ASI Wants to Hear from You!
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is committed to understanding what matters most to our members, and your input is key. We’re inviting you to share your thoughts on ASI’s communications so we can improve how we deliver the information you need.
What topics are most important to you? How can we better keep you informed and engaged?
Your feedback will directly influence how ASI communicates with members and stakeholders across the industry.
The survey takes just 2 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential.
Make your voice heard and help strengthen communication across the American sheep industry.
The survey will be available for your completion until August 15.
Click Here to Complete the Survey
Nominations Open for American Lamb Board and Sheep Center
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is seeking nominees to fill four positions on the American Lamb Board, as current members’ terms will expire in early 2026.
ASI is encouraging sheep producers and lamb feeders to apply to be placed on a nominating slate for USDA Secretary Rollins to consider appointing a director on our lamb checkoff board. ASI is now gathering nominations for the following positions:
- One producer with 100 or fewer lambs
- One producer with more than 500 lambs
- One feeder at large
- One first handler
Either the small-scale (≤100 lambs) or large-scale (>500 lambs) producer must be from Region II (west of the Mississippi River). The feeder at large must be from Region I (east of the Mississippi River).
ASI encourages interested individuals to visit www.sheepusa.org or contact the ASI office for a nomination form. Completed forms must be submitted to ASI by August 22, 2025.
The current directors whose terms are ending include Jeff Ebert (KS), Gary Visintainer (CO), and Don Hawk (OH), all of whom are term limited. ASI must submit at least two nominees for each of these three seats.
In addition, ASI is seeking nominations for one producer director and a director with experience in finance and management to serve three-year terms on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) Board of Directors. Bob Buchholz (TX) and Faye Schalesky (SD) currently hold these seats. ASI is accepting NSIIC nominations through August 22, 2025, ahead of the USDA’s submission deadline of September 8, 2025.
For more information, contact Peter Orwick, ASI Executive Director, at (303) 771-3500, ext. 103, or [email protected].
American Lamb Summit 2025 Celebrates Industry Success
The 2025 American Lamb Summit, held on July 23-25 at the University of Idaho in Moscow, marked a significant milestone for the US sheep industry, drawing industry leaders, producers, and educators together to explore innovations and strategies for growth. This year’s event was the third summit of its kind, which focused on enhancing the competitiveness of American Lamb.
Summit attendees heard from top experts on a variety of topics aimed at improving product quality and industry efficiency. The topics included education in production practices, marketing and industry trends. Attendees learned about profitable grazing systems, livestock nutrition, reducing antibiotic use, product quality, consumer trends, supply chain analysis and much more.
The American Lamb Summit also served as a platform for new and seasoned producers to network, learn, and share resources.
“The summit was a great opportunity to engage with veteran lamb producers and industry leaders, while also welcoming new producers,” said Jeff Ebert, chairman of the American Lamb Board. “It’s encouraging to see such a diverse group of industry leaders from across the country all share an excitement about the future of the American Lamb industry.”
Funding from the American Lamb Checkoff initiative continues to support educational programs like this, fostering ongoing growth and market share expansion. For more details about the summit and future events, visit LambBoard.com.
Source: ALB
President Donald J. Trump Further Modifies the Reciprocal Tariff Rates
President Trump issued an Executive Order yesterday modifying the tariff rates for countries listed in Annex I.
Official documents can be accessed here:
- Executive Order: Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates – The White House
- White House Fact Sheet
Source: White House
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is encouraged with the retention of ad valorem tariffs on imports from Australia and the increase to 15% on product from New Zealand. These two countries provide nearly all of the overwhelming volume of imported lamb.
Legislative Update from Washington, D.C.
The American Sheep Industry Association’s lobbying firm – Cornerstone Government Affairs – offered an update this week on legislative issues in our nation’s capital.
Senate Confirms Tyler Clarkson as USDA General Counsel
On Thursday, July 31, the Senate voted along party lines (52-45) to confirm Mr. Tyler Clarkson as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) General Counsel. Clarkson now joins USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden as the only USDA nominees to clear the Senate confirmation process thus far. As the newly instated general counsel, Clarkson will likely play a large role in helping the Department carry out its reorganization plan to relocate Washington area USDA employees. Several other USDA Under Secretary nominees still remain in the growing queue to be confirmed and likely will not see votes until after the August recess.
Senate Ag Holds Hearing to Review USDA Reorganization
On Wednesday, July 30, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee held a hearing to review the recently announced large-scale reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) featuring testimony from Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden. The intent of USDA’s plan is to relocate employees within the National Capital Region (NCR) footprint to five hub locations which include: Fort Collins, Colorado; Raleigh, North Carolina; Salt Lake City, Utah; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Kansas City, Missouri. During the hearing, Republicans and Democrats both agreed on the importance of ensuring USDA reorganization does not disrupt essential services or negatively impact employees. Republicans focused on cost savings, efficiency, and bringing USDA operations closer to rural communities, emphasizing benefits such as lower cost of living and improved customer service. Democrats concentrated on the consultation process, potential impacts on research, workforce stability, and equitable service delivery, raising concerns about transparency and local input. Other topics discussed included facility impacts in specific states, union engagement, disaster funding, civil rights considerations, and the need for ongoing congressional oversight and stakeholder feedback during implementation. You can find the Secretary’s official memorandum here and watch the full hearing here.
Why Utah Reps. Maloy, Owens say things are baaaaaad for U.S. sheep industry
Utah’s sheep ranching community is confronting a significant threat as imports of lamb and mutton from Australia and New Zealand continue to increase sharply. Since 1994, import volumes have risen by over 500%, with a corresponding surge in import value exceeding 2,000%. In 2024 alone, the United States imported more than 309 million pounds of lamb—up nearly 30% from the previous year.
This influx of foreign product has coincided with a steep decline in domestic sheep production. Utah, once among the nation’s top five sheep producers, has seen its production drop by more than 60%. Currently, over 70% of lamb consumed in the U.S. is imported.
Local leaders and policymakers, including Representatives Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, have voiced concerns about the potential collapse of the domestic sheep market. They are pushing for policy measures, such as implementing a Tariff Rate Quota on lamb imports, to help level the playing field for American producers.
Click Here to read the full article.
Indiana Sheep Association Adds New Events at 2025 State Fair
The Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) will bring fresh energy to the 2025 Indiana State Fair with several new sheep-related competitions and educational exhibits. In addition to the traditional 4-H and open sheep shows, visitors can look forward to live shearing demonstrations and the popular Sheep-to-Shawl contest, where teams transform raw fleece into finished shawls right before your eyes. Wool vendors will also be on hand, offering a variety of unique products. These events aim to highlight the versatility and value of sheep and wool while giving fairgoers a chance to see the process up close. Make sure to stop by and discover all that ISA has planned this summer!
Click Here to read the full article.