USDA Buys More American Lamb

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on June 24, 2003, purchased 216,000 pounds of boneless lamb roasts at a cost of approximately $748,000. The roasts will be distributed in the federal food and nutrition programs.

Total purchases of lamb under the Domestic Lamb Industry Adjustment Assistance Program announced on Feb. 14, 2000, are more than $21.8 million and 5.7 million pounds.

Offers for this buy were accepted from four of the ten bidders ? Mountain Meadows Lamb Corporation, Denver, Colo.; Strauss Veal, Inc., Franklin, Wis.; Swissland Packing Co, Ashkum, Ill.; and Transhumance, Dixon, Calif.

According to AMS, lamb purchases under this program are nearing the end. In June, 2002, at the request of ASI, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman approved an additional $8 million, for a total of $23 million, to continue the lamb roast purchase program through fiscal year 2003.

Bids for the next lamb purchase are due by 1:30 p.m., central time, on Aug. 1, 2003, with an announcement to be made on or before Aug. 8, 2003. Inquiries should be addressed to the Contracting Officer; Livestock and Seed Program; USDA, AMS, Stop 0253 Room 2610-South, 1400 Independence Avenue SW; Washington, D.C. 20250; telephone (202) 720-2650.



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