on X @julianclover, or by email at jclover@broadbandtvnews.com Today, consumers are increasingly using bandwidth-intensive and latency-sensitive workloads, such as 4K and 8K streaming, online gaming, and AR/VR applications. As a result, Internet Service Providers must update their networks and by extension Wi-Fi experiences and performance. … [Download the White Paper ...] Copyright © 2025 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in Did you know that the forest of Rambouillet was populated by dozens of kangaroos Discover the unusual history of these strange residents The Forêt de Rambouillet is famous for its unspoilt natural beauty and its many native animal species a surprising phenomenon has caught the attention of visitors to the nature reserve: if you take a stroll through the forest you may well come across a family of kangaroos It’s important to note that these kangaroos are not a native species in France and can cause considerable damage to the local environment by upsetting the ecological balance They can also be a threat to other animal species present in the nature reserve This is why the Forêt de Rambouillet authorities work closely with wildlife experts to monitor the kangaroo population and manage any potential environmental impacts free-roaming kangaroos in the Forêt de Rambouillet are a surprising phenomenon but local authorities are working tirelessly to manage potential environmental impacts and protect animals and visitors alike Next time you visit the Forêt de Rambouillet be sure to take a look around for a glimpse of these incredible creatures at large The Rendez-Vous aux Jardins is the cultural event that invites us to go green open their doors wide to let us in on their secrets giving us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the heart of our botanical heritage Paris and the whole of theÎle-de-France region respond to the call green settings lend themselves to the game of Rendez-vous au Jardins The next edition is scheduled for June 6-8 At Yvelines, the Château de Rambouillet is a historic treasure of the Ile-de-France region the château-museum welcomes history buffs and cultural enthusiasts with a tour that literally takes us back in time Situated in the heart of a 980-hectare park in the Rambouillet forest offering both picturesque settings and broad vistas what does the Château de Rambouillet have in store for us for this year's Rendez-Vous aux Jardins "Le goût des grottes dans les jardins du XVe au XVIIIe siècle en France: une autre vision du jardin de Rambouillet" (The taste for caves in 15th to 18th century gardens in France: another vision of the garden at Rambouillet)Saturday 2025 - 10:00 ⤏ 11:00The Château de Rambouillet is taking part in the latest edition of Rendez-vous aux Jardins the new head gardener is offering an original lecture on a fascinating theme: the craze for caves in gardens between the 15th and 18th centuries An original and surprising way to (re)discover the gardens of Château de Rambouillet Le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles Fans of glamping - a term for camping that's more glamorous, less rootsy and more comfortable - will love the unusual accommodations available for rent: Canadian tents this is an opportunity to treat yourself to a camping trip without cutting back on comfort The more adventurous - and camping enthusiasts in tents or camper vans - will prefer pitches When it comes to leisure activities, you'll be spoilt for choice: first of all, the Véloscénie - the great cycling itinerary that links up with Mont Saint-Michel - passes through here but Rambouillet also boasts numerous hiking trails The big plus of the Huttopia de Rambouillet campsite is certainly its large heated natural swimming pool The campsite also has the little ones in mind, with a children's play area, ping-pong tables and a beach volleyball court open all day long. During the summer vacations Huttopia offers its Petits Trappeurs mornings in the style of a children's club where kids aged 5 to 12 can come and enjoy fun activities led by qualified activity leaders: treasure hunts on public holidays (and every day in summer) To stay at the Huttopia campsite in Rambouillet you'll need to pay (for two people) from €26.70 per night for a pitch without electricity and from €33.50 for pitches with electricity you'll need to book a minimum of two nights: count from €124 for a weekend in the smallest accommodations (capacity two people) and up to more than €300 for a weekend in the largest This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation This weekend, we're off to enjoy the Fête du Muguet in Rambouillet an annual tradition that draws crowds from far and wide the town will be lit up with joy and festivities The fashion show and waiters' race promise unforgettable moments while the spectacular fireworks display will crown the festivities Since 1906, when the Lily of the Valley Festival first appeared the town of Rambouillet hasn't missed this festive event in its calendar for anything in the world and it would be another five years before the first Queen of the Lily of the Valley was crowned by the Queen of Les Halles in Paris special trains were even put into service to enable Parisians to take part in this great popular festival Sunday May 14 promises to be just as exciting with : a funfair awaits all ages from May 17 to 18 So don't hesitate to come and celebrate the Lily of the Valley Festival in Rambouillet Traffic on Transiliens lines N and U is currently interrupted in both directions between La Verrière and Rambouillet Traffic is expected to resume graduallyat around 6pm The end of the day promises to be complicated for Transiliens commuters in western Paris. This Thursday, April 10, 2025 you'll have to be patient or find a solution to reach Rambouillet or Paris in the opposite direction According to initial information shared by the SNCF the interruption is linked to a technical problem on the tracks detected at around 2pm in the La Verrière sector Response teams are currently mobilized to secure the site and carry out the necessary repairs addAsync('//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js'); There are currentlyno trains running between La Verrière and Rambouillet which links Paris-Montparnasse to Rambouillet which runs between La Défense and La Verrière According to the latest estimates from SNCF traffic is expected to resume gradually from 6pm this time is indicative and will depend on the progress of repairs Travelers are therefore advised toanticipate major delays and even to look for alternative routes fortheir end-of-day journeys To keep track of the situation and obtain up-to-date information, passengers can consult the official SNCF website dedicated to traffic information, the SNCF Connect application, or the official Twitter account for lines N and U (@lignesNetU_SNCF) which provide real-time updates on traffic conditions From December 7, 2024 to January 5, 2025, the ice rink at the Rambouillet Christmas Market is back with nearly 400 m² of ice for skating with family As the year draws to a close, the magic of Christmas can be shared with family, friends or couples, thanks to a wide range of Christmas markets in Paris and the Île-de-France region And to prolong the dream a little longer during this special time of year are opening their doors throughout the region In Rambouillet, head to the heart of the Christmas market, on Place Félix Faure to strap on your ice skates and do a series of laps around the track Pitchouns can enjoy a gentle introduction to this winter sport from the ice garden designed for toddlers to skate in complete safety Older children can have a blast on the large ice rink: but don't forget to bring gloves it's also time to discover the beautiful Rambouillet Christmas market and pick up some handmade There's also plenty of room for a gourmet snack break and other heart-warming treats that we love to sample right on the market It's an unusual museum to visit with the whole family, always a hit with young and old alike. The Rambolitrain museum in Rambouillet is taking part in Nuit des Musées 2025 the result of a meeting between two miniature train enthusiasts and even three electrical networks in operation thanks to a timer system that you trigger yourself We're even told that moonlit rides and candlelit dinners are held on the train platforms before the trains set off on their tours.. If the little ones enjoy watching the toy trains set off they're even more impressed by the steam train installed in the garden This beautiful machine allows amused little travelers to tour the garden in waggons 2025 - 20:00 ⤏ 23:59Discover or rediscover the toy train collections on the 1st floor: demonstrations of steam and mechanical toy trains will punctuate the evening where a special nocturnal atmosphere never seen before Climb aboard a garden train for a moment of pure bliss gives you the chance to observe them up close although don't forget that these are wild animals There are plenty of activities on offer for the whole family to make the most of your day in the 250-hectare animal park The program includes giant trampolines for children a little train to take you through the forest and several areas to observe deer thanks to a food-truck and a pleasant restaurant area Everything is done to ensure that you have an exceptional day out and reconnect with nature it can sometimes be more difficult to observe the animals as you have to stay calm and still to prevent them from running off to hide in the undergrowth some of them are used to the humans who roam the park every day and will be more likely to stay by your side we were lucky enough to be able to rub shoulders with fallow deer up close but if you get the chance to approach them and you can move easily from one to the other: the deer forest you can observe the deer and their families from afar at observation posts It's impossible to get up close to them here you may also come across herds of fallow deer In the eagle forest, which is a little more like a zoo eagles and vultures fly overhead for half an hour especially when the larger ones fly safely overhead You can even become a falconer for a morning and take part The last forest, and this is the largest, to complete the visit: the wild forest. Here you can see animals in semi-liberty, roaming in herds or in small groups. For those who don't feel like walking, or for families, there's a silent train that takes you in the animal's footsteps, but we recommend a walk to enjoy nature to the full just the sound of leaves and the sun through the trees we spot some fallow deer feeding at a trough We keep a safe distance so as not to disturb them too much we follow other humans and discover some fifteen deer and their huge antlers a few meters further on After the caretakers had dropped off some food they moved around us and approached the feeders with much more restraint than the fallow deer and a striking exchange of glances as we step back to give them space we quickly spotted a small wild boar through the foliage - the only one of the hike you can explore the glades galore and enjoy the trampolines through the trees further on In Rambouillet, in the Yvelines department, the Quasimodo funfair returns to the Place du Rondeau from April 26 to May 4 you'll be able to enjoy the classic fairground attractions with rides for the little ones and others offering more thrills and spills Access to the fair is free and open to all but each attraction is subject to a fee (just like a traditional fair) Like every year, the Bergerie Nationale celebrates the change of season with the Shearing and Wool Festival, on Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23, 2025 The Merino sheep is the emblematic animal of the Bergerie Nationale de Rambouillet : the breed has been present at the Bergerie for over 200 years families and professionals alike are invited to find out all about this special breed learn all there is to know about working with wool and follow the sheep-shearing and herding dog demonstrations from A to Z La Bergerie also offers horse-drawn carriage rides and there's a designer's market especially for the occasion And don't forget the knitting café and crochet tea where you can knit in a friendly atmosphere and the stilt walk for the more sporty of you Otherwise, as usual, the Bergerie educational farm also opens its doors to you, with a tour circuit to follow and plenty of farm animals to cross paths with. A great way to officially celebrate the arrival of spring 2024 45-minute carriage ride around the Bergerie estate Come and crochet or knit and meet other knitting enthusiasts at this