ASI Seeking Magazine Editor
The American Sheep Industry Association is looking to hire an editor/writer for the Sheep Industry News magazine. Interested applicants can submit a cover letter and resume to Zahrah Khan at [email protected]. No phone calls please.
The position will entail writing, editing and photography for the association’s monthly magazine, and possibly additional communications duties, such as developing online content.
The American Sheep Industry Association is the national organization representing the interests of more than 100,000 sheep producers located throughout the United States. From East to West, pasture-based flocks to range operations. ASI’s Headquarters office is in Englewood, Colo.
Made in the USA: From Sheep to Factory
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the process of taking American-grown wool to a finished blazer entirely within the United States. Writer Sam Schube tells the story of Jacob Hurwitz and American Trench.
“As he and his small team built out their offering, one garment in particular eluded him: the classic navy blazer, beloved by country club members and public-school teachers alike. It’s an iconic piece of American design. But actually making one in America is easier said than done,” Hurwitz wrote.
Click Here to read the full story.
Click Here to learn more about American Trench.
Source: Wall Street Journal
USDA Combating New World Screwworm
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins this week provided an update on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ongoing partnership with Mexico to combat the New World Screwworm.
Rollins held a call with her counterpart in Mexico – Sec. Berdegue – to discuss the ongoing threat of NWS and actions being taken by both countries to contain the threat south of the United States border. USDA is working daily with Mexico to make sure the resources, tactics and tools are in place to effectively eradicate NWS.
Additionally, Rollins announced the USDA is investing $21 million to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico, to further the long-term goal of eradicating this insect. When operational, this facility will produce 60 to 100 million additional sterile NWS flies weekly to push the population further south in Mexico. Given the geographic spread of NWS, this additional production capacity will be critical to our response.
“Our partnership with Mexico is crucial in making this effort a success,” said Rollins. “We are continuing to work closely with Mexico to push NWS away from the United States and out of Mexico. The investment I am announcing today is one of many efforts my team is making around the clock to protect our animals, our farm economy and the security of our nation’s food supply.”
Current restrictions on live animal imports from Mexico remain in place, and as previously announced, USDA will continue to evaluate the current suspension every 30 days.
USDA and its partners have used sterile insect technique along with other strategies such as intense surveillance and import controls for decades to eradicate and effectively keep NWS at bay. Currently, U.S. supported sterile insect rearing and dispersal operations in Mexico and Central America have been operating at full production capacity, with up to 44 flights a week releasing 100 million sterile flies. All flies used today are raised in the Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm Facility in Panama. This investment in the Metapa facility in Mexico will allow USDA to double the use of SIT.
Source: USDA
Change Noted for ASI Photo Contest
Entries for the 2025 ASI Photo Contest should now be submitted to ASI Graphic Designer Parand Malekani at [email protected].
If you’ve already submitted entries since the original announcement earlier in May, there is no need to resubmit.
Click Here for more information on the contest.
Lamb Jam Sells Out D.C. Event
The 2025 Lamb Jam Tour made a flavorful stop in Washington, D.C., on May 21, transforming Autoshop – an exceptional venue in the lively Union Market District – into a true lamb-lover’s paradise.
Seven local chefs crafted unique lamb bites for 200 guests, who enjoyed the dishes alongside craft beverages, sheep’s milk cheeses and vibrant entertainment. From the photo booth and caricature artist to the energetic beats, every element of the evening came together to create a memorable celebration centered around American lamb.
“The D.C. Lamb Jam was a powerful celebration of our mission to elevate American lamb and support the culinary creativity of chefs,” said ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert. “It set the tone for the rest of the tour, and we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout or more engaged crowd.”
The evening culminated in a friendly culinary competition, as guests cast their votes to crown the D.C. Lamb Jam Master. Dishes highlighted the incredible versatility of lamb – from ribs to braised shoulder to lamb bacon.
Lamb Jam Master: Rakesh Singh, Rasika, Goan Lamb Cutlet.
Second Place: Elle, Grilled Lamb Ribs.
Third Place: Maketto, Taiwanese Slack Noodle Soup.
The next Lamb Jam stop is on June 18 in San Francisco, where eight area chefs will create more impressive American lamb creations at another epic dining experience that celebrates the dedication of family-operated farms and ranches raising sheep across the United States. Tickets are still available for this event and upcoming events in Seattle, Denver and Boston.
Click Here for more information.
Australian Wool Market
The Australian wool experienced a selling series where very little changed. The national offering was within a thousand bales of the previous week as there were 26,278 bales on offer.
The Australian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar went down by 0.05 cents, hardly a currency movement to influence the market. The benchmark Eastern Market Indicator rose by the barest of margins, adding 1 cent for the series after an unchanged opening day, followed by a 1-cent rise on the second day. When viewed in USD terms, the EMI was unchanged. The movements in the individual AWEX Micron Price Guides were more varied.
Across all centers and all microns – both Merino and crossbred – the MPG movements ranged between positive 19 cents (18 micron in the North) to negative 24 cents (16.5 micron in the South). On the first day, the EMI rose by 4 U.S. cents. This was the fourth selling day in a row where the EMI rose in USD terms. As the season draws to a close, there are plenty of positives in the market. The EMI opened the season at 1,129 cents and is currently trading 75 cents higher at 1,204 Australian cents – an increase of 6.6 percent. In USD terms, the EMI opened at 750 cents and the season to date 26-cent rise equates to an increase of 3.5 percent.
