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.
HHS Releases Updated MAHA Strategy Report
On Tuesday, September 9, Department of Human and Health Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. led a press conference announcing the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again’ Strategy Report. Secretary Kennedy was joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and other Administration officials, each speaking to recommendations relevant to their respective agencies. The strategy aims to address the current chronic disease epidemic among children and includes 120 initiatives that focus on four key areas: restoring science and research, historic executive actions, process reform and deregulation, and public awareness education. Of note to the livestock sector, the Administration outlines intent to, “provide additional guidance on Hazard Critical Control Points (HCCP) requirements for very small meat processors serving local markets that ease compliance whole maintaining safety standards” and “consider increased categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for low volume meat processing operations from water discharge and hazardous waste permitting, and work with states to fast-track approvals to strengthen regional meat infrastructure and improve access to fresh protein in schools and communities.” At the time of this writing, timeline implementation seems to be vague but likely HHS and other agencies will be more forthcoming in the coming weeks and months. You can read the full strategy here.
ERS Releases Updated Farm Sector Income Forecast
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) released an updated farm sector income forecast. In 2025, ERS forecasted net farm income to reach $179.8 billion, $52.0 billion (40.7%) higher than in 2024. Similarly, net cash farm income is projected to be at $180.7 billion for 2025, an increase of $40.1 billion (28.5%) relative to 2024. When accounting for inflation-adjusted 2025 dollars, net farm income is expected to increase by $48.8 billion (37.2%) from 2024, while net cash farm income is forecasted to increase by $36.5 billion (25.3%) compared to the previous year. Other takeaways from the report include total farm cash receipts to increase by $24.0 billion (4.7%) to $535.2 billion in 2025 in nominal dollars. Adversely, total crop receipts are forecasted to decrease by $6.1 billion (2.5%) to $236.6 billion in 2025 due to lower receipts for soybeans, corn, and wheat, whereas total animal/animal products receipts are projected to increase by $30.0 billion (11.2%) to $298.6 billion in 2025, largely due to the current market supporting high cattle prices relative to 2024. Direct government farm payments are up by $30.4 billion, projecting a total of $40.5 billion for 2025 due to recent supplemental and ad hoc assistance appropriated to the agricultural sector. Lastly, it’s worth noting that ERS forecasted total production expenses to increase by $12.0 billion (2.6%) from 2024 to $467.4 billion in 2025. You can read ERS’s full farm sector income report here.
The Australian Wool Market
The wool market continued to rally this week, clocking up its eighth consecutive weekly rise. It is the longest weekly rally in six and a half years. On a daily basis, the rally has now run for 14 straight sessions, the longest stretch since 2011. Auction volumes remain tight with total offering figures sitting at 246,305 bales for the first eight auctions, down 8% on the previous season but still ahead of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. At the sale this week there was a sharp jump on the first day (24 cents) followed by more muted increases on Wednesday (4 cents). The AWEX-EMI finished at 1319 cents, its highest level since March 2023. The gains were across-the-board in the Merino sector with rises of 30 to 40 cents clean commonplace. 17-microns were a standout, adding to their previous gains with an increase of 57 and 69 cents in Melbourne and Sydney. Despite the recent gains the 17-Micron Price Guides are still trading around 1000 cents below their recent peak in 2022. Sellers remain keen to capitalize on the rally, driving the
clearance rate to a 12-month high of 97.4%. Merino skirtings tracked a similar path to fleece types, increasing sharply over the two days, particularly for best-length low vegetable matter types on the back of strong buyer support. Crossbreds are now at four-to-five-year highs after firming 10 cents clean this week, continuing on their steady rally from the past 12 months. Merino Cardings were generally 10 to 20 cents dearer for the week with odd pockets 30 to 40 cents higher. Just under 31,000 bales are expected next week in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle, the latter holding another one-day sale.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
In Conversation: Bob Christnacht, Executive Vice President, Pendleton Woolen Mills
Pendleton, a 150-year American wool icon, is navigating tariffs, tourism downturns, and leadership changes while working to keep its heritage brand strong. Executive Vice President Bob Christnacht discusses challenges and opportunities—from supply chain pressures to a new CEO appointment.
Click Here to read the full article.
