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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.

Klobuchar to Jump in MN Governor Race, Leaving Room for New Senate Ag Dem Leadership

On Thursday, January 29, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) officially announced her intent to run for governor of Minnesota after much speculation of her candidacy. She aims to succeed current Democratic Governor Tim Walz, who has already publicized that he will not seek re-election. Minnesota election laws do not prohibit a candidate from running for governor while already holding an elected office. Therefore, Sen. Klobuchar will not have to give up her seat in the Senate while running, which is not up for reelection until 2030. Notably, if Sen. Klobuchar were to win the gubernational election, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is likely to be the front runner for the top Democratic spot on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. This is largely because the three other Senators ahead of him in seniority, including Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), have announced their upcoming retirements from the Senate. Sen. Booker has already expressed interest and excitement in taking on the role within the Committee. During his time on the Committee, he has focused on increasing access to healthy foods, improving child nutrition, and preventing large scale agricultural concentration. He is a vegan and a strong supporter of animal welfare. He has been outspoken on many techniques used by the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to combat feral hogs, particularly aerial gunning. Sen. Booker has spoken against agricultural commodity checkoff programs, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), and meat packing plants.

USDA New World Screwworm Update

On Friday, January 30, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced an update to its strategic placement of sterile flies as a means of fighting against New World Screwworm (NWS) infection. This will include a shift in fly placement to be disbursed 50 miles into Texas, near Tamaulipas, Mexico.

For more information on the update, please see the official press release.

ASI 2026 Spring Trip to Washington, D.C.

 

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) will host its annual Spring Trip to Washington, D.C., March 2–5, 2026. Sheep producers and industry leaders will meet with USDA on Tuesday Morning, March 3, followed by congressional visits beginning Tuesday afternoon and continuing on Wednesday, March 4. This annual trip provides an important opportunity to advocate for issues impacting the U.S. sheep industry directly with federal policymakers. Producers interested in attending should contact their state sheep association executive to coordinate participation.

 

For questions, contact ASI at 303-771-3500:

• Ext. 108 – Zahrah Khan

 

DEF Relief? EPA Takes New Action for Farmers and Truckers

Farmers and truckers dealing with costly Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system issues may finally see some relief. The EPA is taking new steps to ensure engine manufacturers provide fixes and data access, following recent right-to-repair guidance. Forced downtime has also been reduced, allowing for essential work to be completed. These actions aim to reduce equipment shutdowns, derates, and unexpected repair costs — a welcome development for anyone relying on equipment with DEF.


Click Here to read the full article.

Prepare Ahead to Make Your Shearing A Success

 

It takes 12 months to grow a quality fleece, but that hard work can be diminished in just a few moments. Preparing ahead of time is the best way to ensure your shearing day is a success for everyone involved. By prioritizing communication and having the area, labor and supplies ready, you can protect your sheep’s well-being, support your shearer, and enhance the value of your wool.

Click Here to see the full checklist of steps to prepare for shearing.

Spring Shearing Schools Scheduled Across the U.S.

 

Spring is just around the corner, and that means the main shearing season is approaching! Whether you’re new to sheep shearing or looking to sharpen your skills, several spring shearing schools are scheduled across the country to help shearers prepare for the busy season.

 

These hands-on schools offer valuable instruction and the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in the industry.
Don’t miss these opportunities to build your shearing skills, improve animal welfare, and get ready for a successful spring season!

The Australian wool market

The Australian wool market has bounced back from the losses experienced during the previous series, recording an overall increase across both selling days. There were 38,736 bales available to the trade, 4,846 bales fewer than in the previous sale, which was the largest sale of the previous twelve months. Of the bales on offer 37,466 were sold, meaning just 3.3% failed to reach seller reserve, again highlighting the fact that most sellers have been prepared to meet the current market levels. On the opening day of selling, the market recorded healthy rises in the merino fleece sector. The Micron Price Guides (MPGs) for 19.5 micron and finer rose between 5 and 44 cents. The skirtings also recorded rises, generally in line with the fleece. The crossbreds recorded very little change, while the oddments recorded further rises. The result of these market movements was a 10-cent rise in the benchmark Eastern Market Indicator (EMI), the EMI finished the day at 1,675 cents. Due to a small fall in the AUD compared to the USD the EMI finished the day unchanged. On the second day of selling only Sydney and Melbourne were in operation, meaning there was a smaller volume of wool available to the trade for the day. The market generally maintained the levels on offer of the previous day, although there were a few selected MPGs across the centres that lost ground. The EMI added 2 cents for the day, finishing the week 12 cents higher, closing at 1,677 cents. The USD EMI had another unchanged day, finishing where it started, 1,177 cents. The oddments have now risen for every week of the current calendar year. This series the three Merino Carding (MC) indictors rose by an average of over 14 cents. Next week’s offering is of a similar size. The is currently expected to be 37,971 bales on offer nationally.

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

Meet the MVP of Game Day: American Lamb

 

The American Lamb Board has teamed up with Darryl Postelnick to promote American Lamb for game-day celebrations this weekend.  Darryl is the beloved chef behind Cooking with Darryl — the viral cooking sensation known for his relatable style and fun at-home recipes that have captivated millions online.  With millions of followers across social platforms (and growing every day), Darryl brings a fresh, accessible approach to crowd-pleasing food — straight from his kitchen to home cooks everywhere. His approachable style is helping introduce more consumers to American Lamb and inspire them to cook with it more often.

This week, Darryl hosted a live Instagram class featuring two irresistible new game-day American Lamb recipes – a gyro and a burger themed bowl.  Attendees voted on their favorite dish for a chance to win American Lamb to dazzle their friends and family. The most popular recipe was the American Lamb Gyro Bowl:

4 American Lamb loin chops, cut into small chunks

Marinade:

  • ¼ red onion
  • Chop a few cloves of garlic
  • Rosemary
  • 2 tbl EVOO
  • ½ lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • Salt & Pepper

Tzatziki sauce:

  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ½ shredded cucumber, squeeze out water
  • Couple cloves of garlic
  • 2 tbl EVOO
  • ½ lemon juice
  • Chop 1 tsp of fresh dill
  • Salt to taste

To make the Bowl, use:

  • Chopped Cucumbers
  • Chopped Grape tomatoes
  • Naan cut into pieces
  • Feta cheese
  • Pepperoncini peppers
  • Red onion
  • Tzatziki sauce
  • Chickpeas

Mix the marinade ingredients together and add cubed lamb an hour before grilling.  Grill lamb till cooked to 145 degrees and rest 3 minutes.  Assemble the bowls with the lamb, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, diced red onions, pepperoncini peppers, sliced naan and drizzle with tzatziki sauce.

Whether people are hosting a big watch party or keeping it low-key, these bowls deliver bold flavor and easy prep — perfect for fueling fans through every touchdown while showcasing the versatility of American Lamb.

“These fun, straightforward recipes are exactly what we need to make lamb more approachable for everyday cooks,” says David Fisher, the American Lamb Board chairman. “By partnering with creators like Darryl, we’re showing consumers that American Lamb is not only delicious, but easy to prepare for any occasion, from game day to weeknight dinners.”

Source: ALB

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