Sheep Industry News December 2024

SheepIndustry Volume 28, Issue 12 December 2024

News

December 2024 Volume 28, Issue 12

Contents

4

President’s Notes

6

Market Report

9

ASI Member Listing

28

Breeders' Directory

30

Industry Calendar

ON THE COVER: Roughly a dozen sheep wagons appeared in the Cedar City Livestock & Heritage Festival Parade in Utah.

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2 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Sheep on Parade In Southern Utah

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The Cedar Livestock & Heritage Festival – which began 19 years ago – looks to bridge the gap between urban newcomers and multi-generation farmers whose families have called the area home for more than a century. And the sheep are the stars of the three-day event each year.

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14 Apply Now for Shearing Grants

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Proposed Slaughterhouse Ban Fails Denver city residents rejected a proposed ban on slaughterhouses on Nov. 5, when more than 64 percent of voters said no to 309. The ban unfairly targeted a single business – Superior Farms’ lamb plant.

Falls Means Goodbye The middle of September

Convention Panel To Discuss Agrivoltaics

ASI has once again set aside $15,000 in grants to assist developing shearers and mentors. The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2025.

marks when the herds of sheep begin their descent out of the forest. Every year come the first of the month though, the men start asking when they can start heading out.

The Annual Convention will officially kick off in Scottsdale, Ariz., with a panel discussion on Agrivoltaics. The Opening Session discussion will include three sheep producers and representatives from two solar companies.

October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 3 December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 3

President’s Notes BRAD BONER ASI PRESIDENT

Trump, Trade & Tariffs S ince the general election and President Elect Trump’s resounding win, I have had multiple calls or emails from sheep producers asking because of Trump’s strong stance on tariffs what ASI plans on doing about imported lamb. With that in mind, I think it is good for us to review how tariffs on steel, aluminum and solar panels – most impacting imports from communist China – were done during the previous Trump administration. As an ASI officer in that time frame, I can share that we explained the lamb meat problem and request for support in essen tially every government meeting we did, including with the secretary of agriculture and agriculture advisors to the White House. Sec. Perdue was not supportive of our request for restrictions on lamb imports to the United States, and on his very last day in office in 2021 approved lamb imports from the United Kingdom. This decision came despite ASI successfully blocking it since 2009. The trade restrictions announced during the first term of President Trump all followed trade cases and eight- to nine-month investigations. I share a reminder that ASI had two preliminary investigations on Australian and New Zealand lamb, with the 2018 and 2020 efforts looking for trade violations. ASI hired a leading law firm specializing in trade again in 2023 and conducted another investigation. We found that we might be able to prove harm, that there were no countervailing violations and the dump ing margins that were seen were very small (1 to 3 percent). On that topic, a recent research project completed at the University of Idaho found that in order for the American sheep industry to just maintain its market share, it would need a 21-percent tariff. In addition, there is always the lingering question of the political resolve and geopolitical consequences of a trade war with countries who are considered our allies. By the tone of the last paragraph, you might be thinking that ASI has given up on any chance of a trade case on imported lamb. Nothing could be further from the truth. Year-to-date in 2024, lamb imports are up a whopping 38 percent! This is a stag gering number by anybody’s measure. We need to remember that federal officials will look at the data from the most recent three years as they consider any trade action. In 2023, lamb imports were down a moderate amount (19 percent is the number in my head). With the big jump in 2024, ASI will be bringing this to the attention of the Trump transition team along with other topics important to our industry. ASI and its legal counsel continue to monitor and assess the lamb import data as it becomes available. Mr. Paul Rosenthal of Kelley, Drye LLP – ASI’s trade attorney – will be addressing the ASI Board of Directors on Saturday of our upcoming ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz. I would strongly encourage everyone to attend this informative discussion. You can find neces sary registration information at SheepUSA.org. On a personal note, my family had to say goodbye today to Ben, our amazing Border Collie. Ben was a tremendous working dog and helped me and others get out of some real jams. He was happiest when he was with the sheep, and his love of working never ceased to amaze me. He was a true friend, and a tireless helper. We will most definitely miss him! Until next time, keep it on the sunny side.

