American Sheep Magazine March 2026

AMERICAN SHEEP | NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN SHEEP INDUSTRY

ASI’s annual fly-in brings members to Washington, D.C., for in-person meetings with congressional offices and key federal agencies. A new chapter for wool testing in Montana is coming Summer 2026 when MSU’s Wool Lab moves into modern space designed for the work producers rely on.

ASI MEMBER FLY-IN TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

MSU WOOL LAB GETS A NEW HOME

On March 2nd, producers from across the country flew in to Washington, D.C. for ASI’s annual “fly-in”, a set of in-person meetings where members share real ranch and market realities directly with fed eral decision-makers. Fly-ins are a common way trade groups bring constituents to Capitol Hill and agen cies to advocate face-to-face. Day one focused on agency meetings (USDA and ag related agencies); the following days were Capitol Hill visits, often with members of congress or their ag staff. ASI provides the briefing packets, issues one-pagers, and manages logistics so members can focus on telling their story. Want to join a future fly-in? Email info@shee pusa.org or connect through your state association executive to get on the list for next year’s planning.

After nearly eight decades in its original 1947 building, the Montana State Universi ty (MSU) Wool Lab is preparing to relocate to Bozeman’s new Combined State Laboratories Building, a shared facility that will also house Montana’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and the De partment of Agriculture’s Analytical Lab. The upgrade is practical: precise wool test ing relies on stable humidity, and staff have used buckets of hot water and even mopped floors to keep conditions ideal in the aging lab. With Montana producing 1.38 million pounds of wool in 2023, expanded, modern space is a meaningful win for producers across the region.

SHEEPUSA .ORG