Fourth Lamb Purchase Invite Announced

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released an invitation today to American lamb companies to sell lamb products for use in federal food and nutrition programs. The offer applies to lamb shoulder chops.

Offers must be received by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) before 1:30 p.m., Central time, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. Acceptances will be announced by midnight, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. Shipments will be made between March 16 and March 31, 2009.

"This is the fourth invitation of the $2 million lamb purchase program secured this year to assist lamb producers against record high feed and fuel expenses," commented Peter Orwick, executive director for the American Sheep Industry Association. "AMS has purchased more than $1.1 million in lamb products through this current program."

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