Sheep Industry News November 2021

SheepIndustry NEWS Volume 25, Issue 11 November 2021

Trailing of the Sheep

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SheepIndustry NEWS Volume 25, Issue 11 November 2021

A Look Inside 12 Accessing Foreign Genetics is Option for U.S. While American sheep producers would rather not see imports of foreign lamb meat into the United States, they could benefit from the import of genetics in the form of live sheep, embryos or semen for developing new breeds or reviving heritage breeds.

ON THE COVER:

Trailblazers Tour: Texas Showcases Diversity From wool scouring to lamb processing and hair sheep, the 2021 Trailblazers Tour offered participants a three-day synopsis of the Lone Star State's diverse and evolving sheep industry, conclud ing with a tour of the country's premier wool testing lab. Trailing of the Sheep Celebrates 25 Years They came from all over the United States and several foreign countries to a small community in Idaho to celebrate the 25th anniversary year of one of the most unique events in the world – The Trailing of the Sheep Festival.

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Sheep prepare for their Big Sheep Parade as part of the 25th anniversary Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Idaho. Carol Waller photo.

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Departments 4 President’s Notes 6 Market Report 9 ASI Member Listing 22 Association News 22 Obituary 28 Breeders’ Directory 30 Industry Calendar

24 VP Testifies to House Ag Committee

November 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 3

President’s Notes SUSAN SHULTZ ASI PRESIDENT

Optimism Abounds on Texas Trailblazers Tour

I was recently riding in the cab of the pickup with Gary as he pulled a wagon loaded with participants across the beautiful heri tage ranch of the Jennings family in Texas. This was just one of many stops on the Trailblazers Tour sponsored by the National Lamb Feeders Association and American Lamb Board in cooperation with ASI. Gary has served as executive secretary of the American

ers. The epitome of optimism might be Jeff Hasbrouck, who currently serves as NLFA president. He and his wife, Cindy, toured with the group and shared the story of opening the Double J Lamb plant, which is a true family operation. Their belief and faith in the future of our industry was humbling. Regarding the three P’s quote on the Trail blazers Tour, we saw numerous examples of

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Southdown Breeders Association for more than 30 years and it was a delight to get reacquainted. As he talked, I appreciated his optimism for our sheep industry and his confidence about the future. He told me that there were three P's that are an ongoing challenge to our industry: predators, parasites and pessimistic people. I hadn’t heard that version of the three P’s before, and it really resonated with me. Throughout this summer and fall I have attended numerous sheep events, tours and seminars that have illustrated the resilience of producers and their never-ending optimism about the future of our sheep industry. The Iowa Sheep Industry Association sponsored on farm tours at Kevin Goeken’s and Kyle and Carrie Hurley’s places. Both are progressive, commercial operators who have shown their optimism by investing in on-farm infrastructure with their inten

optimistic producers being proactive and adopting new methods for dealing with predators and using new genetic technology and selec tion to help with parasites. As far as the third P…, there was not one young producer/leader that I rode on the bus with for three days that was not committed and optimistic about their future in the sheep industry. Nominations for this years ASI Awards are due Nov. 19. The five awards are the McClure Silver Ram Award, the Camptender Award, the Distinguished Producer Award, the Industry Innovation Award and the Shepherd's Voice Award. Please nominate those optimistic people that have given back to our industry through the years with their hope, resilience and confidence in our future. My best.

sive production systems. In Montana and Wyoming, the producers I met at the ram sales had just experienced one of the worst droughts in their history, yet they participated in record-breaking sales as they purchased new genetics for their flocks. Dr. Reid Redden and Jake Thorne – both with Texas A&M AgriLife and planners of the Trailblazers Tour – showcased the optimism of a diverse set of Texas producers, many of them making plans to expand their operations in order to support the next generation of sheep produc

Trailblazers Tour participants at Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo, Texas.

4 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

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SheepIndustry NEWS November 2021: Volume 25, Issue 11

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ASI Office Staff: Peter Orwick, Executive Director Rita Kourlis Samuelson, Deputy Director/Wool Marketing Larry Kincaid, Chief Financial Officer Chase Adams, Senior Policy and Information Director Erica Sanko, Director of Analytics & Production Programs Christa Rochford, International Wool Marketing Coordinator Zahrah Khan, Project Manager - Accounting & Convention Angela Ayala, Executive Assistant The Sheep Industry News is published monthly as the official publication of the American Sheep Industry Association Inc. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Payment of member dues in an ASI affiliated state organization entitles a member to a subscription. For non-members, the subscription rate is $50 per year. ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Rates available at Sheepusa.org. Deadline is the fifth of the month preceding the cover date. All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume all liability for their advertising content. Publisher maintains the right to cancel advertising for nonpayment or reader complaint about service or product. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in Sheep Industry News .

