Budget Gets Unanimous Approval

    September 16, 2005 -- The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) board of directors unanimously approved the association's fiscal year 2005-2006 Wool Trust budget via mailed ballots at the end of August. The budget proposal had been recommended by the ASI American Wool Council and the executive board during their July meeting.
    The $2,250,000 budget provides programs and services that will improve the viability of the sheep industry and address the Wool Trust objectives.
    Through the market research and promotions program, ASI will continue to explore market opportunities for wool and maintain a strong emphasis on developing U.S.-made wool products for military uses. Direct-marketing activities with international wool buyers will continue to be funded in the upcoming fiscal year as well as the quality improvement program, which will work on continuous-improvement in the shearing segment of the industry.
    Market information and analysis for the sheep industry, quality-assurance, animal-health and trade services are critical components of the budget along with producer communications.
    In addition to the Wool Trust budget, ASI has matching funds allocated to continue to apply for more than $900,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, funds that will be used to promote U.S. wool and pelts internationally.
    Board members also unanimously approved the proposed ASI Fund II Budget. This budget is responsible for legislative and membership services. Additional program money was allocated to support the Resource Management Program, which will allow ASI to further address key issues of the sheep industry, such as predator control, public and private land use, endangered species and wildlife interaction issues across the country.
    The third ballot in the vote was the approval of the dues assessment for FY 2006. The income from dues and fundraisers provide all the revenue for the Fund II Budget.
    "As is evident by the board of director's vote, the industry is supportive of ASI's services," said Paul Frischknecht, president of ASI. "We look forward to assisting the nation's sheep industry in 2006."

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