Sheep Industry News February 2024

SheepIndustry Volume 28, Issue 2 February 2024

News

February 2024 Volume 28, Issue 2

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President’s Notes

6

Market Report

9

ASI Member Listing

36

Breeders' Directory

38

Industry Calendar

ON THE COVER: Halfway by Marcy Gruber of Colorado

Industry Hands Out Annual Awards The American sheep industry came together to honor its own during the Awards Luncheon and Wool Lunch at the 2024 ASI Annual Convention in Denver, recognizing sheep producers, researchers and wool warehousemen who have left – or continue to leave – their marks on the industry.

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12 Farm Bill Discussion Opens Convention Ag committee staffers attended the Opening Session of the Annual Convention to assure sheep producers of their commitment to not only passing a new Farm Bill, but also to addressing industry concerns in the process.

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Annual Convention Wraps Up In Denver The Lamb Council meeting at the Annual Convention drew a large crowd for a listening session on creating a new risk management program for the sheep industry.

Campaign Launched to Defeat Denver Ballot Measure Prohibiting Slaughterhouses

A campaign has been launched to defeat a ballot measure that seeks to prohibit slaughterhouses in the city of Denver.

President’s Notes BRAD BONER ASI PRESIDENT

Information Abounds at Convention W ell, the 2024 ASI Annual Convention is in the books. It was great to see everyone as we had the best attendance at a convention post Covid. It was a busy three days packed with informative programs and discussions held throughout the agenda with a little fun added in at the Opening Reception and RAMPAC Auction. In addition to ASI, more than 10 industry organizations held meetings during the convention. For those of you who were unable to attend and those who did attend but were unable to make it to all the discussions and council/committee meetings, I offer a brief synopsis. Animal Health Committee – The National Animal Health Monitoring System gave an update on its activities along with a scrapie program update. There was discussion on the use of BioWorma for small ruminant parasite control. The Johne’s Dis ease and Mycoplasma Ovipneumonia updates were informative. National Lamb Feeders Association – Held an informative discussion on lamb imports. There was good dialogue on this topic with lots of good information that helped everyone better understand the issues surrounding the import situation. Production, Education & Research Council – The Secure Sheep & Wool Supply Plan was discussed along with new resources and outreach efforts. An informative panel discussion was held on solar grazing. Also, interesting research was discussed on the relationship between milk production and post weaning fecal egg counts in ewes. Genetics Forum – An overflow crowd was in attendance for this informative forum that included topics such as, Don’t Overlook the Basics of Among the New Technologies , an informative panel discussed Economics of Genetics, Realizing an ROI to Genetic Selection . Dr. Tom Murphy with the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center shared his presentation on the Application and Comparison of Various Production Indices Available to the U.S. Sheep Industry . A very important and insightful panel from the Young Guns initiative shared their thoughts on Research Priorities of the U. S. Sheep Industry . Also presented were Improving Robustness & Climatic Resilience in the U.S. Sheep Populations through Genomics and a USDA Agricultural Research Service update. Legislative Action Council – Guest speaker Joe Goggins representing the Livestock Marketing Association presented on LMA’s Sheep and Cattle Profitability initiative. This was an informative and insightful look at how livestock agriculture can work together to effect more change for our producers. Jim Richards of Cornerstone Government Affairs gave his Congressio nal update. Lamb Council – held the last listening session by Watts & Associates before it sends a final report on a sheep industry risk management product to USDA’s Risk Management Agency later this month. There was great discussion on what type of risk management products will be most beneficial to the industry. Tyler Cozzens gave an insightful market update with some good information. Jessica Spreitzer with the U.S. Meat Export Federation talked about Enhancing Demand for American Lamb in Export Markets and Megan Wortman with the American Lamb Board talked about ALB’s upcoming research initiatives. Resources Management Council – heard an update from Wildlife Services, the Public Lands Council, the Western Resources Legal Center and the National Grazing Lands Coalition. There was also an informative discussion on Movement Criteria on Public Lands During and Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak , which ties into ASI’s Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan. Wool Policy Forum – heard updates on the Climate Smart Grant, Loan Deficiency Payments, domestic textiles and the global wool textile market. The Wool Council and Wool Roundtable had information sessions on carbon credits and a discus sion from the Wool Innovation Panel. As you can see, it was an informative and busy time for everyone in Denver. I would like to thank all the government agency folks who took time to come to our meetings. I hope it was informative for them and they are now armed with a bet ter understanding of our industry. A huge THANK YOU to all of the ASI staff and committee/council members who work throughout the year to help our producers here in the United States. Until next time, keep it on the sunny side.