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November 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 5

Market Report

JULIE STEPANEK SHIFLETT, PH.D. Juniper Economic Consulting

Re-Release of Carcass Values

A s the American sheep industry contracts, less market information under Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting has been reported by the U.S. Department of Agricul ture's Agricultural Marketing Service for confidentially concerns of its data providers. In October, the industry saw a welcome reversal of one such retraction. The National Weekly Comprehensive Lamb Carcass Report, (LM_XL555) has not reported carcass prices since the first quarter of 2017. Carcass prices used to be reported by weight class – the price of a 65- to 75-lb. carcass, for example. Due to ongoing con fidentiality guidelines, prices for the individual weight categories still cannot be reported; however, this year, ASI worked with AMS to release a weighted average price for all carcasses across weight classes In the first two weeks of October, the total weighted average price for all carcass weights was $548.61 per cwt. According to Erica Sanko, ASI's director of analytics and production programs, the addition of the total weighted average price to the report will provide market participants with additional information to facili tate price discovery and in making marketing decisions.

and slaughter lamb prices remained high in September. The sum mer is typically a tight supply period of the year, but this year was particularly tight due to a smaller flock, smaller lamb crop and ethnic demand for lightweight lambs In September, 60- to 90-lb. feeder lambs at a three-market auction average saw $259.24 per cwt., steady with August and 55 percent higher year-on-year. San Angelo, Texas, saw $270.55 per cwt., Fort Collins, Colo., averaged $247.00 per cwt. and Sioux Falls, S.D., posted $260.18 per cwt. In the past few years, South Dakota was typically the highest valued auction market when compared to Colorado and Texas; however, in the last few months, auction prices in San Angelo have come out on top. This unusual swing in price leadership might be due to Double J Lamb reopening the long-shuttered lamb plant in San Angelo. The Western Video Sheep Video/Internet Auction, Cotton wood, Calif., reported that 75-lb. feeders averaged $286 per cwt. The Billings, Mont., Northern Livestock Video/Internet auction saw 75- to 85-lb. feeders average $259 to $293 per cwt. for Octo ber and November delivery in the North Central region. In the North Central United States, Equity Cooperative Sheep and Lamb Video/Internet Auction, Baraboo, Wis., reported 97-lb. feeders selling for $250.25 per cwt.

FEEDER LAMB PRICES REMAIN STRONG Amid tight supplies and strong demand, mainstream feeder

SLAUGHTER LAMB PRICES PEAK? Live, negotiated slaughter lamb prices fell 5 percent in September to $247.43 per cwt, and down 8 percent from the COVID-19 high of $268.34 per cwt. Prices were not reported in April through September 2020 due to confidentiality; however, prices were 46 percent higher than last October at $169 per cwt. At the New Holland auction in Pennsylvania, Choice 1 to 3 hair sheep were about 3 percent higher in September and up 18 percent year-on-year. For ex-

6 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

ample, 60- to 70-lb. lambs averaged $279.65 per cwt., 70- to 80-lbs. aver aged $264.61 per cwt., 80- to 90-lb. saw $266.80 per cwt., 90- to 100-lbs. averaged $263.44 per cwt., and 100- to 150-lbs. averaged $255.23 per cwt. In 2022, it is expected that the tight lamb supply situation will per sist. In theory, if lamb demand ex ceeds supply, then there is room for lamb prices at retail and foodservice to move higher. It is expected, how ever, that American lamb demand will be tempered by a substitution of imported lamb for American prod uct. There are also macroeconomic factors that might mitigate further lamb demand growth.

POTENTIAL MACROECONOMIC HEADWINDS

lamb liveweights at harvest have declined. In August and September, liveweights in Federally Inspected harvest averaged 119 lbs., down 5 percent from the same period in 2020 and 12 percent lower than the 2015-2019, five-year average of 135 lbs. At the beginning of October, 260,933 head of lambs were reported in Colorado feedlots – 30 percent higher than October 2020 and 16 percent higher than October’s five-year average. There are several possible explanations. The industry is further consolidating feedlots in Colorado, numbers are up at Double J Lamb Feeders (with their new processing facility in Texas), volume is building in anticipation of a particularly high-demand December sales, and there is some slowdown in harvest and numbers are building. Lamb imports totaled 172.8 million lbs. January to August, up 24 percent year-on-year. In this period, Australian imports were up 19 percent to 127.2 million lbs. and New Zealand imports were up 39 percent to 42.9 million lbs. Mutton imports were down 23 percent to 54.7 million lbs., of which Australian mutton imports were down 29 percent to 47.4 mil lion lbs. and New Zealand mutton imports were up 45 percent to 6.1 million lbs. In January to August, mutton exports totaled 1.83 million lbs., down 87 percent year-on-year. Lamb exports totaled 255,000 lbs., down 18 percent year-on-year. There might be multiple reasons for lower lamb and mutton exports, including domestic record-high prices. It is expected that lower lamb and mutton exports reflect the strong lamb and mut ton domestic markets. Since the advent of COVID-19, adult sheep slaughter has increased while lamb harvest has declined. Adult sheep harvest was about 6 percent of lamb harvest in April 2020 and climbed to 10 percent in August 2021. As the price of lamb in creased, the production of mutton increased to provide a more com-

