ASI Webinar: 2026 Wool Market Update
This new educational webinar provided sheep producers with a fast-paced update on current wool markets and how shifting demand is influencing value across the supply chain. Designed with practical, producer-focused insight, the program highlights how wool moves through key processing systems, what quality factors matter most to buyers, and what is driving pricing in 2026.
Strategic Plan Survey Reminder – Last Chance
ASI is building a new 5-year strategic plan under Executive Director Mike Michener and producer input is a key part of getting it right. If you haven’t yet, please take the short survey and share your top priorities, biggest challenges, and one action ASI can take to make the most impact. Quick bullet-point answers are welcome. Submit by May 15, 2026.
Apply Now for ASI’s $3,000 Sheep Heritage Scholarship
ASI’s Sheep Heritage Foundation Memorial Scholarship is open and awards one U.S.-based graduate student (MS or Ph.D.) advancing the sheep industry through sheep and/or wool research. Applications are due May 31, 2026. If you have a student (or know one) doing sheep-related research, please share this opportunity and encourage them to apply.
ASI’s New Executive Director Visits DC
This week, the American Sheep Industry’s (ASI) new Executive Director, Mike Michener, hit the road and spent the week in Washington, DC. The trip focused heavily on introductory meetings on Capitol Hill, including discussions with both House and Senate Agriculture Committees to highlight ASI priorities and underscore the importance of a reauthorized farm bill for the domestic sheep industry. While in town, Michener also engaged extensively with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, meeting with officials from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and the Agricultural Marketing Service to discuss wool and lamb markets, trade, and disease prevention. His visit also included interactions with House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, as well as broader engagement with allied agriculture organizations, helping position ASI and its leadership as an active and collaborative voice in Washington.
Wool Markets See Some Increases, Some Decreases
This week, the EMI posted increases ($0.03 to $0.15 per pound clean basis) in the coarser microns and saw decreases (-$0.03 to -$0.13) in the finer microns. Even with some decreases, prices remain very strong.
About the EMI: The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) is the key benchmark index of Australian wool auction prices and is widely used as a global wool market indicator.