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SheepIndustry NEWS February 2024: Volume 28, Issue 2

We’re committed to you. The rancher, the family and the flock. We partner with you to protect and nurture the American lamb industry so that together we can provide consumers a quality lamb product.

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

• Healthier Flock • Higher Lambing Percentage • Increased Profit

EDITOR/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Kyle Partain COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Parand Rezaei

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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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CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send to info@sheepusa.org

February 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 5

Market Report

DAVID ANDERSON, PH.D. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Cutout Starts the Year Slightly Higher

T he new year is off and running with some encouraging developments, so far. Severe winter weather can complicate markets from both supplies and demand. Often supplies are disrupted by difficulties in getting lambs to market and products from packers to processors or retailers. Purchases can be disrupted because the storm keeps folks indoors. But these disruptions are usually short lived. PRICES The wholesale lamb market – as represented by the cutout value – started out 2024 slightly ahead of last year. So far, in January, the cutout has averaged $472 per cwt. compared to $467 last January. While the overall cutout is higher, there are some substantial differ ences in the direction of the middle and end meats. The higher cutout has been led by the shoulders and legs. Shoulders were $407 per cwt. in mid-January compared to $358 per cwt. last year. Legs increased dramatically early in 2024, up $28 per cwt. to $525 per cwt. The higher end meats are in contrast to the lower middle meats. Loins have averaged about $700 per cwt. this year compared to about $734 last year. Racks were about $1,000 per cwt. compared to over $1,100 last year. Past seasonal patterns might suggest some increase in leg prices during the next few months. Rising leg prices are part of the lamb trade picture. In the last six months, American lamb leg prices have increased from about $639 to $703 per cwt. (the different leg price here versus the earlier paragraph represents the primal leg cut to a more prepared version). The compa rable Australian leg has declined from $427 to $385 per cwt.

The widening price gap is encouraging imports by indicating a more competitive import product. While imports have been on an upward trend through much of 2023, fewer pounds were imported in 2023 than in 2022 and 2021. On the live lamb side of the market, heavyweight slaughter lambs have tended to increase in price early this year. The national negoti ated live data series indicates lamb prices are up about $11 per cwt. during the first couple of the weeks of the year. In contrast, light weight slaughter lambs (60 to 90 pounds) have declined about $40 per cwt. to $211 to begin the year. The lightweight lamb price data does tend to exhibit larger week-to-week volatility, so price moves of that magnitude are not unusual. LESS PRODUCTION FOR THE YEAR Lamb prices trended higher in most of 2023 even in the face of larger slaughter. Lamb and yearling slaughter in 2023 posted an esti mated 4.3 percent increase compared to 2022. Mature sheep slaughter was also larger in 2023 than in 2022, up 11 percent in the last quarter of the year and up 6.5 percent for the year. Lamb and yearling slaugh ter in the last quarter of 2023 was up about 8.3 percent over the year before. The fact that lamb prices were able to advance given greater slaughter numbers was positive. Lamb meat production was down an estimated 1.7 percent for the year. But production was up about 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Larger slaughter was offset by lighter weights, which continue to result from the growth in the lightweight slaughter lamb market. Increased production in the fourth quarter and larger import vol

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umes relative to prior months might indicate more lamb in cold storage but, that was not the case late in the year. The November data – the latest available – indicated about 22 million pounds of lamb and mutton in storage. That was larger than the seasonal de cline in stocks and a more than 20-percent decline from the prior year. The decline indicates some price supporting movement of lamb to consumers in the market. WOOL Rising prices are supposed to be the market signal to bring more product to market and that is exactly what happened in the Australian wool market. Sharply higher prices late in the year – especially for very fine wools – brought more than 50,000 bales to the market to begin the year. More than 100,000 bales offered for sale in the first two weeks of the new year was reported to be the largest new year’s offering in four years. Weekly wool prices in U.S. dollars show higher prices for fine wools and steady to lower prices for more coarse grades in De cember through the first weeks of January. Under 17-micron wool has increased about U.S. $1 per pound since early November, set tling at U.S. $5.90 per pound for the week ending Jan. 12. Twenty one-micron wool started the year at U.S. $4.08 per pound, although it has been trending higher during the last couple of

months. It was U.S. $4.49 per pound a year ago at this time. The coarsest wools reported prices that were slightly higher than last year. Almost all other microns were lower than this time a year ago even though they have trended higher in recent months. GOING FORWARD It will likely be difficult to see increased domestic slaughter in 2024 compared to 2023. Continued reduced average dressed weights should contribute to tighter domestic production this year. Tighter supplies should contribute to strengthening prices this Spring compared to last.