knitting café Created in 1984 by the French Ministry of Culture, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) have become a not-to-be-missed event for lovers of history and heritage the event gives the general public the chance to discover monuments historic sites and institutions that are usually closed or subject to admission fees these days are an opportunity to immerse yourself in the country's history through guided tours,exhibitions andevents They take place every year on the third weekend in September offering a great opportunity to (re)discover France's cultural treasures Among the gems to be discovered during the Journées du Patrimoine 2024, the Château de Rambouillet is a destination not to be missed Located on the edge of the Rambouillet forest the château has been the residence of numerous French sovereigns and presidents the estate has been designed in the style of an English park with beautiful garden nuggets such as the Laiterie de la Reine and the Chaumière aux coquillages le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles The Easter egg hunt is a tradition deeply rooted in Easter celebrations a meaning that became part of the Christian festivities of Easter the Church forbade the consumption of eggs during Lent so those laid during this period were preserved And there's a whole host of not-to-be-missed ideas for the occasion In the Yvelines department at the town's equestrian center and pony club for a special Easter day on Sunday April 20 Known for its château and dense forest, which covers 200 km², the town is also home to a major museum dedicated to model railways, the Rambolitrain the national sheepfold and the church of Saint-Lubin-et-Saint-Jean-Baptiste emperors and presidents have taken up residence here over the centuries each leaving their mark on the town of Rambouillet Heritage Days 2024: program and events at Château de Rambouillet (78)September sees the return of the Journées du patrimoine (Heritage Days): what's on the program at the Château de Rambouillet (78)? [Read more] La Bergerie NationaleAucun événement annoncé à ce jour le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.Église Saint-Lubin and Saint Jean-BaptisteAucun événement annoncé à ce jour Église Saint-LubinAucun événement annoncé à ce jour Town HallAucun événement annoncé à ce jour Office de tourisme Rambouillet TerritoiresAucun événement annoncé à ce jour Médiathèque La LanterneAucun événement annoncé à ce jour whose gardens hide some real little nuggets For those with more stamina, choose La Forestière, a 26km trail starting from the Cour Royale of the Bergerie Nationale de Rambouillet which takes you into the state-owned forest near the château with the discovery of the park's magnificent nooks and crannies from thatched shell cottages to the Queen's dairy The Marie-Antoinette is a little less strenuous Rabbits are animals that live in woods and forests. To find the best Easter eggs hidden by rabbits, you need to go to their natural habitat. The logic is unstoppable. This Easter weekend, there's only one possible destination: theEspace Rambouillet a vast natural area where everyone can admire and observe the animals and the forest Espace Rambouillet welcomes us with a host of events for the whole family On the program for these festive days is the inevitable Easter egg hunt Little gourmets have to find eggs hidden all over the park: in exchange for their booty the site also offers tales that reveal the traditions of Easter Espace Rambouillet invites families to enjoy a fun-filled time in the great outdoors This seasonal activity is also an opportunity to enjoy nature which runs throughout the spring vacations offers a wide range of activities for children curious youngsters can take part in activities focusing on the births of animals A humorous show also plunges us into the secrets of nature Children and their parents are in for a treat this Easter weekend at Espace Rambouillet During the 2024 Christmas vacations, head for the Bergerie Nationale de Rambouillet to discover the many residents who live there happily throughout the year: cows the Bergerie offers a wide range of activities to discover this emblematic farm in Rambouillet the elves and Santa Claus make a stopover every year to offer a whole host of activities for children pom-pom-making activities (using wool from the farm's sheep) sheep discovery tours and even a meeting and photo opportunity with Santa Claus: you've got everything you need for a wonderful afternoon in Rambouillet during the 2024 Christmas vacations What's more, the Mérinos Café - the café at La Bergerie - is also getting into the spirit of the children's favorite holiday, offering a warm snack all day long. Hot chocolate with good milk from the farm, crêpes and home-made pastries... Christmas is sure to be magical at the Bergerie Nationale de Rambouillet Journalist Ben Andoni has appreciated the contribution of the writer Ismail Kadare so that the Rambouillet Agreement was signed in 1999 Andoni said that Kadareja has made a great contribution to the Kosovo issue "A time was lost in a literary period [with his death] Kadare was identified with a literary time but in some moments Kadare managed to become the moral authority for our country There are some highlights that this is not the time to show I have in mind here the period after the 90s the great contribution to the Kosovo issue He is one of the people who corresponded with one of the most important presidents of that time He was one of the people who strongly insisted that the agreement be signed in Rambouillet" Andoni said that Kadareja should not be compared with other foreign writers This site is controlled and managed by KOHA are protected by KOHA's copyright and KOHA retains the reserved rights for them Materials on this site may not be used for commercial purposes without the prior permission of KOHA is prohibited The use of materials from any website or other medium without the permission of the KOHA Group on behalf of all the units that make it up (Koha Ditore is a violation of copyright and of intellectual property according to the legal provisions in force All violators of these rights will face the law The translation of contents into other languages is done automatically and there may be errors Annex of the former Radio Prishtina (first floor) George Bush pn the big bucks meet up with the doe herds and start bellowing an impressive moment when you can hear real guttural cries and may also fight with their antlers to see who can mate with the hinds present The latter will then give birth to adorable little fawns before next summer There are three options for observing this calm before enjoying local produce for breakfast we ask you torespect the animals' peace and quiet We recommend you book as early as possible Espace Rambouillet also offers a range of other activities, including falconry demonstrations and a number of themed walks in the footsteps of forest animals Introduction: Fine wool production is an important source of revenue, accounting for up to 13% of total revenue in extensively managed wool sheep production systems of the United States. The Rambouillet are a predominant breed that excels in wool quality characteristics. Understanding the genetic basis of wool quality characteristics would aid in the development of genomic breeding strategies to facilitate genetic improvement. Discussion: The results of this study provide important insight into the relationships between wool quality characteristics and report specific markers that Rambouillet sheep producers may use to help inform selection and breeding decisions for improved wool quality. Volume 13 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.1081175 A correction has been applied to this article in: Corrigendum: Genetic association of wool quality characteristics in United States Rambouillet sheep Introduction: Fine wool production is an important source of revenue accounting for up to 13% of total revenue in extensively managed wool sheep production systems of the United States The Rambouillet are a predominant breed that excels in wool quality characteristics Understanding the genetic basis of wool quality characteristics would aid in the development of genomic breeding strategies to facilitate genetic improvement Methods: Wool characteristics and DNA were collected for rams enrolled in the North Dakota State University and University of Wyoming annual central performance ram tests over a three-year period (2019–2021 The relationships of wool quality characteristics including grease fleece weight adjusted 365 days (wt amount of skin wrinkles and belly wool were evaluated through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Results: The GWAS identified four genome-wide significant genetic markers (p-value <1.19e-06) and five chromosome-wide significant markers (p-value <1.13e-05) on chromosomes 1 Significant markers were associated with genes notable for relevant wool biological functions including the gene ABCC8 which codes for SUR1 an ATP-sensitive potassium channel known to affect hair growth and 60S ribosomal protein L17-like previously found to be expressed during follicle formation The strongest Pearson correlation coefficients were identified between clean fleece wt (r = 0.83) and between clean fleece wt was correlated with final body weight (r = 0.35) and scrotal circumference (r = 0.16) average fiber diameter (p-value = .0053) and clean fleece wt (p-value = .014) were significantly associated with belly wool score Discussion: The results of this study provide important insight into the relationships between wool quality characteristics and report specific markers that Rambouillet sheep producers may use to help inform selection and breeding decisions for improved wool quality Wool quality characteristics are well studied in Rambouillet and other fine-wool breeds yet the genomic mechanisms underpinning these traits are still poorly defined and underutilized in genomic breeding strategies Wool quality is driven by clean fleece weight and fiber diameter (Khan et al., 2012) but many characteristics can contribute to the overall economic worth. Central performance ram tests have been developed as a way to systematically evaluate ram growth and performance traits under comparable environmental conditions with demonstration and outreach value for sheep producers (Shelton et al., 1954; Burton et al., 2015) Ram tests are held annually at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of Wyoming (UWY) to evaluate Rambouillet and other wool breeds enrolled by local sheep producers Despite such promising heritability estimates few validated markers exist for use with Rambouillet genomic breeding strategies The aim of this study was to utilize data collected during NDSU and UWY central performance ram tests over a three-year period to characterize relationships between traits and with genomic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers Pearson correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) testing were conducted with wool characteristics grease fleece weight adjusted to 365 days (wt skin wrinkle and belly wool scores and production traits including initial and final weights 140-day average daily gain (ADG) and scrotal circumference Wool traits were evaluated in individual GWAS with 50 k genotype data to identify markers for use in genomic breeding strategies Ram lambs 7 ± 3 months of age from regional (WY CO) seedstock producers were brought to the University of Wyoming—Laramie Research and Extension Center (Laramie −105°40′ W) or North Dakota State University—Hettinger Research and Extension Center (Hettinger Initial body weights were measured and animals were managed as one cohort Rams were provided ad libitum textured diets (15%–17% crude protein dry matter basis; 68%–73% total digestible nutrients dry matter basis) for 140 days in a dry-lot management system Rams were shorn after a 7–10-day acclimation period and once again at the conclusion of the 140-day feeding period. Upon conclusion of the performance test, scrotal circumference was obtained and wool staple length was measured on shoulder, side and britch, the three measurements averaged, and adjusted from 140-day to 365-day lengths in accordance with the standard practice of the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) for this trait (Wilson and Morrical, 1991) This was calculated by dividing the average staple length by 140 a subjective 1 to 4 scoring system was assigned in the fleece to rams at the end of the test period where: 1 = belly wool restricted to ventral portion 2 = belly wool restricted to lower 1/3rd of