ASI Leads National Effort Urging U.S. Trade Representative to Investigate Lamb Imports
DENVER, CO – The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), the nation’s oldest livestock
organization, has formally requested that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
initiate a global safeguard investigation into U.S. imports of lamb meat under Sections 201–202
of the Trade Act of 1974. ASI submitted this request on behalf of its 42 state associations and
more than 100,000 farms and ranches.
Click Here to read the full press release.
ASI Now Accepting Applications for Executive Director
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Executive Director. Accepting resumes until the position is filled.
For any questions and to submit your cover letter & resume, please contact: [email protected].
Click Here for more information and to apply.
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.
Federal Government Shutdown Continues to Persist
As of today, November 6, the federal government has been in a shutdown for 37 days, marking the longest government shutdown on record. As the shutdown persists, there is still very little public insight as to when Republicans and Democrats will come to a deal to reopen the government. The House of Representatives continues to be out of session (and has been since September 19) while the Senate has been in session every week since the beginning of October. Up to this point, the Senate has attempted to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to fund and reopen the government on the floor 14 different times and has come up short of the 60-vote majority needed every time. Tensions continue to arise as another payday for federal workers, like Air Traffic Controllers and government agency and Hill staff, has come and gone. As November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits lapsed over the weekend, a federal judge in Rhode Island instructed the Trump Administration use emergency funding for November food aid assistance for the millions of Americans dependent on SNAP. In response, President Trump reiterated his Administration’s position on the shutdown in a statement on Truth Social confirming that benefits will be delayed, even with the recent court rulings on SNAP. All in all, it is still uncertain how long it will take Congress to reach a timely compromise to reopen and fund the federal government.
Senate Finance Holds Hearing for USTR Chief Ag Negotiator Nominee
Last week, the Senate Committee on Finance held a nomination hearing for a string of various presidential nominees across different departments and agencies including for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Dr. Julie Callahan. Republicans and Democrats differed in support for three of the candidates but were generally both in support of Dr. Julie Callahan’s nomination, especially due to her longstanding career experience working for USTR. During the hearing, there was a lot consternation from both sides regarding the recent Argentinian beef announcement from the White House to quadruple imports to decrease beef prices at home for American consumers. During the hearing, Sen. Barrasso asked the nominee about her concern for the future of the domestic sheep industry. Dr. Callahan noted her support for the industry and committed to ensuring that sheep producers have the ability to compete fairly in the domestic market. Other topics directed toward Callahan included addressing the current agricultural trade deficit, the Trump Administration’s trade policies and active trade negotiations, reciprocal tariffs, coffee imports, protecting the domestic lamb market, and China’s purchasing commitments and the impact on the soybean industry and other sectors of agriculture. You can watch the full nomination hearing here.
Senate Ag Holds Another Round of Nomination Hearings for USDA Nominees:
Last week, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Foresty held a nomination hearing for three USDA nominees including Dr. Mindy Brashears to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety, Ms. Yvette Herrell to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, and Mr. John Walker to be Inspector General for the Department of Agriculture. Republicans and Democrats agreed on the importance of strong, science-based leadership and transparency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Republicans focused on the nominees’ qualifications, emphasizing food safety reforms, oversight of USDA programs, and support for agricultural stakeholders. Democrats concentrated on ensuring scientific integrity, employee retention, responsiveness to Congress, and safeguarding public health and worker safety. Other topics discussed included USDA reorganization, support for small and specialty crop producers, tribal relations, data privacy, and the need for bipartisan collaboration and communication within the agency. Now, the nominees await a Committee vote advancement before they can be voted on and confirmed by the full Senate. You can watch the full hearing here.
DOL Brings Back Visa-Processing Staff:
On Friday, October 31, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced it will call back 200 furloughed employees to resume visa processing and immigration-related operations. This decision is important for many farm operators and agricultural employers who worry that processing delays will prevent hiring workers for time-sensitive roles. Funding lapses are still expected to increase delays in hiring foreign workers, especially under the H2A and H2B Visa programs. More information on this announcement can be found here.