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Campaign Launched to Defeat Denver Ballot Measure Prohibiting Slaughterhouses

ROGER SHERMAN A campaign has been launched to defeat a ballot mea sure that seeks to prohibit slaughterhouses in the city of Denver. The measure unfairly targets a single employee-owned business – Superior Farms – and if passed, it would force the company to shut down. If the measure passes, Denver will be the first and only city in the country to ban meat processing. The ban will negatively impact the state’s economy and important agri cultural industry – the second largest industry in the state. The ripple effect could embolden similar efforts across the country, threatening jobs and impacting the supply chain. For the plant’s 160 employee-owners and their families, this is personal. They face the loss of income and access to health care. Financial strain creates stress, depression and family tensions. Job loss not only impacts individuals but also has far-reaching consequences on family members, including children. The unemployment of parents puts children at risk, jeopardizing their well-being and stability. One of the most glaring problems with this measure is that while it requires the city to prioritize residents affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assis tance programs, it does not offer any financial assistance or compensation. An additional impact of the measure is the financial bur den it places on consumers. The cost of meat shipped from out of the state will inevitably rise. This increase in prices unfairly weighs on low-income families, who rely on afford able food options. The measure effectively limits access to reasonably priced meat, exacerbating the financial strain on already vulnerable households. Furthermore, the measure could cost taxpayers $70 mil lion or more to compensate Superior Farms for taking its property and forcing it to shut down. This is a significant amount of money that could be used for other critical city services, such as education, infrastructure or public safety. Thankfully, awareness about the ballot measure and the existence of a slaughterhouse in Denver are low. Recent polling shows only 12 percent of voters are aware the ban proposal will be on their ballot, and a mere 22 percent know there is a slaughterhouse in Denver. The poll also shows that while voters like farmers and ranchers, they aren’t persuaded

by the impact of a slaughterhouse ban on the agricultural community. To win, the campaign must frame the elec tion as a narrow question about a misguided idea that is both ineffective and unfair. Placing this proposal within the wider context of the agricultural community or an anti-meat agenda will be less impactful. Denver is a young and progressive city, with 67.6 percent of its population under 50 years old. Voter registration in the city consists of 46.2 percent unaffiliated, 42.8 percent Demo crat and only 9.2 percent Republican. Broadly speaking, the agricultural industry skews more conservative than the vot ers in Denver. While this measure does have statewide and national implications, these factors highlight the importance of local voices speaking out about this local issue. How can you help? Share information about the proposal with your friends, family and business associates who live in Denver. Educate them about the negative impacts of this measure on Superior Farms and its employees. We need them to speak out about this unfair targeting of a single employee-owned business and inform voters about the nega tive consequences of the measure. Financial support is critical. The bottom line is campaigns are costly. Join our campaign to Stop the Ban by making a financial contribution today. Together we can ensure the campaign has the resources to amplify our message, mobilize grassroots efforts and inform Denver voters about the nega tive consequences of the ballot measure. Visit StoptheBanProtectJobs.com for more information or to donate.

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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 West Virginia Shepherds Federation 304-445-1516 • wvashepherds@yahoo.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

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

Peter Orwick Colorado Executive Director

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

February 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 9

Annual Convention Wraps Up in Denver T he first hour of the Lamb Council meeting at the 2024 ASI Annual Convention in Denver last month drew a larger than average crowd as representatives ing them we have a lawyer on retainer and we’re going to continue to watch this like a hawk,” Boner said. “And con tinue to make sure that if they ever stub their toe and give us a window, we’ll be ready.”

