Sheep Industry News October 2024

SheepIndustry Volume 28, Issue 10 October 2024

News

Photo Issue Annual

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Registration Opens: Fri, October 4, 2024 Closes: Fri, December 13, 2024

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President’s Notes

6

Market Report

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ASI Member Listing

37

Breeders' Directory

39

Industry Calendar

ON THE COVER: Sandra Brunsell Kansas Evening Glow

Sales Offer Education In Addition to Sheep

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Buyers and sellers at state sheep association-sponsored ram sales in Wyoming and Montana got more than just the opportunity to buy sheep. Both sales offered educational programs.

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FOLLOW US

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16 Photo Contest Winners The winners of the

Stop the Ban Continues Outreach As time ticks down toward election day, Superior Farms continues to reach out to civic leaders in an effort to defeat a citywide referendum that would outlaw slaughterhouses within the Denver city limits.

Northeastern U.S. Loves Wool

Heather Pearce traveled to the Northeast for a wool classing school in Vermont. But first, she made a swing through New York and got a look at the state’s wool industry.

ASI Photo Contest have been selected. Check out the winning photos in each of the five categories.

October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 3

President’s Notes BRAD BONER ASI PRESIDENT

Who's Deserving of an Award? D uring my term as president of this outstanding organization, I have had the opportunity to travel and partic ipate in many industry meetings and conventions. I always come away from each of those deeply impressed with the volunteers who give their time, effort and many times their hard-earned dollars to make sure each of those events come off with very few hitches. I am humbled to watch how sheep producers, state association staff and ASI staff consistently deliver their passion, knowledge and devotion to this industry that they have come to love. Each year – in an effort to honor a few of these amazing volunteers, industry advocates and innovators – ASI selects from those who are nominated by the member ship for each of its annual awards. You can find the nomination form at SheepUSA.org/events-awards or contact the ASI office at 303-771-3500 and the staff can send one to you. MCCLURE SILVER RAM: 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 in their state, region or nation. The award may recog nize a lifetime of achievement or may recognize a noteworthy, shorter-term commit ment and service to the industry. Nominees should be recognized as industry leaders with nominations spelling out the candidates’ contributions to the industry and its producers. PETER ORWICK CAMPTENDER : This award recognizes industry contributions from a professional in a position or field related to sheep production. Nominees should show a strong commitment and a significant contribution to the sheep in dustry, its organizations and its producers above and beyond that called for in their professional capacity. Nominees should be respected in their fields by their peers and by sheep producers. Nominees may be involved with the industry as teachers, consultants, scientists, youth leaders, promoters, event managers, journalists or any other position directly related to the sheep industry, enabling the nominee to affect the sheep industry in a positive and long-lasting way. DISTINGUISHED PRODUCER: This award is a way to recognize an individual who has had a significant long-term impact on the industry, including involvement with the National Wool Growers Association or the American Sheep Producers Council, the predecessor organizations to ASI.

Officer Nominations Nominating Committee Chair Su san Shultz reminds leaders and state associations that nominations for ASI officer positions are due by Nov. 29. The current slate of officers all intend to submit their names for reelection. Interested producers should share a letter of interest with the ASI of fice by Nov. 29. The committee will then agree on a nomination slate of officers to be presented to the ASI Board of Directors at the ASI Annual Convention in January. Contact ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick at 303-771-3500, ext. 103, or peter@sheepusa.org for more information.

INDUSTRY INNOVATION : The Industry Innovation Award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual or or ganization that improves the American sheep industry in a game-changing way, regardless of whether its impact is felt at the regional, state or national level. SHEPHERD’S VOICE: The Shepherd’s Voice Award recognizes outstanding year-long coverage of the sheep industry by either print or broadcast outlets. The award excludes all publications and affiliates related solely to the sheep indus try, allowing for recognition of outlets with general coverage for excellence in covering sheep industry issues. Please take some time to consider those in your sheep circle who are deserving of recognition. We greatly appreciate and truly need each nomination we receive. Nominations are due in the ASI office by Nov. 29. Until next time, keep it on the sunny side.