4 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

SheepIndustry NEWS December 2024: Volume 28, Issue 12

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AMERICAN SHEEP INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION INC. 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360 Englewood, CO 80112-2692 Phone: 303-771-3500 • Fax: 303-771-8200 info@sheepusa.org • Sheepusa.org EDITOR/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Kyle Partain COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Parand Malekani ASI Office Staff: Peter Orwick, Executive Director Rita Kourlis Samuelson, Deputy Director/Wool Marketing Larry Kincaid, Chief Financial Officer Zahrah Khan, Operations Manager Erica Sanko, Director of Analytics & Production Programs Christa Rochford, Wool Marketing Programs Manager Heather Pearce, Wool Production Programs Manager Chris Jones, Administrative Assistant The Sheep Industry News is published monthly as the official publication of the American Sheep Industry Association Inc. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Payment of member dues in an ASI affiliated state organization entitles a member to a subscription. For non-members, the subscription rate is $50 per year. ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Rates available at Sheepusa.org. Deadline is the fifth of the month preceding the cover date. All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume all liability for their advertising content. Publisher maintains the right to cancel advertising for nonpayment or reader complaint about service or product. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in Sheep Industry News.

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December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 5

Market Report

TYLER COZZENS, PH.D. Livestock Marketing Information Center

Dry Conditions, Higher Supplies & Steady Lamb Count

I n recent months, range and pasture conditions have deteriorated as a lack of moisture has led to a growing area of dryness and drought across a large portion of sheep and lamb production regions in the United States. As of early November, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported almost 88 percent of the United States was experiencing dryness or drought, compared to 55 percent at this time last year. The last week of October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that 51 percent of domestic range and pasture had a condition rating of poor and very poor, which is the worst condition in more than two years. Although range and pasture conditions have recently deteriorated, alfalfa hay and other hay prices continue to track lower. In September, the U.S. alfalfa hay price was reported at $172 per ton and the other hay price was $140 per ton, which were the lowest prices since early 2021. SHEEP AND LAMB SUPPLIES Weekly lamb and yearling slaughter continue to track above year ago levels with the year-to-date total through mid-November up 4 percent from the same period in 2023. Mature sheep slaughter – year to-date – is up 10 percent from the previous year. The higher lamb and yearling slaughter combined with the increased mature sheep

slaughter has led to a 4 percent increase – more than 55,000 head – in year-to-date weekly sheep and lamb slaughter through mid-November. As weekly slaughter tracks above year-ago levels, the year-to-date average weekly lamb and yearling dressed weight is about 1 percent below – less than 1 pound – the same period in 2023. The higher pace of weekly slaughter has more than offset the decline in dressed weights, resulting in year-to-date lamb and mutton production up 3 percent from the previous year. Although lamb and mutton production are tracking higher than a year ago, cold storage stocks indicate that supplies continue to remain below the previous year. September’s cold storage stocks were down 4 percent – 1.2 million pounds – from the same month last year. In 2024, lamb and mutton in cold storage has been below 2023 levels every month so far this year, and well below the five-year average. Lamb and mutton in cold storage tracking below year-ago levels is an indication that the higher production levels are not building up in cold storage. LAMB IMPORTS Through the first three-quarters of 2024, lamb imports have totaled more than 234 million pounds, which is an increase of 35 percent – 60 million pounds – from the same nine-month period in 2023. Cur rently, 2022 holds the record for lamb imports at 278 million pounds.

As a comparison, through the first nine months of 2022, lamb imports totaled 211 million pounds. If monthly lamb imports continue to track above 20 million pounds during each month of the fourth quarter, total lamb imports for 2024 could approach 300 million pounds, which would be a new record. Although lamb imports are higher year to date, and production is above year-ago levels, the lower cold storage inventory levels indicate that demand appears to be strong, which is help ing to pull product through the supply chain.

PRICE DISCUSSION The national lamb cutout value has

6 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

consistently been tracking between $460 to $480 per cwt. since the start of the year through mid-November, with a weekly average of $471 per cwt. The steady lamb cutout value is due to steady prices for the shoulder, leg, loin and rack. The shoulder price continues to track above $400 per cwt., a trend that has been in place since August. Single leg lamb prices have been consistently above $520 per cwt. since April. In mid-November last year, single leg lamb prices were around $460 per cwt. Prices for lamb loins have been holding between $690 to $720 since the start of the year. Since July, lamb loin prices have been above $700 per cwt. Prices for lamb rack have ranged from $1,100 to $1,160 per cwt. since the start of the year. In mid-November the lamb rack price was near $1,160 per cwt., which was the highest price so far for 2024 and above the same period last year. Slaughter lamb prices – national negotiated live – started to move seasonally lower from $209 per cwt. in early-July to $155 in October, a decline of $54 per cwt., or 26 percent. Since the low in October, slaughter lamb prices have risen more than 10 percent – $16 per cwt. – to the mid-$170 per cwt. area in mid-November. The three-market feeder lamb price (60 to 90 pounds, Colorado, South Dakota and Texas) has gained ground from the lows around $200 per cwt. in September and October to around $250 per cwt. in