Real or perceived reductions in domestic incomes might put a damper on lamb demand in coming months. Previous research by ASI found that income is a significant positive correlation with lamb demand. Further, a recent Survey of Consumers by the University of Michigan reports that inflationary concerns in coming months will be “driven by an income psychology.” This means that if consumers feel that their dollar won’t go as far due to higher-priced goods, then they effectively feel as if their incomes have contracted. The Univer sity of Michigan also found that surveyed consumers complained about “lower living standards due to inflation.” The Survey of Consumers reports that expectations of household incomes for the top third of consumers are expected to fall in the year ahead. Lamb is typically a higher-priced protein – often a luxury item – and many consumers are price sensitive so this macroeco nomic phenomenon could adversely affect lamb demand into the new year. The August Survey of Consumers revealed the, “least favorable economic prospects in more than a decade." Although consumer economic expectations might improve, due to the “emotional im pact,” consumer spending might slow for some time. DOMESTIC PRODUCTION LOWERS; IMPORTS UP In January through September, estimated lamb harvest was 1.32 million head, down 1 percent year-on-year. Estimated lamb produc tion January to September was 60.95 million lbs., down 4 percent year-on-year. Freezer inventory is relatively low. Lamb and mutton in cold storage totaled 22 million lbs., up 5 percent monthly and down 44 percent year-on-year. Lower harvest numbers combined with lower harvest weights yields lower production volume. As lamb demand has expanded,

November 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 7

petitive alternative to consumers, but is also possible that stronger cull ewe prices and drought conditions across the West are prompt ing greater harvest rates. WHOLESALE MARKET HOLDS The cutout value less an industry average processing and packag ing cost in September averaged $627.51 per cwt., about steady with August and 72 percent higher year-on-year. The lamb primals ranged from 62 to 76 percent higher year-on-year. The loin bounced around $500 per cwt. for years prior to CO VID-19, then took off exponentially, more than doubling in 18 months. The loin, trimmed 4x4, averaged $1,051.86 per cwt. in Sep tember, up 3 percent monthly and 62 percent higher year-on-year. The 8-rib rack, medium, averaged $1,410.99 per cwt. in Sep tember, down 2 percent year-on-year. The shoulder square-cut saw $548.50 per cwt. in September, also down 2 percent monthly. The leg, trotter-off, averaged $603.67 per cwt., down 1 percent monthly. Ground lamb saw $789.97 per cwt. in September, down 8 percent monthly and 35 percent higher from a year ago. RETAIL PRICES HIGHER Part of the success of lamb demand at retail has been in devel oping value-added products that make at-home lamb preparation more convenient. In an Oct. 1 podcast for Meat + Poultry , Anders Hemphill, vice president of marketing and brand strategy for Supe rior Farms, said the company offers a pre-seasoned garlic-rosemary leg steak that has done well under a private label for Wal-Mart. It also sells a pre-seasoned lamb shank that has sold well at Costco in Northern California. Overall, lamb at retail remains strong although there is some leveling off as foodservice comes back online, Hemphill said.

sensitivity.” Thus, demand might be fragile in the coming months for American fall wool sales and sales of remaining wool in storage. On Oct. 7, the Australian Easter Market Indicator was Australian 1,339 cents per kg clean, or U.S. $4.42 per lb. clean. In U.S. dollars, the EMI was up 34 percent year-on-year, 55 percent higher than the COVID-19-low of $2.86 per lb. clean, and yet 36 percent lower than the record high enjoyed in 2018 at $6.86 per lb. Recall that the Australian wool market faced a declining price trend pre-COVID. Although global wool supplies remain tight, a multitude of demand factors dragged prices lower. By some accounts, the wool market remains in an eight- to 10-year cycle and wool prices will rebound in coming years, but the current price outlook is concerning. One demand factor that might be at play in the international wool market is the increased concentration of raw wool demand and pro cessing in the hand of a single buyer – China. In theory, as market concentration increases, the ability for price influence also increases. What happens in China affects the global wool market. In Septem ber, AWI reported that many wool mills in China were without reli able power with more frequent and more severe electricity rationing and thus Chinese production interruptions constrained demand, likely depressing Australian wool prices. ABC News Australia reported that there is a renewed effort in Australia to develop a domestic scouring plant. Queensland Wool Processors chairman John Abbott said in early October, "If you are subject to the whims and problems of an overseas manufacturer, then you will suffer the consequences." Some of the competitive advantages that China once enjoyed – including cheaper labor, cheap electricity and lower environmental standards – are disappearing according to economic consultant Jonathan Pavetto.

Shoulder blade chops saw a featured-weighted average of $6.99 per lb. in early October, up 24 percent from a year ago. Rib chops saw $14.99 per lb., up 23 percent; the leg (shank/ butt) averaged $8.56 per lb., 72 percent year-on-year, and leg cutlets saw $12.99 per lb., up 28 percent. Since the summer of 2021, Australian wool prices have been declining. In October, Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. reported that buyers in the Australian market were op erating under “extreme price WOOL MARKET SLUGGISH

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ASI Member Listing WWW.SHEEPUSA.ORG l INFO@SHEEPUSA.ORG