side of fleece 3 = belly wool extending from 1/3rd to ½ of the side of fleece 4 = wool extending above ½ of the side of the fleece Rams were scored linearly between these thresholds with a score of 1 being the minimum and a score of 4 being the highest possible (e.g. a ram with belly wool extending midway between the ventral portion and 1/3 of the side would be scored 1.5) a subjective 1 to 4 scoring system was assigned for face cover where: 1 = no wool cover over top of the head and on the side of muzzle 2 = minimal wool cover over top of the head and on side of muzzle 3 = moderate wool cover over top of the head and on side of muzzle 4 = heavy wool cover over top of the head and on side of muzzle A skin wrinkle score was assessed once wool was shorn where: 1 = no observable wrinkles on body surface 2 = minimal observable wrinkles on body surface 3 = moderate observable wrinkles on body and 4 = heavy wrinkles on body surface Belly wool scores were grouped into the variable “belly wool category” with rams with no belly-type wool comprising category one (n = 273) rams with belly wool on less than one-third of the side comprising category two (n = 25) and rams with belly wool from one-third of the side to over one-half of the side comprising category three (n = 15) Wool characteristics were analyzed against other production traits including initial body weight and final body weight (pounds) 140-day average daily gain (140 days ADG) and scrotal circumference (centimeters) p-values for location and year against wool characteristics Wool characteristics were tested against location (NDSU or UWY) with t-test and year (2019 Markers were filtered for quality control in the following order: non-autosomal markers (1,019 SNPs) markers with a call rate (CR) <90% (87 SNPs) markers with a minor allele frequency (MAF) <0.01 (1,407 SNPs) and markers with Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium p-values <1e-50 (30 SNPs) were excluded for a total of 41,888 high-quality autosomal SNPs retained for final analyses Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to investigate population structure. Analysis was conducted with plinkv1.9 and visualized with the package ggplot2 in R (Purcell et al., 2007; https://pngu.mgh.harvard.edu/purcell/plink/; Kassambara 2020b; R Core Team 2021) Principal components were plotted PC1 (x-axis) versus PC2 (y-axis) Separate plots were generated for each continuous wool characteristic and rams were color-coded on a gradient scale to indicate their position within the trait distribution Each ANCOVA model included the same covariate(s) as included in the corresponding GWAS model was significantly correlated (p-value <.05) with all traits tested Average fiber diameter was found to have significant positive correlations with both clean and grease fleece 365 adj weights (r = 0.19; r = 0.24 and p-value = 6.27e-04; p-value = 1.55e-05) respectively had significant positive correlations with staple length 365 adj (r = 0.53; p-value = 6.42e-24) and skin wrinkle score (r = 0.14; p-value = 1.40e-02) Skin wrinkle and face wool scores had a significant positive correlation (r = 0.26; p-value = 4.09e-06) weights were significantly correlated with initial body weight (r = 0.23; r = 0.18) final body weight (r = 0.35; r = 0.43) 140 days ADG (r = 0.25; r = 0.39) and scrotal circumference (r = 0.16; r = 0.24) Descriptive statistics of wool quality characteristics Wool quality characteristics of the 313 study rams collected from NDSU and UWY central performance ram tests over 3 years Pearson correlation results for ram production and wool characteristics Correlation coefficients (r) are reported on the upper diagonal and p-values are reported on the lower diagonal The relationships between belly wool and grease fleece wt scrotal circumference and 140 days ADG were also investigated and were not found to be significant Significant ANOVA results and post-hoc Tukey HSD p-values for production traits tested against belly wool categories Horizontal red lines indicate the trait mean Significant ANOVA results and post-hoc Tukey HSD p-values for wool quality characteristics tested against belly wool categories Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the population structure as it related to wool quality characteristics. Plots were constructed with principal component 1 (PC1) on the x-axis and principal component 2 (PC2) on the y-axis. PC1 had an eigenvalue of 8.57 and explained 11.17% of the total variance, PC2 had an eigenvalue of 6.91 and explained 9.00% of the total variance (Figure 3) There does not appear to be any specific clustering of phenotypically similar rams in the first or second PC for the wool traits examined Color-coding of rams by wool quality characteristic distributions indicates these specific characteristics do not segregate with any particular genetic relationships Principal component analysis (PCA) for 313 Rambouillet rams Each panel represents PC1 plotted on the x-axis and PC2 plotted on the y-axis Rams are color-coded based on their position within the trait distribution with the most desirable end of the distribution represented by black Each panel is color-coded low to high: (A) grease fleece wt orange to black; (C) staple length 365 adj. yellow to black; (D) average fiber diameter Face wool and skin wrinkle are colored based on log10 transformed data Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted for each of the six continuous wool quality characteristics. Ram test location and/or ram test year were included as fixed effects for traits with significant (p-value <0.05) ANOVA or t-test results. The results of GWAS are displayed in a multi-trait Manhattan plot (Figure 4A) and individual quantile-quantile (QQ) plots (Figure 4B) and unadjusted p-values are reported (Table 4) Three SNPs on chromosome 1 reached genome-wide significance including two SNPs associated with average fiber diameter and one SNP associated with clean fleece wt Significant SNPs for average fiber diameter were identified in a dominant inheritance model (rs404487383 with p-value = 2.53e-07; rs406184307 with p-value = 5.11e-07) and were estimated to explain 8.25% and 7.85% of phenotypic variance The significant SNP rs420943224 was found to be significant for clean fleece wt by genome-wide threshold and for grease fleece wt by chromosome-wide threshold in the corresponding additive inheritance models (rs420943224; p-value = 1.16e-06; p-value = 4.27e-06) with 7.40% and 6.60% proportion of variance explained (PVE) Two significant SNPs were identified on chromosome 15 for skin wrinkle score (rs402689377; additive) and staple length (OAR15_66653722.1; recessive) and three significant SNPs on chromosomes 2 and 19 were associated with face wool score in a recessive inheritance model (OAR2_197807108.1; rs429550684; OAR19_14805437.1) The PVE for significant SNPs ranged from 6.13% to 8.25% and MAF ranged from 5.13% to 48.40% Manhattan and QQ plots representing EMMAX GWAS results for six continuous wool characteristics (A) Manhattan plot representing the GWAS results of six wool traits p-values are represented by: grease fleece wt Genome-wide significance is given by p-values <1.19e-06 (black line) and chromosome-wide significance is given by p-values <1.13e-05 (red line) (B) Quantile-Quantile (QQ) plots for each GWAS displaying the expected versus observed–log10 (p-value) Results of GWAS for wool quality characteristics Each trait was tested individually in an EMMAX model and significant markers (genome-wide p-values <1.19e-06; chromosome-wide ANCOVA and post-hoc Tukey HSD test results of selected significant SNPs (A) Average fiber diameter against SNP rs406184307 The red horizontal lines indicate the trait means there is still a need for robust genome-wide investigations for markers associated with wool characteristics of Rambouillet sheep suggesting a potential role in the sheep skin transcriptome The proximity of significant SNPs to these genes suggests the possibility for linkage disequilibrium with untested causative markers or the possibility for identified SNPs to be positioned within transcriptional regulatory elements Further work is needed to elucidate the implications of these associations These data suggest potential functional ramifications of variant alleles associated with wool quality characteristics The presence of significant correlations between wool quality characteristics indicates that progress in one trait may either positively or negatively impact progress in another trait; for instance gains in clean fleece weight may come at the expense of fiber diameter The current study suggested potential positive phenotypic associations between belly score category two and staple length 365 adj. although further evaluation is needed to understand other important associations with belly wool in Rambouillet sheep The PCA investigated in this study indicated an overall lack of segregation of genetically similar animals with any of the specific wool quality characteristics tested by PC1 or PC2, suggesting an opportunity for genetic progress for wool quality characteristics. Previously reported heritabilities suggest that genetics are a major factor in wool quality phenotypes and genetic improvements should be possible even in the short term (Medrado et al., 2021) This study suggests specific genetic markers that may be used in marker-assisted selection programs for wool quality in Rambouillet sheep to make gains in economically important traits such as average fiber diameter and clean fleece weight Interpretation of the current study is somewhat limited by sample size as some genotype categories (such as CC at rs420943224) have as few as two rams observed Improving sample sizes in underrepresented genotypes would improve statistical power and overall understanding of genotypic relationships with traits The datasets have been deposited to EVA repository: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ebi.ac.uk/eva/?eva-study=PRJEB58836__;!!JYXjzlvb!gEHSLvJ5dvR-1g4UW6svxSQlbb8v0CZDShYTgf1HgGPLj3rxwSZ0_u0CaQFKVS5cKDCOr7UFqZw7zvCuQZ4qjmD-Q$ Accession Details are: Project: PRJEB58836 The animal study was reviewed and approved by North Dakota State University Institute for Animal Care and Use Committee (# 20210012) Written informed consent was obtained from the owners for the participation of their animals in this study WS and CS and University staff oversaw animal care and BM conducted research work and contributed to manuscript writing and editing All authors read and agree to the manuscript This research was funded by the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission and USDA-NIFA-IDA1566 and Hatch-Multistate “Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production” project accession no 1025808 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture The authors would like to thank the sheep producers who contributed to the success of this study and acknowledge AgResearch and the Animal Genomics team for access to the AgResearch Sheep Genomics 60K SNP chip The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships 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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use you can look forward to a great program for this Nuit des Musées 2025 Among the treasures of this region's heritage the town of Rambouillet boasts a historical nugget absolutely worth a visit: the Palais du Roi de Rome Built in the early 19th century under Napoleon I this palace was originally designed to house his son bears witness to the ambition and genius of the Napoleonic era Every nook and cranny of the palace exudes history ornate ceilings and magnificent formal gardens Would you like to find out more about the Nuit des Musées program Middle and high school students have their say!Saturday students from collège Catherine de Vivonne and Lycée Louis Bascan in Rambouillet have been working on the theme of garden cities in connection with the exhibition "Les cités-jardins d'Ile-de-France : une certaine idée du bonheur" drawings and video clips on display at the Palais du Roi de Rome a Ville d'art et d'histoire guide presents a theme related to the temporary exhibition "Les cités-jardins d'Ile-de-France : une certaine idée du bonheur" The Quatuor de la Motte takes you on a musical journey through the permanent collections a Ville d'art et d'histoire guide presents the secrets behind the pavilion's restoration in a nocturnal atmosphere: an ancient atrium Detailed program available at reception that evening To tie in with the "Twenty thousand places on the oceans" presentation La Lanterne media library has put together a selection of themed games about