Another positive was the increase in the amount of Merino fleece wool carrying less than 1 percent vegetable matter – a highly sought after type. After a steady decline last week, just 31.7 percent of the offering was less than 1 percent vm. This week’s figure increased by 7.7 percent to 39.4 percent. This rise can be partly attributed to older wool, grown when seasonal conditions were more favorable.
Next week, Fremantle will not be in operation. With only Sydney and Melbourne on the program there are expected to be 23,655 bales on offer.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
USDA Provides Drought/Wildfire Assistance for Grazing Losses
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced this week the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Rollins committed on May 7 to release these emergency payments by May 30.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is leveraging existing Livestock Forage Disaster Program data to streamline payment calculations and expedite relief. Emergency relief payments are automatically issued for producers who have an approved LFP application on file for 2023 and/or 2024, and do not have to contact USDA to receive payments.
“The Department of Agriculture is stepping up to support livestock producers by expediting disaster payments when drought and wildfires strike. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has the backs of ranchers, and that’s why we are delivering much-needed emergency relief ahead of schedule,” said Rollins.
The American Relief Act 2025, provided funds for emergency relief payments. This program is the first of two programs authorized to assist with eligible losses suffered by livestock producers. FSA will announce additional ELRP assistance for other losses authorized by the act – including flooding – later this summer. FSA expects demand for this first program to be great, so the ELRP payments will be factored at 35 percent. If additional funds remain, FSA may issue a second payment.
USDA is fully committed to expediting remaining disaster assistance provided by the American Relief Act 2025. On May 7, USDA launched its 2023-2024 Supplemental Disaster Assistance public landing page, where the status of USDA disaster assistance and block grant rollout timeline can be tracked. The page is updated regularly and accessible through fsa.usda.gov.
The act also authorized $10 billion in economic loss assistance to producers of covered commodities based on 2024 planted and prevented planted acres. To date, USDA has delivered more than $7.7 billion to producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). The ECAP deadline is Aug. 15. Contact your local FSA county office for information.
Source: USDA
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.
Trouble with Trump Tariffs
On May 23, President Donald Trump announced plans to levy 50-percent tariffs on all European Union imports beginning June 1 in reaction to stalled negotiations during ongoing trade talks. On Sunday, the administration reversed course after a fruitful discussion with European Commission President Ursula Von De Leyen, where Trump agreed to delay the onset of the 50-percent tariff rate until July 9. In the meantime, the EU is still facing 10-percent tariffs on all imports, similar to many other countries post “Liberation Day.” While the delay comes with a commitment by both parties to continue to negotiate, pressure remains as no agreeable deals have been brokered, and steep tariffs rates await.
Following the administration’s EU tariff announcements, on Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade found that the administration was not authorized under International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose “unbounded tariffs.” This was based on the administration’s imposition of dozens of tariffs based on the declaration of a national emergency. The administration swiftly filed an appeal against this ruling.
On Thursday, a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the administration’s tariffs. This decision temporarily reimposes the current 10-percent global tariffs, 25-percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 20-percent tariffs on Chinese products. This temporary stay will remain in place until the appeals court rules on the administration’s motion for a long-term pause of the lower court decision. All this being said, this continues to be an ongoing and developing saga of events as the administration, judicial system and international players continue to be at odds.
Administration Releases Preliminary MAHA Report
On May 22, the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again Commission released a report addressing increases in chronic disease among American children, claiming ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, sedentary lifestyles and overmedicalization is at fault.
Spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the report, in part, blames government and corporate influences as exacerbating these health issues, necessitating a shift toward science-based research and comprehensive strategies to address the root causes. In the report, the commission acknowledges the significant role played by American farmers in the agricultural sector as a reoccurring theme, noting their contribution to ensuring food abundance and affordability. It states that mechanization, synthetic fertilizers and industrial-scale farming has elevated the agricultural output of the United States, transforming it into the largest food exporter globally.
In the chemical exposure portion of the report, pesticides are recognized as essential for crop protection and are a critical component of maintaining a healthy, abundant and affordable food supply, which supports American farmers and the MAHA agenda. On the flipside, the report expresses concern and implies potential links between pesticides and adverse health effects, especially in children, through the citing of various studies.
Additionally, the report reiterates some of Kennedy and the MAHA movement’s criticisms about the role ultra-processed foods, added sugars, food dyes and additives play in Americans’ diets. Overall, the report suggests a shift toward a whole-food diet and touts the nutritional benefits of foods such as whole milk, dairy, beef, leafy greens, legumes and more.
Looking ahead, the commission is expected to build upon the report and form a federal strategy over the next 100 days that is likely to include more definitive policy recommendations.
Click Here for the full MAHA report.
USDA Boosts Food Safety Inspection Funding
Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $14.5 million increase in federal reimbursements to state meat and poultry inspection programs. This program is aimed at bolstering American grown meat and poultry products by strengthening federal and state partnerships.
As announced, this funding increase addresses previous shortfalls of the program and plays a broader role in reinforcing meat processing capacity, benefiting both producers and consumers. In the announcement, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins emphasized the agency’s commitment to supporting both producers and processors, while maintaining a safe and affordable food supply.