Lamb Purchase Invitation Announced

August 29, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an invitation to American lamb companies to sell lamb products for use in federal food and nutrition programs. The offer applies to lamb leg roasts and lamb shoulder chops.

Offers must be received by the Agricultural Marketing Service before 1:30 p.m., Central time, on Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. Acceptances will be announced by midnight, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008. Shipments will be made in two periods between Oct. 16 and Nov. 15, 2008.

"The return of this program is most welcome by the industry as breakeven prices have undoubtedly increased with higher feed and transportation costs," commented Peter Orwick, executive director for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). "The program provides protein for needy families and, with additional movement of lamb meat, helps strengthen prices to U.S. lamb producers."

This is the first invitation of the $2 million lamb purchase program announced by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer in May in response to the request made by ASI.

Additional program information can be accessed at: www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateR&page=ORMAnnouncementPage2.

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