Sheep Industry News December 2021

SheepIndustry NEWS Volume 25, Issue 12 December 2021

Santa's Helpers

CONSUMER RESEARCH

EXISTING LAMB CONSUMERS DRIVE SALES GROWTH (ǪXyJ !„ßX(ׁّ ׉ Insight Survey

POSITIVE PERCEPTIONS OF LAMB

Flavor | Quality | Tenderness | Freshness 75% of lamb consumers eat meat because it tastes good

52% are aware of the source of their lamb 42% ȯȲƵǏƵȲ ɈȌ Ʀɐɯ ǿƵȲǞƧƊȁ mƊǿƦ LAMB PURCHASERS

ATE LAMB IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS

51% twice a month to ȌȁƧƵ ƵɨƵȲɯ ׃ ǿȌȁɈǘȺ

26% once a week or more

23% Ɗ ƧȌɐȯǶƵ ɈǞǿƵȺ Ɗ ɯƵƊȲ ȌȲ Ɗ ȺǞȁǐǶƵ ȺȯƵƧǞƊǶ ȯɐȲƧǘƊȺƵ

2/3 ȌǏ ǶƊǿƦ ƧȌȁȺɐǿƵȲȺ ȯǶƊȁ ɈȌ ȯɐȲƧǘƊȺƵ ǶƊǿƦ Ǟȁ ɈǘƵ ȁƵɮɈ 6 months

HEAVY LAMB PURCHASERS+

■ c ȌǶǶƵǐƵٌ ƵƮɐƧƊɈƵƮ Millennials with families

LAMB PURCHASERS* SAY:

■ ǶǞɨƵ Ǟȁ ɐȲƦƊȁ ƊȲƵƊȺ ■ ǞȁƧȌǿƵ ڛ ׀׀׀ة׀׀ׁٽ ȯƵȲ ɯƵƊȲ

■ ɩƊȁɈ ɈȌ ƦƵɈɈƵȲ ɐȁƮƵȲȺɈƊȁƮ ǶƊǿƦ ƧɐɈȺ ■ ɩƊȁɈ ǿȌȲƵ ƧȌȌDzǞȁǐ ǐɐǞƮƊȁƧƵ ■ ȺȌƧǞƊǶ ǿƵƮǞƊ ǞȺ Ɗ ȯȌȯɐǶƊȲ ȺȌɐȲƧƵ ǏȌȲ ȁƵɩ ȲƵƧǞȯƵȺ

ÀǘƵ ٶ mƊǿƦ !ȌȁȺɐǿƵȲ ²ɐȲɨƵɯ ٶ ɩƊȺ ƧȌȁƮɐƧɈƵƮ ȌȁǶǞȁƵ ɐǐɐȺɈ ׂٌׅ ة׀׃ ׂ ׀ׁׂ خ ÀǘƵ ȺɐȲɨƵɯ ǞȁƧǶɐƮƵȺ ƊǶǶ ǶƊǿƦ ȯɐȲƧǘƊȺƵȺ ة ƮȌǿƵȺɈǞƧ ƊȁƮ ǞǿȯȌȲɈƵƮ خ ªƵȺȯȌȁƮƵȁɈȺ ɩƵȲƵ ǏȲȌǿ Ɗ ȁƊɈǞȌȁƊǶǶɯ ȲƵȯȲƵȺƵȁɈƊɈǞɨƵ ȺƊǿȯǶƵ ȌǏ ׁ ׈ ɈȌ ׇ ׆ ɯƵƊȲٌ ȌǶƮȺ ة ȯȲǞǿƊȲǞǶɯ ȲƵȺȯȌȁȺǞƦǶƵ ǏȌȲ ǐȲȌƧƵȲɯ ȺǘȌȯȯǞȁǐ ƊȁƮ ǏȌȌƮ ȯȲƵȯƊȲƊɈǞȌȁ ة ƊȁƮ ǘƊɨƵ ƵƊɈƵȁ ǶƊǿƦ Ǟȁ ɈǘƵ ȯƊȺɈ ׁׂ ǿȌȁɈǘȺ ة ƵǞɈǘƵȲ ƊɈ ǘȌǿƵ ȌȲ Ǟȁ Ɗ ȲƵȺɈƊɐȲƊȁɈ خ IȌȲ Ɗ ƧȌȯɯ ȌǏ ɈǘƵ ǏɐǶǶ ȲƵȯȌȲɈ ƧȌȁɈƊƧɈ ªƊƵ ƊɈ m خ ؤ (Ƶ˛ȁƵƮ ƊȺ ɈǘȌȺƵ ɩǘȌ ƵƊɈ ǶƊǿƦ ɈɩǞƧƵ Ɗ ǿȌȁɈǘ ɈȌ ȌȁƧƵ ƵɨƵȲɯ ɈǘȲƵƵ ǿȌȁɈǘȺ ڕ (Ƶ˛ȁƵƮ ƊȺ ɈǘȌȺƵ ɩǘȌ ȯɐȲƧǘƊȺƵ ǶƊǿƦ ȌȁƧƵ Ɗ ɩƵƵDz ȌȲ ǿȌȲƵ

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SheepIndustry NEWS Volume 25, Issue 12 December 2021

A Look Inside 12 SSWS Plan Offers Materials, Training

ON THE COVER:

2022 ASI Annual Convention After a successful online meeting last year, the American sheep industry looks forward to once again gathering in person for the 2022 ASI Annual Convention: Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wave . American Wool Gift Guide 2021 Check out the American wool gift guide and you won’t need to worry about shipping container delays, international manufac turing issues or what the big box stores might already be out of this holiday season. The experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic provided a glimpse of what could occur to the livestock industry if Foot and Mouth Disease were to infect American sheep, cattle, pigs or goats.

