Sheep Inventory Levels Fall

USDA-NASS recently released the sheep inventory report, and as of January 1, 2026, all sheep and lambs were reported at 4.99 million head, the lowest on record. Compared to a year ago, sheep and lamb inventories fell less than one percent (-0.7%) to 35,000 head. Much of the decline in inventory levels occurred in western states such as CA (-1.0%), ID (-6.4%), OR (-1.4%), UT (-1.8%), MT (-1.6%), and WY (-5.1%), which correlates with areas that have been grappling with drought for several months. However, other states grappling with drought that reported increases were CO (+1.2%), KS (+2.5%), SD (+2.4%), and TX (+4.5%).

 

A notable decline was reported in the breeding flock, which fell 50,000 head (-1.4%) to just over 3.6 million head, the lowest on record. Market lambs posted an increase of +1.1% to just under 1.4 million head, the highest in three years. The lamb crop declined marginally (-0.3%) from last year by 10,000 head to 3.03 million head, which is on par with the prior two reported lamb crops. Overall, the report signals continued tight domestic lamb supplies.

 

 

USDA Awards $212 Million Through MAP and FMD to Grow Global Demand for U.S. Agriculture Including American Wool.

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced Feb. 11 that it will award more than $212 million in FY26 funding through the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program to expand export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products. MAP will provide more than $181 million to 68 organizations, while FMD will allocate more than $31 million to 18 trade organizations, both structured as cost-share partnerships that leverage significant private-sector matching dollars.

In total, the American Sheep Industry Association will receive more than $538,000, including $385,931 in MAP and $188,652 in FMD funding.

“We’re grateful to USDA and the Foreign Agricultural Service for continued support of U.S. agriculture exports through MAP and FMD,” said ASI Wool Council Chair Julie Hansmire. “These programs help ASI build demand in key markets and that translates into real sales and stronger returns for American wool.”

 

FibreLux Micron Meter Now Available for Rent

ASI’s FibreLux micron meter instrument is again available for rental to U.S. producers. This on-farm wool testing instrument is specifically calibrated for wools in the 18–28 micron range and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. The rental fee is a minimal $20 per week plus shipping costs. To arrange rental of the instrument, please contact [email protected].

Click Here for more information.

 

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.

House Ag Releases 2026 Farm Bill Text

On Friday, February 13, the House Committee on Agriculture released bill texts and title-by-title summaries for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The markup is scheduled to begin the afternoon of Monday, February 23, and go through Wednesday, February 25, as needed. This farm bill produced by the majority closely resembles the version that was passed out of Committee in 2024 (H.R. 8467) minus the agricultural provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) stated in the initial announcement that, “a new farm bill is long overdue, and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 is an important step forward in providing certainty to our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.” You can find the following resources for the 2026 Farm Bill below:

• Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 Bill Text
• Title By Title Overview
• Section-By-Section Overview
• Title By Title Summary

USDA announces Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework

On Wednesday, February 11, USDA introduced the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework, a four-part plan to reduce regulations and government intervention negatively impacting agricultural producers. The overall goal of this initiative first is to protect producers by increasing transparency, easing regulatory burdens, and opposing local government actions against farmers and ranchers. Second, the plan intends to expand available farmland by reducing government land acquisition and restrictions. Third, USDA will reduce environmental regulations and collaborate with other federal agencies to decrease the impact of regulations on land ownership and agriculture. Lastly, USDA will cooperate with state and local governments and private interests to protect private land ownership. The full text is available here.

 

USDA Issues Final Emergency Livestock Relief Program Payments for 2023 and 2024

On Friday, February 13, USDA issued $1.89 billion in final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments. The American Relief Act, 2025 allocated $2 billion in emergency relief payments to livestock producers affected by drought, wildfires, or flooding in 2023 and 2024. Eligible applicants for ELRP 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (FW) will receive a single lump sum payment, and producers who received an initial factored payment for losses due to eligible drought and wildfires will get a second payment. All programs have a payment limit of $125,000 per year, but producers can submit FSA-510, request for an exception to the $125,000 payment limitation for certain programs, to request a $250,000 payment limit. For more information, see the official press release here.

 

USDA Announces Farmer Bridge Assistance for Specialty Crops

On Friday, February 13, USDA announced $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program targeting specialty crops and sugar, as a second and smaller tranche of funding from the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program .Unfortunately, we were informed that wool was ultimately not considered as an eligible commodities under FBA despite our industry’s efforts. It is our understanding that USDA limited the list of specialty crops strictly to Appendix A & B of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) definition, which is supposedly the most limited scope USDA has taken when defining specialty crops. That being said, several other commodity organizations, such as timber, horticulture and floriculture, were also not included in this ad hoc assistance opportunity.