the sea and oceans Metrics details Angular limb deformity (ALD) affects many species of livestock and companion animals The mechanisms of ALD development are not well understood but previous research suggests the involvement of genetic risk factors A case-control genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted with 40 ALD-affected and 302 unaffected Rambouillet rams and 40,945 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Forelimbs of 6 ALD-affected rams were examined and diagnosed with osteochondrosis Genome-wide or chromosome-wide significant SNPs were positioned exonic intronic or within the 3′UTR of genes TSPAN18 These genes have previously described roles related to angiogenesis and osteoblast osteoclast and chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation which suggests the possibility for their involvement in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis Functional consequences of SNPs were evaluated through transcription factor binding site analysis which predicted binding sites for transcription factors of known importance to bone growth The identification of genetic risk factors for ALD may help to improve animal welfare and production in Rambouillet a breed known to be at risk for ALD development NRG3 and NOVA2 as targets for further research towards understanding the etiology of ALD in Rambouillet sheep Incidence of acquired ALD have been observed in Rambouillet rams during central performance ram testing at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and University of Wyoming (UWY) a subset of affected rams were examined with gross and microscopic pathology to better understand the cause of ALD in these animals The relatively low rates of disease development suggest the contribution of genetic risk factors; therefore genotype data were collected in order to test for SNPs associated with ALD Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted with 40 ALD-affected and 302 unaffected Rambouillet rams who were enrolled in NDSU and UWY ram tests over a three-year period Three different models were evaluated for comparison and interpretation of GWAS results and the significant GWAS markers and corresponding genes were investigated for known biological roles related to bone growth and development Visual presentation of ALD in a Rambouillet ram from UWY The ram to the left demonstrates normal structure of the forelimbs and the ram to the right displays carpal valgus The examined forelimbs of six ALD-affected rams displayed varying degrees of carpal valgus with occasional slight deviation of the fetlock metacarpal and phalanges were sectioned and examined Gross changes consisting of mild to moderate irregular physeal thickening primarily affected the distal radial physes although some mild changes were observed in the olecranon physis of two rams and the distal metacarpal physis of one ram Frontal sections of distal radius from two ALD-affected animals Images show mild (a) to moderate (b) irregular physeal thickening primarily affecting the distal radial physes (arrows) The irregular physeal thickening consists of both the proliferating and hypertrophic zones which extend down into the metaphysis Principal component analysis (PCA) of Rambouillet rams the PC1 is plotted on the x-axis and PC2 is plotted on the y-axis control rams; (b) PCA with rams coded by testing location Multi-Manhattan and QQ plots displaying genome-wide association study results for incidence of ALD in Rambouillet rams (a) Multi-Manhattan plot for the chi-square Genome-wide significance is represented by the black line and defined by permutation testing (P-values < 2.00e−06); chromosome-wide significance is represented by the red line and defined by Bonferroni correction of the largest chromosome (P-values < 1.08e−05) (b) Quantile–quantile (QQ) plot for the chi-square and SAIGE models displaying the expected versus observed P-values for each model NOVA alternative splicing regulator 2 (NOVA2) Although the 3′ UTR of NOVA2 is annotated as 352 bp in length in the sheep reference genome (ARS-UI_Ramb_v2.0) the assemblies of human and mouse contain much longer annotations; the Mus musculus NOVA2 3′ UTR is 6,701 bp (GRCm39 C57BL/6J genome) and the Homo sapiens NOVA2 3′ UTR annotation is 6,129 bp (GRCh38.p14 genome) Reference RNA tracks imply that the NOVA2 3′ UTR is a similar length in sheep as RNA signal extends from the gene to roughly 5552 bp downstream according to the “RNA-seq exon coverage” track in the NCBI Genome Data Viewer it is likely that SNP rs416810983 is located within the Ovis aries NOVA2 3′ UTR The predicted TFBS included transcription factors with known relevance to bone growth CREM and SOX9 at rs427563170 and SOX6 at rs416810983 The STRING database was used to identify known and predicted protein-protein interactions of the genes implicated by GWAS results. The Homo sapiens orthologs of TSPAN18, NRG3 and NOVA2 were queried and results revealed five protein interactions with TSPAN18 and eight protein interactions each with NRG3 and NOVA2 (Table 3) Interactant proteins with notable biological roles relevant to bone health included ADAM10 with TSAPN18 and HNRNPK and MBNL1 with NOVA2 Summary of biological implications of GWAS results (a) Deficiency of TSPAN18 gene expression may have negative repercussions on endochondral ossification through the downregulation of VEGFR2 leading to inhibition of the VEGF pathway and angiogenesis or through decreased cell-surface expression of ORAI1 resulting in reduced Ca2+ signaling affecting osteoclast and osteoblast cell maturation Predicted transcription factor binding site (TFBS) motifs RUNX2 and TBX5 show loss of specificity with the rs160736723 SNP allele potentially affecting TSPAN18 transcription; (b) Changes to NRG3 gene expression may impact chondrocyte growth and proliferation through the NRG3/ERBB4 pathway Binding site motif specificities for transcription factors CREM CREB1 and SOX9 are predicted to increase with the SNP allele at rs427563170; (c) Decreased gene expression of NOVA2 may decrease vascularization necessary for endochondral ossification The SNP allele at rs416810983 results in decreased TFBS motif specificity of SOX6 This study suggests that the genes TSPAN18 NRG3 and NOVA2 may have biological functions in ALD disease progression this study benefited from the environmental uniformity experienced by all affected and unaffected rams significant SNPs were identified through three different GWAS models which lends confidence to these associations Further research with a larger sample size is necessary to validate this study as well as to continue to elucidate the complex biological mechanisms that likely underpin ALD development Rambouillet rams with acquired ALD had gross and microscopic lesions consistent with physeal osteochondrosis Rams with one or more alternate alleles at rs160736723 rs427563170 or rs416810983 were found to be 3.5 to 4.8 times more likely to develop ALD than rams with reference alleles The genes implicated by GWAS results have previously described roles in angiogenesis osteogenic differentiation and chondrocyte development and proliferation suggesting their relevance to osteochondrosis the TFBS with predicted loss or gain of motif specificity at significant SNPs have known roles in the regulation and timing of endochondral ossification Further work is necessary to validate GWAS findings and to elucidate the potential roles of TSPAN18 NRG3 and NOVA2 in the pathogenesis of physeal osteochondrosis This study proposes three SNPs as genetic risk factors for ALD in Rambouillet rams and indicates potential genetic mechanisms that may contribute to disease Central performance ram testing was conducted as previously described (Becker et al ram lambs of 7 ± 3 months of age from more than 30 regional (WY CO) seedstock producers were brought to the University of Wyoming-Laramie Research and Extension Center (Laramie − 105°40′ W) or North Dakota State University-Hettinger Research and Extension Center (Hettinger Rams were managed as a single cohort in a dry-lot management system at each testing location and were provided fully balanced ad libitum textured diets that met requirements for all phases of ram growth containing 15% to 17% crude protein and 68% to 76% total digestible nutrients on a dry matter basis Each ram test began in the fall and concluded in the spring and lasted for a total duration of 140 days Ram test protocols were approved by North Dakota State University Institute for Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant IACUC guidelines and regulations The methods of this study have been reported in accordance with the ARRIVE guidelines Nine forelimbs from six ALD-affected rams (three rams each from NDSU and UWY) were evaluated for gross and histological pathology Each limb was evaluated grossly and the humerus hematoxylin and eosin stained frontal section of the distal radius and the sagittal section of the olecranon of each submitted forelimb and the frontal section of the distal metacarpus of two forelimbs were evaluated 2 × 0.08 NA plan apo lens on a DP 23 camera at 3088 × 2076 resolution Markers were filtered with plink v1.9 to remove non-autosomal markers and those with CR < 0.90 and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium P-value < 1e−06 A total of 40,945 SNP markers were carried through to final analysis Each plot was constructed with the first principal component (PC1) on the x-axis and the second principal component (PC2) on the y-axis Rams were color-coded by phenotype (ALD-affected or unaffected) test location (NDSU or UWY) and test year (2019 The proportion of variance explained by each PC were calculated by dividing the PC eigenvalue by the sum of eigenvalues Permutation testing was carried out in plink v1.9 (flags ‘–aperm’ Each SNP underwent a minimum of 500 permutations and up to 1,000,000 permutations under default conditions for the pruning alpha threshold initial pruning interval and the interval increase rate The most significant P-value achieved by chance after 1,000,000 permutations was used to define the threshold for genome-wide significance Chromosome-wide significance was calculated using the Bonferroni adjustment for the largest chromosome (chromosome 1; 4622 markers) Genes or noncoding elements located within ± 100 kb of significant SNPs were recorded for further investigation Interacting proteins and predicted transcription factors were investigated through literature review for potential relevance to bone health and growth All ram test protocols were approved by North Dakota State University Institute for Animal Care and Use Committee (# 20210012) Informed consent was collected from all animal owners upon enrollment of their rams in the central performance ram test All genotype data analyzed in this study have been made available from the EVA repository. 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Acids Res. 43, D447–D452. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gku1003 (2015) Download references This research was funded by the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission and USDA-NIFA-IDA1566 and Hatch-Multistate “Increased Efficiency of Sheep Production” project accession no conducted research work and contributed to manuscript writing and editing The authors declare no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43320-6 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science Did you know that an eagle weighs almost 3 kilos? Whereas we don't seem to feel the weight of an owl? Try the Falconer for a Day experience atEspace Rambouillet and feel for yourself, as you slip into the shoes of those who do this exceptional job, in contact with the most beautiful birds Whether you're an avian enthusiast or simply curious to experience an adventure alongside them you're in for a real thrill for almost two hours as you meet your mate for the day only the friendliest and most human-like birds are assigned to this activity the animals are never forced to perform if they're in a bad mood Put on a protective glove, as the talons of these birds of prey can be sharp, before discovering the history of falconry a very ancient art form listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which appeared in our regions in the Middle Ages be careful if you're particularly sensitive as you'll have to handle chick legs as a reward calm and observant female Great Horned Owl If you can't tell the difference between an owl and a barn owl and you'll learn a lot about the biology and environment of this nocturnal bird of prey all the while looking through its huge eyes that stare back at us we alternate between carrying the owl on our arm and letting it fly Willow being particularly at ease in the presence of humans Other birds can also be presented during this falconry experience the bald eagle being the emblem of the United States We were lucky enough to have an impressive encounter with the latter which is much heavier and more imposing than the owl taking part in the morning's show in front of the public This is an extraordinary moment that can be enjoyed by up to 5 people which grows its Merino wool exclusively for Duckworth apparel is proud to announce that the companies have donated $50,000 to build a new Montana Wool Lab at Montana State University one of only two wool research and service laboratories in the United States The substantial donation is the latest in an ongoing effort to modernize the Wool Lab and help the U.S wool industry meet growing demand as consumers return to Merino and other natural fibers It also reinforces Helle Rambouillet and Duckworth’s commitment to strengthening the U.S wool industry and domestic apparel manufacturers ensuring they’re leaders in the global Merino market the Wool Lab serves sheep and wool producers throughout Montana and the region Research and testing at the lab allow producers to enhance the genetics of their flocks to improve wool yield and traits such as fiber diameter and staple length producers and apparel manufacturers look to innovate Merino technology for better performance and sustainability as consumers return to wool The Wool Lab is looking to capitalize on this situation by offering its services on a national level ideally doubling the number of samples it can test and vastly improving the research it can provide to producers and manufacturers to help them become market leaders research and testing at the Wool Lab cannot increase without expanded and upgraded facilities The historic building the Wool Lab occupies lacks climate control for the detailed measuring required the Montana Legislature provided capital project funding for a new Wool Lab and to supplement that MSU has committed to raising an additional $1 million to support the design Helle Rambouillet and Duckworth’s $50,000 donation is among the largest donations to the effort to date the Wool Lab at Montana State University has provided testing and research to its partners in the ranching industry to improve wool yield and quality and to help them develop value-added industries – taking raw wool and turning it into a finished product,” said Brent Roeder Montana State University Extension Sheep Specialist “With funding from the state and donations from Helle Rambouillet the new Wool Lab will be able to use state-of-the-art technology to help future generations refine wool characteristics bringing economic development to Montana and beyond.” third-generation rancher at the Helle Rambouillet ranch in Dillon and a co-founder of Duckworth the donation and lab improvements are ways to strengthen the U.S Duckworth was founded to highlight both domestic wool production and apparel manufacturing with its Merino coming from Helle Rambouillet sheep and its garments being made in America “A new Wool Lab represents an enormous opportunity to help the industry at every level – from producing raw wool at the ranch to spinning knitting and finishing fabrics and manufacturing garments,” Helle said “The current Wool Lab has helped us build Duckworth into a successful vertically integrated company over the past 20 years but with the technology and research methods now available an upgraded lab is needed to take us and our partners in this industry into the future Because we’ve benefitted greatly from the lab’s work we felt it would only be right to make a substantial donation and encourage others to chip in.” Benefits of a new Wool Lab will extend beyond producers like Helle Rambouillet to companies like Cyberknit Fabrics a manufacturer of performance fabrics for the active wear and tactical markets “My family was in the wool business for many years with a sheep farm in New Jersey and a worsted mill in Massachusetts as consumer taste changed and imports rose there’s renewed interest in the performance and value of wool garments and rising demand and advances in technology are driving a revival in domestic production and manufacturing this wouldn’t be possible – and a new lab will help ensure it continues.” http://www.duckworthco.com © 2022 Northern Broadcasting System, Inc - We Ride For The BrandSystem Status - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use News | Nov 27 Estelle Cook was awarded the Legacy Award from the National Rambouillet Association in Huron South Dakota The award recognized her years of raising purebred Rambouillet sheep her membership in the Association for 65 years along with being a long tenured member and past chairperson of the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Estelle has worked tirelessly with the organizations to champion the sheep and advocate for their causes. South Dakota Master Lamb Producer award at the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Convention in Rapid City Thunder Butte rises above the prairie to the east with only prairie and sky visible for miles When traveling to the Cook Sisters Rambouillet Ranch in western South Dakota a south turn off the highway becomes a gravel road for about 9 miles the gravel turns into a dirt road laid out flat across the prairie for the next 6.5 miles The tracks of the dirt road wind up and down as it meanders up the slopes of sidehills and back down weaving its way through nature’s landscape the dirt road originated as a fire break and the dirt trail continues to serve as the road. Estelle moved to the remote ranch near Thunder Butte with her husband Leonard in 1957 living there and raising their six children Her mailbox is 15 miles from the homestead and the nearest small town is 40-50 miles at the end of the road.” Sitting at her kitchen table with the summer heat sifting through the open window Estelle relaxes as she shares stories of the first time she arrived at her home on the prairie She tells about the bum lambs she is currently feeding the sounds of cackling guineas are heard as they cross the yard have been Estelle’s companions for nearly seven decades on the ranch along with other familiar nighttime sounds through her open bedroom window each night. Estelle not only excels at raising premium sheep she also excels in preparing the meat for a meal If you happen to be at the ranch at mealtime you may very well likely be served roast lamb lamb chops or cold salami processed with lamb meat Estelle has always worked with the sheep on the family ranch Her beginning in the sheep business was with a small batch of bum lambs in the 1960s gifted from their neighbor The ewes were shown as 4-H projects by the three oldest daughters It is from that beginning that the name “Cook Sisters Rambouillet” originated winning enough blue ribbons to cover the wall in their living room. Bum lambs remain a huge part of Estelle’s daily routine She diligently cares for every lamb born on the ranch as she repeatedly checks on the ewes and is ready to help any bum lamb that may require her TLC Her tried and true feeding program for her bums is meticulous down to the ounce of milk and the time of day. There are many reasons Rambouillet sheep have been successfully raised by Estelle on the open prairie land of the ranch The Rambouillet breed is known to adapt to hot and cold climates and a variety of forage conditions They travel to find forage and have good gains on grass The ewes are good milkers with strong maternal instincts and have fewer lambing difficulties The Rambouillet sheep have an instinct to band together in open areas and are easy to handle in yards They have a resistance to internal parasites and disease Estelle is no stranger to hard work and long hours Her dedication to the care of the animals on the ranch remains with her to the ranch from her childhood home near Timber Lake. Estelle has always bred purebred Rambouillet sheep staying with the traditional horned rams Leonard and Estelle won the National Rambouillet Purebred Producer of the Year Raising good sound ewes has always been a consistent goal on the ranch Estelle has won Grand Champion Ewe and Pair of Ewes at the Newell Ram Sale in 2010 In 2016 at the 71st Newell Ram Sale she received the Premier Pen of Range Rams award Since 1997 Estelle has entered rams into The Dakota Performance Ram Test in Hettinger she has had 33 rams in the top 1/3 of all breeds In 2021 she was awarded the Top Certifying Rambouillet Ram Breeding for fine wool has always been a priority for Estelle She typically sells her wool in a regional market for a premium due to its fine quality and cleanliness a company geared towards creating unity through wool purchased its first ever native Rambouillet wool from the Cook Sisters They then spun the wool into DK and worsted weight yarns. Burt and Laura Anderson of Highmore South Dakota have been friends with Estelle for close to 50 years Their friendship has grown through the years with their experiences together at state and national Rambouillet sheep shows and sales Burt sums up Estelle’s life and accomplishments “Estelle has a passion for sheep that is seldom seen She’s not one to follow fad or fashion but over the years has developed a line of sheep you can’t beat fine wool that gets the job done on very little grain She has wide range of acceptance from both commercial and seed stock producers – Hats off to you Estelle “And she makes a really mean chocolate chip cookie,” he adds and I am waiting for the next time we see her to get them.” Estelle still manages the Cook Sisters sheep herd but only Estelle oversees the “official” head count which she keeps close to her heart She will tell you the count is around 150 head but magically more ewes and lambs show up around lambing time She has recently updated her bum house to provide the utmost comfort to any lamb in need of a bit more care Estelle shares her love of sheep with several of her grandchildren and children Carrying on these traditions and maintaining the highest quality of purebred sheep is Estelle’s legacy. Sign up for daily and breaking news headlines Manage Subscriptions SatNews The World Teleport Association (WTA) has renewed the Tier 4 certification of Eutelsat Group’s Rambouillet (France) Teleport under WTA’s Teleport Certification Program following an audit of the facility by the association the Certification program has quickly grown in popularity Starting with one certified facility in 2015 the program has certified 56 and currently has 8 teleports engaged in the quality evaluation process Certifications have been issued to teleports operated by Azercosmos The industry has quickly adopted the transparent independently verified standards as a means for teleports to differentiate themselves and for customers to choose the price-performance level suitable for their applications a teleport operator completes a +170-item questionnaire and submits it to WTA The Association analyzes the data based on standards established by its Certification Committee and issues the Provisional Certification based on the self-reported information The teleport then has six months to achieve Full Certification To achieve Full Certification under WTA’s program an auditor is dispatched to visit the teleport provide independent validation of the data submitted in the questionnaire and identify additional factors that may positively or negatively affect the score Full Certification is issued at a Tier number from 1 through 4 of which 4 represents the highest degree of excellence WTA’s Teleport Certification Program serves both teleport operators and their customers by creating an objective and internationally accepted method for teleport operators to document the quality of their operations for customers and strategic partners It also provides a means for customers to select teleport vendors delivering the price-performance level that is appropriate for their applications Click here for a list of certified teleports Head of 3rd party Teleports at Eutelsat Group “Since the launch of the WTA certification Eutelsat Group has been awarded the highest level of certification designating the infrastructure of Paris-Rambouillet Teleport as Tier-4 and reaffirming our highest operational standards through this recent recertification security and customer service’s management The achievement of this top-tier certification not only underscores the maturity of Eutelsat Group’s operational procedures customer-centricity and reliability in delivering world-class Teleport services and ground segment operations but also demonstrates the capabilities of our technical teams to innovate and set industry-leading standards while providing our customers with the highest quality of service for global connectivity and worldwide content distribution.” is achieving maturity with the first wave of renewals of certifications providing independent standards-based evaluation and validation of facilities technology and operating procedures,” said WTA executive director Robert Bell “Eutelsat is representative of the excellence found throughout our sector.” Monday World Subscribers only Friedrich Merz bets on two private sector converts to revive the German economy and reform the state World Subscribers only 'A Pope in the tradition of Francis': From New York to Ghana Catholics hope for continuity at the Vatican World Subscribers only Chancellor Merz's diplomatic first week 2025."