mid-November for an increase of about 25 percent – $50 per cwt. Seasonally, the three-market feeder lamb price will typically move higher through November and December. WOOL MARKET UPDATE In mid-October, the number of bales offered in the Australian market reached just more than 41,000. In subsequent weeks, the number of bales has moved lower into the mid-30,000 range. De spite the smaller number of bales being offered, wool prices remain stagnant. Prices for 17- to 25-micron wool have generally been tracking about 1 percent to almost 2 percent lower than the prior month but posting modest improvements over prices seen during November 2023. In late October and early November, prices for 26- to 32-micron wools were even to slightly higher by about 1 to 2 percent from the previous month with similar gains when compared to a year ago. Merino cardings were down just over 1 percent from a month ago but higher by about 2 percent from a year ago. Exchange rates continue to be a factor in wool prices. Into early November, the U.S. dollar had strengthened moderately against the Australian dollar. A strengthening U.S. dollar relative to the Australian dollar could be a headwind to American wool prices and exports.

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December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 7

NSIIC Appointments Announced

T he U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in late October the appointment of one producer and one expert in finance and management to each serve as members on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors. The newly appointed members will serve three-year terms from January 2025 to January 2028. Newly appointed members are: • Producer – Stephen Clements, Philip, S.D. • Expert in Finance and Management – James W. Per cival, Xenia, Ohio. American Sheep Industry Association President Brad Boner of Wyoming appreciates the appointment of direc tors from the extensive slate of nominations he submitted this spring on behalf of ASI. “Not only are the choices very strong to support the center, but the timing is very helpful to ensure the full board is in place for the ASI Annual Con

vention in January 2025,” he said. The board is composed of seven voting members and two non-voting members. Voting members include four active U.S. sheep producers, two members with expertise in finance and management, and one member with exper tise in lamb, lamb product or wool marketing. Non-voting members include USDA’s Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center was established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill – at the request of ASI – and administers a grant program designed to im prove the infrastructure of the American sheep industry by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products. The USDA Agricultural Mar keting Service provides oversight of the center. Source: USDA/AMS

S aturday lunch at the 2025 ASI Annual Convention will feature a musical act for the first time since ASI’s last trip to Scotts dale, Ariz., in 2020. Gordy and Debbie – a multi-award winning duo and stars of the popular A Tribute to George Strait dinner show in Branson, Mo. – will take the stage at the Terraza on Jan. 18. That’s the same outdoor tent at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort that hosted Gary Mule Deer when ASI last vis ited the area nearly five years ago. The two have been entertaining music fans for more than 25 years. They met during a singing competition in Branson – which is known as the Live Music Show Capital of the World – nearly 20 years ago. Their friendship blossomed, and the couple married in 2006. In 2021, they chose to close their popular Branson show and move to Mesa, Ariz., where they continue to perform regularly. They also travel extensively in the Midwest during the summer to escape the Arizona heat. Gordy & Debbie Set For Scottsdale

8 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

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

VOTING MEMBERS

National Lamb Feeders Association 605-224-0224 • lambfeeders@outlook.com 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 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 931-510-1322 • info@tennesseesheep.org 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 Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative 608-743-9080 • wisconsinsheepbreeders@gmail.com

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 • secretary@ctsheep.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. 573-205-9208 • amanda.limback@gmail.com Indiana Sheep Association 317-607-5664 • executive@indianasheep.com Iowa Sheep Industry Association 641-625-4248 • info@iowasheep.com Kansas Sheep Association 620-393-5204 • kssheep@ruraltel.net 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.

Brad Boner Wyoming President

Ben Lehfeldt Montana Vice President

Joe Pozzi California Secretary/Treasurer

Peter Orwick Colorado Executive Director

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

573-578-0497 • christy576@gmail.com Montana Wool Growers Association 406-442-1330 • stefanie@mtsheep.org