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SheepIndustry NEWS October 2024: Volume 28, Issue 10

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AMERICAN SHEEP INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION INC. 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360 Englewood, CO 80112-2692 Phone: 303-771-3500 • Fax: 303-771-8200 info@sheepusa.org • Sheepusa.org EDITOR/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Kyle Partain COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Parand Malekani ASI Office Staff: Peter Orwick, Executive Director Rita Kourlis Samuelson, Deputy Director/Wool Marketing Larry Kincaid, Chief Financial Officer Zahrah Khan, Operations Manager Erica Sanko, Director of Analytics & Production Programs Christa Rochford, Wool Marketing Programs Manager Heather Pearce, Wool Production Programs Manager Chris Jones, Administrative 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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Bakersfield CA

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Mertzon TX

October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 5

Market Report

CHARLES MARTINEZ, PH.D. University of Tennessee

Mixed Signals

T hroughout the lamb supply chain, there are some positives and atypical signals in the markets. Additionally, there are talks about a plant closing in Denver, if forced to do so by voters. RETAIL At the beginning of September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture changed its weekly retail reports, thus it is not easy to compare weekly trends within the retail space. But feature rates and prices do provide some insights. The feature rate is the amount of sampled stores advertising any reported item during the current week, expressed as a percentage of the total sample. The feature rate was 14 percent in the beginning of Sep tember, which was up from 3.7 percent the previous year. A key feature item has been racks, which had a weighted average price of $9.99 per lb. in early September. As prices of other proteins start to reach high levels, lamb as an alternative could be a possibility. WHOLESALE The lamb cutout has been oscillating around $470 per cwt. and was at $473 per cwt. at the beginning of September. The previous five-year average saw the cutout increase in September-October and holding around $440 per cwt. Thus, this year the cutout is ahead compared to years past, and should hold at current levels through the rest of the year. Of the primal cuts, leg prices have been and continue to be the

bright spot in terms of prices compared to previous years. Current leg prices are at $528 per cwt. and have been around $530 per cwt. since April. Current prices are up from $453 per cwt. a year ago and up from $427 per cwt. for the previous five-year average. The key feature prod uct – racks – are currently at $1,095 per cwt., which is similar to last year, and up from $1,024 per cwt. for the previous five-year average. As we get into the fall and winter, wholesale prices tend to hold through this time frame. Last year, some primal cuts ended up shooting up, such as leg prices. Baring a major demand shift, prices seem to be on par to hold steady at the wholesale level as we start down the home stretch of the year. SLAUGHTER Through the first part of September, total slaughter for the year is at 1.24 million head, which is up 50,000 head compared to a year ago. Thus, the price activity at the wholesale level is occurring with relatively the same amount of total slaughter. From a weight standpoint, lamb dressed weights have averaged 62.5 pounds, which is down from 64 pounds from last year. Total lamb production this year is up 1.7 per cent compared to last year. Thus, total lamb production is up compared to a year ago, in an environment with steady to higher prices, which indicates steady to possibly strong demand from the retail through wholesale level.

As mentioned above, there is a lamb plant in Denver that could potentially close. The citizens of Denver are voting this fall on a referendum to outlaw slaughterhouses within the city limits. If it passes, the plant would have to close by 2026 and no other plant will be allowed in the city and county limits in the future. This makes up about 15 to 20 percent of total national capacity. This plant closure could have major implications on prices and cause structural shifts in the national lamb supply chain in the coming years. As of now, it is something to watch. SLAUGHTER PRICES Nationally, slaughter lamb prices have started to take an upswing, which is atypical to historical

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trends. National cash traded lambs peaked at $219 per cwt. in May and trended downward until the end of August ($174.69 per cwt.), which was expected. Usually, prices find a bottom in September and hold. Last year, prices picked up to $200 per cwt. and oscillated there. Currently, prices have started an upward trend from $174.69 per cwt. to $185 per cwt. in the beginning of September. Given the historical trend, one could expect this price range to hold. Because it’s atypical to trend, this is something to watch in the coming weeks and months. The 60- to 90-pound slaughter lamb prices in the three-market (Colorado, South Dakota and Texas) series have been higher than last year for most of the year. Prices started lower than the previous five-year average, then

FEEDER PRICES Similar to slaughter lamb prices, feeder lambs have had some positivity and have been higher than last year. Currently, prices are at $260.50 per cwt., which is above last year ($192.5 per cwt.) and the previous five-year average ($175 per cwt.). Current prices are at levels seen in April of this year, which is a trend that’s atypical.

trended above the previous five-year average through the summer. As we got into September, prices were at $210 per cwt., which is $10 per cwt. higher than a year ago, and up from the previous five-year average of $174 per cwt. Prices tend to increase through the rest of the year, thus if everything holds, one could expect higher prices as we get toward the end of the year.