16

Corona and Virus are ready to help celebrate the holidays at their home in Poynette, Wis. Laurie Fabrizius photo.

18

Departments 4 President’s Notes 6 Market Report 9 ASI Member Listing 22 Meet the Exec. Board 26 Around the States 28 Breeders’ Directory 30 Industry Calendar

24 Sheep Nutrition

December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 3

President’s Notes SUSAN SHULTZ ASI PRESIDENT

Make Plans Now To Join Us in San Diego

S eason Greetings to each of you. This is an exciting time of the year not only because we are looking forward to the holiday season but because plans are underway for our in-person ASI Annual Convention to be held in San Diego on Jan. 19-22, 2022. The convention is a tremendous opportu nity to greet old friends, meet new producers, and glean new information about our industry.

ASI recently funded the development of the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan to help producers protect their flocks from a foot and mouth disease outbreak. Training will be offered on Wednesday of the convention to producers to help them prepare a continu ity of business plan affected by movement restrictions during an outbreak in the United States. These hands-on sessions are limited and

ASI VISION Premier Protein Premier Fiber Environmentally Regenerative Economically Sustainable

The event draws the entire sheep industry together from producers to feeders to lamb packers. On the wool side, wool warehouses, wool textile mills and pelt processors are also represented. Every national and state organization is involved, as it is truly a collaborative effort hosted by ASI. This is the event where we conduct our business meetings and policy forums that provide direction to our organiza

require pre-registration. A special opportunity this year will be the collaborative effort by the ASI Genetic Stakeholders Committee, the National Sheep Im provement Program and Sheep Genetics USA to provide an in-depth forum on the current state of sheep genetics in the United States. A variety of robust sessions will be offered throughout the day on

tions for the upcoming year. We also say "thank you" to our well-deserved award recipients. Each day is jam packed with educational opportunities to learn more about our premier protein and premier fiber – lamb and wool – plus receive updates on current issues affecting our industry. Consumers at every level are interested in knowing about the products they consume and are appreciating the importance of animal welfare and traceability. ASI is proud to be one of the first livestock groups to develop animal

Thursday. Details on the wide selec tion of forums, speakers and council and committee meeting agendas are regularly updated and can be found at SheepUSA.org. Look for more information on page 18 of this issue. In past years, one highlight of our convention was the popular industry tour that took participants to visit sheep ranches and associated businesses in the area. This year will be no different as the ASI Imperial Valley Industry Tour along with a San Diego Harbor Cruise and a San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour are all

ASI Officers: Brad Boner, Susan Shultz and Ben Lehfeldt

care guidelines and those guidelines have evolved to become the American Wool Assurance standards for wool. Attendees at conven tion can participate in learning sessions about this science-based, voluntary program that will allow growers to share how they can provide assurances of using best practices in the care and welfare of their sheep to their wool processors and consumers. The keynote speaker at convention will be Dr. Frank Mitloehner, an animal science professor and air quality specialist at the Univer sity of California-Davis. Dr. Mitloehner specializes in the measure ment and mitigation of airborne pollutants from livestock produc tion and will discuss the current challenges.

available options. The Make It With Wool contest will return again this year with wonderful examples of working with our premier fiber through a lively fashion show and banquet. In closing, I hope you will consider supporting the RAMS PAC reception and auction on Friday evening through either the donation of an item or active bidding. RAMS PAC is critical to our success on the policy front in Washington, D.C., as it is a proven way for us to support members of Congress and candidates that support our sheep and wool industry. On behalf of the ASI officer team, we hope to see you in San Diego. My best.

4 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

SheepIndustry NEWS December 2021: Volume 25, Issue 12

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December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 5

Market Report

JULIE STEPANEK SHIFLETT, PH.D. Juniper Economic Consulting

Industry Well Positioned For December Holidays

T his holiday season, there will likely be continued strong demand at retail with more consumers buying a greater range of cuts and stronger demand for high-end meat items such as prime rib, ribeyes, pork roast, seafood and lamb, according to 210 Analytics in early November. Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, reported in The Food Institute that rising supply constraints and rising input prices might put at risk the supply of turkeys, ham or rack of lamb. Roerink added that the proteins are feeling the effects of COVID-19, labor shortages, transportation issues, lack of packing materials and higher feed costs. As winter approaches, the lamb industry is revealing contin ued tight supplies in higher slaughter lamb and meat prices, but signs of a new normal are emerging as feedlot inventories build, live weights gain at harvest, and weekly harvest begins to increase seasonally. ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick explained in AgWeek in early November that the “lamb market is on fire” and that due to a COVID-prompted demand expansion, “people are going further and further into the meat case, with people giving lamb a try for the first time, and those that have tried it, coming back."

