American Sheep Magazine March 2026

IN BRIEF

SECTION 201 TRADE CASE: WHAT’S HAPPENING

ASI is pressing for a federal safeguard investigation into lamb imports and members are helping to strengthen the push. ASI has formally asked the U.S. Trade Repre sentative (USTR) to initiate a global safeguard investiga tion under Sections 201-202 of the Trade Act of 1974 to examine whether rising lamb imports are causing serious injury to U.S. producers. Update: ASI is currently await ing USTR’s decision. If the case moves forward, the U.S. International Trade Commission would evaluate injury and could recommend temporary relief (such as tariffs or quotas) designed to restore fair competition. ASI’s request is backed by industry data submitted to USTR, including findings that lamb imports rose from 213.6 million pounds (2020) to 309.3 million pounds (2024), nearly 45%, capturing about 70% of the domes tic market. What members can do today: Watch for ASI ac tion alerts, share your operation’s impacts when re quested, and visit our website to track progress: sheepusa.org/issues/asi-trade-case

U.S. sheep production under pressure as ASI pursues a federal safeguard investigation into rising lamb imports.

One of the many groups holding a meeting during the ASI Convention: the National Sheep In dustry Improvement Center (NSIIC), the group that manages USDA’s Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program, helps put real dollars behind projects that strengthen U.S. sheep production and market ing. Each year, NSIIC budgets about $300,000 in competitive grants for industry-led ideas such as in frastructure and business development, production/ resource development, and market research, the kinds of projects that remove bottlenecks and help the in dustry grow. How to apply: proposals typically open July 1 and are due September 15. Learn more at nsiic.org and request application materials via sheepgrants@nsiic.org NIISC GRANTS: FUNDING IDEAS THAT MOVE THE INDUSTRY

Bollman Industries received an NSIIC grant this year to more easily handle smaller lot sizes to serve a broader range of customers.

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