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October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 7

Stop The Ban Continues Outreach

A s time ticks down toward election day on Nov. 5, Supe rior Farms continues to reach out to civic leaders – from restaurateurs to elected officials and local businesses – in an effort to defeat a citywide referendum that would outlaw slaughterhouses within the Denver city limits and shutter its lamb processing plant in the city. Employees of the company joined sheep industry leaders and other supporters at the Denver City and County Building on Sept. 11 to advocate for the plant’s survival, which would be shut down by 2026 if the referendum passes in November. The Denver facility accounts for 15 to 20 percent of annual lamb harvesting capacity in the United States. Around 60 people spoke against the ban, including Superior Farms employees, agriculture advocates and elected officials such as State Senator Byron Pelton, Denver Councilman Kevin Flynn and Councilman Darrell Watson, who represents the district where Superior Farms is located.

ver Pipefitters Union and VISIT DENVER. And more than 50 local restaurants and chefs have also endorsed the Stop the Ban campaign. “Lamb is a big deal in my restaurant. Especially for my Sunday only pop-up, where we do barbacoa,” Jose Avila, chef at La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, told Westword . “It would impact me drastically. If I’m not getting it locally, there’s middlemen involved, there’s other drivers involved. Everything has a cost. It just gets to a point where it’s not feasible not to raise prices.” On Sept. 14, a televised debate on Denver referendums includ ed a session between former Denver City Councilwoman Robin Kniech and Natalie Bolton of Pro Animal Future, which spon sored the referendum. You can watch the debate at Youtube.com/ live/8H9D_56WMjg?t=5388s. Skip to an hour-and-a-half into the nearly three-hour session for the discussion on the slaughterhouse referendum. Pro Animal Future shared a lot about its plans both in Denver and beyond with the Our Hen House podcast in September. Com ments from Aidan Kankyoku included that the Denver referen dum is more about testing the group’s campaign and messaging. “So, we’d like to expand across the country. We’re starting with a pilot campaign in Denver to kind of figure out that model. Our top goal was to really learn about how to run these campaigns effectively and especially to learn about, like, what unexpected thing, what are we gonna face that we don’t know about right now? “And so next time, we’re going to be all more prepared.” And that’s all the more reason why defeating this referendum is so important to all of animal agriculture, not just those af fected by a possible plant closure in Denver.

Renee and Lonnie Deal, Sperry Livestock in Somerset and Delta, Colo., and ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick

Operations Manager Isabel Bautista said the 160 workers at the employee-owned plant consider it a family business and don’t want to lose their jobs. “Superior Farms has opened doors not just for me, but for so many,” Bautista told Westword . “I don't even want to think about [the ban passing]. That would be just terrible. That means we’d have to start all over. We are a family. I know the name of every single employee. I urge all Denver voters to consider the workers when they fill out their ballots this year.” Superior Farms has drawn support from livestock groups such as ASI, Colorado Wool Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and Colorado Livestock Association in an effort to defeat the ban. Additional support has come from a variety of sources, including the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the Den

Workers from the Superior Farms plant in Denver show their support for the Stop the Ban campaign.

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

VOTING MEMBERS

National Lamb Feeders Association 605-224-0224 • lambfeeders@outlook.com 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 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 931-510-1322 • info@tennesseesheep.org 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 Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative 608-743-9080 • wisconsinsheepbreeders@gmail.com

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 • secretary@ctsheep.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. 573-205-9208 • amanda.limback@gmail.com Indiana Sheep Association 317-607-5664 • executive@indianasheep.com Iowa Sheep Industry Association 641-625-4248 • info@iowasheep.com Kansas Sheep Association 620-393-5204 • kssheep@ruraltel.net 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.

