Webinar Looks at Grazing During Disease Outbreak
Public lands grazers should make plans now to attend the Grazing Public Lands: Guidance and Resources in a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak webinar set for May 13 at 2 p.m. eastern time.
Managing livestock grazing public lands in an FMD outbreak poses unique challenges for sheep and cattle ranchers. An effective response will require interagency collaboration with federal land management agencies and state and federal officials managing the outbreak.
With U.S. Department of Agriculture National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program funding, the American Sheep Industry Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association assembled an advisory group of public lands grazing stakeholders consisting of Western states sheep and cattle producers, the Public Lands Council, state animal health officials, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Wildlife Services and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
This group collaborated to determine livestock management options and movement decision criteria guidance. Learn more about this project, the outcome and resources available from ASI and NCBA.
Click Here to participate.
No registration is required, but only 350 spots will be available. Participants can also join the audio-only webinar option by calling 551-285-1373 or 646-828-7666. The meeting ID is 160 149 6343.
NSIP Seeks New Executive Director
The National Sheep Improvement Program is seeking candidates for the position of executive director. Applications are currently being accepted. Candidate review will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected. Candidates are encouraged to submit their application no later than May 15.
The primary role of the executive director is to assure the effective and efficient operation of NSIP. All specific responsibilities of the position are in support of this primary role. Responsibilities such as promotion and industry education assure NSIP is fulfilling its program objective of providing quantitative genetic analysis to the nation’s sheep flock. Also, by assuming much of the daily activities of the program, the board of directors can focus its attention on broader developments within NSIP.
Click Here for more information.
Source: NSIP
PLC Has Position to Fill
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is looking to hire a director of government affairs and Public Lands Council in Washington, D.C.
The director advocates and communicates with Congress, the administration, agencies and industry stakeholders on issues related to administration of grazing permits on federal lands and various issues affecting a wide variety of grazing operations. This individual is a member of the NCBA Natural Resources policy team and will engage with the executive director and other policy staff on issues related to wildlife, water, air, property rights and issues affecting cattle and beef producers nationwide.
This individual concurrently serves as director of the Public Lands Council, in which capacity they represent cattle and sheep producers who hold federal grazing permits in Western states. In this capacity, they assist the executive director in carrying out PLC policy and purposes, including advocacy, communications, research and efforts to promote the longevity of public lands grazing in the Western United States.
Click Here for more information.
Source: NCBA/PLC
Australian Wool Market Suffers Setback
After two successive series of rises – and three without an overall fall – the Australian wool market retracted this week. There were 39,229 bales available to the trade, which was the smallest sale since the beginning of March.
The majority of the losses were felt on the first selling day. The individual Micron Price Guides for Merino fleece dropped by between 9 and 66 cents. These losses – combined with overall weakness in the crossbreds, skirtings and cardings – resulted in an 18-cent fall in the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator.
On the second selling day, the market settled. In the Eastern centers the prices on offer were generally within 10 cents of those achieved during the previous day. A stronger crossbred market helped to minimize the downward movement of the EMI, which dropped by 2 cents for the day. The EMI finished the week 20 cents lower, closing at 1,152 Australian cents – a 1.8-percent reduction.
A weakened Australian dollar – the AUD lost 49 cents compared to the USD since last week – meant that the fall was larger in USD terms. The EMI fell by 19 U.S. cents, finishing at 745 U.S. cents – a drop of 2.5 percent.
A positive sign for the following series, the market finished strongly in the West, with all Merino fleece MPGs recording positive movements – between 4 and 14 cents – to close out the series. Although a similar amount has been offered this season – 3,940 less bales – compared to the previous season, the total dollar amount sold is well down. There has been a total of $1,902 million worth of wool sold this season, this is $167 million lower than the previous season.
Next week a similar size sale is expected. There are currently 41,475 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Click Here for the Australian Wool Report Prices in US Dollars Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
Take Your Seat in Ag Allies Class
Are you interested in becoming a stronger, more effective communicator for agriculture? The Animal Agriculture Alliance – of which the American Sheep Industry Association is a member – is looking for emerging voices within the animal agriculture community to take part in the Animal Ag Allies program.
This program empowers farmers, ranchers, practicing veterinarians, and food and industry professionals to be outspoken advocates for agriculture online and within their communities. Participants will be ready to serve on the front lines of responding to emerging issues and sharing positive content about animal agriculture.
Click Here to learn more.
Source: Animal Agriculture Alliance
Kentucky Offers Small Ruminant Boot Camp
The Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association is co-hosting a Small Ruminant Boot Camp & FAMACHA/SRQA Certification this month.