from Watts and Associates conducted the final listening ses sion on creating a new federal risk management program for the sheep industry. As was the case with previous listening sessions, some producers arrived expecting to hear the details of a product that will essentially replace the previous LRP-Lamb program. But a replacement program doesn’t currently exist. The ses sions were designed to give producers a voice in designing a program that might be developed down the road. “This is just a feasibility study,” said Mark Boyd of Watts and Associates, which conducted three listening sessions in-person and one online. “We’ll submit a report to the (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s) Risk Management Agency in the next month.” Boyd said the listening sessions looked to determine what insurance products would be most beneficial to the Ameri can sheep industry, including the possibility of covering such things as mortality, yield, price, revenue, etc. The main deficiency of the previous lamb insurance program was the lack of price reporting due to consolida tion within the industry. That problem still exists more than two years after LRP-Lamb went away for good, and the issue will have to be addressed in some form if a new insurance product is to be made available in the future. The decision on whether or not to move forward will soon be in the hands of RMA. The opening session of the convention hosted a farm bill panel which featured senior staff from the Agriculture Committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Justin Benavidez with Chairman G.T. Thompson’s staff and Trey Forsyth with Ranking Member John Boozman’s team provided a comprehensive overview of the upcoming Farm Bill with respect to funding and the current legislative calen dar, as well touching on key priorities important to the sheep and livestock industry. In other news from the convention, ASI President Brad Boner of Wyoming and ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick addressed the ongoing issue of lamb imports – an issue Orwick said has plagued the American sheep industry since the loss of the National Wool Act in the 1990s that led to a dramatic decrease in the American flock. ASI investigated all aspects of filing a trade case against imports from Aus tralia and New Zealand, but legal experts advised that even a victory would provide minimal relief when factoring in estimated legal costs of more than $1 million. “Two things I think we need to do, not be shy about tell

On the wool side, the ASI Board of Directors heard from a panel of innovators, including David Fisher of Texas, John Helle of Montana and Bob Padula of Minnesota. Fisher and Helle discussed the challenges with creating their own lines of wool textile products, while Padula walked produc ers through the process of establishing a partnership with WeatherWool. Isak Statt from BKB provided a comprehensive Global Wool update at the Wool Roundtable. Additionally, innova tors Albert Wilde of Wilde Valley Farms (specializing in wool fertilizer pellets) and Marie Hoff of Full Circle Wool (introducing wool sponges) shared exciting new product ideas. The event also featured a presentation from Jake Vuil lemin of USDA’s Farm Service Agency about the available wool LDP/MAL program that has been used by many grow ers during the last three years. Mike Conover of Fibershed and Linda Poole with the National Center for Appropriate Technology discussed the Climate Beneficial Fiber Part nership that received a $30 million USDA grant in 2023. Other topics included carbon credits and an overview of the domestic textile industry. Three new representatives were elected to the ASI Execu tive Board during the Saturday morning regional caucuses at the convention. Laurie Hubbard (Region I), Anne Crider (Region 3) and Tammy Fisher (Region V) were not eligible for reelection after serving two terms on the Executive Board. Those open spots were filled by Kevin Melvin of New Jersey, Larry Hopkins of Indiana and Rodney Kott of Texas, respectively. John Noh of Idaho was reelected in Region VII, as were each of ASI’s officer team: Boner as president, Ben Lehfeldt of Montana as vice president and Joe Pozzi of Cali fornia as secretary/treasurer. Mark your calendars for the next Annual Convention on Jan. 15-18, 2025, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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February 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 11

Farm Bill Discussion Opens Convention KYLE PARTAIN S taffers from ag committees in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives attended the Opening Session of the ASI Annual Convention to assure sheep producers of their commitment to not only passing a new Farm Bill, but to addressing industry concerns in the process. – that production costs and many other matters are weighing on your bottom line. We are sincerely looking at ways to address that in the Farm Bill.” Another area where there’s room for dramatic improvement is the safety net programs that help American farmers and ranchers weather storms from one year to the next.

“We have not addressed the farm safety net in roughly 20 years,” Benavidez said. “And it certainly lags behind what we believe a modern safety net should look like.”

“Wool Marketing Assistance Loan rates have not kept up with parity and with many of our other commodity programs, and we

do hope to address that,” said Justin Benavi dez, who serves as the chief economist for the House Committee on Agriculture. “The loan rates were not adjusted in the 2018 Farm Bill. We do believe we’re going to be able to find ways to increase that marketing system loan rate. It’s not a terribly expensive ask in the Farm Bill.” Benavidez offered hope for spending increases in a variety of areas: including the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Pro gram that funds the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. In 2019, the Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a five-year grant of $1.9 million to the sheep center, which funds a handful of industry grants each year. Other areas where additional spend ing would be warranted include: the Wool Research, Development and Promotion Trust