Brad Boner Wyoming President

Ben Lehfeldt Montana Vice President

Joe Pozzi California Secretary/Treasurer

Peter Orwick Colorado Executive Director

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

573-578-0497 • christy576@gmail.com Montana Wool Growers Association 406-442-1330 • stefanie@mtsheep.org

October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 9

Sales Offer Education In Addition to Sheep B uyers and sellers at state sheep association-sponsored ram sales in Wyoming and Montana in mid-September got more than just the oppor tunity to buy sheep. Both sales offered educational programs, which are becoming the norm at these annual gatherings of the industry. The Montana Ram and Ewe Sale kicked off in the afternoon on Sept. 11 in Miles City, Mont., with a program focusing on Opportuni ties and Challenges for U.S. Grown and Sewn Wool and Natural Fiber Clothing . The consensus among the three entrepreneurs on the panel was that despite the challenges, there are real opportunities in creating value-added products from wool. Organized by Montana State University Extension Sheep and Wool Specialist Brent Roeder – who has also created a value-added product line through his family’s Montana Wool Company – the panel included Evan Helle of Montana-based Duckworth, Ben Hostetler of Wyoming’s Mountain Meadow Wool Mill and Wade Kopren of Fishhook Sock Company in South Dakota. Members of the panel addressed everything from the process of deciding to start their own businesses to the significant difficulties of manufacturing an American-made product to marketing and building a customer base. “If you’re thinking about value-added, I can’t stress enough knowing your market,” said Hostetler. “I see it underestimated so often how much that last 10 percent – the last leg of the journey to get to the consumer – and I think that’s probably the hardest leg of the journey. Getting it to the consumer is often underestimated in terms of how much it takes to get it to that final consumer. We’re a small batch manufacturer, but we’ll spend 90 percent of our margin on a Facebook or Google ad on some of our products. That last leg of the journey can be very daunting.” As a sheep producer whose family later developed a value-added product with the Duckworth clothing line, Helle went back to the sheep flock in his final words of advice. “The biggest value add you can do on your ranch to your wool is getting good genetics,” he said. “I can’t stress this enough. When people talk about not getting a good price for their wool, you look at that 80 percent of Australian, that’s because American wool varies so much. There’s so many different breeds, so many different types of sheep and so many different types of wool. You’re not going to go out and use the same 80-year-

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old tractor to plow your field as you would today. You have a brand new tractor because it’s efficient and it does a good job. It’s the same with genetics. If you’re growing wool that is really coarse, there’s no (com mercial) market for it.” The variety of wool in the United States makes it difficult to create large, uniform lots to process, while consistency of the wool clip helps the industry in Australia. And as Kopren has learned, processing small lots of wool is significantly more expensive per pound. One of the biggest challenges in manufacturing wool products in America is the lack of wool processing facilities and skilled labor to run them. "In a lot of factories, there's a 70-year-old guy who knows everything about those machines and how to keep them running, but we're losing those guys," Helle said. "And the next generation isn't coming in to replace them," said Kopren, adding that skilled labor is hard to find in the manufacturing industry. There's definitely a market for wool products – from blankets and bedding to clothing – but that market has changed in some ways. "People aren't wearing old-fashioned knits or sport coats anymore," Helle said. "We've seen the industry move more into the sports and out doors world. We're catering to people who are health focused, especially the younger generations. They don't like the chemicals in synthetics."

While there are still some who are resistant to wool because they remember grandma's itchy wool sweaters, that's a hurdle that can be easily cleared. "People love wool now," Kopren said, recounting how he gave away his company's socks during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. "If you can get it on them, they'll love it. Wool is a premium fiber." Despite the challenges each member of the panel had faced, they all believed moving into the value-added market was the right choice. "It's like having kids," Hostetler said. "It's very rewarding, but it also costs a lot. There's lot of challenges and sleepless nights, but at the end of the day it's still worth it." Earlier that week at the Wyoming State Ram Sale, Dr. Whit Stewart presented a session entitled Effective Genetic Improvement: Assessing Current Levels, Setting Goals and Selecting for Success . The ram sale fol lowed the next day. Stewart urged producers to invest time, energy and money in record keeping that would allow them to make information-based decisions within their flocks. While there are a variety of metrics producers can use to judge the health and success of their flocks, they are all “tools that are reliant on good recordkeeping.” At the same time, he urged producers not to take on too much while trying to improve their flocks. "Prioritize two or three traits for improvement instead of five traits,"

Opposite Page: Tiffany Hageman shows off a Hageman Sisters Rambouillet ram during the Wyoming Ram Sale in September in Douglas, Wyo. This Page: A pair of Helle Rambouillet rams take their turn in the arena during the Montana Ram Sale in mid-September.

