USDA APHIS Updates NWS Response Playbook
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released an updated New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Playbook to guide coordinated, science-based action if NWS is detected in the United States. The playbook outlines how federal, state, tribal, and local partners can coordinate operations, reduce spread, manage infestations, implement surveillance and control, and maintain continuity of business. APHIS developed the update using extensive feedback from animal health officials, veterinarians, livestock and wildlife groups, and other stakeholders, and clarified key terminology, agency roles, animal movement requirements, and wildlife guidance.
Read the Press Release
ALB Grant Opportunity for Sheep Producers
The American Lamb Board (ALB) has received a USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant and is recruiting 150 sheep producers to participate. Enrolled producers can earn up to $23,000 to identify production inefficiencies, build conservation and farm management plans, and implement new technology and stewardship strategies to improve productivity and reduce emissions. Benefits include a Technical Service Provider (TSP), electronic ID, soil sampling, and NSIP ultrasound/genetic consulting. Applications are open now through May 1; selected producers will be notified by June 1, 2026.
Learn more about the grant
ASGA Webinar: SGA and NLR’s New Checklist for Implementing Solar Grazing
Attendees of ASGA’s recent webinar got a practical look at Means and Metrics: The Standard Checklist for Solar Grazing, a new framework (developed with the National Laboratory of the Rockies) for evaluating what successful solar grazing looks like. The checklist covers six areas: social, economic, ecological, livestock, grazing management, and site design, and offers tools for planning, record-keeping, and decision-making. ASGA also previewed a companion resource on agrivoltaics monitoring and research design to support reliable on-site data collection.
Learn more about ASGA
White House Releases President’s Budget Request
On Friday, April 3, the White House released the long awaited President’s Budget Request (PBR) for fiscal year 2027. This budget is used by the executive branch to direct congressional funding levels for federal government for the coming fiscal year. Please see the following readout from the PBR for agencies as they impact the agriculture industry:
The Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) represents a decrease of 19% over FY26 enacted levels. Total discretionary funding is $20.7 billion as opposed to current funding of $27 billion. A few key highlights include:
The Farm Service Agency would face a $550 million reduction, resulting in the loss of 486 federal staff years and the elimination of 1,346 county office positions. In addition, the budget proposes substantial cuts Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Operations by $792 million and eliminates 3,287 staff years.
Research programs would face significant reductions, including a $655 million cut to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The budget proposes eliminating Hatch Act funding, which provides formula funds to land‑grant universities. In addition, the Agricultural Research Service would be reduced by $155 million, with plans to close four locations—Boston, Massachussetts; Burlington, Vermont; Newark, Delaware; and Urbana, Illinois —while relocating most research activities to other sites.
Overall funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reduced but the budget does include a $4.5 million increase for New World Screwworm.
President’s Budget Request here.
USDA Budget Summary here.
The State of the Lamb Industry: 2025 in Review
The latest data from the Sheep Industry Review and Q4 Retail Report highlights a resilient and evolving U.S. lamb market—driven by strong demand, premium positioning, and expanding opportunities for American lamb.Learn more and download the report.