December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 9

Convention Panel To Discuss Agrivoltaics

T he 2025 ASI Annual Convention will officially kick off in Scottsdale, Ariz., with a panel discussion on Agrivol taics. The Opening Session discussion will include three sheep producers and representatives from two solar companies. Lexi Hain – who founded the American Solar Grazing As sociation and served as its first executive director – will moder ate the session entitled Energizing the Sheep Industry With Solar , which will take place on Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Panelists for the session include: • Daniel Dotterer of Daniel Dotterer Farms in Pennsylvania. • Ryan Indart of Indart Solar Sheep Grazing in California. • Reid Redden of Premier Solar Sheep in Texas. • Loran Shallenberger of Silicon Ranch Corporation. • David Wen of the AES Corporation. Solar grazing has become the fastest growing segment of the American sheep industry in recent years, changing the way some sheep producers manage their flocks entirely and induc ing others from outside the industry to develop flocks of their own. Each of the three sheep producers come from multi-gen erational sheep operations, but each are the first generation in their families to move into the area of solar grazing. Earlier this year, Silicon Ranch opened a 26,000-square foot lambing barn at its Houston Solar Project in Houston County, Ga. “The lambing barn is a first-of-its-kind facility to be built, owned and operated by a solar company,” according to a compa ny press release. “Nashville-based Silicon Ranch is investing to build out its own agribusiness as a wholly owned subsidiary to support the company’s operations and to deliver positive ben efits to the land it owns and the communities where its projects are located. In just two years, the company’s flock of sheep has grown from less than 700 to more than 3,000 before the end of this year. “Construction of the barn was completed in late 2023, in time for lambing season. The facility is sized to house 400 ewes and their lambs at a time, and Silicon Ranch plans to lamb an nually in three separate waves to accommodate an eventual tar get of 1,200 ewes each year. Along with breeding its own sheep to adapt parasite resistance to survive and thrive in the South east, Silicon Ranch committed to participate in the National Sheep Improvement Program, with one of the largest flocks enrolled in the program. After lambing and prior to releasing each new lamb family from the barn to pasture, Silicon Ranch shepherds collect and record lamb birthweights, tag lambs with electronic IDs, scan lambs’ and ewes’ EIDs to record their

connection (pedigree) and take a needle-size tissue sample for genomic mapping of specific markers. The company then enters this data into the NSIP database. If you’d like to hear more about how sheep are reinvigorating the American sheep industry, make plans now to attend the ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale. Online registration is open through Dec. 13. After that date, additional registrations will need to be handled onsite at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Visit https://bit.ly/3BirOLo to register. You’ll also find more information on the full schedule of events, speakers, tours and making hotel reservations. The ASI Annual Convention is the one place where the entire American sheep industry comes together. Other groups meeting during the week include: American Lamb Board, ASI Women, Food and Fiber Risk Managers, Make It With Wool, National Lamb Feeders Association, National Livestock Pro ducers Association, National Sheep Improvement Program, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, Sheep Genetics USA, Sheep Heritage Foundation, Sheep Venture Company and Western Range Association.

10 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Scottsdale, AZ Jan 15-18, 2025

Registration Opens: Fri, October 4, 2024 Closes: Fri, December 13, 2024

Proposed Slaughterhouse Ban Fails

D enver city residents rejected a proposed ban on slaugh terhouses on Nov. 5, when more than 64 percent of vot ers said no to Ordinance 309. The ban unfairly targeted a single business – Superior Farms’ lamb plant on the city’s north side. “Superior Farms spent a tremendous amount of time and money to defeat this referendum. Just as importantly, ASI quickly stepped up with financial support, leading the way for others in the protein industry to do the same,” said Supe rior Farms CEO Rick Stott. “We received significant support from cattlemen, cattle feeders, and the pork, dairy and packing industries. Superior Farms is very grateful for the engagement of sheep producers in every segment of the industry across the nation. That support came in the form of financial contributions and in writing some of the 45,000 postcards that were mailed to Denver voters.” Animal extremists admitted the Denver referendum was a test case for pushing slaughterhouse bans in cities all across the United States. ASI was a key partner in the Stop the Ban Cam paign, which launched at the 2024 ASI Annual Convention in January. The combined efforts resulted in saving the jobs of Su perior Farms’ employee-owners and allowed the American sheep industry to keep open a plant that provides up to 20 percent of all lamb harvesting capacity in the United States. “Denver voters showed up in large numbers to defeat 309, sav ing the jobs of 160 of their neighbors and countless others across our farmer and supply chain,” said Superior Farms Director of Marketing Bob Mariano. “Considering the importance of animal agriculture to food security and regional economies, we’re grate ful to the voters and to the entire meat industry for helping to