October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 11

he said, adding that metrics to consider might include: average pounds of lamb weaned per ewe exposed; average weaning weight for singles versus twins; ewe weaning as a percentage of her body weight, etc. Stewart encouraged producers to take a look at their breakeven point for weaning percentage and annual ewe costs. For instance, if you're weaning 130 percent at 80 pounds and your annual ewe costs are $140, then you need to be selling lamb at $1.35 per pound to break even, ac cording to his calculations. "Many don't go through this exercise on a yearly basis like they should," he said, adding that producers need to get to a point with their data where they can "implement deliberate decision making" when it comes to their flocks. TARGHEES LEAD THE WAY IN MONTANA Sellers in Montana seemed happy at the 99th Annual Montana Ram Sale, which sold 260 rams for a total of $396,600 – or $1,525 per head. The sale puts a special emphasis on providing data to buyers, including everything from micron count to National Sheep Improvement Pro gram data to scrapie codon. This instills a bit of added confidence that buyers are purchasing the rams they need to fit their particular breeding goals. "I'm really pleased with the way the sale has gone," said Sam Ort mann of Wolf Point, Mont., who also serves as president of the Montana Wool Growers Association. "I've been selling here for 37 years. When I started, we picked our bucks on Saturday afternoon because we didn't have data. Now, we have data on every ram here: ribeye, wool informa tion, it's all there. It wasn't there when I started. It makes the sheep bet ter. It takes some time, but you have to believe in the numbers. "We're almost to the end, and the sale has held up. We haven't run out of buyers yet. I'm thankful for the opportunity to sell and to be here with everyone. That's one of the most enjoyable parts is being around all the people." More than 60 percent of the rams sold were Targhee sheep. The sale averaged $1,765 per head for the 170 Targhees. The high-selling ram was consigned by Ortmann, and sold for $7,500 to Turner Sheep Com pany in Wyoming. Two other Targhee lots sold for $7,000 per head. Looking at the other breeds, 48 Rambouillet rams sold for an average of $1,233. Helle Rambouillet in Dillon, Mont., had the top selling lot with a pen of two that sold for $2,100 each to Peter Wirtzfeld of North Dakota. The sale included 39 head of Suffolk and Suffolk/Hampshire crosses that sold for an average of $924 per head. Dawe Suffolks of Big Timber, Mont., topped the blackface portion of the sale with a ram that sold for

$2,700 to Mike Hoggan of Valier, Mont. And three South African Meat Merinos sold for an average of $400 per head, with the high seller top ping out at $600. The night before the ram sale, Miles City hosted the 11th Annual Montana Ewe Sale. A total of 478 ewes were sold for an overall average of $354 per head. The sale grossed $169,155. Blackface ewes led the way in the sale with an average of $650 per head, while the whiteface ewes sold for $351 per head. RAMBOUILLETS FRONT & CENTER IN WYOMING The 96th Annual Wyoming Ram Sale sold 252 (of 311 consigned) rams for an average of $999 per head and a total of $251,625. Rambouil lets accounted for more than a third of the sheep that changed hands in the sale as 92 sold for an average of $1,060 per head. There were, however, 59 rams that didn't sell and 28 of them were Rambouillets. "We've never had that many Rambouillets get passed out," said Tracy (Hageman) Dilts of Hageman Sisters. "That's a little discouraging to me, but the intent of this sale has always been a range ram sale, so we as sell ers need to keep that in mind." Hageman Sisters has been a regular at the sale for more than 40 years and Tracy's (and sister Tiffany's) dad served as manager of the sale for much of that time. "We're all getting older and have a lot of demand on our time, so every year we talk about what can we eliminate that takes a lot of time, and we usually talk about this sale. But we're the Hageman Sisters and this is our identity. It's horribly sad to even think about not doing this, especially on sale day. So we decide to keep doing it and look at other things we can take off our plates. For us, I was very happy with the sale today, but it did seem a little volatile for some of the producers." While sellers aren't required to provide data on their rams for the sale catalog as they do in Montana, the sale included three certified rams – all Rambouillet – that provided index information. Those rams sold for a higher average at $2,067 per ram. Other breeds and their results from the sale included:

• Targhee Yearlings: 53 sold at $1,037 per head. • Targhee Fall Lambs: 5 sold at $510 per head. • Targhee-SAMM Yearlings: 3 sold at $700 per head. • Columbia Lambs: 4 sold at $450 per head. • Hampshire Yearlings: 4 sold at $850 per head. • Suffolk/Hampshire Yearlings: 20 sold at $805 per head. • Suffolk/Hampshire Lambs: 30 sold at $1,035 per head.

• Suffolk Yearlings: 29 sold at $1,017 per head. • Katahdin Lambs: 2 sold at $300 per head.

Photos on Opposite Page (clockwise from top): A panel of value-added wool product producers discussed the opportunities and challenges in developing American-made wool products during an educational session at the Montana Ram Sale in Miles City, Mont. The panel included moderator Brent Roeder of Montana State University, Ben Hostetler of Mountain Meadow Wool, Evan Helle of Duckworth and Wade Kopren of Fishhook Socks. The University of Wyoming's Dr. Whit Stewart offered a presentation on genetic improvement in your flock at the Wyo ming Ram Sale in Douglas, Wyo. Longtime Targhee producer Jack McRae watches over one of his rams during the Montana Ram Sale. While the Montana Ram Sale was heavy on Targhee rams, it also included Suffolk, Suffolk/Hampshire crosses, Rambouillet and South African Meat Merino rams.

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October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 13

HEATHER PEARCE ASI Wool Production Programs Manager Northeastern U.S. Loves Wool Wool Marketing

I n late August, I traveled to the Northeast for a wool classing school in Vermont. But first, I made a swing through New York and got a look at the state’s wool industry. From new in vestments in wool research and scouring to a time-tested fiber mill in transition, the state has a lot to offer. Areas in the Eastern half of the United States have seen growth in the numbers of both sheep and sheep producers in recent years. The sheep barn at the Washington County Fair in Greenwich, N.Y. – just an hour north of the state capital in Albany – was filled with energy and literally bursting at the seems as steady growth contin ues to test the barn’s capacity. Most of the sheep on hand were wool breeds, as producers in the area tend to value both meat and wool. BATTENKILL FIBERS Named after the Battenkill River that flows nearby, Battenkill Fi bers Carding and Spinning Mill was founded by ASI Wool Council member Mary Jeanne Packer in 2009 in Greenwich. While the mill is in transition to new owners – Tim Holt and Angie Bennett – it’s a multi-year transition plan that will help the mill continue to operate without a glitch. As one of the larger “small to midsize” mills in the United States, Battenkill offers important services from scouring to pin drafting to spinning and dyeing. About 50 percent of the wool processed at the mill will go back to the original growers to be sold at farmers markets, farm shops and online. The other half goes to brands, designers, yarn stores – from New York to Colorado – independent dyers and others who work with the mill to curate a specific yarn or product. Some of those buyers request specific breeds of wool, as well as certified wool. Battenkill is always on the lookout for wool to meet those specific demands. While Greenwich is in a decidedly agricultural area, the mill sits just three hours or so from New York City – a major hub in the fashion industry. This creates the perfect union of raw wool and finished products. Battenkill also purchases wool top from Chargeurs in South Carolina to blend with other wools. The option to purchase from Chargeurs is critical to the operation, helping to reduce costs and supplement the wool that comes in from area producers. The mill also uses a commercial dyer for lots of more than 30 pounds. Dye

ing is a time-consuming process that Mary Jean would like to do more of if the process could be simplified. Learn more at BattenkillFibers.com . CLEAN FLEECE Thirty minutes back toward Albany from Greenwich, Clean Fleece is a new, mid-size scouring mill housed in a rustic brick building near the Hudson River. The mill is an initiative of the Hudson Valley Textile Project – a non-profit organization that is a community of farmers, dyers, millers, designers, makers, distribu tors and retailers who have come together to share their knowledge and resources. The scouring mill is helping to fill a gap in the local fiber pro cessing supply chain by scouring fiber at a scale that matches the output of the growing network of sustainable natural fiber farms in the Northeastern United States. This newly opened scouring line features a KiwiScour – a semi automated scouring line that washes approximately 60 pounds of greasy wool per hour. Wool is opened by hand and then loaded into a basket where it automatically travels through multiple bowls – the first with hot water and detergent and the latter with just water. This automation allows for a higher volume of wool to be

