Sheep Industry News May 2025

Small and mid-size mills play an important role in American processing. We need to expand that role by helping them to increase efficiency and capacity. Provide educational resources for mill owners, as well as marketing resources.

Traceability has become increasingly important to consumers. They want to know where the products they buy are coming from, and how they are produced. Using American wool is important to the U.S. military.

“To successfully integrate additional programs, we will need to carefully evaluate our current priorities,” ASI Wool Marketing Di rector Rita Samuelson wrote in a letter to Wool Council members. “This may involve strategically changing programs and – in some cases – reassessing or scaling back lower-priority initiatives to make room for the new ones. Our goal is to optimize our efforts without compromising the quality and success of new and ongoing projects. “Although this is a transitional year – with the complexities of a Farm Bill year, uncertain funding and unforeseen challenges – it also presents opportunities for growth and innovation. By staying realistic about our capacity and leveraging our strengths, we are confident in our ability to drive meaningful progress. This plan positions us to move forward with intention. “We’re doing all of this with the end goal of creating a strong, re silient American sheep and wool industry now and into the future,” said Samuelson.

WOOL ACTION PLAN Continued from Page 16

mills. As is the case with the first-stage processors, many of them need access to additional funding so they can increase efficiency and capacity. These mills provide an avenue for American wool producers with smaller flocks to get their wool through the manufacturing process, whether they just want to develop a farm-specific yarn line or have their wool processed into consumer products. And finally, the Wool Action Plan calls for exploring traceabil ity options within the industry. Consumers who are willing to pay higher costs for natural fibers over synthetics often want to know where those fibers are coming from, how they were produced and that they are supporting local economies with their purchase. Providing American wool to the military is also important for the military and for wool usage.

18 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org