Now the question is, will a new Farm Bill get passed? And, if so, when might it occur. “As of January, I’m more positive that we will have a Farm Bill this year than I was even in December,” Benavidez said. Trey Forsyth is a professional staffer with the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and said the focus of Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman is to pass the Farm Bill. But his main goal is to pass a bill that will actually help farmers and ranchers. “A bipartisan bill is the only way to get it passed in the Senate,” Forsyth said. “Just ex tending the 2018 Farm Bill another five years isn’t going to cut it. That’s one thing that’s been clear from Sen. Boozman’s listening sessions. The world has changed a lot since 2018. We need a farm safety net that is responsive to

Justin Benavidez, Chief Economist House Committee on Agriculture

Fund that provides U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for ASI and its efforts to market American wool; and funds for the Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program, both of which assist ag groups in developing foreign markets for American agriculture products. Benavidez said money spent on agriculture has proven to be a sound investment for the federal government. “For a little less than $30 billion a year, agriculture delivers 43 million jobs, $2.3 trillion in wages, $189 million in exports and creates $7.4 trillion in output,” he said. “For every dollar we invest in traditional farm programs, you all contribute roughly $24 back to the federal government. I would defy any member of Congress to come back and tell us that there’s a higher return on invest ment delivered on any other investment in the federal budget.” At the same time, he said members of Congress and the federal government realize many in agriculture have struggled recently. “Circumstances are getting better for the sheep industry,” he said. “But we know in this room – and we’ve heard you in D.C.

those changes.” Among the priorities for Boozman are increased spending on ag research, conservation programs, food security and protecting against foreign disease outbreaks, Forsyth said. He predicted the Farm Bill might move sometime between March and July. But the longer the process drags out – and the closer it gets to the fall presidential election – the tougher it will be to get the bill passed. USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Pro grams Jenny Lester Moffitt was also on hand for the Opening Session. She addressed the crowd on many of the same issues covered in the Farm Bill discussion, touting the Biden Adminis tration’s support of agriculture. That included the climate-smart grants – one of which was awarded to a group of applicants work ing with sheep and wool – as well as the work of Wildlife Services and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. “It’s a pleasure to be here,” she said. “I really appreciate ASI’s strong partnership with us all along the way.”

12 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Innovative Topics Lead Wool Discussions HEATHER PEARCE D iscussion at the Wool Roundtable meeting during the ASI Annual Convention on Jan. 12 in Denver centered around innovation. From wool pellets to $30 million grant to a partnership of entities looking to develop climate-smart wool and cotton production in several areas of the United States. Fibershed’s Mike Conover and the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s Linda Poole joined the Wool Roundtable virtually to provide an update on the pro

sponges to climate beneficial programs and manufacturing, American wool producers are finding new ways to do more with less. Since 1995, domestic mill consumption of wool has de creased from 142 million pounds to 10 million pounds due to global competition, trade agreements, the use of synthetic fibers and improved manufacturing. Approximately 60 to 65 percent of the American wool clip is now exported, but domes tic mills are more efficient than ever before thanks to long-term investments in new equipment that compliments the historic machinery still in use up to a century after it was first put into production, according to ASI Consultant Mitch Driggers. Innovators such as Albert Wilde are taking American wool into the realm of regenerative agriculture while building a mar ket for coarser wools that are often difficult to sell. His Wilde Valley Farms developed a pelleted wool product that can be used in gardens, flowerpots and more. “Wool is the only soil amendment in the world that solves all three problems that growers face when caring for their plants [high nitrogen, holds water and softens soil],” Wilde said. The company is introducing American consumers to a whole new side of wool as it reaches retail markets around the United States. California’s Marie Hoff has found similar success putting wool to use in household sponges. She developed a practical, everyday dish sponge that can be ordered online and is also starting to find a home in retail outlets in her area. The sponges provide consumers with an environmentally friendly product that utilizes a readily available and abundant supply of coarse wool and, ultimately, generates revenue for wool growers. Wool Marketing Assistance Loan and Loan Deficiency Payment program options were shared by Jake Vuillemin, economist at USDA FPAC-BC. MALs provide producers with interim financing via a nine-month loan. Producers can pay back the loan at the set rate or forfeit the wool, and if prices deteriorate, producers can pay back less than what they bor rowed. Alternatively, LDPs offer a direct payment. Ungraded LDPs ($0.40/lb. greasy) are the most popular, but many options are available to fit producers’ needs. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a

