Logo for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).
Logo for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).
A flock of sheep grazing in an orchard.

ASI Approves Budgets and Dues

The fiscal year 2026 budgets and the dues rates received unanimous approval by the Board of Directors of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). ASI is the national trade association representing the family farms and ranches producing sheep as well as the lamb feeding operations. 

The 43 state member associations each have a director on the Board of Directors in addition to the officer team, 8 regional producer representatives, and a director from the National Lamb Feeders Association.

State associations pay dues based on the number of members and stock sheep inventory in their state. 100 percent of the dues funds are spent in Washington, D.C. for legislative and regulatory policies approved by the Board.

ASI also builds a budget annually for wool research, promotion and producer education that is non-industry funded but accounts for the majority of ASI’s operations.  ASI enhances the funds with additional wool export program monies from the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Ag Service.

ASI President Ben Lehfeldt of Lavina, Montana expressed appreciation for the work of the American Wool Council to draft a successful Wool Trust Fund budget as well as ASI office support for both wool, legislative and membership services budgets.

 

 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.

USDA Announces Presidential Appointments, Naming More State Directors:

 On Thursday, August 21, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Agencies latest slate of presidential appointments to the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development. The following individuals were announced as state directors within the two agencies:

  • Paul D. Ellington Appointed as State Director, Maryland, and Delaware Rural Development
  • George Turner Appointed as State Executive Director, Maryland Farm Service Agency
  • Jeffrey Holmes Appointed as State Executive Director, New Hampshire Farm Service Agency
  • Robert Andrzejczak Appointed as State Executive Director for the New Jersey Farm Service Agency
  • Zach Riley Appointed as State Executive Director, New Mexico Farm Service Agency
  • Eddie Fields Appointed as State Executive Director, Oklahoma Farm Service Agency
  • Zac Swartz Appointed as State Director, Oklahoma Rural Development
  • Tootie Smith Appointed as State Director, Oregon Farm Service Agency
  • Dan Hunter Appointed as State Executive Director, Texas Farm Service Agency
  • James Redfield Appointed as State Director, Texas Rural Development
  • Susan Larson Appointed as State Executive Director, Utah Farm Service Agency
  • Beth Walker Green Appointed as State Director, Virginia Rural Development
  • Keith Richmond Appointed as State Executive Director, West Virginia Farm Service Agency
  • Laurie Boner Appointed as State Executive Director, Wyoming Farm Service Agency

As Secretary Rollins said in her announcement, these state directors will play a critical role in advancing the Administration’s agenda ensuring that farmers and ranchers are prioritized. For more information, or the official announcement, please see the following link.

 

The Australian Wool Market


The Australian wool market has continued to strengthen, recording a sixth consecutive weekly rise. Being the sixth selling series of the new season, also means the market has continued its run of positive results for the 2025/26 wool selling season. Wet conditions have slowed shearing in many parts of the country, dampening wool receivals. This has played a part in sharp drop in quantity. The benchmark Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) rose by 7 cents on the opening day, then added another 7 on the second. This extended the run of daily EMI rises to ten, adding 53 cents across this run. Twelve months ago, the EMI was 1,087 cents, the 14 cents added across this series pushed the EMI to 1,261 cents. This is a 174 cent or 16.0% twelve-month increase. In further welcome news, the rises were not entirely driven by currency. The EMI also rose in USD terms, more in fact (in percentage terms), gaining 14 cents for the series, closing at 818 cents. The crossbreds have been the strongest performing sector over the previous few months and continued their upward trend. The standout has been 28-micron range. In the South twelve months ago, the 28.0 MPG was 375 cents, the 11cents gained this week pushed the MPG to 528 cents. This is a 153-cent yearly rise, an increase of 40.8%. The next best is the 30.0 MPG, closing at 450 cents after a weekly increase, this is a 112-cent gain, an increase of 24.9%. In the merinos, it is the 21.0 MPG which has had the strongest 12 months, posting a 219 cent, 17.5% rise. In contrast, the weakest performing MPG was 17.0 micron, adding 114 cents or 7.0% in the previous 12 months. There is currently expected to be national offering of 29,743 bales next week.

Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.

Source: AWEX


Registration is now open for the New World Screwworm (NWS) Conference

The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) will host a timely and critical New World Screwworm Conference September 24-25, 2025 to address the growing threat of the New World Screwworm (NWS) to U.S. animal populations. USAHA is pleased to collaborate with The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) to provide a solutions-based effort to help inform stakeholders on preparedness and mitigation should it reach the U.S. 

Registration Details

The Conference is limited to 200 attendees. Registration closes Friday, September 19. There will be no on-site registration, and the Conference is for in-person participation only. The registration rate for USAHA and NIAA members is $250 and the non-member registration rate is $500. Learn more about NIAA membership for a discounted rate. 

 

Click Here to Register

 

Denver Lamb Jam Tour 2025: A Tasty Celebration of Flavors and Style!

The 2025 Lamb Jam tour visited Denver at the Botanic Gardens on Aug. 20 and was another great success! The sold-out event was a beautiful summer evening filled with delicious American Lamb bites, refreshing drinks, and wonderful company.

Over 200 attendees, media guests and ALB board members joined the celebration, enjoying an unforgettable experience centered around flavor, community, and creativity. Guests tasted seven unique lamb dishes from top Denver chefs, an exciting live butchery demo from Western Daughters Butcher Shop. An interactive trivia session added a playful twist, with winners walking away with lamb cut giveaways.

Attendees also sampled an assortment of locally sourced sheep’s milk cheese from a nearby specialty cheese shop — a perfect pairing with the lamb offerings.

The evening featured wines from Iron Horse Vineyards, beers from Ratio Beerworks, and cocktails from Weber Ranch, along with light-hearted entertainment like a caricature artist, photo booth and music from a local artist.

The night concluded with the crowning of our 2025 Denver Lamb Jam Master:
 Chef Ben Hildred, Two Hands — Lamb Spring Roll
 Chef Blake Edmonds, Señor Bear — Lamb Shawarma Taco
 Chef Kenny Minton, Coperta — Braised Lamb Arancini

“The Denver Lamb Jam event was a truly unforgettable evening that showcased the versatility of American Lamb while celebrating our local farmers, ranchers, and chefs,” said ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert. According to a recent retail sales report, Denver is now one of the fastest-growing markets for lamb in the U.S.—a trend that was clearly reflected in the night’s energy and turnout.

With Denver’s event behind us, Lamb Jam heads to Boston for the final stop at First Street Market on Sept. 24. Tickets are available at AmericanLamb.com.

Source: ALB

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