FSA Offices to Remain Open During the Shutdown
In late October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins announced in a statement on X that Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will resume core operation despite the ongoing shutdown. The post stated that starting Thursday, FSA offices will resume essential functions, including critical services for farm loan processing, Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC)/Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments, and other programs. Additional information from the Administration confirmed that each county office will have two county office employees in five days a week to perform normal functions for Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funded programs while accepting applications related to programs funded by alternative sources (e.g. the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program that was appropriated by Congress last December is currently an intake only program). You can contact your local FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov for more information.
Australian Wool Market
This week’s wool market behaved calmly with minor movements throughout the merino sector, with the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) edging up 6 cents to 1419 for the week, some 25% higher than the same sale last year. In US dollar terms in which the majority of wool in Australia is traded oversees was marginally lower to 924 losing 9 cents on account of the A$/US$ exchange movement, also 23% higher than the same time last year. As we enter the 5th week after the peak of the recent rally, the market has retreated only part of overall total increase in value which is a welcome result for many recent wool sellers. Total offered volumes season to date continue to run slightly behind the same time last season while Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) comparative wool testing figures are running around 9% less for the July to
October period, when compared to the same period last year. This number has narrowed from the July to Sept figure, which was 16% behind, the reason being the October testing figure was up 5% from the same month last year. State by state the differences vary with Vic -10.7%, NSW -6.9%, S.A -15.1, W.A -8.8, Tas +1.1% & QLD -11.6%. The state by state figures clearly showing which state has had the best and the worst overall wool growing condition season to date. On a percentile basis the 19 to 30 MPG continue to hold at 5yr highs ranging from 91 to 98, while the book ends 17MPG sits at 49 and the MC (Merino Carding) indicator is sitting low at 28 indicating low demand from this sector. Next week’s offering currently sits at 32,867 bales with Melbourne & Sydney selling over Tuesday & Wednesday, while Fremantle is back to a Tuesday (one day).
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
American Lamb Board Launches New Fiscal Year with Homemade Partnership
The American Lamb Board’s new fiscal year is underway, and we’re thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Homemade, the largest online cooking school. ALB’s ongoing collaboration with Homemade includes live cooking classes, easy, delicious recipes featuring American Lamb, and a vibrant online community for participants.
Throughout 2026, Homemade will continue to feature American Lamb as a fantastic protein for all types of occasions, from elegant dinner party entrées to casual backyard grilling favorites. These classes are meant to inspire home cooks and increase demand for American Lamb.
This has been a tremendously successful partnership. A total of 3,139 participants signed up to join the Fan of Lamb monthly cooking club, where they access on-demand cooking videos and tips along with exclusive American Lamb recipes. Additionally, the live online classes average 150 sign-ups, and nearly everyone stays for the entire class – with a 98 percent completion rate!
Plus, the feedback has been extremely positive. Here are what some participants shared on social media:
“The Fan of Lamb club has transformed my weeknight dinners! I’ve learned so many creative ways to cook lamb. It’s a must-join!” — Javier M., On X
“I never thought I could cook lamb at home, but this club made it easy and fun. The recipes and tips are fantastic!” — Priya S., On X
This ongoing partnership has been successful in introducing American Lamb to new consumers and teaching them how to prepare delicious American Lamb dishes at home.
“Our partnership with Homemade allows us to connect directly with passionate home cooks and demonstrate just how versatile, flavorful, and approachable American Lamb can be,” says Jeff Ebert, chairman of the American Lamb Board. “These classes bring the experience of cooking with lamb to life in a fun and accessible way.”
The excitement kicked off last week with the Fan of Lamb Cooking Club featuring a delicious Lamb Cheese Steak Slider recipe!
Want to discover what these consumers are experiencing and try some delicious new recipes? Join the Fan of Lamb Club today and see how your Checkoff funds are helping people cook American Lamb dishes at home.
Source: ALB