DOMESTIC PRODUCTION DOWN; IMPORTS UP Domestic lamb production has contracted this year while imports have expanded. In the first 42 weeks of the year, estimated federally inspected lamb harvest was 1.46 million head, up 0.2 percent year-on-year. Estimated lamb production was 67.41 mil lion lbs., down 3 percent from the same period last year due to lighter harvest weights. The industry appears to be in a good position to fulfill its holi day orders this year. Late October saw an uptick in weekly harvest numbers as the industry gears up for the December holidays and Easter 2022. Colorado feedlots gained volume in October to a four-year high in preparation for the December holidays and Eas ter. In October, Colorado feedlots reported 270,104 head, a 4 percent gain monthly and 19 percent higher year-on-year. Estimated mature sheep harvest was 116,864 head in 2021 through October, up 27 percent year-on-year, and estimated mut ton production was five million lbs., up 22 percent. The industry remains relatively current with historically low freezer inventory. Lamb and mutton freezer inventory is about half of the record highs observed in early 2016. Cold storage stocks were 23.4 million lbs. in early November, up 6 percent

monthly and down 24 percent year-on-year. Beginning in 2015, lamb imports gained year-over-year for five consecutive years, but then declined by two percent in 2020. In that year, imports were impacted by the pandemic related impacts on foodservice. If fourth quarter lamb imports keep pace with 2020’s volume, then this year will see a 20 percent annual gain in lamb imports with lamb imports up 17 and 30 percent, respectively, from Australia and New Zealand. Total lamb imports were 198.8 million lbs. in January to September, up 28 percent year-on-year. Lamb imports from Australia were up 24 percent to 147.7 million lbs. and New Zealand lamb imports were up 44 percent at 48.2 million lbs. Lamb exports were down January to September by 34 percent to 271,000 lbs.

6 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Mutton exports were down 88 percent in this period to 2.1 million lbs. Total exports were down 86 percent year-on-year.

Equity Cooperative Sheep and Lamb Video/Internet Auction sold about 600 slaughter lambs in the North Central U.S. at an average of $221.00 per cwt. for 140 to 160 lbs. Slaughter hair lambs at the New Holland, Penn., auction lost about 1 percent in October monthly and were 22 percent higher year-on-year for 70 to 100-lb. lambs. Seventy- to 80-lb. hair lambs received $276.96 per cwt., 80 to 90-lb. lambs saw $260.13 per cwt., and 90 to 100-lb. lambs averaged $257.96 per cwt. Hair sheep prices at New Holland were roughly on par with wooled lambs as values ranged from 94 to 101 percent of comparable wooled lambs. WHOLESALE LAMB REMAINS STRONG The lamb cutout value averaged $693.11 per cwt. in October, up 1 percent monthly and 58 percent higher year-on-year. Among lamb primals, the rack and the leg saw the greatest monthly gain at 2 percent, while the shoulder weakened by 2 percent and the loin held steady. The rack, 8-rib medium, averaged $1,435.95 per cwt., the loin, trimmed 4x4, averaged $1,050 per cwt., the leg, trotter-off, saw $613.29 per cwt., and the shoulder, square-cut, averaged $539.73 per cwt. According to Midland Marketing in October, about half of lamb consumers choose the lamb loin to cook at home. However, the loin’s COVID-19 boom could be slowing. Since August, when the loin

FEEDER LAMBS STRENGTHEN AT AUCTION Sixty- to 90-lb. feeders at auction averaged $262.48 per cwt. in October, up 1 percent monthly and up 32 percent year-on-year. Feeders in San Angelo, Texas, averaged $276.38 per cwt., up 2 per cent monthly; feeders in Fort Collins, Colo., saw $254.05 per cwt., 3 percent higher monthly; and in Sioux Falls, S.D., feeders averaged $257.03 per cwt., weakening by 1 percent. At the Equity Cooperative Sheep and Lamb Video/Internet Auc tion, 90-lb. lambs in the North Central region sold for an average of $249.25 per cwt. SLAUGHTER LAMB MARKET SOFTENED Live, negotiated slaughter lambs averaged $241.18 per cwt. in October, down 3 percent monthly and up 43 percent year-on-year. Average harvest weight of live, negotiated lambs was 145.70 lbs., up 4 percent monthly and up 3 percent from a year ago. Wooled and shorn slaughter lambs at auction saw mixed move ment in October, yet held at 37 percent higher year-on-year. For an average 100 to 150-lb. lamb at San Angelo, slaughter lambs sold for an average $210.15 per cwt., up 1 percent monthly. Fort Collins saw $200.70 per cwt., down 9 percent monthly, and Sioux Falls averaged $230.12 per cwt., down 5 percent monthly.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year M H

ELITE OVIGEN Elite Sheep Genetics

eliteovigen@gmail.com www.eliteovigen.com

December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 7

topped $1,000 per cwt. its weekly gain has slowed. In October, the reinstated weighted average lamb carcass price averaged $533.94 per cwt. across all weight classes. The carcass report has not been reported since early 2017 due to confidentiality concerns. In early 2017, the weighted average carcass price averaged $234 per cwt. LAMB CONSUMER SPEAK OUT The Midland Marketing report in October to the American Lamb Board holds insights for expanded American demand growth. The report revealed that lamb’s price is a concern among lamb consumers. Nearly half of consumers say lowering package prices would encourage them to purchase more lamb. Further, 50 to 60 per cent of the less frequent lamb consumers cite “lamb is too expensive” as a barrier to buying more lamb. Price is the largest barrier to moderate and light lamb purchas ers. Fifty to 60 percent of light and moderate lamb consumers report lamb is too expensive. Lower package prices was cited by about half of those lamb consumers unlikely to choose lamb. A concern over less competitive pricing coupled with observations over country of origin mean that selling American’s lamb story might not be as effective to promoting American lamb demand as once thought. Instead, lamb’s quality, consistency and convenience might be more important demand drivers. The research revealed that the heavy lamb consumers are not choosing American lamb. Fifty-two percent of all domestic lamb consumers surveyed say they are aware of the country their lamb is from, and 38 percent do not know. Seventy-eight percent of heavy lamb consumers report knowing the country of origin, and yet, 46 percent of this group of consumers prefer lamb from other countries. Further inspection reveals that heavy lamb consumers are 71 percent male and eating more of all proteins, coined “Protein Progressives." The timing of the consumer survey in August 2021 might reflect

