Dear ASI Members,
It’s a privilege to write to you in my first week as Executive Director of the American Sheep Industry Association.
While my career has taken me across the globe, I come to this role grounded in rural America. My family worked the land in southeast Iowa, and I grew up around farmers who understood agriculture not just as an occupation, but as a way of life.
I also witnessed challenges throughout several different farm crises and saw firsthand the resilience it takes to stay in this business. Those experiences shaped my belief that the people who produce our food and fiber deserve strong, effective representation.
Over the course of my career, including work with USDA and in agricultural and food system roles, I’ve seen the challenges producers face, as well as the innovation and stewardship that keep operations moving forward.
In my first days at ASI, I have already begun engaging with producers, including visiting a sheep feedlot in northeastern Colorado. My priority in the months ahead is simple: listen, learn and engage. I want to hear directly from you about the issues you’re facing, from markets and prices to labor, predation and regulatory pressures, and work to strengthen opportunities for sheep producers.
ASI has a strong foundation and a long history of advocacy on behalf of sheep producers. I look forward to working with the board, staff, and producers to build on that foundation and support the long-term success of this industry.
I look forward to meeting many of you in the months ahead.
With respect and appreciation,
Mike Michener
Executive Director
American Sheep Industry Association
USDA Announces Payments Under the 2026 Pima Cotton and Wool Trust Funds
USDA announced upcoming 2026 payments under two Farm Bill programs that support domestic textile manufacturing, including the Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund. The trust funds are designed to offset the impact of “tariff inversion,” where importing finished apparel can be cheaper than importing fabric and manufacturing in the U.S. The Wool Trust (authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill) is funded through 2031 with up to $30 million per year and provides payments tied to worsted wool fabrics, duty compensation for wool inputs, and refunds of certain duties. Wool Trust applications are due March 1 each year, with payments mandated by April 15.
Read More Here
Trailing of the Sheep Awards John Peavey Legacy Scholarship
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival announced Snow College student Dakota Monroe of Minersville, Utah as the 2026 recipient of the John Peavey Legacy Fund Scholarship. Monroe will study agriculture with a focus on livestock and equine science. The Festival Board awarded $750, matched by an anonymous donor for a total scholarship of $1,500, supporting tuition, housing, and books. The scholarship honors the legacy of Idaho sheep rancher and advocate John Peavey and helps carry forward the Festival’s mission to celebrate and preserve Western sheepherding heritage.
Secretary Rollins to Break Ground on NWS Sterile Fly Facility
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins will travel to South Texas tomorrow, on Friday, April 17 for the groundbreaking of USDA’s domestic sterile fly production facility, a key part of efforts to protect U.S. livestock from New World Screwworm. The event will include a press conference with Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Monica De La Cruz, and USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins. The groundbreaking is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT at the Moore Air Base Facility in Edinburg, TX. Valid ID required to attend.
USDA Finalizes Rule Consolidating NEPA Regulations
On Tuesday, April 7, USDA announced a final rule consolidating 7 agency-specific National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations into a singular, department-wide framework. This framework is intended to shorten environmental review timelines and reduce administrative costs. The changes affect permitting and project delivery across USDA programs, including rural loans, infrastructure funding, and forest management activities. The action is in line with the Trump Administration’s directives, including the Deregulatory Agenda for U.S. Agriculture and Consumers, Unleashing American Energy (Executive Order 14154), and the elimination of the Council of Environmental Quality implementing regulations.
The Final Rule Can be Found Here
See Executive Order 14154 Here
Summer Promotion Materials to Support Lamb Sales. Spring and Summer is the perfect time to introduce consumers to the incredible taste of American Lamb. With farmers markets in full swing and shoppers eager to try something new, there’s a great opportunity to turn first-time buyers into loyal fans of lamb.….Read more.