> World Trump's proposal to reopen Alcatraz deemed 'absurd' in San Francisco World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France 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Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris the castle was reserved for sitting presidents it has been returned to the public and is open to visitors By Laurent Carpentier Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in the gardens of the Château de Rambouillet (Yvelines) GAMMA-KEYSTONE VIA GETTY IMAGES In the dining room French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing is positioned in the center facing the majestic lake reflecting the trees at the edge of the forest the Italian prime minister who would be kidnapped a few years later by the Red Brigades the first summit of the G6 industrial powers Castles always tell the story of the powerful the ghosts of presidential ushers and the ruffles of pajamas worn by prestigious guests still linger in silence Le Monde's headline reads: "After hunting at Marly the sultan of Morocco was [President] Vincent Auriol's lunch guest at the Château de Rambouillet." On November 14 a front-page article describes is titled: "Ms René Coty passed away last night at Rambouillet," referring to Germaine Coty There is Rambouillet for you: the château of the French Republic You have 81.97% of this article left to read Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page 2024 shows a view of Chateau de Rambouillet (castle of Rambouillet) covered with a thin layer of snow in Rambouillet near Paris A pedestrian walks through a park covered with a thin layer of snow in Rambouillet near Paris A seagull rests at the lakeside in a park covered with a thin layer of snow in Rambouillet near Paris A chance to get away from it all for a few hours, not far from Paris, and discover places that are easily accessible by metro, RER, bus or Transilien. Walking tours, exhibitions, festivals, shows and cinema.. original exhibitions and new attractions.. discover the program of outings in the Paris region this weekend Cocorico, the free educational farm in Herblay-sur-Seine (95)In Herblay-sur-Seine, don't miss Cocorico, the town's educational farm: free and open to all, it's a great opportunity for a family outing to the farm. [Read more] News | Sep 23 SD – The annual Newell Ram Show & Sale wrapped up its 77th year on Sept Winning the Overall Champion Ram was the Rambouillet from Dry Creek Rambouillet Overall Champion Ewe was the Rambouillet from Crawford Rambouillet of Pipestone ND had the Grand Champion Pair of Ewes and Flying O Sheep of Newell Winning the wool show was a fleece from Rabel The Raymond Garness Memorial Youth Credit went to Ellie Jay of Hulett She was able to take the $500 credit and apply it towards the purchase of a sheep on sale day at the Newell event saw an average price of $724 on 186 head of rams and ewes The high selling ewe was a Rambouillet yearling ewe from Crawford Rambouillet of Pipestone The high selling ram came from Shan Garson of Bosler The Rambouillet Yearling Stud Ram was bought by Michael McCormick of Glendo High selling Pen of Range Rams went to Flying O Sheep Rambouillet Yearling Range Rams bought by Connie Moore of Chadron Find out more information at newellramsale.com Features Livestock By Suzanne Downing Published: November 05 For fourth-generation rancher Evan Helle in Dillion managing thousands of sheep on his family-owned 25,000-acre Helle Rambouillet (ram-boo-ley) Ranch is in his blood What his great grandfather saw decades back in the wild west Helle sees now — thousands of white Rambouillet sheep grazing on forbs and wildflowers across a vast meadow Helle’s 13-year-old great grandfather sold the family car to buy the ranch’s first Rambouillet sheep What started out of necessity to support his mom and younger brother (after the passing of his father) is now a flourishing sheep ranching operation with a strong land-stewardship heritage “We’re taking care of the land,” said Evan Helle Although the family’s sheep still graze Montana fields as in days gone by, some things have changed over the years for the Helle family. They’ve embraced technology by integrating fiber analyzers and electronic trackers into their ranching operations. They’ve teamed up with range scientists to ensure sustainable grazing. And they’ve co-founded a modern apparel company, Duckworth where they offer the world’s only source-verified single origin Merino wool textiles like performance base layers hoodies and coats — all of which come with a 100 percent made in the U.S Wool is one of the oldest trade commodities known to man People in ancient civilizations hand spun wool vikings in the Middle Ages used wool for the sails of their longboats and after the invention of the spinning wheel circa 1030 wool textile production became commonplace factory owners struck it rich in the 18th century during the Industrial Revolution as the wool industry boomed wool was heavily used for war efforts like clothing soldiers,” said Brent Roeder an extension sheep and wool specialist at Montana State University most of America’s wool is imported from countries like Australia sheep numbers have fallen nearly 90 percent since 1945 According to the latest numbers by the U.S there are about 5 million head of sheep in the U.S — a number similar to the population of South Carolina “It’s due to a number of factors,” said Roeder who mentioned market fluctuations and fads that influenced people to switch to newer (and cheaper) fabrics like polyester He also said a lot of sheep farmers switched to cattle ranching as it became more profitable with improved infrastructure But one unique psychological stigma of sheep — stemming from the war — could’ve also contributed to declining sheep numbers in the U.S. “My great uncle fought in WWII and he ate a lot of canned mutton in the trenches which is a pretty bad way to serve lamb — cold with a lot of fat,” said Roeder the smell of lamb was known to trigger post-traumatic stress disorder so a lot of men that served in the war forbid their families from cooking lamb.” “I don’t know if anyone has really put their finger on it But we’re starting to see a lot of interest in younger generations to go back to locally sourced Rambouillet is the French version of Merino developed when Louis XVI imported a few hundred Spanish Merinos in the late 1700s for his estate at Rambouillet the breed owes much of its development to Germany and the United States bringing ranchers a premium price at market a natural stretch and it’s incredibly soft — making that thick itchy heavy-duty sweater your grandfather wore a thing of the past Some small sheep farmers even sell their Rambouillet wool to artisan crafters on Etsy for $70 a pound or more The extreme Montana temperatures help the Helle Ramouillet flock produce a very highly sought-after dense crimp (the natural waviness of the wool fiber) that’s almost like a spring The crimp traps air and helps keep the sheep warm It’s also why their wool has higher amounts of stretch to it than other wools “We have a pure-bred flock that we keep genetic records for,” said Helle referring to his family’s Helle Rambouillet flock “The ram lambs [or males] from that flock are what we keep for breeding.” keeping their pedigree heritage is important But keeping data up to date for a pure-bred flock when you’re tending to thousands of sheep each year requires a lot of work “Data collection and selective breeding are two of the biggest breakthroughs for us,” said Evan Helle who uses modern technology to determine wool grade and track the flocks the Helle family started using Optical Fiber Diameter Analysers (OFDA) developed by Australian engineers in the early 2000s “There’s only a few OFDAs in the U.S.,” added Helle who said the machine is operated by a technician from the Montana State University’s wool lab at their ranch The technician scans a piece of wool with a computer scanner and retrieves important data “The most innovative thing about the OFDA is that we get real time data that allows us to make decisions seconds after the sheep are shorn which allows us to make the most informed marketing decisions about our wool,” said Helle The technology and the science behind it improve the grading process.” Helle records how many lambs each sheep has in its life (which is about eight to nine lambs weaned over an ewe’s lifetime which is typically seven to ten years) “All this data basically boils down to giving us the estimated breeding Value or EBVs for each sheep based on the probability and percentage of all of these characteristics,” said Helle And that’s why affixing electronic identification trackers (or EIDs) to each sheep’s ear is crucial — a practice the Helle family has done now for the past five years When you’re tending to 5,000 to 8,000 sheep (or 5 to 8 “bands”) every year ewe and lamb microchipped saves ranch hands both time and labor while increasing information accuracy these modern technology advances are critical to both quality control and growth for the Helle family Sustainable grazing practices are not only crucial to the quality of merino wool each Rambouillet sheep produces but they’re also important for maintaining a healthy ecosystem The 1989 United Nations (UN) report “Our common future” raised global awareness of overuse of natural resources and led to the further development of the concept of sustainability Over time the UN expanded this notion of sustainability to include social as the balance of the three ensures the sustainability of a product For the Helle’s — sustainable grazing supports the wool industry as a whole sheep herders drive several bands of sheep up 60 miles into the mountains around June so they’re flocks can graze on public land in the Beaverhead Deer Lodge National Forest Each band of 1,000 sheep has two sheep herders a few livestock guard dogs (like Great Pyrenees to deter predators such as coyotes and bears) and a handful of trained border collies to herd the sheep “The sheep herders live with the sheep 24/7 from June to October and how long to graze each band of sheep on public lands “Working with the range scientists prevents overgrazing,” said Helle preferring forbs and wildflowers over just eating all the grass they have different grazing patterns than cattle — making their grazing patterns complimentary to cattle And sometimes the Helle’s sheep graze cattle pastures before the cattle arrive “The sheep seek out and eat all the Larkspur plants; delicious and harmless to sheep but deadly and toxic to cattle,” said Helle so it’s a natural way to avoid cattle deaths when there’s a big bloom of Larkspur “You can run about 100 sheep per every 500 cows without changing your sustainability,” added sheep and wool specialist Brent Roeder “The type of nutrition doesn’t change or the grass they eat which is good for business on the American wool production side people want to know where their wool comes from And they want to know it’s a sustainable practice.” all their innovations and extra work on the ranch needed to mean something And they grew tired of getting commodity-type pricing for their premium wool It was partly that frustration seven years ago that inspired Evan Helle’s dad and third-generation rancher the world’s only source-verified single origin Merino wool apparel company “All of the wool used in Duckworth clothing is 100 percent made in the U.S from our very own Rambouillet Merino flock,” Helle said a handful of certified Duckworth growers are contributing to keep up with the growing demand.” “Sheep-to-shelf is the cornerstone of the whole operation,” said Duckworth’s marketing manager A sheep is shorn on the Helle Ranch in Montana and it ultimately becomes a garment on someone’s shelf “That fiber never leaves the USA,” added