the determinants of American versus imported lamb in order to improve targeted marketing.

COARSER WOOLS SEE SOME LIFT The Australian Eastern Market Indicator averaged Australian 1,340 cents per kg clean in October, down 1 percent monthly and up 22 percent year-on-year. In U.S. dollars, the EMI posted $4.48 per lb. clean, down one-third a percent monthly and up 26 percent from a year ago. While the EMI rebounded from COVID-19 – its October average was 95 percent of its October 2019 value. The EMI in U.S. dollars remains 26 percent lower than its October 2018 value. In the first week of November, while all other microns dropped week-to-week, the 26 micron crossbred Australian wool saw a lift at auction. Broad crossbred lost about half of its value since 2019. Ac cording to Australian Farm Online National in early November, the crossbred sector in Australia's wool market bounced back strongly from a 12-month low, with reports indicating that demand for wool to be used in Chinese uniform orders was the driver. China ordered wool for its uniforms with the intent of blending medium Merino and finer crossbred. “These micron categories have been extremely cheap in relation to the medium/fine Merino categories and also offer the prospect of The Australian EMI for wool is forecast to average 1,390 cents per kilogram clean for Australia’s 2021-22 season, up 16 percent from 2020-21, according to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in September. ABARES reported that the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, strong global economic growth and higher oil prices are expected to drive demand for natural fibers in 2022. Stronger prices in the spring of 2022 would be beneficial to help move the carryover stocks of wool remaining on American farms. delivering hard wearing cloth," Farm Online reported. Australia classifies crossbred wool as 25 to 32 micron.

a back-to-basics mentality of enjoying meat brought about by COVID-19. This might explain why demand attributes such as local, animals humanly- and envi ronmentally-sustainably raised received lower marks. It is recommended that the same metrics surveyed in August are tracked closely in future research. In 2015, lamb imports passed the 50 percent mar ket share point of total United States lamb availability: half of the available lamb was domestic, the rest was imported. In 2019, that share edged passed 55 percent, closer to 60 percent in 2020 and is esti mated to top 65 percent in 2021. The survey results suggest that country of origin is not enough to differentiate and promote American lamb. Consumers want flavor, quality and value. It would be interesting to see whether retail scanner data differentiated by country of origin could help define

8 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

ASI Member Listing WWW.SHEEPUSA.ORG z INFO@SHEEPUSA.ORG

VOTING MEMBERS

Alabama Meat Goat & Sheep Producers 334-613-4221 • BRagland@alfains.com ASI Women 435-528-7570 • sherrischumann@utah.gov Arizona Wool Producers Association 520-560-4202 • caauza@peoplepc.com Arkansas State Sheep Council 870-853-7404 • wjcalloway@gmail.com California Wool Growers Association 916-444-8122 • info@woolgrowers.org Colorado Wool Growers Association 970-874-1433 • cwgawool@aol.com Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association 860-819-8339 • hillviewdorpers@gmail.com Meat Sheep Alliance of Florida 352-502-2564 • ruthtaber@embarqmail.com Georgia Sheep & Wool Growers Association 706-340-1098 • georgiasheep@gmail.com Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association 808-775-8075 • alohadjam@yahoo.com Idaho Wool Growers Association 208-344-2271 • director@idahowoolgrowers.org Illinois Lamb & Wool Producers Inc. 815-544-9582 • jane@ilwoolfibermill.com Indiana Sheep Association 317-896-2213 • bobenosu@icloud.com Kentucky Sheep & Wool Producers Association 502-682-7780 • kyates@kysheepandgoat.org Maine Sheep Breeders Association 207-324-1582 • donna.flint@maine.edu Maryland Sheep Breeders Association 410-746-5768 • chestnutcreekfarm@gmail.com Massachusetts Federation of Sheep Associations 508-829-4556 • brmacphee@aol.com Michigan Sheep Producers Association 616-610-5628 • samaludl@gmail.com Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Association 320-760-5727 • kinneylamb@gmail.com Missouri Sheep Producers Inc. 573-578-0497 • christy576@gmail.com Montana Wool Growers Association 406-442-1330 • leah@mtsheep.org National Lamb Feeders Association 605-224-0224 • lambfeeders@outlook.com Iowa Sheep Industry Association 641-625-4248 • info@iowasheep.com Kansas Sheep Association 620-393-5204 • kssheep@ruraltel.net

Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Association 308-386-8378 • Ne.sheep.goat@gmail.com Nevada Wool Growers Association 775-934-8860 • pr_paris@yahoo.com New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Growers nhswga@nhswga.org Garden State Sheep Breeders Inc. (N.J.) 609-947-2260 • kmelvinnjsheep@gmail.com New Mexico Wool Growers Inc. 505-247-0584 • nmwgi@nmagriculture.org Empire Sheep Producers Cooperative (N.Y.) 585-367-2775 • sheepkath@aol.com North Carolina Sheep Producers Assoc. Inc. 919-522-4110 • wewillservethelord@nc.rr.com North Dakota Lamb & Wool Producers Assoc. 701-333-8009 • curtsheep@gmail.com Ohio Sheep Improvement Association 614-499-2931 • rhigh@ofbf.org Oregon Sheep Growers Association 503-364-5462 • info@sheeporegon.com Pennsylvania Sheep & Wool Growers Association 814-880-3314 • psushepherd@yahoo.com Rhode Island Sheep Cooperative 401-578-2012 • ballydufffarm@yahoo.com South Carolina Sheep Industries Association 864-360-3222 • debbiewebster615@gmail.com South Dakota Sheep Growers Association 406-581-7772 • lisa@sdsheepgrowers.org Tennessee Sheep Producers Association 615-519-7796 • shepherdboy1@yahoo.com Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers’ Association 325-655-7388 • tsgra@wcc.net Utah Wool Growers Association 435-915-6119 • sierra@utahwoolgrowers.com Vermont Sheep & Goat Association 802-899-2104 • settlementfarm@comcast.net Virginia Sheep Producers Association 540-231-9159 • sgreiner@vt.edu Washington State Sheep Producers 360-999-8118 • washingtonsheep@gmail.com West Virginia Shepherds Federation 304-445-1516 • wvashepherds@yahoo.com Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative 608-743-9080 • wisconsinsheepbreeders@gmail.com

Susan Shultz Ohio President

Brad Boner Wyoming Vice President

Ben Lehfeldt Montana Secretary/Treasurer

Peter Orwick Colorado Executive Director

Wyoming Wool Growers Association 307-265-5250 • amy@wyowool.com

December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 9

SHEEP SHOT Warm Coats The Owens Ranch sheep in Eden, Texas, are better prepared than most Texans for cold, wintery weather with their wool coats. Mary Jean Owens photo.

10 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 11

Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan Offers Materials, Training ERICA SANKO Director of Analytics & Production Programs T he experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic provided a glimpse of what could occur to the livestock industry if Foot and Mouth Disease were to infect American sheep, cattle, of the many new materials developed. Additional materials include: informative presentations; narrated videos that can be played at producer meetings; biosecurity and dis ease monitoring training materials for producers, shearers and han dlers; outreach articles for producer publications; and the importance and process for acquiring premises identification numbers. All of these materials are available under the new Training Materi als section at SecureSheepWool.org.

pigs or goats. This contagious animal disease would stop movement of suscep tible livestock and products, consumer confidence would falter and export markets for American sheep, lamb and wool would close im mediately. As a result, producers would face a substantial risk of lost revenue and uncertainty of their business. While FMD is not a food safety or public health concern, the response would have a significant long-term impact on sheep pro ducers and industry stakeholders to operate during an outbreak. In such an event, maintaining business continuity for the sheep and wool industry is critical for industry sustainability, food security, and animal health and well-being. Luckily, the United States has not had a case of FMD since 1929 and it is difficult to

WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS To further expand awareness about the SSWS Plan, ASI is hosting engaging producer and stakeholder training sessions. During the ASI Annual Convention, two interactive SSWS Plan Protecting Your Flock Workshops will be offered. Producers will learn what might happen in an FMD outbreak and how to prepare to protect their flock using the SSWS Plan resources. Producers should bring a map of their farm, including pasture ground or public lands where sheep might graze throughout the year.

Also, bring a list of the common movements that need to happen to keep their business operating, and a growth mindset to learn from the trainer and their peers. The two ses sions will be on Jan. 19,

imagine this devastat ing disease arriving in the U.S. However, with global travel and trade, the risk of an FMD outbreak exists. Just recently, African Swine Fever quickly spread

to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the first time in 40 years this devastating swine disease has appeared in the Western Hemisphere. Recognizing the need to help producers protect their flocks and minimize the effects on the sheep industry from an FMD outbreak, ASI exclusively funded the development of the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan (SecureSheepWool.org) in 2020. The plan is designed to help producers and allied industries get back to business sooner during an FMD outbreak while maintaining the supply of meat and wool products to consumers. NEW MATERIALS In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service partnered with ASI to develop new out reach materials. The goal is to increase awareness of the SSWS Plan among producers and stakeholders, such as university extension per sonnel and veterinarians. The Guide to the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan included with this issue of the Sheep Industry News is one

2022, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Interested producers must register to participate and space is limited. There is no cost to participate. In addition, ASI is hosting a train-the-trainer session with state association executives, university extension personnel and industry leaders on the SSWS Plan. These individuals will get a preview of the many resources available to help producers develop contingency and biosecurity plans to protect their flocks from FMD. These SSWS Plan trainers will learn how to develop engaging meetings and trainings for producers in their state or region. The training sessions will be led by Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, who worked with ASI in developing the SSWS Plan and materials. Bickett-Weddle has led training sessions for producers and stake holders on all of the Secure Food Supply Plans. Attendees often note how engaging she is and take home new ideas for contingency plans that work for their operations. Funding for the trainings was made possible, in part, by USDA/APHIS.