spread our message.” Superior Farms drew support from livestock groups such as ASI, Colorado Wool Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and Colora do Livestock Association in an effort to defeat the ban. Addition al support came from a variety of sources, including the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the Denver Pipefitters Union and VISIT DENVER. And more than 50 local restaurants and chefs also endorsed the Stop the Ban campaign. Pro Animal Future – the group behind the proposed ban – shared a lot about its plans both in Denver and beyond with the Our Hen House podcast in September. Comments from Aidan Kankyoku included that the Denver referendum was more about testing the group’s campaign and messaging. “So, we’d like to expand across the country. We’re starting with a pilot campaign in Denver to kind of figure out that model. Our top goal was to really learn about how to run these campaigns effectively and especially to learn about, like, what unexpected thing, what are we gonna face that we don’t know about right now? And so next time, we’re going to be all more prepared.” Hopefully the sound defeat of the referendum will put a damper on the group’s future activities. But there’s no guarantee. The group also placed a referendum on the Denver ballot to stop the sale of fur and other animal products in the city limits, which would have had a direct affect on vendors at the National West ern Stock Show and Rodeo. That effort failed as well, with nearly 58 percent of voters opposing the measure. The Hands of My Hat campaign worked in conjunction with Stop the Ban to defeat both measures. “Today’s victory by the ‘Hands Off My Hat’ team and sup

12 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

porters is a testament to the people of Denver who value tradition, respect local businesses and recognize the unique cultural contri butions that artisans and craftspeople make to our community,” said Landon Gates, spokesperson for Hands off my Hat. While Ordinance 309 had a more direct impact on the Ameri can sheep industry, it was important to defeat both measures and show activists that Denver is pro-agriculture. “Activists from New Orleans and California used dark money from out of state to try and shut down this local company, but they lost to Colorado workers, farmers, ranchers and restaurateurs,” said Ian Silverii, campaign spokesperson for Stop the Ban, Protect Jobs (No on 309). “A record number of endorsers and local sup porters from across the political spectrum joined with us to defeat this ban, and their local voices mattered in this election. We have one message for those who tried to come to our city and our state to run their experiment to upend the lives of so many hardworking people: it was a baaaaaaaad idea.” And no one was more happy to see 309 defeated than the employee-owners of the Superior Farms Denver plant. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am,” said Superior Farms Denver General Manager Gustavo Fernandez, who has worked there for more than 30 years. “I and the workers at this facility just want to do our jobs and provide for our families. Now we can get back to that without this huge weight on our shoulders. Thank you, Denver!” COMPLETELY UPDATED Sheep Production Handbook Fully Searchable USB

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December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 13

Apply Now for Shearing Grants

A SI has once again set aside $15,000 in grants to as sist developing shearers and mentors. The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2025. There is a large and continuing need for sheep shear

full-time shearer will be given priority. • Mentors may manage a crew or be an individual shearer and must support the developing shearer by aiding them with shearing skills and techniques and by aiding them in finding work. • Past grant recipients may apply. • The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2025. Applications will be re

ers across the United States. Domestic shearers are becom ing fewer and it is increasingly difficult to bring international

shearers into the United States. Seeing the need of

more shearers for both large and small sheep operations, the ASI Wool Council devel oped this grant program to incentivize the development of domestic shearers. This program supports developing shearers as they work to increase the quality of their shearing and the amount of sheep they are able to shear

viewed by members of the ASI Wool Council. Ranking and funding recommendations are based on the following crite ria: Applicants must describe how many sheep they cur rently shear, how/where they shear and how the mentor

will assist them. This informa tion will aid in understanding how much this program will impact the industry. All appli cants will be notified by Feb. 1, 2025, via phone, email or mail if their proposal was accepted and approved. Developing shearers must provide required documentation to receive final $1,000 pay ment. This includes: • A completed W-9 form as grant funding is considered taxable income. • Videos showing shearer progress: including quality of shorn sheep; improved shearing/handling techniques; and speed of shearing. • Final written summary and photos (1-2 pages), which document: how has the shearer progressed since January; new equipment the shearer has purchased; description of how the mentor was most helpful to the developing shearer; and a photo for promotional purposes. Get the full details at SheepUSA.org/wp-content/ uploads/2024/10/2025-ASI-Developing-Shearer-Mentor Grant.pdf. The same information is available in Spanish at SheepUSA.org/ wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2025- Subsidio-para-esquiladores-en-formacion-y-mentores Informacion-y-solicitud.pdf.

each day, thus working to build their income and lon gevity in the shearing indus try. Additionally, as mentors provide developing shearers with education and an avenue to shear – thereby sharing their work and income – mentors may also apply for assistance. The grant will be given to 10 developing shearers and/ or mentors at $1,500 each. Developing shearers will be paid $500 once accepted and $1,000 upon completion. Mentors will be paid $1,500 upon completion. Developing shearers and mentors may apply jointly or separately; jointly is preferred. Priority will be given to developing shearers who meet the grant’s goals, includ ing those who show dedication to becoming a professional shearer. Developing U.S. shearers who have a supporting mentor and shearers serving as a mentor to developing shearers are eligible to apply. • Applicants must be 16 years or older by January 1, 2025. • Developing shearers should be able to shear at least 10 head of sheep per day. Developing shearers shearing 25 to 75 head per day and showing a commitment to working as a

