ASI Leaders Prepare to Head to Washington D.C. Next Week
On March 2, producers from across the country will travel to Washington, D.C. for ASI’s annual fly-in, a packed schedule of face-to-face meetings where members share real ranch and market realities with decision-makers. Day one focuses on USDA and other ag-related agency briefings. The following days include Capitol Hill visits (often with members of Congress or their agriculture staff), time with ASI’s partners at Cornerstone Government Affairs, and a rooftop reception serving American lamb to congressional offices, agency staff, and ASI delegates.
ASI leaders will be representing the interests of sheep producers on these national issues:
- Farm Bill Reauthorization and Risk Management: Include direction in the next Farm Bill requiring USDA to develop a lamb margin coverage-style risk management program for domestic sheep producers.
- Trade: Support trade relief measures, including tariffs and safeguard actions, to address the surge in foreign lamb imports.
- H2-A: Ensure agricultural labor reform includes a minimum of 2,500 annual herder specific visas and codification of current sheepherder special procedures.
- Wool Economic Assistance: Explicitly include wool as an eligible commodity in federal trade and market relief programs.
- Minor Species Pharmaceuticals: Restore and fund the USDA Minor Use Animal Drug Program, strengthen FDA Office of Minor Use, provide meaningful economic incentives, and reform approval pathways to ensure parity with foreign competitors.
- Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting: Amend confidentiality guidelines within Livestock Mandatory Reporting to improve transparency and access to price data.
- FY27 Appropriation Requests: Support full funding for USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Operations, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Scrapie Eradication Program, and Bighorn Sheep management in domestic grazing allotments.
Participating state associations will also be meeting with their state representatives to discuss priority issues in their states.
ASI provides issue packets, one-pagers, and logistics so members can focus on telling their story.
Review more details here
USDA Seeks Organizations to Nominate Members to the American Lamb Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from lamb producers, seedstock producers, feeders or first handler organizations interesting in nominating members to the American Lamb Board. Applications are due by March 25, 2026.
The board is composed of six American lamb producer representatives, three feeder representatives, three first handlers and one seedstock producer. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints board members from nominations submitted by certified organizations.
Click Here to read more.
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 Update to Reorganization
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, USDA announced it will vacate and dispose of its South Building headquarters in Washington, D.C., as part of its broader reorganization and plan to relocate a significant portion of its D.C.-based workforce, citing chronic underutilization and an estimated $1.6 billion in deferred maintenance costs. USDA will turn the South Building over to the General Services Administration for sale and aims to fully empty the facility by the end of the year. Rather than issuing a single department-wide relocation notice, USDA leadership said it will make mission-area-by-mission-area announcements in the coming weeks to identify where employees currently housed in the South Building will be reassigned. Most affected positions are expected to relocate to one of five regional hubs—Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Fort Collins, Colorado; or Salt Lake City, Utah—though some staff may be placed in other USDA facilities. Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden said USDA intends to provide employees with location decisions in the coming months. For more information, please see the official press release here.
House Ag Postpones Farm Bill Markup to Week of March 1:
On Sunday, February 22, the House Agriculture Committee Republicans informed stakeholders that the markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 would be postponed to the week of March 1 due to the inclement weather impacting a large part of the country, especially the Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region. The markup was originally scheduled to begin the afternoon of Monday, February 23, and go through Wednesday, February 25th. The new start date and time for the markup has yet to be announced and confirmed by the Committee.
You can watch the markup live here and 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
Supreme Court Issues Ruling Overturning IEEPA Tariff Authority
On Friday, February 19, the U.S. Supreme Court released their opinion on the highly anticipated Learning Resources v. Trump case, generally overturning the President’s use of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for tariff authority. The decision was 6-3 with Justices Alito, Thomas, and Kavanaugh dissenting. Shortly following the decision, President Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a global tariff rate of 10%. Following the initial announcement, President Trump posted on Truth Social announcing the global tariff rate will be increased to 15% effective immediately, although related details and parameters are still forthcoming and yet to be confirmed through official documentation from the Administration. This authority is to address a “large and serious balance-of-payment deficit” and can stay in effect for no more than 150 days unless Congress authorizes an extension. Certain agricultural products are exempted, including beef, tomatoes, and oranges according to the executive order (EO) released on February 20. It also states that natural resources and fertilizers that cannot be produced in sufficient quantities to meet domestic demand are exempted. Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs are still in place. See the EO here. See the fact sheet here. See the Supreme Court majority opinion here.
USDA Proposes Rule for Faster Pork and Poultry Processing Line Speeds
On Tuesday, February 17, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service proposed two new rule changes to allow faster line speeds at pork and poultry processing facilities. Maximum line speeds under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS) would be based on the ability to maintain processing control, and the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) maximum line speed would depend on the time needed for effective online carcass inspection. This new rule is part of a larger initiative to decrease food costs and strengthen the supply chain. For more information, the NSIS rule can be found here and the NPIS rule can be found here.
UW Extension to Offer Lambing Webinar Series Next Month
On Tuesday, March 17, the University of Wyoming Extension Sheep Task Force will host a free webinar about managing flock health around lambing season. The webinar, which is the first of two episodes, will discuss strategies for mitigating ewe and lamb stress from late gestation through docking. The second webinar will be hosted Thursday, March 26. Both webinars will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Click Here for more information.