14 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

scoured, while providing specific scouring for different types of wool and maintaining small batch traceability. It is also water and energy efficient. After making its way through the scouring line, wool is spun to remove water and is (currently) dried on racks. The mill is just in the beginning phases – it opened in late 2023 – and is working on expanding its operating space and drying capabilities. The processing minimum is 50 pounds. Learn more at HVTextileProject.org/clean-fleece . FASHION CENTER OFFERS WOOL TESTING The Fashion Innovation Center at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Technology is the new home of an OFDA 2000 that ASI installed at the facility in August. Located in Troy, N.Y., the Fashion Innovation Center’s core fo cus is to advance both natural textile products including bast fibers – notably hemp – and wool, as well as new-technology sustainable fibers and materials. As home to an OFDA 2000 – which ASI previously leased to locations mostly in the Mountain West and Texas – the center will be able to provide individual fleece testing to area sheep producers. Producers interested in having their wool tested can reach out to Laboratory Manager Clyde Carpenter at carpec2@rpi.edu or 518-276-2508. “I’m really excited to start testing wool samples for people up here,” Carpenter said.

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October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 21

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28 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 29

Working Animals - 2 nd Place Larry Blain, Utah Lots of Help on West Desert

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30 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

32 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

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October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 33

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34 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org

Video Offers Public Lands Movement Criteria During FMD Outbreak

A SI worked with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Associa tion and other stakeholders to develop movement deci sion criteria guidance addressing unique scenarios that would arise for federal lands grazers in the event of a foot-and mouth disease outbreak. A five-minute video describes the project and resources and can be viewed at the SecureSheepWool.org and SecureBeef.org websites under the Public Land Grazing pages. The video is the result of a multi-year cooperative project funded by a grant from

of Government Affairs Kaitlynn Glover. “Livestock producers in the West are now more prepared than ever to work with federal lands agencies and animal health officials to make movement decisions with the development of this collaborative guidance.” These resources are in addition to the enhanced biosecurity plans found on the SSWS and SBS websites. Industry input and participation was critical to identifying gaps for federal lands grazers and establishing the need for these specialized docu ments. The sheep and beef industries continue to work together to provide educa

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Disease Pre paredness and Response Program. “ASI appreciates the time and effort put in by the Advisory Group as well as Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, consul tant with Preventalyt ics, in the creation of materials. This effort had multiple groups contrib ute to unique resources for sheep and cattle producers to prepare for, respond to and enhance their resiliency for an FAD event,” said ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick. “This collabora tion across the sheep and

tional resources to best prepare produc ers, veterinarians and other industry stakeholders before an FMD outbreak occurs. BACKGROUND The United States is currently free of the FMD virus. The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan and Secure Beef Supply Plan for con tinuity of business provide opportuni ties for industry partners to volun tarily prepare before an FMD outbreak.

cattle industries with state and federal partners demonstrates impactful results for business continuity and a secure food sup ply.” “An FMD outbreak on U.S. soil is expected it would cost the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars. For years, the resources we have prepared have focused on mitigating losses on private land. Now, with the help of a wide spectrum of organiza tions including USDA, the Public Lands Council, state animal health officials, and many more, we have comprehensive re sources to help public lands ranchers whose livestock may be far from any infected herd have predictability for their operations in the event of an FMD outbreak,” said NCBA Executive Director

If FMD were found in American livestock, regulatory officials will limit the movement of animals and animal products to try and control the spread of this very contagious animal disease. Control areas will be established around infected premises and movement restrictions will be implemented. Given the nature of federal lands grazing, containment of livestock and mitigation of risk will require different strategies than private land contain ment measures. When the control areas encompass part or all of a public land grazing allotment in one or more states, there are unique challenges for sheep and cattle producers to mitigate disease exposure risks. FMD is not a threat to public health or food safety.