gram as it hits the ground running in 2024. The goal is to develop lands that are more productive and drought resistant with higher quality forage to produce healthier sheep and higher quality wool. Producers in California, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and New York State can visit FiberPartnership.NCAT.org/ to learn more. Delving deeper into the possibilities and challenges of in novating with wool was ASI Consultant Roy Kettlewell. While wool has great eco-credentials, it faces an uphill battle with en vironmental footprint assessments such as the EU PEF assess ment, which is biased toward synthetic fibers. Still, wool’s scales can be used for felting and creating texture, density and wind resistance. Wool’s crimp creates bulk without weight, warmth without clamminess, Kettlewell said. Rounding out the meeting was Isak Staats, the International Wool Textile Organization Market Intelligence Committee chairman. Australia remains the largest producer of clean wool, making the country a dominant player in the market. Staats said Australian producers are faced with high interest rates and low commodity prices, so expect that they will prioritize wool production. Manufacturing – particularly in Germany – continues to face challenges. Fortunately, shipping rates have decreased, benefiting producers and consumers. Major consumer markets include Europe, America and China, much of where inflation is an issue. However, interest rates are expected to decrease, meaning that consumers might find some relief. Wool makes up only 1 percent of all textiles, meaning con sumers buy wool with discretionary spending. According to the European Central Bank, the probability of an economic reces sion has reduced from 60 percent to 25 percent in the next six to 12 months. Future challenges include climate change and the need to prove wool’s sustainability credentials, which continues to grow in demand. In conclusion, Staats said, interest rates will be a big driver moving forward, supply will come under pressure and indica tors point toward increasing wool prices. “Baring anything major happening, I think we are mov ing into a better world for our product in the short term,” he concluded.

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American Lamb's Journey Continues KYLE PARTAIN is now available for states and extension to host virtual or live educational programs.

The crowd at the Lamb Council meeting might have gathered for the discussion on creating a new risk management program for the sheep industry – see page 10 for more details – but it stayed for updates on both international and domestic lamb programs. Leading the charge was Jessica Spreitzer of the U.S. Meat Export Federation with a synopsis of where the small amount of exported American lamb ends up on a regular basis. Through November 2023 – the latest data available at the time of the presentation – the United States had exported 4.2 million pounds (down 11 percent) of lamb muscle cuts for a value of $11.05 million (down 11.5 percent) in 2023. A majority of those exports head to the Caribbean and the Dominican Republic, with Mexico following right behind. Smaller amounts head to Canada, Central America and Asia. Cruise lines are once again sailing and doing well after the Covid shutdown, and that accounts for some of the demand in the Caribbean. Despite those numbers, Spreitzer said the United States is recognized as an exporter of high-quality lamb. American lamb is recognized overseas for having a milder, less-gamey taste with larger cut sizes due to genetic selection and grain feeding. Another indicator of lamb quality is that 90 percent of American lamb receives either choice or prime grades, indicating a youthful carcass that is of higher quality. Recently, USMEF has led lamb education among chefs in the Philippines and worked to establish American lamb as a high end product in the fairly new market of Japan. While USMEF is shepherding American lamb overseas, the American Lamb Board is leading efforts to increase demand do mestically. ALB reported an additional $800,000 in yearly income thanks to a change in the way checkoff dollars are collected at auction markets. That equates to a yearly budget of $3 million in

Wortman also announced that ALB’s third Lamb Summit will be conducted on July 24-26 this year at the University of Idaho. Look for more information on the summit in the months to come. As required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ALB evaluates the effectiveness of the lamb checkoff every five years. A report is due this spring, but a 2019 study showed that ALB promotions in terms of additional industry profit ranged from $14.20 to $33.40 per promotion dollar. Wortman ceded some of her time to North Dakota State University/University of Minnesota Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Travis Hoffman who reported on his research into using sus pended fresh technology for American lamb. Working with IQ Foods, Hoffman is looking at how the technology can maximize taste while increasing shelf life. Hoffman said nearly every other protein is already working with the technology, which “chills” meat to 28 degrees. As part of his research, Hoffman has three objectives. The first is to test the technology with a full loin/loin chops. The test will compare sus pended fresh meat with frozen with an 80-day storage period. A consumer sensory panel will then compare tenderness, juiciness and flavor. Hoffman will also evaluate physiochemical data from proximate analysis, shear force, oxidation, protein degradation, drip loss, shelf life and lean meat color. This first objective began in October of 2023. Subsequent objectives will test retail ready sirloin roasts and ground lamb. And finally, the Lamb Council heard from its lamb market working group, which continues to look into additional ways to market “yearling” lamb. The group consists of Reed Anderson of Oregon, Nick Forrest of Ohio, Bob Harlan of Wyoming, Don Hawk of Ohio, Karissa Isaacs of Colorado and Dan Lippert of Minnesota.