Faribault Mill offers limited-edition blankets to support Team USA athletes
Faribault Mill, the historic Minnesota textile maker in operation since 1865, has released a limited-edition line of blankets in partnership with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the USA Bobsled Team to support Team USA athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. A portion of proceeds from each purchase of the Team USA-branded throws will be donated back to help athletes in their pursuit of gold. The heirloom-quality blankets — made in the U.S. from natural materials and featuring patriotic designs — reflect both American craftsmanship and Team USA pride.
Click Here to read more.
5 Surprising Places You’ll Find Wool in 2026
Wool isn’t just for cozy sweaters anymore — in 2026 this renewable, biodegradable fibre is showing up in some unexpected places thanks to its natural performance qualities. NASA research has highlighted Merino wool as an ideal base layer for astronauts aboard the International Space Station, prized for its odour resistance and flame resistance, while premium electric vehicles are adopting wool interiors for safety and comfort. Lanolin from wool continues to be a sought-after ingredient in skincare, and wool’s acoustic properties are being used in studios and theaters for superior sound control. Even gardeners are putting wool to work as a slow-release organic fertiliser that enriches soil as it biodegrades.
Click Here to read more.
The Australian wool market
The Australian wool market has performed admirably in this series, recording an overall rise whilst dealing with a larger than normal offering. The sales resumed after holding a one-week recess for Chinese New Year. Wool accumulated over the recess resulted in a national offering of 50,701 bales; this was the largest national offering since Jan 2023. Many industry observers were predicting a cheaper market, these predictions based on the national quantity and sales made during the recess. As is often the case, the wool market defied expectations, recording overall increases across all three selling days. On the opening day, the benchmark Eastern market indicator (EMI) rose by 4 cents, with only marginal rises apparent. On the second day the gains were more significant, resulting in a 12-cent increase in the EMI. On the final day only Melbourne was in operation, as they required three selling days, the first three-day sale in Melbourne since April 2024. The EMI added a further 7 cents. This pushed the daily run of EMI increases to eight. The EMI has now only fallen on one selling day in 2026, the 28th of January, when it fell 27 cents, but worth noting, on this day it gained 27 US cents. The EMI opened the year at 1,541 cents, with the rises of this series the EMI finished the week at 1,716 cents, meaning the EMI has added 175 cents this so far this calendar year, an increase of 11.4%. The clearance rate was again high this week, showing most sellers willing to meet the market, just 4.1% of the national offering was passed in. The strongest performing sector of the series was the cardings. Strong demand on locks, stains and crutchings resulted in large gains. This was reflected in the three Merino Carding Indicators (MC) which rose by an average of 70 cents across the three centres.
The American Lamb Checkoff: Frequently Asked Questions
The national lamb checkoff, directed by the American Lamb Board (ALB), is funded by mandatory assessments paid by all segments of the sheep industry.
Under federal law, all sheep or lambs of any age—including ewes, rams, feeder lambs, market lambs, breeding stock and cull animals—are subject to the national lamb checkoff assessment at the time of every sale.
What Is a Direct Marketer?
A direct marketer is a producer who retains ownership of some or all of their lambs or sheep through production, feeding and harvest, and sells directly to consumers, retailers and/or chefs.
Direct marketers typically use a local processor or butcher for custom harvest. In some cases—particularly for ethnic markets or holiday sales—they may sell animals directly off the farm.
Because they serve as both the producer and the first handler, direct marketers are responsible for paying both the live weight assessment and the first handler assessment, remitting payment directly to the American Lamb Board.
What Is a First Handler?
A first handler is the owner of the animal at the time of slaughter. This may include a packer, processor or direct marketer. The first handler is responsible for remitting the applicable first handler assessment.
What Is an Exporter?
An exporter is any individual or entity that ships live lambs or sheep outside of the United States. Exporters are responsible for remitting the live weight assessment to ALB at the time of export.
Do 4-H, FFA and Seedstock Sales Pay the Checkoff?
Yes. Fair boards, sale managers and 4-H/FFA clubs may collect and remit the live weight assessment directly to ALB. Alternatively, they may deduct the assessment at the time of sale and pass the responsibility to the buyer, who then becomes the first handler and is responsible for remitting both the live weight and first handler assessments.
What Is USDA’s Role?
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversees the American Lamb Checkoff to ensure funds are collected and used in accordance with federal law. More information is available at ams.usda.gov.
How Do I Send My Assessment?
Assessments must be submitted with Form LS-81 (Monthly Remittance Report).
The form is available at Lambboard.com or by calling (303) 759-3001.
Remittances can be submitted online, or you may mail Form LS-81 along with payment to:
American Lamb Board
23029 Network Place
Chicago, IL 60673-1230
Where Can I Find More Information Online?
Visit American Lamb Board online at Lambboard.com Helpful resources—including reports, the Long Range Plan, program information and financial transparency documents—can be found here: https://lambboard.com/reports
How Do I Contact the American Lamb Board?
The American Lamb Board team is happy to answer questions about the lamb checkoff, provide industry information and assist with promotional resources.
303-759-3001
Source: ALB