VOTING MEMBERS

Alabama Meat Goat & Sheep Producers 334-613-4221 • BRagland@alfains.com ASI Women 435-528-7570 • sherrischumann@utah.gov Arizona Wool Producers Association 520-560-4202 • caauza@peoplepc.com Arkansas State Sheep Council 870-853-7404 • wjcalloway@gmail.com California Wool Growers Association 916-444-8122 • info@woolgrowers.org Colorado Wool Growers Association 970-874-1433 • cwgawool@aol.com Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association 860-819-8339 • hillviewdorpers@gmail.com Meat Sheep Alliance of Florida 352-502-2564 • ruthtaber@embarqmail.com Georgia Sheep & Wool Growers Association 706-340-1098 • georgiasheep@gmail.com Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association 808-775-8075 • alohadjam@yahoo.com Idaho Wool Growers Association 208-344-2271 • director@idahowoolgrowers.org Illinois Lamb & Wool Producers Inc. 815-544-9582 • jane@ilwoolfibermill.com Indiana Sheep Association 317-896-2213 • bobenosu@icloud.com Kentucky Sheep & Wool Producers Association 502-682-7780 • kyates@kysheepandgoat.org Maine Sheep Breeders Association 207-324-1582 • donna.flint@maine.edu Maryland Sheep Breeders Association 410-746-5768 • chestnutcreekfarm@gmail.com Massachusetts Federation of Sheep Associations 508-829-4556 • brmacphee@aol.com Michigan Sheep Producers Association 616-610-5628 • samaludl@gmail.com Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Association 320-760-5727 • kinneylamb@gmail.com Missouri Sheep Producers Inc. 573-578-0497 • christy576@gmail.com Montana Wool Growers Association 406-442-1330 • leah@mtsheep.org National Lamb Feeders Association 605-224-0224 • lambfeeders@outlook.com Iowa Sheep Industry Association 641-625-4248 • info@iowasheep.com Kansas Sheep Association 620-393-5204 • kssheep@ruraltel.net

Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Association 308-386-8378 • Ne.sheep.goat@gmail.com Nevada Wool Growers Association 775-934-8860 • pr_paris@yahoo.com New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Growers nhswga@nhswga.org Garden State Sheep Breeders Inc. (N.J.) 609-947-2260 • kmelvinnjsheep@gmail.com New Mexico Wool Growers Inc. 505-247-0584 • nmwgi@nmagriculture.org Empire Sheep Producers Cooperative (N.Y.) 585-367-2775 • sheepkath@aol.com North Carolina Sheep Producers Assoc. Inc. 919-522-4110 • wewillservethelord@nc.rr.com North Dakota Lamb & Wool Producers Assoc. 701-333-8009 • curtsheep@gmail.com Ohio Sheep Improvement Association 614-499-2931 • rhigh@ofbf.org Oregon Sheep Growers Association 503-364-5462 • info@sheeporegon.com Pennsylvania Sheep & Wool Growers Association 814-880-3314 • psushepherd@yahoo.com Rhode Island Sheep Cooperative 401-578-2012 • ballydufffarm@yahoo.com South Carolina Sheep Industries Association 864-360-3222 • debbiewebster615@gmail.com South Dakota Sheep Growers Association 406-581-7772 • lisa@sdsheepgrowers.org Tennessee Sheep Producers Association 615-519-7796 • shepherdboy1@yahoo.com Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers’ Association 325-655-7388 • tsgra@wcc.net Utah Wool Growers Association 435-915-6119 • sierra@utahwoolgrowers.com Vermont Sheep & Goat Association 802-899-2104 • settlementfarm@comcast.net Virginia Sheep Producers Association 540-231-9159 • sgreiner@vt.edu Washington State Sheep Producers 360-999-8118 • washingtonsheep@gmail.com West Virginia Shepherds Federation 304-445-1516 • wvashepherds@yahoo.com Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative 608-743-9080 • wisconsinsheepbreeders@gmail.com

Susan Shultz Ohio President

Brad Boner Wyoming Vice President

Ben Lehfeldt Montana Secretary/Treasurer

Peter Orwick Colorado Executive Director

Wyoming Wool Growers Association 307-265-5250 • amy@wyowool.com

November 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 9

SHEEP SHOT

No Funny Business Laurel Stone captured this image of Sasha the guard dog on duty with the lambs at Apple Creek Merinos in Veneta, Ore. The farm specializes in producing premium-quality fleeces (white and natural colors) for handspinning.

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November 2021 • Sheep Industry News • 11

Accessing Foreign Genetics Is Option for U.S. Producers W hile American sheep producers would rather not see imports of foreign lamb meat into the United States, they could benefit from the import of genet space must be reserved by the importing party. Those importing live breeding sheep are responsible for any costs associated with quarantining live animals at this facility. The lack of quarantine facilities on the West Coast has made it difficult for producers to import live sheep from Australia and New Zealand, as it is a primary access point for trade from those countries.

ics in the form of live sheep, embryos or semen. This is especially true when it comes to developing new breeds, reviving heritage breeds or when looking to introduce favorable traits into their flocks. The importation of sheep (live, embryos and semen) is often perceived as a daunting undertaking as there are many proto cols involved in the importation process to safeguard domestic agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has implemented these process es to prevent the introduction of a foreign animal disease that could be devastating to the American sheep industry, as well as native wildlife. USDA/APHIS does not allow import of live sheep, embryos or semen from some countries due to the animal health situa tion in the country or region of origin. Before importing live sheep, embryos or semen, producers should review the import process which includes guidelines and regulations, permits and certifications, and associated user fees on the USDA/APHIS website Import: Bring Live Animals Into the United States. It is also recommended that producers check any specific laws or regulations for importing sheep and germplasm into their state on the USDA/APHIS website State Regulations for Importing Animals . The next step is to apply for a live animal import permit, which can be submitted online through ePermits (this requires a USDA eAuthentication account). Once an application is ap proved, an import permit will be issued, and producers can proceed according to the outlined import protocols. Live breeding sheep can be imported from Australia and New Zealand. Only sheep 12 months of age and older – with no evi dence of specific diseases such as Brucellosis – can be imported. Imports from both countries require a permit and export health certificate, with specific import protocols required for each country. The import process includes an isolation period of a mini mum of 60 days prior to exportation and a minimum 30-day quarantine upon arrival to the United States with the tuberculo sis and brucellosis testing performed at the start of the quaran tine period. There is only one USDA quarantine facility available for live sheep imports – the New York Animal Import Center – and