Lamb Sales See Significant Growth
Total lamb sales have increased significantly, indicating strong consumer demand, according to the latest Midan Marketing Quarterly Retail Report (based on retail scanner data from Circana). In the second quarter of 2025 (April–June), dollar sales increased by 17.7 percent and volume sales grew by 12.5 percent (p17), compared to the same period last year, even after accounting for Easter (p5). Over the past year, both dollar sales and the volume of lamb sold have experienced significant growth, with increases of 10.9 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively (p17).
All major markets experienced quarterly growth in both volume and dollar value for lamb, along with growth compared to the five-year historical average. Houston and Denver led the pack in terms of dollar growth at 27% each and San Francisco increased volume sales by nearly 30% (p29).
Without exception, virtually every retail cut witnessed an increase in both dollar sales and pounds sold between Q2 2024 and Q2 2025 (p34).
American Lamb Experiences Significant Growth
Looking at the retail sales data from the group of retailers that only sell American Lamb, domestic lamb sales experienced significant growth in Q2, with dollar sales increasing by 16.5 percent and volume sales rising by 15.3 percent (p19). Growth for American Lamb was steady across various cuts, with ground lamb, blade chops, and loin chops leading the way—each recording double-digit increases in both dollar and pound sales (p20-21).
“While it’s encouraging to see more U.S. consumers cooking lamb, I’m even more encouraged to see that consumers are seeking out American Lamb,” says ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert. “It’s more important than ever that producers find ways to boost production to take advantage of rising lamb demand.”
Production levels for American Lamb also increased in the second quarter. Lamb and yearling production was 7.7 percent higher than the same period last year (p13).
Increasing Prices
Lamb sales increased despite consumers carefully considering grocery options. Inflation continues to boost dollar sales to new heights across most segments, including lamb. The average price for lamb in the U.S. rose 4.6 percent over the past year, from $8.03 per pound to $8.40 per pound (p35). Despite these price hikes, meat, including lamb, and dairy remain important exceptions with strong unit and volume growth alongside dollar growth.
The U.S. lamb market is experiencing positive growth, with increasing sales and consistent demand for American Lamb.
Click here to request a copy of the full report.
American Lamb Board Targeted Grazing Workshop
Promoting Sustainable Land Management through Targeted Grazing
The American Lamb Board’s Targeted Grazing Workshop is a comprehensive, hands-on program designed to educate and empower producers on the effective use of sheep for targeted grazing. Participants gain the knowledge and skills to take advantage of lucrative targeted grazing contracts with solar companies. This workshop is presented in partnership with the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) and qualifies as an official ASGA Certification course.
The next workshop is scheduled for Sept 24-26 in Greeley, CO. We need more producers to register for this workshop to avoid cancellation. We are offering a limited time registration special – two registrations for the price of one. Act now as you must register by Sunday, Sept 14 to get the special pricing. Email Rae directly to get the registration special: [email protected].
Schedule:
Wednesday, Sept 24 and Thursday, Sept 25 – 8:00 – 5:00 Classroom program with speakers, panels and group activities
Friday, September 26 – 8:00 – 1:00 – Field Day at the Solar Site
Meals: Breakfast and lunch all three days will be provided
What You’ll Learn:
- Improving flock productivity
- Business planning for grazing operations
- Strategic vegetation management
- The contracting process
Source: ALB
USDA Market News Will Begin Providing Coverage of the Mt. Hope Auction in Mt. Hope, Ohio, Starting in October
Working in partnership with the Ohio State University, USDA Market News will begin providing coverage of the Mt. Hope Auction, Mt. Hope, OH, with the first published report scheduled to be released in mid-October. The Mt. Hope sheep and goat auction is the third largest sheep and goat market in the nation, behind the markets in San Angelo, TX, and New Holland, PA. It is also one of the primary markets attracting a large volume of buyers interested in purchasing small ruminates for ethnic slaughter, predominately Halal, meat prepared as prescribed by Muslim law. The addition of this market will increase the auction volume of sheep and goats reported by USDA in the U.S. from 30% to 35%, increasing price discovery and improving market transparency for the U.S. sheep industry. This will be the first USDA Market News livestock auction report for Ohio, made possible through a recently enacted Federal-State partnership with the Ohio State University that has provided the opportunity to facilitate price discovery for this highly followed sheep market in the Eastern corn-belt.
Video of the Week
Save the Farm, Save the Future | Documentary
Click Here to Watch the Video