Sheep Industry News November 2024

President’s Notes BRAD BONER ASI PRESIDENT

Shearer & Mentor Grants Available I 'm pretty happy as a wool sheep producer, but there is one time a year when I envy my friends on the hair sheep side of the industry. That, of course, is shearing season. Selling wool hasn't been easy since the pandemic or the U.S.-China trade war that preceded it, but it doesn't present the logistical issues that come with shearing. As I write this, prices for Australian wool sales – which set the basis for American wool prices – have been up for two straight weeks in early October. ASI has a team of staff in the United States and consultants overseas that use funds from several U.S. Department of Agriculture For eign Agricultural Service programs to build and develop markets for American wool. ASI's wool team recently submitted paperwork for the second round of funding from the new Regional Agricultural Promotional Program, and continues to work with American wool warehouses through the Quality Samples Program. The international market is so important to American wool because 60 percent of what we produce is exported due to the long-shrinking domestic textile industry.

But we can't sell wool until we get it off the backs of our animals, which brings us to the challenges of shearing. Even if you've got a shearer you know and trust, just getting them scheduled to shear your sheep presents hoops to jump through every year. And that goes for operations with 20 head just as much as it does those with 5,000. And just when you get them scheduled, it rains or snows. The solution is simple (and yet, not so simple): we need more shearers. A few years ago, the ASI Wool Council implemented the Developing Shearer and Mentor Grant to help beginning shearers make that leap from beginner to professional. The program provides $1,500 grants to shearers – such as Kathleen Markiewicz in the photo – to help them purchase equipment and to cover travel costs and other ex penses as they learn their craft. The program caters to those who know the basics of shearing, but need to further develop and perfect their techniques so they can improve shearing quality and shear more sheep in a day. "This program has been pivotal in empowering me to advertise myself as a professional shearer," said Stefan ScheerCook. "Its hands-on approach closely mirrors the realities of the industry, emphasizing that success hinges on dedication and hard work. As my mentor entrusts me with more solo assign ments, my schedule has filled up. I am profoundly grateful to this program, the industry and my mentor for his guidance."

Professional shearers are also eligible to receive mentor grants of $1,500 for their time and costs in helping inexperienced shearers de velop their skills. "I felt I could counsel and support them with ease because I wasn't concerned about my time or compensation," said Laura Kincaid, who received a mentor grant in previous years. "I found that clients were eager and pleased to help support a learning/mentorship dynamic and were generous with her." Applications for the 2025 Developing Shearer and Mentor Grants are now open and available at SheepUSA.org. I would encourage shearers looking to make the leap to full-time professionals to apply. And I would encourage seasoned pros to apply as mentors. If we work together, we can alleviate the shortage of shearers that has plagued our industry. ASI ACCEPTING OFFICER NOMINATIONS ASI Nominating Committee Chair Susan Shultz reminds sheep producer leaders and state associations that nominations for ASI Secretary/ Treasurer are due in November. Interested producers should share a letter of interest – including leadership experience in the sheep industry – with the ASI office by Nov. 29. The committee will then agree on a nomination slate of officers to be presented to the ASI Board of Directors at its annual meeting in January. Contact Executive Director Peter Orwick at 303-771-3500, ext 103, or peter@sheepusa.org for more informa tion. Until the next time, keep it on the sunny side.

4 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org