Sheep Industry News January 2025

President’s Notes BRAD BONER ASI PRESIDENT

Welcome to the New Year I truly have no idea how we have already put 2024 to bed and are starting a new year. That means that this year’s ASI Annual Conven tion must be right around the corner. I would like to spend some time in this month’s column hitting some of the highlights of the upcoming convention in Scottsdale, Ariz. This three-day event brings together every sector of the American sheep industry to one place. This year is no exception with a dozen individual industry groups having meetings during our time in Scottsdale. This offers our members the opportunity to learn new things and hear about what else might be happening that could impact each of their agribusiness enterprises. Official meetings get started at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 with the Animal Health Committee. Important topics like Scrapie and New World Screwworm updates will offer insight into one old and one new health issue that might impact your sheep flock and your bottom line. At 8:30 a.m., the National Lamb Feeders Annual Meeting and Forum will take place. This meeting typically offers lively and informative discussions on many of the topics that impact the lamb market. At 10 a.m., the Genetics Forum kicks off with Perspectives on Sheep Genetics in Australia and a well-known panel to discuss Genetic Progress in the Real World . This informative session will continue after lunch with additional topics focused on how to use genetic selection to improve your bottom line. At 1 p.m., the Production, Education & Research Council kicks off its Policy Forum discussing things like New and Emerging Production Technologies and Scaling Up Production – How to Do It Successfully . The Legislative Council also begins at 1 p.m. with topics such as a Farm Bill update and other legislative items that impact our industry. At 1:30 p.m., the ASI Wool Council will meet to discuss the latest issues in the wool industry. At 4 p.m., please join us for our Opening Session which is a panel discussion on Energizing the Sheep Industry with Solar . This will be an upbeat and informative panel of five knowledgeable professionals who are involved with sheep grazing under solar arrays – or agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is a growing sector within the sheep industry that might offer some new opportunities for sheep producers. Don’t miss this one. Everyone will look forward to 6 p.m. and our Industry Welcome Reception, where we can catch up with our friends, ASI officers and staff members to talk about everything SHEEP. Jan. 17 begins at 8 a.m. with the Lamb Council session and Resource Management Council Policy Forum. Friday’s Awards Luncheon of fers us the opportunity to honor individuals who have given extraordinary time and effort to our industry while making it better along the way. You can read more about the award winners in this issue of the Sheep Industry News . After lunch, the ASI Board of Directors Information Session will get underway. This year, we will have some great speakers including the three young producers who represented the American sheep industry at Lamb X in Australia. We wrap up Friday with the fun filled and lively RAMPAC Reception and Auction. This event is one of the highlights of the convention and lets everyone relax and enjoy each other's company. Saturday begins with the all-important Regional Caucuses, where we will elect three new members to the Executive Board. The ASI Board of Directors Business Meeting will begin at 10 a.m., and is open to anyone who would like to attend. It will include an informative talk from Paul Rosenthal, ASI’s trade law attorney. A fitting way to wrap things up is with the Make It With Wool Fashion Show that night. As you can see, there will be lots going on in Scottsdale and it will avail us of the once-a-year opportunity to network with other indus try participants in hopes of better understanding how we best grow and prosper as sheep producers and industry. Until then, keep it on the sunny side.

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