October 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 35

Obituary

Lowell was an IFYE delegate to Jamaica and continued his international work helping to build churches, schools and housing in Spain and Guatemala. Lowell loved church. He taught Sunday School for more than 40 years and served as deacon, worship leader and outpost commander for the Royal Ranger program for boys. Lowell also loved music. He played trombone, guitar and was known as “The Singing Cowboy,” performing in nursing homes for many years. In February 2024, Lowell and Sondra celebrated 60 years of marriage and he lived on their acreage near Aurora until his death. He will be remembered for his unshakable strength of character, his relentless commit ment to excellence, and his unbridled drive to teach and serve. Lowell is survived by his wife, Sondra; two sons, Trent (Kim) and Travis (Jackie); his brother, David (Georgiea); and his sister-in law, Pat. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry; his mother, Helen; and his brothers, Leslie and Stanley (Wilma). In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family so they may be given to a charity of their choice.

LOWELL SLYTER, 1941-2024 Dr. Lowell Slyter, 82, of rural Aurora, S.D., passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Sept. 8, 2024. Lowell was born near Havre, Mont., on Oct. 23, 1941. He was the youngest of four sons and moved to Paola, Kan., at age 4. He was active in 4-H and FFA showing sheep, cattle and horses. After graduating from Paola High School, Lowell earned a bachelor's degree in animal science at Kansas State Uni versity in 1964. During college he competed in several rodeo events and his love of horses continued his entire life. Lowell married his college sweetheart, Sondra Furey, in 1964 in Manhattan, Kan. He earned his master's degree at the University of Nebraska in 1966 and returned to KSU for his Ph.D. in 1969. In 1970, Lowell took a research position with South Dakota State University and was stationed in Rapid City, S.D. In 1972, the couple moved to Brookings, S.D., for a teach ing and research position at SDSU, where he pioneered research in fall lambing techniques.

In addition to teaching numerous classes, “Doc” Slyter advised many students, taking a personal interest in each one. He was Block and Bridal Club advisor and won two national championships as coach for the wool judg ing team before retiring in 2001 as professor emeritus. Lowell was a relentless promoter of the sheep industry via regional broadcasting and national conference appearances. He was edi tor of ASI's Sheep and Goat Research Journal for eight years.

MARKET REPORT Continued from Page 7

Indicator currently is $3.32 per lb. That’s higher than this time last year ($3.26 per lb.). For Australian micron prices, fine wools (16.5 to 19 microns) are relatively the same as last year with 17 micron prices being 8 cents lower than last year at $5.07 per pound. Medium wool (19.5 to 24 microns) prices are all higher compared to a year ago, with 22 micron ($3.91 per lb.) being 22 cents higher than last year. Coarse wool (25 to 32 microns) prices are for the majority above last year’s prices with 25 micron prices ($2.18 per lb.) being 21 cents higher than a year ago and only the 26 micron price ($1.87 per lb.) being lower at 1 cent below last year. Overall, uncertain demand for wool products continues to challenge any notable price gains. signals are promising and could have steady to higher prices, which is a positive signal for producers. The higher prices are inducing increased imports. One thing that could impact this is the United States-Australian exchange rate, given that Australia is a large trading partner for lamb into the United States. The exchange rate has had some swings this year and currently sits at $1.55 U.S. to $1 Austra lian. Thus, the U.S. dollar can buy more in Australia. This is some thing to watch throughout the rest of the year. SUMMARY The markets are a mixed bag and have atypical signals. Most

Historically, prices trend upward in the last quarter of the year on the feeder side of things, and the current levels indicate that prices could really pick up. TRADE Imports thus far this year have been very different to last year and the previous five years. Through July, there have been a total of 183 million pounds of lamb imports, which is 40.4 percent higher than last year and 29 percent higher than the previous five-year aver age. This is not surprising given that demand is strong at the retail and wholesale level. If prices continue to hold or increase, we can expect imports to hold and increase. In July, the United States exports were 66,274 metric tons, which was valued at $2.95 million. Through the year, total U.S. exports are up 14 percent in quantity, and up 21.6 percent in total value com pared to last year. So, while we are importing more, U.S. exports are higher, but net trade shows that domestic demand is still strong.

WOOL Wool prices are a mixed bag of signals. The U.S. Eastern Market

36 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org