Sheep Industry News March 2025

ASI Recognizes Award Winners A ward recipients at the 2025 ASI Annual Convention Awards Luncheon in Scottsdale, Ariz., share a common unselfish trait that allowed each of them to contribute to the American sheep and Lamb Council. Utah's Tom Boyer nabbed the Industry Innovation Award for his efforts to push the industry forward in the area of genetics and genomi cs. He's a founding member of Sheep Genetics USA, which took its first breath of life in 2020 just about 100 yards across the Scottsdale Plaza

industry in their own unique ways. Peter John Camino has accomplished a lot in the sheep industry in his roles with ASI, the American Lamb Board and the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, which is why he was chosen as the winner of the 2025 McClure Silver Ram Award. But he surprised a few folks in his acceptance speech when he declared that getting a sheep specialist hired after a 20-year absence at the University of Wyoming was his biggest accomplishment. That declaration speaks to the unselfish nature of the third-generation sheep producer. "I just want to thank everyone in this room for all that you do for our industry," he said. For the second consecutive year, New York's Keith Stumbo was on stage to accept an award. Only this time, it had his name on it. A year earlier, he accepted the Industry Innovation Award on behalf of his friend and neighbor, Matt Kyle and Kyle Farms. This year, he grabbed the Distinguished Producer Award for himself. The longtime sheep producer was surprised in Arizona by the two daughters he shares with his wife, Kathy. And back home in New York, they have seven grandkids and one great grandchild who all help out with the family's Down Valley Farm on the western side of the state. Stumbo is the longtime president of the Empire Sheep Producers As sociation and a past member of the ASI Executive Board, Wool Council

Resort parking lot from where Boyer received his coveted award. "You're going to see marvelous things out of that organization," he said. "Thank you for this great honor." James Miller, Ph.D., wasn't able to attend the ASI Annual Conven tion to receive his Peter Orwick Camptender Award, so he asked fellow researcher Joan Burke, Ph.D., to accept on his behalf. Burke bragged on her longtime friend when she admitted, "He never turned down a chance to speak to producers." In his 32 years as a veterinary parasitologist, Miller worked tirelessly to research parasite control and educate producers throughout the Southeastern United States – where his research was vital to keeping flocks healthy and thriving. Matt Reese was honored with the Shepherd's Voice Award for his ef forts to chronicle the sheep industry in Ohio. He's also a sheep producer on a farm where his family also raises rabbits and chickens. In addition to ASI awards, the National Lamb Feeders Association and National Sheep Industry Improvement Center recognized vo lunteer leaders for their service. NLFA presented a shepherd's crook to outgoing president Reed Anderson of Oregon. NSIIC handed out plaques to retiring board members Burton Pfliger of North Dakota and Leo Tammi of Virginia.

McClure Silver Ram Award winner Peter John Camino celebrated with family and Wyoming friends in Scottsdale.

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