Somerby source-verified nature of our wool ties it all together.” the Helle family sends it to South Carolina to be cleaned Factory workers first scour the wool by dipping it into a 100-foot-long-soapy water bath and turned into “Top” (a continuous strand of manufactured wool) finished and cut by factory workers — turning the wool into performance base layers “One sheep yields about 10 pounds of wool,” said Even Helle “Which makes about eight Maverick Tees or 15 Vapor Tees The difference stems from fabric weight and wool percentage.” The Helle family runs Duckworth with the same salt-of-the-earth ethics as their ranch “We’ve spent a painstaking amount of time developing our proprietary yarns and fabrics but also of the highest quality because we manage every step,” said Somerby “It’s how we like to do things and relates to our role as stewards of the land on which our animals graze and upon which we base our livelihood.” One of Duckworth’s top sellers is their wool-blend Vapor shirt — designed by a textile specialist that acts sort of like blotting paper on your skin “The designer was in many senses a mad scientist rendering the very best out of the natural properties of wool — odor-free (antimicrobial “It’s due to those efforts that our fabrics are really industry standouts.” wearing wool all year round is a foreign concept “People just don’t associate wool as a cooling fabric,” said Roeder “I’ll wear my Duckworth Vapor shirt down in Texas in August and I’ll use it as a base layer here in Montana in the winter The Helle’s sold their first “Sheep to Shelf” wool product through Duckworth in 2014 sales continue growing on a noteworthy basis year over year “Keeping up with demand has been tough,” said Helle who said they had to change their sales model when the pandemic hit in March 2020 we sold about 50 percent of our Duckworth inventory to store owners,” he said As Duckworth’s customer base grows, word of mouth has followed. Sales continue to rise, and the Duckworth Instagram page has more than 12,000 followers natural and quality products for people to use just makes sense “People really appreciate the simplicity of it,” he said “And the fact that I can wear a shirt I know came directly off of our ranch is pretty rewarding.” Suzanne Downing is an outdoor writer and photographer in Montana with an environmental science journalism background Her work can be found in Outdoors Unlimited National Wildlife Federation campaigns and more The AGDAILY Digest is the information superhighway for your country road You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed The facades and roofs of the southern part of the eastern wing of the former palace of the King of Rome in Rambouillet (Yvelines) have been classified officially as historical monuments by decree of the Conseil d’Etat (February 2022) The building has been closed since 2018 for renovation work ► Read in English the press release from the Ministry of Culture architect in chief of the chateau de Rambouillet was charged with the reconstruction of the government building of Rambouillet Famin had stayed at the Academie Française in Rome from 1801 to 1806 he had helped Fontaine with work projects at the Chateau de Rambouillet Commisioned by Louis XVI from the architect Jacques-Jean Thévenin (1732-1813) amongst a series of royal buildings (bailiwicks the hôtel du Gouvernement was built between 1784 and 1787 It is comprised of a main building enclosed by two pavilions which extend to the street via an low wing The south facade opens onto a garden which adjoins the royal gardens Made a national building after the Revolution deputy of Saint-Domingue who lived in Paris who little by little sold off the stones of the main body of the building On 28 Floreal; year XII (18 May 1804) a senatus consulte integrated what was left of the hotel into the civil list of the Emperor The hôtel du Gouvernement took the official name of the Palais du Roi du Rome on 2 March 1812 Site: http://www.rambouillet.fr/ Whether you are a private individual or a company you get tax benefits on donations to the Fondation Napoléon © Fondation Napoléon 2025 ISSN 2272-1800 where breaking news in Montana State Government is posted for various state agencies – Kicking off Montana Agriculture Month Governor Greg Gianforte today visited a multi-generational family sheep ranch near Dillon “At their ranch in southwest Montana 100% Montana grown Merino Wool to market,” Gov “To keep family operations like this one running for future generations we’ll continue to promote and invest in value-added ag so producers can capture more of the tremendous value they create.” Gianforte visits with Montanans and Duckworth representatives at the Helle Rambouillet Ranch With wool sourced from their Rambouillet herd taking part in the first step of the company’s Sheep to Shelf process Gianforte shears an ewe at the Helle Rambouillet Shear 'N Shred event a fourth-generation sheep rancher and son of Duckworth co-founder and head rancher “People want to know where their clothing comes from and we had all the tools in place to be able to start a company with products made in the USA from Sheep to Shelf,” Helle said Working with 23 factory partners in 12 states Duckworth is rebuilding the American textile industry from the bottom up who attended the shearing with the governor “Today was a great opportunity to highlight entrepreneurial activity in our state specific to agriculture having the opportunity to highlight domestic supply chain strengths coming out of a 4th generation sheep ranch is a story that we hope inspires other producers in the state to keep pushing value added agriculture forward." Gianforte met with members of the Helle family and Duckworth representatives Earlier this week, Gov. Gianforte proclaimed March 2023 as Montana Agriculture Month Montanans can learn more about Duckworth and the Helle Rambouillet Ranch here We start with a short stroll through the Sauvage forest to reach the Eagle forest " Il était une fois l'Arbre Monde" is a story that evokes the fragile balance of the forest and nature The tale takes us back to a time when a giant tree reached for the sky its branches capturing the clouds and bringing rain This monumental tree sheltered and nourished millions of beings with birds watching over its balance from its highest branches This story offers an enriching perspective on the importance of preserving the forest and helps us better understand its vital role in our ecosystem The event is free but limited to 90 participants, to ensure a great experience. Registration is compulsory This evening promises to be a wonderful discovery for those who love nature and storytelling For those unable to attend the Friday evening event Espace Rambouillet is offering additional performances of the tale over the weekend visitors can discover this magnificent story for the price of park admission Espace Rambouillet' s Nuit des Forêts initiative is a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of storytelling in the middle of the forest This immersive experience promises to captivate young and old alike offering an unforgettable evening under the canopy of trees are you ready to reconnect with nature in a sensitive and playful way during the Nuit des Forêts in Rambouillet to discover this particular period in its history From December 10, 2023 to September 30, 2024, the Château de Rambouillet is organizing a heritage exhibition, combining history and design, in collaboration with the Mobilier National. The exhibition, entitled Rambouillet 1950, dans l'intimité du Président (Rambouillet 1950, in the intimacy of the President) takes us through various rooms as they were furnished and arranged in Vincent Auriol's day furniture specially designed for French heads of state: we discover impressive and magnificent rooms unique furnishings and the work of renowned decorators The exhibition at the Château de Rambouillet highlights the expertise of these " ensembliers" the professionals responsible for coordinating the decoration of a space the decor had to be worthy of the international leaders received at the château by President Auriol The designers were inspired by the great French achievements of the time such as the Normandie and Île-de-France ocean liners We walk in the footsteps of President Auriol and his prestigious guests An interesting exhibition to see on your next trip to the château In line with monarchs and Kings before him who came to hunt in the nearby Forest of Rambouillet the Chateau de Rambouillet was one of Napoleon’s official “Imperial residences” “but he himself directed a whole series of major works,” explains Laurent Mortier as well as the construction of a long outside balcony allowing him to reach Marie-Louise’s apartments without meeting her ladies-in-waiting And it is there that he spent his last night While the city of Rambouillet has just been labelled “Imperial City” the Centre des Monuments Historiques (CMN) has chosen to accentuate the imperial identity of the chateau through a campaign to refurnish Napoleon’s apartments the furniture of “Chamber of the Duke of Gaëte” Minister of Finance during the Consulate and the Empire then first Governor of the Banque de France from 1820 to 1834 neoclassical motifs for the gilded bronzes: this ensemble gives these private spaces an atmosphere close to that with which Napoleon would have been familiar The bathroom and the antechamber have also recently been refurnished with pieces from the Mobilier National Practical information for the Chateau de Rambouillet (in English) If you find yourself walking thorough the forest of Rambouillet and happen to see an animal resembling a kangaroo know that your eyes aren’t playing trick on you the French forest has been home to up to 150 wallabies for over 40 years The colony of red-necked Bennett’s wallabies living in Rambouillet Forest can be traced back to a small group of animals that were brought into a zoological reserve in the nearby village of Emance A few of them escaped through holes in the fencing They’ve been living in the wild for decades and researchers believe that the woods may now be home to around 150 wallabies The forest provided them with shelter and sustenance and the climate was apparently very similar to that of their native Tasmania The biggest threat to the wallabies of Rambouillet are passing cars Photo: pen_ash/Pixabay Even though they’ve been around for nearly half a century the wallabies of Rambouillet Forest still enjoy a sort of myth status When someone spots one of the creatures hopping around they have a tough time convincing their neighbors or friends that they weren’t simply imagining it Even car insurance companies have a hard time believing wallabies are the cause of road accidents in France so people in Emance and other villages around the forest have had to take out certificates attesting their presence A post shared by Régis Andrieux 🇫🇷 (@libre.comme.l.air) on Mar 2 “We probably have about 30 to 40 collisions per year,” Bruno Munilla “Not all are deadly but 15 to 20 animals do get killed.” Yellow road signs with kangaroo silhouettes on them have been installed on roads passing through Rambouillet they really inform motorists to the presence of marsupials in the forest The chances of spotting wallabies around Rambouillet are highest early in the morning or after sunset experts assure us that the colony is not only real but thriving tens of thousands of miles away from their species’ ancestral home Next yuletide season tell Santa you’ve put the Hinsdale Haute Route Yurts on your Christmas list And my adult family spent last Christmas in a yurt just seven miles south of Lake City our yurt was sturdy and warm with carpeted floor high roof and splendid window views of the snowy San Juan Mountains and at night you can watch the stars turn as you doze off I saw constellations that I haven’t seen in years we donned snowshoes in one of the free parking areas next to Highway 149 then shuffled five miles right alongside the Continental Divide toward the Rambouillet Yurt a pristine expanse of snow that is reminiscent of Santa’s backyard but not nearly so treacherous; the trail is well marked at frequent intervals so you can see all the way to the Rio Grande Pyramid over in the Weminuche Wilderness; the main point being the Hinsdale Haute Route is a safe place to get started which overlooks beautiful Lake San Cristobal is only one-and-a-half miles from the highway you’ll appreciate the Colorado Trail Friends Yurt so-named because it rests beside the Colorado Trail that runs from Denver to Durango Perched atop the steep ridge that forms the eastern wall of the Gunnison River