“While we’re disappointed wool was excluded, we’re actively engaging USDA to better understand the rationale and exhaust every option available,” said ASI President Ben Lehfeldt. “In the meantime, we remain focused on maintaining continuity of our programs and advocating for America’s sheep producers.”

As we receive further details and follow up from USDA, we will be sure to share any updates. ASI is taking this as an opportunity to continue pushing Congress and the Administration to support our programs and the interests of sheep producers.

 

ALB Showcases New Film Celebrating Our Stories, Our

Stewardship, and Our Future

At the 2025 American Sheep Industry Association’s Annual Convention in Reno last week, the American Lamb Board (ALB) debuted a new 8:30-minute film that puts you—America’s sheep producers—at the center of the story.

This new video, now hosted on ALB’s YouTube channel, showcases the diversity, resilience, and craftsmanship behind American Lamb, from the wide‑open west to innovative farm distilleries and leading restaurant kitchens. ALB will promote the film through media outreach and select film festivals to reach new audiences and grow demand for the lamb you raise.

“American sheep producers are doing incredible work every day—caring for their flocks, improving their land, and delivering a world‑class product,” said David Fisher, chairman of the American Lamb Board. “This film is about putting those stories on screen so consumers can see the craft, commitment, and community behind American Lamb. We want producers to feel proud of what they do, and we want consumers to understand that when they choose American Lamb, they are supporting families and farms in every region of this country.”

A Story Rooted in the Land and in Family

The film opens out west with multi-generational producer Peter John Camino and his family in Buffalo, Wyoming. Their story will feel familiar to many of you. As Peter says in the video, “Working with my family is great. I was taught how to work sheep. I turn around, and I’m teaching my sons and my grandkids how to work sheep.”

Their operation reflects what so many American sheep producers live every day: a way of life rooted in heritage, land stewardship, and a commitment to raising sheep with care and respect.

For producers like the Camino family, sheep are not just livestock—they are part of the family, and a foundation for passing on values of hard work, responsibility, and connection to the next generation.

Regenerative Partnerships: Sheep as a Tool for Healing the Land

The film then travels across the country to highlight how sheep are playing a powerful role in regenerative agriculture. At Maker’s Mark, a working farm distillery, 450 Katahdin sheep are a key part of a holistic, land‑first approach.

Through rotational grazing, sheep graze down cover crops, returning nutrients like nitrogen to the soil to build soil health and microbiome activity while supporting biodiversity.

Producer–partners at Maker’s Mark describe their philosophy simply: if they are not good stewards of the land today, they will not be making whiskey 200 years from now. Sheep are central to that long‑term vision.

For U.S. sheep producers, this segment underscores the message that sheep are one of the most versatile tools available for improving rangeland, pasture, and crop systems while also adding value through high‑quality lamb.

From Pasture to Plate: Chefs Championing American Lamb

The film then follows American Lamb from the pasture into the kitchen, showing how chefs bring their work to consumers’ plates.

At Maydan in Washington, D.C., Chef Rose Previte uses American Lamb to honor her Lebanese‑American heritage and the long tradition of lamb as a centerpiece for gatherings and celebrations. She shares how lamb was always the “special occasion food” in her family—from backyard barbecues to birthdays and holidays. At her restaurant, a signature lamb shoulder cooked low and slow, then finished over live fire, brings that heritage to life.

Chef Previte also highlights an important opportunity for producers and the entire supply chain: expanding the conversation beyond just the rack of lamb. Many consumers only recognize one or two premium cuts, but by showcasing a wider range of cuts, chefs can introduce guests to new flavors and more affordable options.

Your work matters to chefs, to diners, and to communities—and this film helps make that connection visible.

A Unified Message

Throughout the film, one theme ties every story together: American Lamb is about more than just great flavor. It is about the land, the people, and the care behind every bite.

From multi‑generation ranches in the west, to regenerative grazing systems in Kentucky, to live‑fire kitchens in Washington, D.C., the film shows how:

• Sheep connect families and generations on farms and ranches across the country.
• Sheep improve land health through carefully managed grazing.
• American Lamb brings people together around the table, whether at home or in restaurants.

 

Each plate of American Lamb becomes a conversation between the land, the maker, and the moment—an opportunity to share the story of U.S. sheep producers with every consumer.

Source: ALB