The camp will offer three online sessions on May 13, May 20 and May 27 and conclude with an in-person clinic on June 1 in Campton, Ken. The online videos can be watched after their initial airing, but must be completed by June 1 to take part in the in-person clinic and certifications.
Click Here to register.
Source: KSWPA
Southdown Sheep Graduate from Conservation List
The Southdown sheep breed has graduated off The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.
The Livestock Conservancy recently released its 2024 Conservation Priority List. The roster of more than 180 breeds across 11 species ranks the extinction threat for America’s farm animals. Working closely with breed associations, breeders and conservationists, The Livestock Conservancy conducts a thorough analysis of data on each breed’s status, risks and opportunities. The results place each breed in one of four categories from critical – most endangered – to recovering. The annual list drives specific conservation programs, outreach efforts and promotion of heritage breeds. Thousands turn to the CPL when selecting heritage livestock and poultry breeds for their operations. This is the 38th year for the CPL.
“More than 4,000 volunteer breeders and 150-plus breed associations work diligently to ensure these endangered breeds don’t disappear from our farms, ranches and backyards throughout America,” explained Dr. Judy Brummer, interim executive director of The Livestock Conservancy. “In addition to historical roles often tracing back more than 500 years in North America, these breeds make important contributions to our country’s sustainable food and fiber needs of today and tomorrow.”
Southdown sheep – a dual-purpose animal raised both for wool and meat – are early maturing and prolific with lambing, making the breed an excellent choice for homesteaders and small farms.
Click Here to learn more.
Source: The Livestock Conservancy
The Kitchen is Heating Up with American Lamb
The calendar turned a page, and May is an exciting new month with a fantastic lineup of American lamb dishes and online cooking courses that will satisfy any palette. Of course, May kicked off the annual Lamb Jam events, which will generate 56 new mouth-watering American lamb dishes, but there is so much more going on.
Homemade is the largest online cooking school. Through a long-term partnership with ALB, Homemade connects with consumers through monthly online classes, appearances on three episodes of Homemade Live, the site’s PBS television show (2.5 million impressions per episode), and four new recipes with photos and videos each month.
“The online classes and easy-to-follow recipes are a great way to inspire friends and customers looking to cook up their own delicious American lamb dishes,” said ALB Chair Jeff Ebert “It takes the fear out of trying new dishes when you have easy-to-follow instructions.”
Invite your network to visit the recipe page on the American lamb site for amazing new dishes from the chefs at Homemade. Need something quick and easy? Consider the American Lamb Kabobs with Harissa Tahini Recipe or fire up the grill and try the Grilled Garam Masala American Lamb Loin Chops with Mint Raita.
Or try one of the new recipes featuring readily accessible and affordable ground American lamb:
In addition to these amazing recipes, the Homemade Network will host a cooking class featuring American lamb every month with the next class scheduled for May 21 featuring a Lamb Tagine. This recipe features American lamb slow cooked with a heap of spices. Cooking alongside the world-class chefs in the virtual class, you’ll never be afraid to braise again. Typically, more than 600 consumers register for the lamb classes. Sign up for the free course, and you’ll get immediate access to the recipe to have all the ingredients on hand.
ALB is sponsoring a class hosted by Nicolle from Convino Board on May 9. Consumers will learn how to add American lamb to mezze boards as a great way to introduce friends and family to American lamb at parties and social gatherings.
Nicolle will guide you through the step-by-step process for putting together a beautiful spread of lamb, veggies, dips and more, all from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Source: ALB
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.
Thompson Releases Summary for House Farm Bill
First thing Wednesday morning, House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (Penn.) released a high-level, title-by-title overview of what can be expected of the House majority’s version of the Farm Bill. This comes after the recent Farm Bill listening sessions Thompson’s staff have been holding for agricultural stakeholders.
It is expected in the coming weeks for the majority to release a more comprehensive framework leading up to the Farm Bill markup. The full committee markup has been confirmed for May 23, to which bill text is expected to be released five days before.
Click Here for the title-by-title summary of Chairman Thompson’s 2024 Farm Bill overview.
Stabenow Releases Draft Farm Bill Summaries
Late Wednesday morning, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) unveiled a preview of her Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. The release included both a high-level summary of the contents of the Senate majority’s version of the Farm Bill, as well as a nearly 100-page section-by-section summary that provides more details on the contents of each title.
Following the announcement, Ranking Member John Boozman (Ark.) released a statement saying, “the release of the majority’s framework is a welcome development,” and that his team will release their framework after the House considers its bill toward the end of May.
Click Here for a full summary of the Senate majority’s bill.
Click Here for the section-by-section summary.