Sheep Industry News March 2023

President’s Notes BRAD BONER ASI PRESIDENT

Hello FromWyoming

A s the newly elected president of this great organization, I thought as part of my first column I should tell you all a little about myself. My wife, Laurie, and I live and work on our family’s ranch near Glenrock, Wyo. Our son, Ryan, manages the day-to-day operations of the ranch. About 60 percent of the animal units we run come from sheep. We have Targhee-Rambouillet ewes that are bred to pas ture lamb, starting in mid-May. The other 40 percent of our animal units are made up of Angus cows. Half are commercial cows and half are registered seedstock. We have an annual bull sale in March at the ranch. Ryan’s twin sister, Meghan, and her husband, Jake, live in Casper, Wyo., where Jake is a physical therapist and Meghan does the very important job of being mom to grandsons, Meyer and Owen. Being a grandparent is one of the greatest joys of our life! Our oldest son, Braden, and his wife, Amanda, also live in Casper where Braden works for a local trucking com pany. We enjoy following their kids, Logan and Kaylie, in all their school activities. As I am sure it is with many of you, fam ily is a huge part of our life and we are so blessed to have them all close to us giving us the opportunity to spend time with them all. I have served on the board and as president of the Wyoming Wool Growers Association. I also served on the board of directors and as president of Mountain States Lamb Cooperative. A synopsis of our stated goals for ASI in 2023 include:

1. Continue to be a proactive force on legislative issues ef fecting sheep producers. This year is a “Farm Bill Year” so in addition to our regular legislative activities at ASI, much time and effort will be placed making sure the new Farm Bill contains those items that are properly supportive of the American sheep industry. 2. Continue the financial review study committee. Continue to identify and vet potential sources and op tions for future funding.

3. Increase communication within the ASI organization and with outside stakeholders. Communications is always an area that can be improved. It is very important that we have great communication with our industry members, affiliates and partners in order to be the most effective and efficient in all our efforts. A few examples are: a. Promote the benefits that ASI delivers to all producers. Continue to market and promote ASI’s website, the Sheep Industry News , ASI Research Update podcast and ASI Weekly newsletter as sources of valuable information. b. Develop a framework to ensure the success of the Young Entrepreneur committee on the national level. c. Continue quarterly meetings with state executives. 4. Continue to work closely with ALB and NSIIC in order to capitalize on the strengths of a unified Industry. As always, ASI will continue to put tremendous efforts toward growing wool markets both domestically and internation ally in an effort to grow the number of customers for American wool around the world. I look forward to serving this GREAT organization and its most amazing people for the next two years. If I can be helpful, please reach out to me.

4 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org