Sheep Industry News May 2023

Sheep Producers Flock to Washington, D.C.

“I think there are definitely opportunities for us to be a player in that area,” Fisher said. While ASI sponsored a Spring Trip in 2022, Fisher said this was the first year in which government and congressional offices were truly open following the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s actually been easier for some producers to visit with their congressional leaders back in their home districts, but we appreciate those leaders and the agencies who took time to meet with us while we were there. We’re seeing that the agencies have a real interest in helping American agriculture and the sheep industry, as well. But we need to assist them in focusing some of their proposed programs in such a way that producers will see the maximum benefits. There’s still some work to do, and a lot of that will come through the Farm Bill.” To that end, Fisher encourages sheep producers to continue reaching out to their congressional delegations – especially mem bers of the Senate and House ag committees – with information on the needs of the industry. “We’ve got a lot of new members on these committees who have never had to work on the Farm Bill before,” Fisher said. “So, it’s im portant to reach out to them and get them our information.” Visit SheepUSA.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ASI-Issues 2023-Combined.pdf for information you can share with your sena tors and representatives.

A SI’s annual Spring Trip to Washington, D.C., is always an important time for producers to make their needs and con cerns known to both legislators who establish policy and the agencies who administer it. But the trip takes on added impor tance every four years when the Farm Bill comes up for renewal. “We’re working pretty closely with the agriculture committee staff in a number of areas,” said ASI Legislative Action Council Co-Chair Tammy Fisher. “I think this is a pivotal time for our industry as the trade climate is very difficult. Our markets and our economy are ever changing, so it’s important that we have a voice and a seat at the table.” Sheep producers from 16 states traveled to our nation’s capital in late March to hear program updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its various agencies, as well as to meet with congres sional leaders. “The Spring Trip is a prime opportunity to put a spotlight on the ways that government leaders can assist American sheep producers in the future,” said ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick. “We always welcome the chance to meet firsthand with leaders of the agencies that work every day on the front lines with our industry. It’s an im portant time in helping them to understand how agency programs do or don’t work for our membership.” Among the issues discussed during the week were the need for renewal of the Wool Trust – which funds ASI’s efforts to market American wool both domestically and overseas – continued sup port for the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station and the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, predator control and how the sheep industry can be involved in sustainability and climate-smart initia tives that have been a central focus of the Biden Administration. Utah’s Tom Boyer, Carolyn Bitner and Sierra Nelson present American wool products to Rep. John Curtis.

California sheep producers Kimberley Etcheverry, Andrée Soares and Henry Etcheverry pose for a photo in front of the White House.

12 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org