14 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Wool Calculator on SheepUSA.org

S heepUSA.org – the official website of ASI – is now home to a Wool Calculator for American sheep producers. Previously, the Wool Calculator was only available on the ASI Market News App.

fiber, no kemp or paint contamination, length of 76 mm (3 in.) or longer, no tender wool. Wools shorter than 75 mm are typically discounted $0.20 - $0.50 depending on actual length and fiber

strength. The “percentages of Australia” prices are intended as an approximate guide to estimate U.S. dollar equivalent market prices per pound for American wool that matches the quality descrip tion in the 'pop-up' box that shows when you place the cursor over the percentage below. The further that description varies from the Australian 100 percent, the lower the percentage that can be expected. Additionally, there are no Australian price comparatives for Blackface wool, so those wools are not included in this AMS App. "Packaging is assumed to be in well-made, Australian style square packs. Anything else will

The Wool Calculator allows you to see the cur rent price of wool in both clean and greasy terms, as well as how prices increase or decrease with changes in micron, yield and quality. While micron is the primary driver of price, multiple factors including yield, length, strength and contamination play a role in the price. Fortunately, these are all things that can be man aged, allowing producers to garner a better price for their wool. The Wool Calculator allows you to see how big of a difference lower micron, higher yield and better quality can make.

"Having the Wool Calculator available on our website opens it up to additional use by producers," said ASI Wool Marketing Director Rita Samuelson. According to the Wool Calculator, "The Australian 100 percent description is based on square packs, full table skirted and sorted, 1 percent vegetable matter max, no polypropylene, no medulated

attract a discount. Market demand and conditions vary and can im pact the price differentials. Prices quoted are U.S. dollar equivalent per pound calculated basis of the Australian wool market as per the AWEX Weekly Market Report plus $0.15 per clean pound freight. No allowance has been made for coring, freight and handling fees at the warehouse level."

December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 15

Sheep on Parade

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In Southern Utah

December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 17

Festival Reminds Growing City of Livestock Roots, Traditions

T he intersection of Cross Hollow Road and Interstate 15 in Cedar City, Utah, might be the busiest in Iron County. A modern, diverging diamond traffic pattern was put into use a decade ago, but steady growth and urban sprawl have assured regular congestion in the area. Traffic routinely snarls at the spot, and that's be fore area sheep producers coming off the neighboring mountain range decide to push thousands of sheep through the underpass on multiple occasions in the fall. But the drivers will have to wait a few extra minutes for their over-priced Starbucks coffee. After all, the sheep were here first. And the road – like most in the county – is a “Designated Livestock Trail.” Routes from the moun tains on the city’s East side to winter ground on the West side are absolutely necessary, while also serving as a nod to the area’s agricultural history. The Cedar Livestock & Heritage Festival – which took place Oct. 25-27 – looks to bridge the gap between urban newcomers and multi-generation farmers and ranchers whose families have called the area home for more than a century. And sheep are the stars of the three-day event each year.

Settled in 1851, cows were the predominant livestock in Cedar City’s early days. They were milked to create butter and cheese. Women and children tended to them on the mountain in the sum mers while the men farmed in the valley below. But keeping cows alive on the mountain proved difficult thanks to abundant larkspur, which is poisonous to the species. Before long the entire mountain range was covered with sheep. To this day, more than 30,000 sheep call Iron County home. “Sheep seem to do pretty well on it,” said producer Jake Benson of nearby Parowan, Utah. “When they realized sheep could eat it and utilize the entire mountain, that's when sheep really took off in Iron County.” In addition to running 400 ewes, Benson serves as a conserva tion planner with the Utah Department of Agriculture and the National Resources Conservation Service. It’s his job to work with area livestock producers and farmers, but it was his passion for raising sheep that helped him develop friendships with those who continue the area’s agricultural traditions. He started in sheep at an early age and spent most of his life trading work for sheep and ac cess to pastures. And he’s a huge proponent of the festival’s goal to celebrate those who continue to farm and ranch in the area. “The sheep are the biggest part of the festival,” he said with pride. “We call it the Livestock & Heritage Festival because we don’t want to exclude the cattlemen and the farmers. We want to celebrate the entire ag industry in this county. That’s why the amount of farm equipment in the parade will blow your mind.” But there’s a reason they save the sheep for last. For the thou sands who’ve assembled along Main Street – some of whom arrived