Breeding sheep from Canada cannot be imported into the United States due to continued Bovine Spongiform Encepha lopathy regulations. Imports from Canada are permitted for direct to slaughter sheep and feeder lambs. However, there are currently no approved feedlots for imported Canadian feeder sheep in the United States. There are protocols for producers that move U.S. origin sheep through Canada from one U.S. loca tion to a second U.S. location. Like with live breeding sheep, importation of embryos is only permitted from Australia and New Zealand. A key requirement is embryos must originate from an approved collection center authorized by the government agency for the respective country of origin. There are conditions required to import embryos from both countries regarding the donor animals, the collection and test ing of embryos, as well as storage and shipment practices. Sheep semen can be imported from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Iceland and New Zealand. The import proto cols differ for the listed countries and for some member states of the European Union. For example, there are specific post-arrival requirements for sheep semen from Canada, the European Union and Iceland that involve record keeping requirements for distribution and first-generation progeny animal identification (see these requirements on the USDA/APHIS website). Although producers have successfully imported live sheep, many find importing embryos and semen easier due to the logistical challenges associated with live animals. Regardless of the approach taken (live, embryos or semen), producers that decide to import sheep should have a good understanding of the processes involved and contact USDA for assistance. Given the current pandemic environment, producers should prepare to encounter potential challenges, delays and increased costs associated with the logistics involved in the import pro cess. For information on importing live sheep, embryos or semen visit the USDA/APHIS website – https://www.APHIS.USDA. gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product import-information/imports/live-animal-imports.

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Trailing of the Sheep Festival Co-Founder John Peavey walks in the Big Sheep Parade as part of the festival's 25th anniversary celebration.

14 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Trailing of the Sheep Festival Celebrates 25 Years in Style CAROL WALLER CW Communications T hey came from all over the United States and several foreign countries to a small community in Idaho to celebrate the 25th anniversary year of one of the most unique events in the world – the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. They came to eat and cook lamb, get creative with wool, sayist and former Wyoming sheep rancher Gretel Ehrlich, who was keynote speaker at the Sheep Tales Gathering and through the Peruvian Ballet Folklorica performance of the Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance and Chaskis Peruvian musicians. A new Trailing of the Sheep Festival Cookbook was created fea turing authentic recipes from Idaho ranch families and festival friends, and there was a special 25th anniversary quilt made up of 15 individually created, sheep-related quilt squares raffled off to one lucky winner.

watch top sheep dogs in action, hear stories of life on the land from sheep ranching icons and families – including ASI Secre tary/Treasurer Ben Lehfeldt – and watch a band of 1,500 sheep parade through the center of town. From Oct. 6-10, an estimated crowd of 25,000 came to soak in the celebration in Idaho's Sun Valley. "We created this event 25 years ago to educate the new resi dents of the Sun Valley area on the long history and heritage of sheep ranching here," said Flat Top Sheep Company rancher John Peavey. He is the Trailing of the Sheep Festival co-founder (along with his wife Diane), and the Festival’s current board chair, as well as a lifelong industry veteran, ASI member, third generation rancher and a visionary who was inspired to turn a conflict into an opportunity for understanding. "There were many people moving here who were surprised to see sheep trailing to winter and summer pastures on 'their bike path' and were not particularly happy about it," Peavey explained. "So, we took the opportunity to tell them that the bike path could not have been built without the sheep ranchers allow ing their designated traditional right of way to be used for it and we invited them to trail the sheep with us. "Over the years the festival has grown into a multi-day event showcasing the various aspects of the sheep industry – the culture, the cuisine, the history, the people, the stories and of course, the sheep, and now it is a nationally recognized and beloved community event," he added. For its 25th anniversary year, festival organizers created sever al special programs and projects, many of them in keeping with the storytelling goals that are part of the weekend. This year The Good Shepherd monument – a legacy tribute which includes 11 life-sized bronze sculptures featuring eight sheep, a sheepherder, horse and dog was dedicated in Hailey, Idaho. “There are memories and histories in the face of the monu ment’s shepherd and in the words in the pavers surrounding the figures,” Peavey explained. Festival co-founder and Artist Director Diane Josephy Peavey noted the importance of stories that were shared by author, es