2024 – 70 percent of which will go toward promotion of American lamb. The remaining 30 percent sup ports industry programs and research. ALB continues to put an emphasis on education with the hiring of Camren Maierle as the organiza tion’s sustainability director. He will develop and manage ALB’s targeted grazing education program, including workshops scheduled for later this year in Texas, North Carolina and California, said ALB Ex ecutive Director Megan Wortman. These workshops come on the heals of an emerging sheep producers workshop in Kentucky in the fall of 2023, and funding

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February 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 15

Randy Kinney, Minnesota, Roger High, Ohio & Steve Schreier, Minnesota

John Helle, Montana, David Fisher, Texas & Bob Padula, Minnesota

Army Green Service Uniform, Affectionately known to the ASI Staff as Lt. Dan

Tanner Beymer, Washington, D.C. & Tammy Fisher, Texas

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Brian Bitner, Utah, Brad Carothers, Ohio, Lynn Fahrmeier, Missouri & Vance Broadbent, Wyoming Jeanne Carver, Washington, Joe Pozzi, California & Julie Hansmire, Colorado

Sheep Heritage Foundation Scholarship Winner Kelsey Bentley, West Virginia

Convention Scrapbook

ASI Annual Convention Attendees from Wyoming

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PERC Investigates Sheep Solar Grazing KYLE PARTAIN A year ago, the Production, Education and Research Council featured a panel discussion on targeted grazing, but in 2024 the discussion narrowed even more. Solar to note issues with fencing, water, etc. She also understands why sheep grazing at solar sites has been so successful. “The reason it’s working is family farmers do a fabulous job,” she said. “Everything they’ve learned is valuable in solar grazing. The strength of the farmers is their knowledge.” Bishop said the additional grazing land has allowed her to ex pand far beyond what she could have otherwise on her five-acre grazing – quite possibly the biggest boon to the American sheep industry in decades – was the topic of discussion at the 2024 meeting in Denver.

farm. But it comes with its own set of chal lenges. Water is always a concern. Solar arrays don’t need water, but the sheep that graze them need it on a daily basis. “I’ve also had to deal with animal con trol,” said Bishop. “The neighbors called them because we got three flakes of snow and the sheep were out in it.” Bronson experienced phenomenal growth as well thanks to solar grazing. He went from 75 head to 1,000 in six years, but said it was a humbling experience at times. “I made every mistake on my own,” he said. “I was young and thought I knew everything, but it’s hot and humid in the Southeast and a lot can go wrong.” Hark said that’s a huge consideration when determining where to place sheep

A panel moderated by American Lamb Board Sustainability Director Camren Maierle brought in solar grazers from the Eastern half of the United States to share how they got involved in the industry’s fastest growing grazing opportunity. The panel consisted of Nick Armentrout of Maine, Julie Bishop of New Jersey, Eric Bronson of Virginia, Lexie Hain of New York and Arlo Hark of Minnesota. Armentrout serves as president of the American Solar Grazing Association and offered that solar grazing is simply targeted grazing on a solar array. It’s a service busi ness, he said, which is why shepherds de serve to be paid a fee for grazing livestock there. He shared that in 2023, some 72,000

Nick Armentrout American Solar Grazing Association

sheep grazed approximately 60,000 acres in the United States. That number will continue to increase dramatically as solar sites in all sizes come into operation in the future. ASGA is looking to work with ASI to provide guidance for sheep producers moving into solar grazing, and is developing a series of educational webinars while also providing sample contracts and moving toward a certification program that will be available in the near future. “The solar industry and the sheep industry need each other,” said Hain. One of the main reasons for that is utility companies have faced backlash for building solar arrays on what was traditionally agricultural land. Grazing sheep in the arrays allows for an ag ricultural use that quiets much of the backlash from the general public. And sheep are the perfect grazers – small enough to graze under the panels (which cows can’t) and gentle enough to cause minimal damage (unlike goats) at the site. Hain, a solar gazer and founder of ASGA, joined the staff at Lightsource bp and works to select sites the company will invest in. She looks at each site through the eyes of a grazer, and is quick

because eventually things will go wrong. “How far do you want to drive to go check those sheep,” he asked? “You have to consider that in your pricing structure. We also have to truck water to every site we graze.” Other things to consider include the length of the grazing con tract. Most grazers on the panel suggested a one year minimum, but said the industry is pushing for three, five and even 10-year contracts. Long-term contracts would definitely work better for established grazers, while short-term contracts would allow beginners to get their feet wet in the industry. Hain said there are also opportunities for grazers to pick up additional work at the solar sites because they are often on the sites more than the solar company employees. That might include mowing of areas that aren’t grazed, general clean up, etc. The council also heard an update on ASI’s Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan, which Dr. Danelle Bicket-Weddle provided for several council/committee meetings during the week. Sheep Heritage Foundation Scholarship winner Kelsey Bentley offered a presentation entitled Milking More from the Post-Wean ing Fecal Egg Count Estimated Breeding Value .