12 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

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December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 13

Industry Not Immune To Supply Chain Shortages

I f you've tried to buy just about anything in the past year, you've probably gotten a first-hand look at the supply chain issues that are plaguing the United States. From vehicle and tractor parts to electric fence and labor, it seems that nearly everything is affected by the supply chain dilemma. "Companies around the world are battling supply chain bottlenecks as a post-pandemic spike in demand converges with industrial production struggling to catch up after lengthy COVID-19-induced shutdowns," read a story on CNBC.com. Unfortunately, short-term solutions to the problem are few and far between as empty store shelves and back-ordered web sites become the norm. In the same story, Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch told CNBC , the industrial world is going to be dealing with this "for quite some time. It is going to be way into 2022 and honestly, my belief is managing the supply chain will be something which will be with us for a long time." The American sheep industry isn't immune from the issue. Producers, packers, wool warehouses and others across the United States are reporting difficulty in acquiring everything from fencing and vehicle parts to labor and shipping challenges. And even if they can find a way to acquire the needed materials, there's no doubt it will cost more. "We're trying hard to make lemonade out of lemons, but there's so much that is out of our control right now," said Pre mier 1 Supplies CEO and General Manager Ben Rothe. "Keeping products in stock has been a challenge all year long. That can lead to frustrated customers. "We're trying to keep our stock updated on the website and let customers know about delays when they occur. I like to think things will be back to normal by 2023, but I didn't think it would last even this long. Our suppliers are saying it will be at least the middle of 2022, and maybe 2023." Congestion at the nation's ports has slowed the influx of prod ucts manufactured overseas. And even once they arrive, there's a shortage of truck drivers needed to deliver those products and parts throughout the United States. "One bottleneck causes many downstream ripples," Rothe added. Double J Lamb's Jeff Hasbrouck had enough on his plate trying to re-open a deserted Texas lamb plant in the middle of a global pandemic, but the supply chain issues have made it

difficult to acquire everything from fabricating tables to plastic wrap necessary to sustain the continued expansion of the long shuttered plant. "It's definitely put us behind by a couple of months," he said. "We were hoping to have the fabricating operation running in the spring, but we finally got it going the last week of October. A lot of the equipment was made in Greeley (Colorado), but the fab tables are made from stainless steel, which isn't easy to get right now. And the company had some labor issues. Everything just takes longer and costs more right now." The company's Ault, Colo., based feedlot operation has also had to cast a wider net for simple things such as oil filters for vehicles and tractor parts. "But help is the No. 1 issue," Hasbrouck said, adding that includes on the feedlot and in the form of truckers to haul feed from Nebraska or to drive lamb carcases from the Texas plant out to the East Coast. Tom Grommus of Wool Sacks was a bit more upbeat than most, saying the company had been fortunate to plan ahead for delays and felt confident with the number of both nylon and burlap bags it had distributed to wool warehouses around the United States. New supplies were scheduled to arrive around the first of the year. "If there are some delays, we've got enough supply to get the shearing season started," he said. "Ninety percent of American wool ends up in the nylon sacks, so they are important. But the burlap is important too because that's usually how it gets from the rancher to the wool warehouse. We started talking to our suppliers in China pretty early." Unfortunately, Grommus received news of expected delays just a day after being interviewed for this story. "We're not out of the woods yet," he said. "But we're not in the same position that some people are in. We do have a good amount of bags in the U.S. from past orders, so we should be safe." ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick said this isn't an issue the sheep industry – or any industry for that matter – can solve on its own. ASI has filed comments with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service concerning supply chain issues and is working with the agency and congressional leaders to search for answers to the situation. In the meantime, planning and patience are key in dealing with the ongoing problem.

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wave

ASI Annual Convention Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina January 19-22, 2022

2021 GUIDE GIFT

GIVE ‘EM WHAT THEY REALLY WANT, GIVE ‘EM AMERICAN.

Check out the American wool gift guide and you won’t need to worry about shipping container delays, international manufacturing issues or what the big box stores might already be out of — because our gift guide offers products from brands and companies that rely on stateside manufacturing using American grown wool for everyone on your "nice" list. For many, gifting in 2021 has grown beyond just an act of love on special occasions to one of empathy and a way to bridge the physical distance caused by quarantine and the celebrations missed during the past 18 months. Take this opportunity to bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones and support everyone in the American wool industry.

16 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

1.

This year, we gathered a carefully curated collection of handpicked gifts you can find locally – and online – and we’ve broken them down into handy categories (like City Slicker and Fitness Fanatic) for easy shopping.

2.

3.

Gifts for your favorite:

1. Rancher (or wanna be rancher) , Bailey, Wind River® Chisolm Hat , $96 2 . Youngster , Zeilinger Wool Co., Wool Filled Globe , $30 3. Outdoor Enthusiast , Duckworth, Women’s Vapor Skier’s Legging , $80 4. City Slicker , Ramblers Way, Wool Woven Tie, $55 5. Homebody , Homestead Wisconsin, 100% Wool Mattress Pad , $325

5.

4.

6.

8.

6. DIYer, Felted Sky, Succulents Needle Felting Kit , $35 7. Green Thumb , Wild Valley Farms, Wool Pellets , $11

7.

9.

8. Fashion Fiend , Ginew, Wax Vest , $495

9. Christmas Buff , Faribault Woolen Mill Co., Peanuts Wool Throw Blanket , $225 10. Decorator, Mountain Meadow Wool, Travel Pillow Knitting Kit, $52

10.

