USDA Buys More Lamb

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchased 36,000 pounds of lamb shoulder chops at a cost of approximately $676,000. This brings the amount of lamb purchased by USDA in this fiscal year to 396,000 pounds valued at over $1.89 million. This product will be distributed in federal food and nutrition programs.

"These purchases help support the live lamb prices we have this fall," commented Glen Fisher (Texas), president of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). "We appreciate all that AMS does to support the sheep industry."

Iowa Lamb Processing Corp., the only bidder in this round, was awarded a contract from this invitation. The lamb shoulder chops will be delivered between Nov. 16 and Nov. 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 in this rough economy.

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