Lamb Referendum Begins Monday

The nationwide lamb referendum begins Monday! The referendum will be conducted over a four-week period beginning on Feb. 2 and ending on Feb. 27. The lamb check-off funds the programs of the American Lamb Board, which have proven beneficial for U.S. sheep producers.

Lamb producers, feeders, seedstock producers and first handlers are eligible to participate in the referendum if they can certify that they were engaged in the production, feeding or slaughter of lambs in 2008.

The voting form, LS-86, Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Referendum, may be obtained by mail, fax or in person from county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. The form will also be available via the Internet with the address being posted on Monday.

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the National Lamb Feeders Association join several dozen state sheep producer organizations in promoting a 'yes' vote on the lamb referendum.

"It is very important that producers take the time to vote yes," commented Burdell Johnson, ASI's past president. "As producers, there are issues within the sheep industry that we ourselves can not control; however, this vote is entirely our decision and our responsibility."