Registration Now Open for ASI Annual Convention
Registration is now open for the 2026 American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention in Reno, NV at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
Early bird registration rates are available now through Dec. 2 at a discounted rate. After that date, online registration is available at the standard rate through Dec. 29.
The ASI industry tour will take place at the University of Nevada, Reno. Convention attendees are encouraged to register for the tour early as the 50 spots available are filling up quickly.
Click Here for information and to register to attend the convention.
ASI Now Accepting Applications for Executive Director
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Executive Director. Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2025.
Click Here for more information and to apply.
Wool Reimagined Poster Contest Launched
October is Wool Month! And it’s a great time to flex your creativity and innovation to find new uses for this wonderous fiber! Submit your innovative idea for >25-micron wool and you could win $1,000 plus networking opportunities.
Find more at www.sheepusa.org/reimagine-wool-digital-poster-contest
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.
Congress Struggles to Pass a CR, Forcing the Federal Government into a Shutdown
On October 1, the federal government officially lapsed into a shutdown, after the Senate failed to pass their stopgap spending bill to extend funding beyond the fiscal year September 30 deadline. At this point in time, it has been just over a week since the shutdown was initiated, and there is still no indicator as to how long it will last. Since the first vote series on the House-passed CR failed, Senate Republican leadership has called for a total of 6 votes on the stopgap bill, all of which have failed thus far.
Senate Democrats and Republicans continue to be at odds over healthcare funding. The next crucial point in discussions will likely be October 15th, when the military will go without its first paycheck in the funding lapse. While the situation is ever evolving, until then negotiations are likely to be at a standstill.
Trump Administration Indicates Plans for Producer Bailout Payments
Over the last week, President Trump and other members of his cabinet such as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have alluded that agriculture producers can expect an official announcement related to farmer bailout payments coming soon. The Administration originally alluded to an announcement coming out this week, but it has since been pushed back due to the government shutdown. The current price tag the Trump Administration is floating around is around $10-14 billion in economic assistance to help offset the current downturns the farm economy is facing. Trump, Rollins, and others close to the President have referenced the possibility of using tariff revenue as a potential pay-for mechanism for the foreshadowed bailout payments, and that the distribution of money could start in the coming months. In years past, presidential administrations have tapped into USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) fund and Section 5 authority to fund and issue similar ad hoc payments, but looks to be an unlikely option this time around due to the CCC’s low reserve balance (< $5 billion) and lack of its FY26 congressional appropriation to replenish the CCC to its $30 billion cap. Nonetheless, producers can look out for an announcement on this topic from the Trump Administrations in the coming weeks.
DOL Announces Interim Final Rule Regarding Updated AEWR Methodology
On October 2, the Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration published an interim final rule (IFR) associated with the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) methodology for temporary workers enrolled in H-2A. The rule updates the previous methodology used to calculate the AEWR, which effectively sets the minimum wage for people on H-2A visas, to now be based off a Bureau of Labor Statistics survey that produces wage estimates across industries and is expected to result in lower minimum wage rates. Additionally, the methodology will include an adjustment to account for the free housing employers are contractually obligated to provide H-2A workers. This comes after both DOL and the USDA rolled back their current policies related to calculating the wage rate in preparation for this new AEWR rule. This IFR is now open for public comment until December 1, 2025. You can find the official Federal Register posting here and interested stakeholders can submit public comments at [regulations.gov]regulations.gov.
