Nominations for American Lamb Board

For More Information Contact:
Peter Orwick (303) 771-3500, ext. 33, or peter@sheepusa.org
Judy Malone (303) 771-3500, ext. 35, or judym@sheepusa.org

DENVER, Colo. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the nomination period for solicitation to the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Board, more commonly know as the American Lamb Board (ALB). Four positions are up for appointment this year; two producer slots, one feeder position and one first handler. Each board member is eligible for re-nomination.

The two producer-director positions for which nominations are needed include those of current chair, Margaret Magruder (Ore.), and Florence Cubiburu (Calif.). Magruder represents producers who own annually between 101 lambs and 500 lambs who live west of the Mississippi River. Cubiburu represents producers who own annually more than 500 lambs.

As a certified national organization, the American Sheep Industry Association is authorized to nominate individuals to the two producer positions. As indicated, one of the open producer positions must be filled by a producer west of the Mississippi River who owns annually between 101 lambs and 500 lambs, while the other position can be filled by a producer located anywhere in the United States who owns annually more than 500 lambs.

Those interested in being considered as producer nominees to this board should contact their state sheep producer association, ASI regional representative or ASI state director. Applications must be received at the ASI office on or before Monday, May 8, after which the ASI Executive Board will meet to finalize nominee selections to be submitted to AMS by Monday, May 15, 2006.

The terms of Chico Denis (Texas), a feeder, and Kevin Quam (Colo.), a first handler, are also expiring in December. Individuals interested in being nominated to these positions may contact the ALB for a list of certified nominating organizations at 866-327-5262.

The ALB is a 13-member board comprised of producers, feeders, seedstock producers and first handlers, appointed by the secretary of agriculture, to administer the activities of the American lamb industry-funded program initiated in 2002.

ASI is a national organization supported by 43 state sheep associations, benefiting the interest of nearly 67,000 sheep producers.

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