The festival’s Folklife Fair was filled with more than 60 unique vendor booth selling all types of hand-crafted sheep and wool related products and food, including American lamb. There were also live demonstrations of sheep shearing and spinning, sheep wagon displays and performances by cultural groups including the Boise Highlanders, Oinkari Basque dancers and Peruvian dancers and musicians. The Championship Sheep Dog Trials were expanded to four days this year and had nearly 100 competitors from around the western United States and Canada. Taking home top honors was handler Diana Sylvestre with dog Jemma from Hopland, Calif. The stories and lives of Idaho ranchers have always been an integral part of the festival programming, and this year was no exception. They included John, Diane, Tom, and Cory Peavey from Flat Top Sheep Company – whose sheep were used in the popular Championship Sheep Dog Trials – John Faulkner and John Etchart of Faulkner Land & Livestock – whose sheep were brought down the mountains and paraded through downtown Ketchum while thousands of spectators lined the streets – and the stories of Cindy Siddoway, Cory Peavey and Dennis Burks, who participated in the Sheep Ranching Q&A session. This year, the American Lamb Board hosted a group of jour nalists and bloggers to experience the festival and expose these prominent food influencers to the rich history and heritage of sheep in the area. The group was immersed in festival activities from cooking classes to the lamb dine around, to the sheep dog trials and the famous Big Sheep Parade. Many of the participants have already shared their experiences at the festival on their social media channels. "Our guests spent the fun-filled weekend celebrating the sheep industry and came away with a new appreciation for how deli cious American lamb makes it to their plates," said ALB Execu tive Director Megan Wortman. Start planning now to attend the 26th annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival on Oct. 5-9, 2022.

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Trailbl

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lazers

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Texas Sheep Industry Showcases Diversity F rom wool scouring and testing to lamb processing and hair sheep, the 2021 Trailblazers Tour offered participants a three day synopsis of the Lone Star State's diverse and evolving said Shultz, who made an effort to visit with each of the young producers during the tour. "I was impressed by each and every one of them in our conversations.

sheep industry, concluding with a tour of the country's premier wool testing lab. Hosted by the National Lamb Feeders As sociation in conjunction with ASI and the American Lamb Board, the tour took young sheep industry professionals from Austin to San Angelo, Texas, the last week in September with the goal of introducing innovative ideas that might spark them to break new ground in their own operations. Nearly two dozen participants with back grounds ranging from wool warehouses and lamb processors to sheep production and research took part in the tour. They came from all across the country – from Massachusetts to Washington State (and even Texas) – to get an up-close look at the future of sheep in the state while developing an appreciation for the past, as well. "Getting to see firsthand the various produc tion styles and multitude of sheep industry infrastructure and leadership we are fortunate to have here in Texas made this tour a resound ing success," said Texas A&M AgriLife's Jake Thorne, who developed much of the agenda for the tour. "Our Texas sheep industry is incredibly diverse and over the course of the tour we really tried to showcase all those different areas. We are incredibly thankful for the folks who were

"As an ASI officer, it was also exciting to see the new wool lab (which was supported finan cially by ASI’s for-profit Sheep Venture Com pany and the National Sheep Industry Improve ment Center in cooperation with Texas A&M) in the final stages of preparation for testing the 2022 American wool clip." The tour officially kicked off with dinner on Sunday, Sept. 26, at Austin's Sour Duck Market. Participants enjoyed lamb meatloaf sandwiches that evening before nutritionist and food mar keter Allison Beadle took to the restaurant's outdoor stage to discuss the explosion of lamb demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Consumers are trying to eat more protein in general, and lamb is a lean protein," she said. Beadle works with ALB (which arranged for her appearance on the tour) and told young producers that their family's story is critical to showing the American public how their food is produced. She encouraged those on hand to use social media to reach out to consumers, but discouraged them from getting into public spats with online trolls. "You have to know who you are dealing with online, but sometimes there's no way to know for sure," she said. "Nine times out of 10 it doesn't pay to respond at all." The next morning the tour headed for the

Trailblazers Tour Participants Dallin Brady, S.D. Ryan Boner, Wyo. Isaac Brunkow, Kan. Matthew Chaney, Md. Brady Rose Evans, Texas Michael Farris, Texas Robert Goulart, Mass. Fiona Harrer, Iowa Weston Helle, Mont. Roger High, Ohio James Kramer, Mont. Ashley Larson, Wash. Cameron Lauwers, Calif. Tyler Myers, S.D. Courtney Newman, Colo. Lauren Newman, Colo. Jaelyn Quintana, S.D. Angie Shephard, Wash. Levi Shephard, Wash. Mary Smallman, Ore. Alex Tuggle, Ohio Brett Wilder, Idaho

willing to host this group at their ranches, mills, auctions, process ing plants and restaurants, and spend some time sharing about their businesses and involvement in the sheep industry." Joining the future leaders of the American sheep industry on the tour were several current leaders in NLFA President Jeff Hasbrouck (and his wife, Cindy) and board member Tasha Wahl, as well as ASI President Susan Shultz of Ohio. "I just think this was an amazing group of young people who are going to do big things in the sheep industry in the years to come,"

Hamilton Sheep Station of Alan and Jolene McAnelly. The White Dorper operation uses regenerative agriculture – no-till drilling, no pesticides, herbicides, commercial fertilizers or chemicals. Alan McAnelly focuses on raising hardy commercial rams for producers, but his passion for raising sheep is about more than just livestock. "Raising sheep is one thing, but it's really about managing forage and pasture," he told the group. As a Texas producer, tour participant Michael Farris had visited Hamilton Sheep Station (and other stops on the tour) in the past,