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Animal Health Hears Research Advances CAT URBIGKIT A s usual, the meeting of the Animal Health Committee drew a large audience to learn about a variety of topics of importance to sheep operations. traps and consumes the developing worm larvae and is effec tive against multiple worm species and resistance worms. The product is available through select feeds mills, veterinarians, and Premier 1 Supplies.

Burke explained that one research project is examining mix ing BioWorma into a trace mineral mix, which was stored for seven days and then fed to the sheep. The project demonstrated that it works in the mineral mix, but producers are cautioned to not leave it in the mineral too long, or to allow the mineral to get wet. Burke suggested that when considering using BioWorma, the costs are from .20 to .60 cents per 100-pound animal per day. She said it is imperative that producers use the fungus strategi cally based on the biology of the worm and the risk of worm infection in an animal, noting that peri-parturient dams and young animals are the most susceptible to worms. Burke recommends using this parasite control method alongside resistant genetics, good nutrition and good pasture management to minimize worms on pasture. PREVENTATIVE PRODUCTS Committee Co-Chair Dr. Cindy Wolf provided an overview of the process of bringing more preventative products (vac cines) to market, noting that the first step is for the industry to show a need for a product. Participation in studies like the NAHMS sheep survey help to define the need for specific vac cines to address issues impacting the sheep industry. The indus try also has to convince and work with vaccine manufacturers in development of vaccines. With warming of the environment, American sheep flocks might experience more bluetongue outbreaks, Wolf warned, as the virus is spread by biting midges. Wolf laid out her view of future vaccine needs, including those that address a combination of abortion-causing patho gens as well as vaccines to combat virulent footrot, scald, multiple serotypes of bluetongue, Cache Valley Virus, species specific respiratory vaccine and perhaps even an anti-internal parasite vaccine. Wolf noted that there should be a commercial ly available vaccine for Cache Valley Virus within the next year. JOHNE’S DISEASE Recently a sheep flock preparing to enter public lands in California was asked to test for Ovine Johne’s Disease prior to grazing, according to Dr. Roșie Busch of University of California-Davis. While Johne’s disease has been present in the See Animal Health on Page 29

Dr. Natalie Urie of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service presented an update on the National Animal Health Monitoring System sheep study, which kicked into action with written surveys across the country last month, and will contin ue with collection of fecal, blood and interdigital swab collec tion during farm and ranch visits from March through August. The study aims to give a snapshot of current health and man agement practices on American sheep operations. Participation is voluntary, and sheep producers who participate will receive confidential and free results back from the biological testing conducted on their animals. Testing will examine parasite bur dens, fecal microbes and lameness pathogens. SCRAPIE Dr. Diane Sutton of USDA’s Veterinary Services Small Ru minant Health Center provided an update on scrapie, which has been subject to an eradication program for nearly 70 years. Sutton noted that there have been no scrapie cases in sheep in the United States in seven years. “While we’re nearing the finish line, there is still work to do,” Sutton said, with continued surveillance and traceback neces sary to ensure the disease is eradicated in the country. Sutton suggested that if a producer has a sheep aged from 2 to 6 years range that dies, contact your nearest VS office for a whole head box to aid in the surveillance effort. There is no charge for the collection or testing of the samples for scrapie. PARASITE CONTROL USDA Animal Research Service scientist Dr. Joan Burke of the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, Ark., provided an overview of the efficient use of BioWorma for small ruminant parasite control. Internal parasites (strongyle worms) are the number-one problem in the sheep industry throughout the world, Burke explained. Worldwide, dewormers are proving to no longer be effective, and with no new products on the horizon and multi-drug resistance widespread, alterna tives are needed, so BioWorma has been increasingly studied. BioWorma is a feed additive used to control the spread of parasitic larvae in the pasture. It’s a nematode-trapping fungus, so the fungal spores are fed in feed supplement and passed through the feces with no effect to the animal. The fungus

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