USDA Buys 180,000 Pounds of Lamb

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service purchased 180,000 pounds of lamb leg roasts at a cost of approximately $676,000. These products will be distributed in federal food and nutrition programs.

"We are pleased that USDA is able to send lamb into nine different markets through the federal food program," commented Glen Fisher (Texas), president of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). "This is an excellent opportunity for people to taste a meat that they may not otherwise have tried."

Three bidders, Iowa Lamb Processing Corp., Mountain States Rosen LLC and Transhumance Inc., were awarded contracts from this invitation. The lamb roasts will be delivered between Sept. 16 and Sept. 30.

ASI secured approval of the program to spend a minimum of $2 million in section 32 funds through calendar year 2010 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.