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Clockwise from top left: Alan McAnelly of the Hamilton Sheep Station discusses his Dorper sheep and regenerative agriculture operation with participants at the 2021 Trailblazers Tour of Texas. ASI President Susan Shultz of Ohio visits with Tim Turner, DVM, at his Southwestern Livestock Mineral operation in San Angelo, Texas. Food marketer and nutritionist Allison Beadle addresses participants on the tour's first official meeting in Austin, Texas, concerning her work for the American Lamb Board. Beadle said these are exciting days for lamb producers as consumers are more willing than ever to try new proteins after supply shortages and stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic opened a lot of doors for the lean protein. "You and your family's stories are so critical to showing people how their food is produced," Beadle said.

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Clockwise from top left: Curious Rambouillet sheep at the Jennings Ranch in San Saba County, Texas. Fifth-generation rancher David Fisher of Sonora, Texas, gives tour partici pants an overview of the HF4 Ranch. The multi-species ranch includes fine wool sheep, cattle and meat goats. Dr. Dawn Brown demonstrates new wool testing equipment at the Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Research Laboratory in San Angelo, Texas. The lab will handle commercial wool testing for American wool in 2022. Participants are surrounded by wool bales at the Bollman Industries warehouse in San Angelo. Premium American lamb is processed daily at the new Double J Lamb plant, also in San Angelo.

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but couldn't pass up the chance to take part in the educational tour. "I probably learned a little more about their operations this time around," Farris said. The first time I visited some of these opera tions, we learned more about estimated breeding values, so this was a little different focus. I definitely got something out of every stop on the tour – even the ones I'd been to before." While there's an abundance of land in Texas, Farris said he'd be interested in future tours that might provide insight into operations that aren't pasture-based. "I don't have an abundance of land to work with," said the hair sheep producer. "I understand there's a place for range sheep, but there are also some benefits to confinement situations." Eliminating parasites and predation rank high on the list of benefits for Farris, who lives within three to four hours of most the stops on the tour. "It was a great three days," he said. "I'm glad I took the time to be there. We were bombarded with a lot of good information, and I just tried to learn as much as I could. You never know when you might pick up that one little thing that will really make a difference in your own operation." Hair sheep day on the Trailblazers Tour continued that Monday with stops at the Hamilton Sale Commission, Stegemoller Ranch and Capra Foods. "I love cattle, but sheep are what's paying the bills these days," Derek Poe told the tour before participants enjoyed lunch at his sale barn restaurant. "Every year we say, 'This is the best year yet,' and it just keeps getting better." Cody Stegemoller took over the family's cattle operation and soon made the switch to running Dorper sheep. "If I'm going to work hard, I'd like to make some money," he told the group of his decision. "We're all sheep now, no cattle." Stegemoller raises his own replacements and his goal is to raise lambs that can "get to 100 pounds efficiently." In reality, however, he sells most lambs between 75 and 85 pounds. The final tour stop of the day was Capra Foods, which processes Dorper lambs at its facility in Goldthwaite, Texas. Day two offered participants a look at the role the show sheep industry plays in Texas – a state that has half a dozen major shows each year in addition to smaller shows at the county level. The Jennings family's Cornerstone Flock is known for producing show quality Southdowns. "We have 40 to 50 ewes who only leave the barn two weeks a year," said Aaron Jennings who returned to the family ranch in recent years to work with his dad, Gary. "That's not great livestock management, but that's what it takes sometimes to win in the show pen. Our sheep have to be able to survive our conditions and win in the show ring at the same time." While many think of Southdowns as cute, farm-flock style sheep, Gary Jennings said when they are turned out he'll often find the Southdowns in some of the ranch's most remote, rugged country. "They are very adaptable sheep," he said.

Stops at Jacoby's Feed & Restaurant in Melvin, Texas (try the chocolate chip cookies if you ever get there) and the Powell Ranch in Fort McKavett, Texas, followed. The Powell family has raised Rambouillet sheep since the early 1900s and bloodlines on the ranch today still trace back to that original flock. The ranch runs cattle in addition to 2,500 ewes and would be open to expanding the flock if the opportunity arises, said James Uhl, who works for his grandfather, Jimmy Powell, on the ranch. "A lot of our neighbors have gotten out of ranching, so we seem to have more predators now," he said. When talk turns to predators in Texas, wild hogs come up more often than the traditional coyotes that get mentioned first in so many parts of the country. "I came home with a new appreciation for coyotes after hear ing all of the stories about wild hogs," said Oregon producer Mary Smallman, who manages the Oregon State University Sheep Research Center. "I wish all of the Texas producers the best, because they have it pretty hard with their climate and predators." While many in the state have switched to Dorpers, Uhl said the ranch is committed to fine wool sheep. "That's not to say we'll never get into Dorpers, but we believe the wool will always be in demand," he said. "That gives us another product to sell. A lot of people are attracted to the Dorpers because they require less labor, but we have the people to make it work with wool sheep." David and Stacy Fisher at the HF4 Ranch in Sonora, Texas, still believe in wool sheep, as well. They've put considerable time and research into improving their flock in recent years. The couple has developed direct marketing for lamb and is looking to create a value-added product on the wool side, as well. They run cattle and goats, but "fine wool sheep are really the main part of our business. "I like the business and a I want to stay in the business," he told tour participants. "I can still make money on wool sheep." Fisher has added new genetics to the flock, brought in a new shearing crew and moved into fall lambing as he looks to push the operation into the future. The second day wrapped with a visit to the Buchholz Ranch, run by former ASI Executive Board member Bob Buchholz and his family. Running sheep and goats on a number of far-flung proper ties wouldn't be possible for the family without guard dogs. "Predators were running a lot of people out of business in some of these areas," he said. "But I can operate a lot of country with guard dogs. We made it work and guard dogs did it for us." The final day of the tour was spent in San Angelo, where partici pants got a look at the abandoned lamb plant reopened by Double J Lamb in 2020, the scouring line and wool warehouse at Bollman Industries, Producers Livestock Auction, Dr. Tim Turner's South western Livestock Mineral facility and the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station. The station is home to the soon to be up and run ning commercial testing lab for American wool.

