USDA Buys 108,000 Pounds of Lamb

In its second lamb purchase of 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service purchased 108,000 pounds of lamb roasts at a cost of approximately $354,000. These products will be distributed in federal food and nutrition programs.

"To date this summer, the agency has purchased 288,000 pounds of lamb, which is equivalent to five semi loads of boneless lamb cuts," commented Glen Fisher (Texas), ASI president. "They have dedicated half of the $2 million dollars committed to the lamb purchase program, and we encourage the agency to obligate the balance by the Sept. 30, 2009, deadline to help strengthen lamb prices at the farm/ranch gate."

Two bidders, Iowa Lamb Processing Corp. and Mountain States Rosen LLC were awarded contracts from this invitation. The lamb roasts will be shipped between Oct. 1 and Oct. 15, 2009.

ASI secured approval of the program to spend a minimum of an additional $2 million in section 32 funds through calendar year 2009 to provide the industry with more confidence, something that is needed for a good market in this rough economy.

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