11.

11. Fitness Fanatic , Farm to Feet, York Crew Sock , $20

December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 17

2022 ASI Annual Convention

A fter a successful online meeting last year, the American sheep indus try looks forward to once again gathering in person for the 2022 ASI Annual Convention: Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wave . Situated on the North San Diego Bay, the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina will provide a scenic home for the 157 th annual industry meeting, and we invite you to join us there Jan. 19-22. Meeting alongside ASI are the American Lamb Board, American Goat Federation, ASI Women, Food and Fiber Risk Managers, Make It With Wool, National Lamb Feeders Association, National Livestock Producers Association, National Sheep Improvement Program, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, Sheep Genetics USA, Sheep Heritage Foundation, Sheep Venture Company and Western Range Association.

Registration & Ticket Fees

REGISTRATION FULL REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Meetings, Welcome Reception, Industry Awards Lunch, Saturday Speaker Lunch and Make It With Wool Banquet. DOES NOT INCLUDE: Ticketed Events & RAMS PAC. ASI/NLFA Member Full ............................................$425 After Dec. 31............................................................... $500 Non Member Full ........................................................$625 After Dec. 31............................................................... $700 Two-Day Registration ................................................. $300 After Dec. 31............................................................... $375 Early registration discounts end on Dec. 31. Online Registration closes on Jan. 7, 2022. After that date, you must register onsite. TOURS Industry Tour (Breakfast & Lunch) ......$150 per person Thursday Harbor Cruise Tour ...............$100 per person Friday Old Town Trolley Tour...............$110 per person TICKETED EVENTS Friday RAMS PAC..................................... $75 per person Thursday Wool Recognition Lunch........ $85 per person ADDITIONAL TICKETS Thursday Welcome Reception...............$110 per person Friday Industry Awards Lunch................ $85 per person Saturday Entertainer Lunch .....................$85 per person MIWW Banquet and Fashion Show.....$110 per person MIWW Fashion Show Only ....................$40 per person

HOTEL INFORMATION

Hotel/Airport Transportation: The hotel offers a free airport shuttle that runs between the Marina Tower and the Bay Tower of the hotel and both terminals of the San Diego International Airport from 4:45 a.m. to midnight. Masks are required on the shuttle. Parking at the hotel is $41 per day. WEATHER The average high temperature in San Diego is 65 degrees Fahrenheit in January and the average low is 49 degrees.

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina 1380 Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Sleeping Room Rates: $199 (single/double) + 12.85% tax = $224.57 per night. $219 (triple) + 12.85% tax = $247.14 per night $239 (quad) + 12.85% tax = $269.71 per night

Deadline to book rooms at these rates is Dec. 29, 2021.

Please Register Online at rebrand.ly/ASI2022 or call 303-771-3500, ext. 108

18 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Schedule of Events (Schedule is Subject to Change)

FRIDAY – JANUARY 21 6 – 8:15 a.m. ..................................................State Presidents with Breakfast 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. .............................................. Lamb Council/Policy Forum 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m......................................................... ASI Registration Open 8 – 9 a.m...............................................................MIWW Judges Orientation 8 – 11:30 a.m. ............................Wool Roundtable/ASI Wool Policy Forum 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m............................................................................Vendor Fair 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. ................ Resource Management Council/Policy Forum 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. .................................................... ASI Women Membership 9 – 11:30 a.m. ..............................Legislative Action Council/Policy Forum 9 a.m. – Noon.................................................MIWW Construction Judging 9 a.m. – Noon................................................................... MIWW Workshops 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. ........................................Industry Awards Luncheon Noon – 1 p.m. ..............................................................MIWW Judges Lunch 1 – 4 p.m. ................................................................. MIWW Fashion Judging 1 – 5 p.m. ..................................................................................MIWW Photos 1:30 – 5 p.m. ........................ ASI Board of Directors Informational Session 1:45 – 4:15 p.m........ Tour – San Diego Old Town Trolley (Ticketed Event) 3 – 5 p.m. ............................................................. ASI Women Silent Auction 5 – 6 p.m. ................................................................... Resolutions Committee 6 – 8 p.m. ..................RAMS PAC Reception and Auction (Ticketed Event) 6:30 – 9 p.m. ........................................................................MIWW Rehearsal 7 – 9 p.m. ..........................................MIWW State Directors Idea Exchange SATURDAY – JANUARY 22 7 – 9:30 a.m. ........................................................Sheep Heritage Foundation 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ..................................................ASI Registration Open 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m................................................. ASI Women Silent Auction 8 – 9:30 a.m. .......................................................................Regional Caucuses 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. .....................................................ASI Board of Directors 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. ............................ Entertainer Lunch/Dr. Al Snyder 1:30 – 4:30 p.m................................MIWW Fashion Show Dress Rehearsal 5 – 5:45 p.m. ..........................ASI Women’s Reception and Benefit Auction 5 – 11 p.m. ................................................................. MIWW Winner Photos 6 – 9 p.m. .................MIWW Banquet and Fashion Show (Ticketed Event) See the sights of San Diego aboard a modern yacht with a local expert tour guide. The yacht has indoor and outdoor seating with views of the city, Coronado Bridge, military ships and marine life. Minimum: 20 / Maximum: 35 people San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour, Jan. 21, 1:45 – 4:15 p.m.: $110 per person This fully narrated, historic tour highlights 26 miles and more than 100 San Diego attractions. The tour includes Old Town, Embar cadero, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and Little Italy. This tour combines colorful anec dotes, humorous stories and historical information. Minimum: 25 / Maximum: 35 people December 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 19 San Diego Harbor Cruise, Jan. 20, 12:15 – 2:30 p.m.: $100 per person

