Sheep Industry News April 2024

ASI Wraps Up Successful Spring Trip to Washington, D.C. I n mid-March, members of ASI from all across the country traveled to the nation’s capital to participate in ASI’s annual Spring Trip to advocate on behalf of the sheep industry’s top issues and priorities. On March 12, the fly-in kicked off with breakfast and general issue briefing from Cornerstone Government Affairs lob byists Vernie Hubert and Macey Hammerstrom. Following ASI’s D.C. consultants were various sheep industry specific presenta tions from: U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Deputy Administrator Janet Bucknall; USDA/Risk Management Agency Associate Administrator Heather Manzano; The Meat Institute Vice President of Legislative Affairs Nathan Fretz; USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service Deputy Administrator Jennifer Porter; USDA/Agricultural Market ing Service Associate Deputy Administrator Taylor Cox; and Kelley Drye International Trade and Government Relations Partner Paul Rosenthal. This ASI event provides the only opportunity of the year for producer leaders to visit with USDA program officials that partner with industry on wool and lamb marketing and sheep production and protection. ASI members took to Capitol Hill to meet with their state’s members of Congress and agriculture committee staff, advocating for passage of a new Farm Bill, the sheep industry’s priority issues and Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations requests. Joining the ASI Executive Board, representatives from 10 of ASI’s state affiliates travelled to Washington, D.C., to represent the industry, including: California, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The trip wrapped up on March 13 with ASI’s annual American Lamb reception on Cornerstone’s rooftop overlooking the Wharf, where the night was filled great company and American lamb.

20 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org