The Australian Wool Market
After the unbroken run of 11 weeks in a row of increases in the AWEX EMI (Eastern Market Indicator), the market caught its breath this week. After lifting a total of 358 cents in that 11week
period, the EMI gave a total of 48 cents back in total for the week to close at 1517 cents putting it around 33% higher than the same week last year. An increased offering came forward
when compared to previous weeks with close to 40,000 bales on the offer nationally. The public holiday on Monday triggered the first three-day selling sequence since March across the
nation, with a Tuesday/Wednesday sale rostered in Melbourne and Fremantle, while Sydney sold over Wednesday/Thursday. Volumes are now tracking close to last season with Australian
offered wool (Not including New Zealand) only 1.1% lower than the same week last season. With the peak and resultant drop in values across all microns and wool types, the pass in rate
rose sharply to average around 20% across Australia, West Australia the highest at 28.8% with close to 36% of merino fleece remaining unsold. While New South Wales & Victoria rate
was similar at around 16 & 18%. The largest decreases were in 17 microns and finer, which had made the largest gains over the previous 2 weeks. The 5year 17 MPG (Micron Price Guide)
percentile has now increased to 63 from as low as 40-50 in recent times, while the 19 through to 30 MPG remain at their 100th percentiles. Merino skirtings generally eased in line with
their fleece counterparts, while all crossbred MPG’s lost ground albeit in a seasonally small offering and merino oddment (carding) values were relatively stable except ex West Australia
which came back more in line with the Eastern states.
Source: AWEX
SDSGA Now Accepting Applications for Executive Secretary
The South Dakota Sheep Growers Association (SDSGA) is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Executive Secretary. This part-time contract position is available November 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2025.
Click Here for more information and to apply.
Unlock Opportunities in 2026: The American Lamb Board Announces Funding for Promotions and Research
The American Lamb Board (ALB) is keeping its mission strong by announcing two major funding opportunities. With $50,000 set aside for consumer promotional events and $350,000 for research projects, there are exciting possibilities for anyone looking to advance the American lamb industry.
“The American Lamb Board is making a strategic investment of Lamb Checkoff dollars to drive both promotion and research,” says ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert. “These funding opportunities are an opportunity to ensure the industry’s continued growth and innovation.”
Here’s everything you need to know to apply for funding.
Bring Lamb to Your Community: $50,000 for Local Promotions and Branded Marketing Programs
ALB is offering support for local events and branded marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning cooking classes, farm tours, participation at a local food festival, or working on retail and foodservice promotions, these funds can help bring your vision to life! Funding covers marketing materials, promotional activities, and more, as long as your event or promotion connects directly with consumers or customers (chefs, retailers).
Important to Know:
- Applications are due at least 30 days before your event or promotion start date.
- A 50% funding match is required, with a maximum reimbursement of $10 per pound for lamb products.
- Final reports and receipts are needed for payment.
- Industry-only events, equipment purchases, staffing, and political activities are not eligible.
How to Apply:
- Prepare a 2-page summary proposal outlining your project (events can be between Nov 2025 and May 2026).
2. Participate in a committee review, including a possible interview.
3. Finalize your contract and program details, including USDA approval.
Download the complete guidelines and the application instructions here.
Advancing American Lamb Through Research
Are you interested in leading a project that could help sheep producers innovate and improve competitiveness? ALB is offering research grants for topics that address the following critical industry priorities.
1) Overcoming hurdles for the expansion of domestic sheep production, including topics like parasite control, non-traditional grazing opportunities, quantifying the benefits of adding sheep to an existing agricultural operation or utilizing genetic selection to promote flock expansion efforts.
2) Increasing the competitiveness and advancing the quality of American Lamb, including topics like new product development, using genetics to improve carcass quality or productivity, animal health and welfare, environmental impacts of sheep production, or human health and nutrition.
Research Grant Policies:
- No more than 10% of the grant may go to overhead/indirect costs.
- Quarterly and final progress reports are required.
- Research outcomes may be co-owned with participating in universities.
- Studies are required to be reviewed and approved by ALB and USDA prior to dissemination or publishing.
How the Process Works:
- Submit a 2-page summary proposal by November 15, 2025.
2. Undergo committee review and interview (November 15 to December 15, 2025).
3. If selected, submit a detailed proposal (Dec 15, 2025, to Jan 30, 2026) including your methodology, dissemination plan, budget, team contacts, support letters, and CVs.
Download the complete guidelines and the application instructions here.
Ready to Apply?
This is your chance to bring new energy to the lamb community—whether you’re aiming to connect with consumers or shape the future of American sheep production. Be sure to prepare early and review all application requirements to maximize your opportunity for support from the American Lamb Board!
Download Consumer Marketing & Promotional Funding Application
Download Research Request for Proposal Guidelines
Source: ALB