more than two hours before parade time to stake out their favorite spots – the smiles get bigger and brighter when the sheep come into view nearly an hour into the parade. “We’ve provided the sheep all but three years,” said Paul Nelson, a fifth-generation sheep producer along with his brothers. “We missed the first year and the two Covid years, but other than that it’s been our sheep. My great, great, great grandfather when he came over from Europe, he was a brick mason. He put brick on a house and was paid with six sheep, and that’s how the family got into the sheep business.” The family runs approximately 1,000 head through town after holding up in corrals on the side of Cedar Mountain the day before the parade. After all these years, the flock knows its way around and doesn’t take long to make the two-mile trek north on Main Street. “They actually travel three to four times faster than most of the parade,” said Nelson. “The first year or two, we were right on top of the parade and had some trouble holding them back. So, we’ve learned to let the parade get ahead of us a little ways before we get the sheep going.” There is some pressure to being the center of attention during the Saturday morning parade. “In the real world, if something went wrong, we’d just push everything back an hour or a day and it wouldn’t be a problem. But with the parade, we have to be on time.” Sheep producer Scott Stubbs of Parowan was chosen as the 2024 grand marshall. He led the way on horseback, assuring that the area’s sheep industry was represented from start to finish during the parade. Stubbs is a fifth-generation rancher, member of the Public

18 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Clockwise from top left: Immortalized with a statue in downtown Cedar City, Francis Webster was an early sheep producer in Southern Utah. Several sheep producers in the area today are decendants of Webster. Sheep producer and conservation specialist Jake Benson (with his son, Kendall) is working to see that agriculture continues to thrive in the area. The Nelson family have provided sheep for nearly every year of the festival's parade, which draws thousands to Cedar City's Main Street.

December 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 19

Lands Council’s board of directors and also played football at Cedar City’s Southern Utah State College – now known as Southern Utah University. Scott and his wife, Stacy, have four children, all of whom have participated in working the family’s sheep flock through the years. His son, Marty, also runs a shearing crew in the area. “It was pretty exciting when they told me,” Stubbs said of his selection as grand marshall. He was recognized two days before the parade with a dinner in his honor. “I think it’s great that we con tinue to recognize the history of livestock in this area.” Fortunately for festival organizers, the first snowstorm of the sea son hit the weekend before and snow was in the forecast early in the week after the parade, but the 2024 festival fell on a nearly perfect weekend and weather wasn’t an issue. The fesvital parade featured a little of everything, from classic cars to horse-drawn wagons to area sports teams and, of course, lots of sheep wagons – both new and old. Townfolk, tourists and chil dren waved American flags and collected candy and other goodies handed out by those escorting the various parade entries. A second parade followed as everyone from Main Street jumped in their vehicles and headed West to the Cross Hollow Event Center for the remainder of the day’s activities, that ranged from an antique tractor pull to children’s events to a dutch oven cooking contest and a sheep shearing demonstration. Sheep wagons and antique tractors were on display there, as well. Other than the line of traffic to get into the facility’s parking lot, the longest lines of the day were at an old sheep camp that served as the backdrop for a booth selling the festival’s famous lamb burgers. At times, it weaved its way around and through the 100 vendors setup inside the Diamond Z Arena, which also hosted the dutch oven cooking contest, a Make It With Wool fashion show, an art show, and cowboy poetry and music. For those not inclined to wait in the line, Anchor Sheep Compa ny of Fountain Green, Utah, offered a much shorter wait for sliced

lamb sandwiches. Selling at the festival for the first time, Kade and Julia Francom sold out of their supply in less than two hours. “We’re trying to do a little different approach with our market ing,” said Kade. “We want to do more direct marketing, so that’s why we decided to come here this year. We need to get our name out in front of people more. This has been a good learning experi ence. We didn’t set out to make a huge profit today. We just wanted see if there was an opportunity here. We were hoping there would be plenty of people here who would be familiar with lamb and want to eat it.” While Kade grew up with cattle, his wife comes from a multi generational sheep operation in central Utah. Her family – the Bai leys – has been supportive as they look to get their new company off the ground. “I’ve got a soft spot for the sheep industry,” Julia said. “It’s a lot of work, but I want to keep it going.” The festival will celebrate its 20th year on Oct. 25-27, 2025. Learn more about the festival at CedarLivestockFest.com. Above: The parade’s sheep escorts wore shirts reminding onlookers to share the road with the area’s livestock population. Below: Anchor Sheep Company sold out of lamb sandwiches in less than two hours.