valley Colorado Trail Friends Yurt is accessible by more-advanced snowshoers I rate it as just right: a little climbing but gaining only 800 feet overall across the five mile trail we look back and enjoy a view of the east side of the Gunnison River valley and the continuance of the Continental Divide you will be high in the sky because the trails start at almost 11,000 feet and climb to manageable elevations with spectacular views of the Powderhorn the yurts have been strategically situated atop the eastern ridge of the Gunnison River valley and connected by a trail that runs along the spine of that ridge the trail turns a corner and continues along the Slumgullion Ridge which runs east and west The gentle interior contours of Rambouillet Park are wrapped in the protective embrace of both ridges You can’t get higher or more remote while staying so safe The HHR folks even offer a sherpa service and will deliver your stuff by snowmobile if you want to save your energy for sight-seeing Your yurt is already set up and waiting for you an axe to split the wood that’s already provided cots and bunks for sleeping; the yurts sleep 6-8 and easily accommodated our five adults and one dog You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and a blanket for your canine family member Gazing back at the last mile of Rambouillet Park Many stakes mark the trail at frequent intervals you’ll like the propane gas range and oven that makes a great pizza Don’t worry about a fridge; you’ll find an ice chest in the yurt but you don’t need fancy plumbing; you’re in the wilderness Just melt snow on the stove; the HHR folks have provided plenty of BIG pots for that purpose They have a porta-potty just a few yards from the yurt but found that the Hinsdale elves had already stocked the yurt thoroughly treat it like a light backpacking trip: clothing Don’t forget your snowshoes because snowshoeing is what it’s all about but the powder was so deep and fresh that only snowshoes worked well for the whole family my family packed heftier meals than we usually carry I recommend the duck breast confit with sautéed asparagus all of which were easily prepared on Christmas Day given our yurt’s ample kitchen amenities the HHR folks have stocked the yurts with everything you’ll need — and most importantly at Christmas time — none of the stuff you don’t: No cell phones my family celebrated by snowshoeing up onto the northern ridge between Hill 71 and Slumgullion Peak we discovered sweeping vistas of the entire Gunnison River Valley and Uncompahgre Peak which sags droopily like — I kid you not — Mount Crumpit where the Grinch lives The author and daughter above Rambouillet Park this trip had helped us simplify our lives and strip away much that is superfluous and distractive about the holidays Since there’s a limit to what Santa can truck out to the wilderness in snowshoes we opted for the traditional stockings this Hinsdale Haute Route Christmas and the caveat that nobody brought presents that couldn’t share space in a sock For more information about the Hinsdale Haute Route Yurts www.hinsdalehauteroute.org You can access the yurts through Lake City by way of Gunnison or you can come from the south along Highway 160 which connects Durango The Hinsdale Haute Route Yurts are available throughout the snow season He’s a really helpful person and will forgive you even if your Tibetan Terrier eats a hole in the door of his yurt Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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Powered by WordPress The (official) motive for the attack on Serbia was Belgrade’s refusal to sign the Rambouillet agreement Yet the Yugoslav leaders had accepted its main provisions The only outstanding issue was the nature of the force to be deployed in Kosovo And although the Serbs rejected any Nato presence The failure of the Rambouillet negotiations on the status of Kosovo was the end of a long story that began last summer when United States’ strategists seized on clashes between the Yugoslav army and Albanian guerrillas as the starting point for an attempt at a political settlement responsible for managing the Yugoslav crisis presented to both parties the plan whose rejection led to the outbreak of war In early summer 1998 former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke went to Belgrade with Ambassador Christopher Hill to demand that Slobodan Milosevic open talks with "representative authorities" of the Albanian community in Kosovo In practice this could only mean Ibrahim Rugova the undisputed winner of the elections held in the Albanian community on 22 March The negotiators designated by Belgrade moved into the main hotel of Pristina where they waited for a considerable time for their counterparts to show up Milosevic and Rugova met in Belgrade but failed to reach a political agreement The reason for the delay was the emergence of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as a force representing the majority of the Albanian community It had appeared on the scene in December 1995 immediately after the Dayton agreement on Bosnia and from the outset its stated aim was armed struggle for the independence of Kosovo It hit the headlines in February 1996 when it claimed responsibility for an attack on a Bosnian Serb refugee camp Increasing its activities steadily over the next two years the KLA achieved a strategic and probably decisive breakthrough in spring 1998 when it took control of the Drenica plateau in the heart of Kosovo establishing a rear base for raids throughout the province This was followed by fierce competition between Rugova and KLA leader Adem Demaci While both men agree on the aim of independence for Kosovo they differ widely in temperament and methods Rugova was convinced that Kosovo could achieve independence in stages Demaci comes from a generation of Kosovars determined - after the dismemberment of former Yugoslavia - to secure independence through armed struggle with the help of foreign powers As clashes broke out between Yugoslav forces and KLA guerrillas the Albanian community predictably shifted towards the KLA’s radical stance and solidarity with its fighters Inevitably the supporters of Rugova and Demaci each hardened their attitudes almost paralysing the negotiations with the representatives of the Yugoslav Federation that had been so difficult to get off the ground Meanwhile American diplomacy had not been idle Without waiting for the two sides to meet and perhaps reach agreement Holbrooke instructed Hill to draft a political settlement The principles were laid down in advance of any approach to the parties: the frontiers of Yugoslavia would be maintained as a political framework to avoid setting a precedent for challenges to other borders in the region especially those of Macedonia; within those frontiers Kosovo would be granted "substantial autonomy" which would in practice give it all the internal attributes of a state; and the province would be occupied by Nato forces to ensure the agreement was implemented the plan later submitted at Rambouillet was already present in its entirety in Hill’s draft as can be seen from the text of the draft published in February in the Albanian daily Kohe Ditore. After the Racak massacre on 15 January this year the governments of the countries in the Contact Group (the US Italy and Russia) announced their intention to draw up a plan for a political settlement of the Kosovo crisis They invited the Belgrade government and the representatives of the Albanian community in Kosovo to acquaint themselves with it with a view to negotiations The invitation was in the form of an ultimatum at least as far as the Yugoslav Federation was concerned since it was threatened with military reprisals if it refused to comply The Contact Group then agreed a set of principles which were to govern the plan to be submitted to the two parties There were ten principles: the violence was to be ended quickly and a ceasefire established; the conflict was to be settled peacefully through talks between the opposing sides; interim arrangements were to be agreed for a period of three years while a final settlement was worked out; the interim status of the province was not to be changed unilaterally; the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia was to be maintained; the rights of all communities was to be respected; free elections were to be held and supervised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); no legal action was to be taken in respect of acts committed in the course of the Kosovo conflict except for war crimes or crimes against humanity; an amnesty was to be declared and all political prisoners released; the future settlement was to be implemented through international participation and cooperation by both parties For the Contact Group these principles were not negotiable The first draft was accepted by the Yugoslav side but not by the representatives of the Albanian community who found the reference to a final settlement after a three-year interim period too vague and sought an explicit commitment that the people of Kosovo would be able to opt for independence where the final text of a settlement was presented now considered to be representing the Kosovar Albanians stood by its refusal to accept any settlement that did not clearly provide for the right to independence in due course The Yugoslav delegation raised no objections to the political aspects of the settlement but rejected the military provisions the text stipulated that Kosovo would be occupied by Nato forces The Belgrade government’s representative in Rambouillet hinted at a possible compromise involving an "international" presence in Kosovo It was clear to all parties that what he had in mind were forces from countries such as Russia but excluding troops officially and directly subordinate to Nato that is troops governed by an American command structure itself subordinate to the US president This overture was ignored by the Western countries American diplomacy had adopted a different approach From the outset it had counted on acceptance of the settlement plan by the Albanians and rejection by Belgrade which would justify an ultimatum to Milosevic and the start of a bombing campaign against Yugoslavia Now Secretary of State Madeleine Albright arrived in Rambouillet to take matters in hand pushing into the background the European ministers who had been conducting the negotiations so far When even Albright failed to convince the Albanian representatives to sign the agreement the Rambouillet meeting had to be suspended But direct talks with the KLA leadership began straight away - first in Albania through former Republican presidential candidate Robert Dole and then His duties were partly taken over by Hacim Taci who seized the opportunity to set himself up at the head of a "provisional government" the US gave a commitment on four points considered essential by the KLA: the elections in Kosovo would be held as soon as possible so that the leaders of the Albanian community could take over the government of the province without delay; the disarming of militias stipulated in the Rambouillet settlement would not in practice apply to individual weapons which would be considered private property; the effective presence of Nato forces would prevent any Yugoslav challenge to the interim or final status of Kosovo; at the end of the three-year interim period the eventuality of independence for the province would be examined if the regional and international context permitted So the document did not reflect a joint position of the whole Group were of considerable importance in the light of the military clauses of the agreement which continued to provide for the permanent presence of Nato forces in Kosovo Point 2 dealt with OSCE supervision of the police and judiciary Point 5 directly concerned implementation of the military provisions Point 7 stated explicitly that any dispute between the parties should be referred to Nato and Nato alone Could anyone have imagined the Yugoslav leaders would agree to a settlement which turned Kosovo into a protectorate of the Atlantic military alliance Especially as the settlement plan submitted at Rambouillet stipulated that the status of Kosovo took precedence over all constitutional or legislative provisions of the Yugoslav Federation which would therefore not apply in the province In these circumstances the negotiations were bound to fail Latest book: Le dernier empire : le XXIe siecle sera-t-il americain? (1) For full English text see Le Monde diplomatique’s web site: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/dossiers/kosovo/rambouillet.html