Sheep Industry News May 2025

Producers Flock to Washington, D.C. S heep producers flocked to Washington, D.C., and Capitol Hill on March 25-27 for ASI’s Spring Trip. The annual legislative fly-in gave producers an opportunity to share

dustry’s previously mentioned priority issues. “Our discussions on imports were certainly timely with the administration’s focus on tariffs,” said ASI Legislative Action Council Chair Larry Hopkins of Indiana. “The timing of our trip to Washington, D.C., was perfect as all of the legislators we talked to were focused on tariffs since we were just a week away from President Trump’s announcement. It was good that we were able to share our support for tariffs with the legislators because we have a different view on this topic than some of the other ag commodities.” ASI leaders had hoped to meet with newly-confirmed Sec retary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, but she was away from Washington, D.C., during the trip. Instead, members of her staff met with ASI’s H-2A Task Force. “They really focused on solutions that we can look at for the states that are now requiring overtime pay for herders,” Hopkins said. “So, I think those were very productive conver sations.” The ASI Executive Board also met with staff from the House Agriculture Committee. While budget discussions are the priority for Congress, staffers left sheep producers optimistic

the industry’s needs in the next Farm Bill with legislators. Fifty sheep producers from all around the United States took part in the trip. Attendees met with key officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Labor and the Office of the Trade Representative to discuss critical issues fac ing American sheep producers. Conversations centered around tariff and trade announcements from the Trump Administra tion (this was a week before the administration announced sweeping tariffs), the importance of risk management for sheep producers in passing a new Farm Bill and the sheep specific requests for changes to the H-2A program. Following the agency meetings, attendees visited individu ally with members of their respective state congressional del egations, focusing conversations on many of those same issues, as well as animal health, the important role Wildlife Services plays for producers, and the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station. Producers were provided with packets of information to share with their congressional delegations on each of the in

South Dakota producers Cody Chambliss and Steve Clements met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

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