Sheep Industry News May 2022

President’s Notes SUSAN SHULTZ ASI PRESIDENT

Advocating for the Industry in D.C.

O ne of the more important strengths of ASI is the as sociation's ongoing work in advocating for issues that are important to our American sheep industry. To that end, dedicated producer/leaders join together on a yearly basis to travel to Washington, D.C., to visit with their congressional delegations and government agencies to share our industry’s concerns. In March 2020, the ASI delegation was one of the last com modity groups to visit those offices due to the pandemic and, in March 2022, we were one of the first groups to return. It was wonderful to be back in Washington, D.C., and re-connect with our representatives and senators and share our story. But this year, we were also able to say thank you. For many years, the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, has struggled with inadequate funding. At one point the station was even on the government’s closure list, but ASI and its producer leaders continued to work to build relationships with supporters of agriculture research. We have advocated for the importance of modernizing the unique century old sheep station and to adequately fund its important research. We were so pleased that the recently passed bipartisan com promise appropriations bill contains $4.2 million for improve ments to the building and facilities at the station, as well as an additional $500,000 in new rangeland research funding. This

would not have happened without years of advocating from ASI and its producer leaders. We are especially appreciative of Rep. Mike Simpson (Idaho) who pushed this issue forward. Building relationships with our government agencies also helped with another positive win recently for our industry. ASI heard from producers that they were very appreciative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture providing emergency relief pay ments for forage losses due to the severe ongoing drought. That assistance was designed to help producers with the additional expenses of hauling feed to livestock. In the case of our sheep industry, many producers were forced instead to transport their flocks to new feed sources. ASI asked for this added flexibil ity for livestock hauling to be considered for relief payments. Association leaders had numerous conversations with Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux and others. The request was sensible, and due to our positive relationships USDA listened. This positive action might help numerous producers survive this persistent drought. Building relationships across the aisle in Washington, D.C., does make a difference. ASI has a respected reputation on Capi tol Hill due to its dedicated producer leaders and ASI staff. ASI will continue to build relationships and advocate for our indus try. My best.

ASI officers, producer leaders and staff met with the U.S. Forest Service (pictured here) and other government agencies during the 2022 ASI Spring Trip.

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