March 12, 2026
ASI Advocates for Sheep Health in Federal Drug Approval Review
A new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on FDA’s conditional approval pathway reinforces the importance of strengthening incentives to expand animal drug options for minor species, including sheep and goats. ASI directly engaged with GAO during it’s 2025 stakeholder outreach, providing input on the unique animal health challenges facing sheep producers and the limited availability of approved treatments for minor species as the agency evaluated what is working within the program and where improvements are needed.
The report includes recommendations to FDA and identifies potential congressional action aimed at encouraging future innovation and helping address ongoing animal health needs.
ASI Launching New Elevate Wool Program
ASI is launching Elevate Wool, a new education series to help producers strengthen wool quality and capture more value. Expect webinars with industry experts, producer highlights, and practical resources throughout the season. Stay tuned for more details and first webinar dates.
Watch the Short Film ‘Counting Sheep’
The American Solar Grazing Association’s (ASGA) new short film, Counting Sheep, follows Indiana producers Greg and Evan Gunthorp as they raise grass-fed lamb on a large solar site. The story highlights a growing opportunity for sheep producers: keeping land in agricultural production under solar panels while creating additional acreage, revenue, and long term flexibility for independent farms. The Gunthorps see solar grazing as the next big opportunity for family farms to innovate, stay relevant, and thrive. ASI encourages members and state associations to watch and share with partners interested in agrivoltaics.
FDA Authorizes NWS Topical Spray for Sheep
On March 10, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide to help prevent and treat New World screwworm (NWS) infestations in multiple species including sheep, goats, cattle, horses, deer and other hoof stock, wild/exotic mammals, and wild/pet birds. The FDA notes most animals in the U.S. are at low risk, but exposure risk is higher near the U.S.-Mexico border or after travel to countries with active cases.The product is available over-the-counter without a prescription. The FDA also outlined withdrawal times for food safety. ASI encourages sheep producers, especially those in the Southern U.S., to become familiar with this pest so it can be quickly recognized if it enters the country.
ASI is working year-round to advance producer priorities across the country. Here’s what’s happening, what it means, and what’s next.
USDA and USACE announce construction of new sterile fly production facility
On Monday, March 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), announced an update to the construction of a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. As of Monday, the agency partners have contracted Mortenson to begin construction of the air base. Construction will begin late Spring 2026 and is expected to reach the initial production goal of 100 million sterile flies per week, increasing to 300 million sterile flies per week in the long-term. The facility is part of the USDA’s five-prong New World Screwworm (NWS) initiative to increase domestic response capacity to the spread of NWS from the southern border.
USDA Trade Under Secretary testifies before House Appropriations Ag Subcommittee
Last week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies called U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Luke Lindberg to testify for an oversight hearing. Republicans and Democrats offered broad support for reducing U.S. reliance on foreign markets and agreed on the importance of increasing U.S. agricultural exports. Republicans focused on reducing the agricultural trade deficit, promoting America First trade policies, and exploring the benefits of a buy American approach. Democrats emphasized concerns about the transition of the Food for Peace program, the impact of the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), USDA staff reductions, and the need for lawful administration of food aid funds. Members of both parties raised questions concerning specialty crops and how USDA plans to protect farmers from non-tariff barriers. Other topics discussed included the farm bill, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and foreign dumping practices.
Global Wool Market
Wool prices continued to climb this week, according to the Australian Wool Exchange (the global market indicator). Fine wools saw meaningful increases. Stronger wools (25 micron and above) remained steady with slight increases and decreases.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.