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Association News

number of worksheets, fact sheets and resources designed to help them get a better handle on the financial side of their operations. To learn more, visit UWyoExtension.org/ranchtools. NOV. 19 IS DEADLINE TO NOMINATE FOR ASI AWARDS It’s time to submit nominations for ASI Awards, which will be presented during the 2022 ASI Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 19. There are five awards open for nominations: the McClure Silver Ram Award, the Camptender Award, the Distinguished Producer Award, the Industry Innovation Award and the Shepherd’s Voice Award. The McClure Silver Ram Award is dedicated to volunteer commitment and service and is presented to a sheep producer who has made substantial contributions to the sheep industry and its organizations. The Camptender Award recognizes in dustry contributions from a professional in a position or field re lated to sheep production. Nominees should show a strong com mitment and a significant contribution to the sheep industry. The Distinguished Producer is a way to recognize an individual who has had a significant long-term impact on the industry. The Industry Innovation Award recognizes the accomplish ments of an individual or organization that improves the Ameri can sheep industry in a game-changing way. The Shepherd's Voice award goes to outstanding media coverage of the industry. Nominations must be submitted to ASI by Nov. 19, and past recipients of these awards are not eligible. To receive an applica tion, call 303-771-3500 or email info@sheepusa.org. The one page nomination form can also be downloaded from the website at SheepUSA.org/researcheducation-awards.

FARM FLOCK ECONOMICS WEBINAR AVAILABLE The most recent ASI-sponsored webinar – Farm Flock Econom ics – is now available on demand on the ASI website at SheepUSA. org/growourflock-resources-educationalwebinars. In the webinar, Bridger Feuz of the University of Wyoming of fers a look at a variety of economic strategies and worksheets that will assist sheep producers in managing the business side of their operations. "There's no shortcut or workaround for record keeping," Feuz said during the webinar. "You just have to buckle down and do it." While Feuz admitted that particular chore is often the least-fa vorite part of the business for many producers, he stressed that it is as important as every other aspect of the business. Unfortunate ly, while producers often enjoy studying genetics, investigating new feed sources or improving wool quality, taking a closer look at the economics of their operations is often not a favored task. Through the University of Wyoming Extension, Feuz has de veloped the Wyoming Ranch Tools website. Producers will find a

Obituary

On Aug. 2, 1958, Joe married the love of his life, Sharron McDaniel. They had a long and loving marriage of 61 years while raising their two boys, Phillip and Michael, who were their pride and joy. Along with running his sheep business, Joe served on many boards during his life, including: Lost Hills Union School, Wasco Union High School, Semi-Tropic Gin, Western Range and the California Wool Growers Associa tion. He joined Western Range in 1964 and served on the board for approximately 25 years. He was president of Western Range from 1986 to 1989. He was also an Honor ary member of the Kern County Basque Club. With ASI, Joe served as chair of the American Lamb Council. Joe was an extremely hard-working man,

who loved his family and his sheep. He never missed an opportunity to teach those around him, nor did he pass an opportunity to learn something new. His work ethic was like that of no other, and he instilled in his children and grandchildren the values that he carried so deeply with him. His relentless quest for success in all aspects of his life was immeasurable. He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon and sister Florence. Joe is sur vived by his son Phillip Esnoz (Denise), son Michael, grandchildren Nicole Gi annelli (Nick), Kristara Esnoz, Joseph Esnoz (Cassie), Emily Finch (Jordan), and Elizabeth Esnoz. Great grandchildren Elise Giannelli and Gracian Esnoz. Sister; Juanita Eyherabide and numerous nieces and nephews.

JOE ESNOZ, 1931-2021 Joe S. Esnoz was born on June 20, 1931, in Fresno, Calif., to Jose and Manuela Esnoz. He was the youngest of three children. His family moved to Lost Hills, Calif., when he was 3 years old. It was there that the fam ily continued to work the sheep business for many years to come. Joe attended Lost Hills School and then Wasco High. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and fought for his country until he was honorably discharged in 1954 with a Purple Heart. After coming home from Korea, he purchased his father’s sheep. The Esnoz sheep business continued on.

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