TUESDAY – JANUARY 18 8 a.m. – 5 p.m......................American Goat Federation – Annual Meeting 3 – 8 p.m. .....................................................................ASI Registration Open WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 19 5:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ........ Imperial Valley Industry Tour (Ticketed Event) 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.............................................................. ASI Registration Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m..............................................................American Lamb Board 1 – 3 p.m. .............................SSWS Plan: Protecting Your Flock Workshop 1 – 5 p.m. .........................................................................ASI Executive Board 3 – 5 p.m. .............................SSWS Plan: Protecting Your Flock Workshop 5 – 7 p.m. .................................................. Western Range Executive Session 6 – 7 p.m. ..................................... American Wool Assurance Q&A Session 6 – 10 p.m. .................................... National Lamb Feeders Executive Board 6:30 – 9 p.m. ....................................................State Executives and Contacts 7 – 9 p.m. ..National Sheep Improvement Program Executive Committee THURSDAY – JANUARY 20 7:30 – 10 a.m. .......................................................Animal Health Committee 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m......................................................... ASI Registration Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m......................................................Western Range Association 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. .............................. NLFA Annual Meeting/Feeder Forum 10 – 11:30 a.m. ....................................................................... Genetics Forum 10 a.m. – 5 p.m...............................................................................Vendor Fair 11:30 am – 1 p.m........................Wool Recognition Lunch (Ticketed Event) 12:15 – 2:30 p.m............Tour – San Diego Harbor Cruise (Ticketed Event) 1 – 3 p.m. ............................National Sheep Industry Improvement Center 1 – 3:30 p.m. ........................................................................... Genetics Forum 1 – 3:30 p.m. ...Production, Education & Research Council/Policy Forum 1:15 – 3:30 p.m. ...................................................................ASI Wool Council 3:30 – 3:45 p.m........................................... NSIP Member Business Meeting 4 – 5:30 p.m. ............................ASI Opening Session/Dr. Frank Mitleohner 4:30 – 6 p.m. .............................................................MIWW State Directors 6 – 8:30 p.m. ..........................................Industry-Wide Welcome Reception 6:30 – 7:30 p.m........................................... MIWW Contestant Registration 7 – 9 p.m. .........................................MIWW Contestants/Parents/Directors

Convention Tours

Imperial Valley Industry Tour, Jan. 19, 5:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.: $150 per person

The Imperial Valley is among the nation’s top sheep and lamb producing counties with more than 100,000 sheep passing through the county each year. This full-day tour offers an opportunity to see lambs grazing the valley during the winter months. The tour includes visits to Doc’s Organics – an exclusively organic citrus packing facility – and Planters Hay – a full-service, grower-owned compress facility marketing hay and straw commodities. Minimum: 50 / Maximum: 100 people

Convention Speakers

Dr. Frank Mitloehner Thursday Opening Session

Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California Davis. As such, he shares his knowledge and research – both domestically and abroad – with students, scientists, farmers and ranchers, policy makers, and the public at large. Mitloehner is also director of the CLEAR Center, which has two cores – research and communications. The CLEAR Center brings clarity to the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment, helping a global com munity understand the environmental and human health impacts of livestock, so consumers can make informed decisions about the foods they eat while reducing environmental impacts. He is committed to making a difference for generations to come. As part of his position with UC-Davis and Cooperative Extension, he collaborates with the animal agriculture sector to create better efficiencies and mitigate pollutants. He is passionate about understanding and mitigating air emissions from livestock operations, as well as studying the implications of these emissions on the health of farm workers and neighboring communities. In addition, he is focusing on the food production challenge that will become a global issue as the world’s population grows to nearly 10 billion by 2050. Mitloehner received a masters degree in animal science and agricultural engineering from the University of Leipzig, Germany, and a doctoral degree in animal science from Texas Tech University.

Dr. Al Snyder Saturday Entertainment Lunch

A veterinarian with a diverse background in working with people and ani mals, Dr. Snyder puts on a performance that combines humor and motivation into an action-packed session. Audience participation is the key to his successful presentations as he involves members of the audience in all aspects of the show. His sincerity and enthusiasm – combined with his ability to relate to any age group – make his shows a hit with any audience. He often calls upon his experi ence as a veterinarian to add spice to his programs. With a masterful blend of traditional stage hypnosis and creative new material, he keeps audiences on the edge of their chairs laughing until their sides hurt throughout the program. He has done nearly 1,500 shows and performed for nearly a half million people throughout the United State for groups ranging in size from a hundred to more than 6,000. Hypnosis shows have been around for decades, but Snyder brings new life into an old profession. He helps people pull from the inner strength of their minds to accomplish greater things. As a youth, he spent his summers on a family cattle and sheep ranch home steaded by his great grandparents. After attending the University of Wyoming and majoring in psychology and education, he went on the Colorado State University where he received his doctorate in veterinary medicine. He practiced veterinary medicine in mixed animal practices in Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana.

20 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org