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Discover the New American Wool Shop Page: Your Gateway to American Wool Products

As part of our commitment to supporting American wool growers, the American Wool Council is working to connect consumers with high-quality products made from American wool. More brands, more options, easier shopping. The American Wool Shop page has been revamped and is now live! It’s easier than ever for consumers to discover and support products made with American wool. Featuring over 50 brands, the new shop page gives users full control over their shopping experience with new filter options to search by product type or category—ensuring they’re able to find exactly what they need.

americanwool.org/shop

A Sheepherder's Story MARIE MCCLAREN WYOMING RANCHER

Fall Means Goodbye

T he middle of September marks when the herds of sheep begin their descent out of the forest. Every year come the first of the month though, the men start asking when they can start heading out. “Can we leave the 10th? Can we start the trail on the 13th?” And all I can think is, can we stay longer instead? More time riding on the trails where my grandpa left his name. More time learning the coun try that I’m not as familiar with, but our guys know like the backs of their hands. More time on top of my beloved Mt. Isabel, taking in her expansive views and drinking from her spring. Every September I try to sneak in every extra minute of mountain time that I possibly can. I cherish every trip, every herd counted and the beautiful scene of sheep grazing on the steep mountainside just a little bit more, knowing that my time up here is coming to an end. I absolutely love September. The cooling weather and changing leaves, counting all the herds, and spending more time with the sheep and the herders. But I hate that September means having to leave the mountains. I dread knowing that I won’t be back to the forest until the next July, when the sheep herds make their way there once again. Every year it seems to come sooner, summer shorter and somehow it seems I’ve spent less time up there than the year before. I long to learn all the ways of the sheepherders by living in a tent with the herd for multiple days, rather than just an overnight visit. I want to learn how they keep track of 2,300 ewes and lambs amidst the thick timber. I want to learn where all the springs are at each campground, the routes they use to take the sheep to water each day, and how to cook a good meal and their perfect rice on a wood burning stove. I want to watch the sheep graze, to see exactly what plants they prefer. I want to read a good book on top of Bull Hill as the sun sets and I listen to the constant blatting of the ewes finding their lambs. But then it’s September, and before I know it, we’ve worked the last herd of sheep through the corral at the base of Sheep Mountain, the point that marks the south end of the mountains. Where I can look north and replay my time there: every meal, every packed horse, every lost sheep. I remind myself that July really isn’t too far away, and we’ll all be back again. Trailing back up Commissary Ridge, sleeping back in our camp at Nugent Park, and counting sheep at first light on top of Indian Ridge. It’s not goodbye my dear mountains, because I will be back soon.

I arrive at the frost-covered, wood corral with the morning sun still rising. A semi is backed up to the chute and the old ewes are climbing their way up to it. The old ewes we classify as “botella verdes” and “botella azules,” meaning green and blue bottle dob marks. We put this mark on their backs with paint when we worked the herds. These paint marks signify that these ewes could still raise another lamb or two, but their teeth are too short or broken to be wintered on the desert for another year. Range operation sheep lead a tough life. They are out on the range year-round, even through the winter. They never get fed hay, unless we have too much snow for them to find feed like we did in 2022-23. We do feed them whole corn as a supplement each day. They must paw through the snow and pick for last year’s dried up vegetation. This feed still provides nutrients required for the animals, but it is awfully hard to eat it without a good set of teeth. Then, after a long cold winter of working for every bite, the herds are trailed 100 miles home to start lambing. The old ewes making their way on the truck have lived this life for six-plus years. They’ve provided us with beautiful fleeces and multiple lambs. I’ve assisted some of them in lambing, watched them run in excitement toward us for their corn, and petted their soft faces while working them in the corral. When working with the sheep every day, you begin to recog nize them as individuals. You can tell certain ones apart. You notice their different personalities and tendencies. They are each known, ap preciated and valued far higher than the price we get for them shows. These ewes have contributed in supporting the ranch, my family and everything that we love; and on this chilly October morning I’m watching them leave. I look a ewe in the eye that has raised nice big triplets for us four years in a row, and then watch her disappear into the trailer. I look at a ewe who appears tired and worn out, knowing she probably looks that way from keeping track of two lambs to and from the forest. I quietly thank her for her service before never seeing her again. My eyes fill with tears as I prod ewe after ewe up the ramp and say goodbye for good. By the time the truck pulls away, I am bawling. I am the hyper sensitive one of the family – although all Julians I know are sensitive – and wish that I didn’t have to be apart of this one day on the ranch. As I calm, I remind myself of the many lambs these beloved ewes have raised, many of them being ewe lambs that replenish the herd when their old mothers must go. I remind myself that they’ve done their fair share, served their part in this often-complicated circle of

22 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org