Registration Now Open for ASI Annual Convention
Registration is now open for the 2026 American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention in Reno, NV at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
Early bird registration rates are available now through Dec. 2 at a discounted rate. After that date, online registration is available at the standard rate through Dec. 29.
The ASI industry tour will take place at the University of Nevada, Reno. Convention attendees are encouraged to register for the tour early as the 50 spots available are filling up quickly.
Click Here for information and to register to attend the convention.
ASI Now Accepting Applications for Executive Director
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Executive Director. Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2025.
Click Here for more information and to apply.
USDA rolls out New World Screwworm response playbook
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has published a field-ready New World screwworm Response Playbook, and the message to producers, veterinarians, and rural communities is simple: Be ready to move fast.
New World screwworm is no ordinary pest. Females lay eggs in fresh wounds, including the navel of newborn calves and kids, and the hatched larvae feed on living tissue. Untreated cases can spiral quickly, threatening animal welfare, herd productivity, and, if an introduction were to take hold, interstate commerce and international trade.
The United States eliminated NWS long ago using a combination of wound management and sterile-insect releases, but sporadic introductions tied to travel, or animal movements are always a risk.
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.
Federal Government Shutdown Update
Today, October 23, marks day 23 since the start of the federal government shutdown and there still seems to be no indication as to when it will come to an end. Both Republicans and Democrats are dug into their shutdown messaging narratives with neither party willing to blink at this point. Discrepancies over Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies continue to persist and will likely come to a head November 1 with the start of open enrollment for the ACA marketplace. In addition to another pay period approaching for federal workers at the end of the month, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will also lapse November 1 and will likely force lawmakers or the Administration to the negotiating table. At this point in time, the Senate has attempted to pass a continuing resolution (CR) on the floor twelve different times and continues to fail to secure 60-votes to pass the House-passed clean CR which would extend government funding until November 21. The Senate has been in session for the last few consecutive weeks, while the House of Representatives has been out for just over a month now. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) did suggest the House consider coming back to pass a new stopgap measure that would extend government funding beyond the initial November 21 date. 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.
Since the start of the shutdown, the implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s shutdown contingency plan has resulted in furloughing more than 42,000 employees, equating to nearly half of the Department’s current workforce. Producer-facing agencies like the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are leading in furloughs with 6,377 FSA employees and 8,849 NRCS employees. Many key agency activities have been suspended, including payment processing, regulatory work, and research on animal diseases, alongside the postponement of the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. However, essential deemed functions will continue on, such as farm loan processing, meat inspections, and emergency programs for animal and plant health. You can read more on USDA’s shutdown plan here.
On Wednesday, October 15, a senior U.S. District Judge temporarily barred the federal government from conducting reductions in force (RIFs) during the government shutdown. The judge ordered the administration not to issue further RIFs or enforce existing ones while the government remains shut down. The court has also ordered the government to provide more information on the RIFs that have been issued which have initially impacted 4,100 employees across the departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, HHS, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security and Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Trump Announces Potential for Largescale Argentinian Beef Purchase
On Sunday, October 20, President Trump announced the potential for purchasing Argentinian beef in efforts to reduce the American consumers’ price of beef. U.S. beef prices have remained relatively high in recent months due to smaller herd sizes, drought, and reduced imports from Mexico due to the country’s outbreak of New World Screwworm. Trump has been working with his close ally, Argentinian President Javier Milei, to bolster the collapsing economy with measures such as a $20 billion credit swap line and this now proposal to purchase beef. Currently, the U.S. has a 20-million-kilogram quota limit imposed on beef imports from Argentina. President Trump’s statements have not yet addressed whether the Administration would consider raising these limits to accommodate more purchases. Despite the recent commotion over the topic, no formal announcement or official moves have been confirmed at this time.
AMPA Launches to Defend Animal Welfare Laws
On Wednesday, October 15, the recently formed American Meat Producers Association (AMPA) launched their new trade association with the support of a coalition of farmers and food companies with the mission of defending state animal welfare laws. Their current focus include supporting California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question Three, both state-passed initiatives associated with animal confinement compliance standards for pork, egg-laying hens, and veal calf production. AMPA aims to lend its support to small family farmers and argues that animal welfare laws help provide market stability. To clarify, this organization is entirely separate from the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP).
The Australian wool market
The week closed with another drop in the EMI, losing 29c to 1,427. This is the 3rd week of reductions from its peak which formed over 11 straight weekly increases prior. When compared to the same period from the previous season the EMI remains 26.2% or 296c higher, which equates to an extra $92 Million dollars more in gross value season to date. Largest decreases were in the finer microns with the 17.5 & finer MPG’s losing anywhere between 42c for the 17.5 MPG ex Fremantle in W.A to 95c for the 16.5MPG ex Sydney NSW. Remaining merino fleece MPGs lost between 15 to 50c and it was the broader microns that were more robust, decreasing the least amount. From the initial sale roster over 40,000 bales that were lotted for sale, after withdrawals and lots that failed to sell at auction, 29,404 bales were sold, destined for overseas
markets. Current AWTA wool testing figures from July to September 2025 are showing 16.2% less bales have been tested when compared to the same period last year. While from an offering perspective the number is 3.3% less, indicating there have been more bales sold than have been
tested indicating a run down in broker held stocks. Next week’s offering is currently rostered at 38,737 which is a similar quantity to the last few weeks. Current percentile rankings of published MPG’s over the last 5 seasons has the 17 MPG sitting at 50, while the other two merino MPG’s 19 & 21 are sitting at 90 & 98 respectively. Crossbred MPG’s 28 & 30 are both sitting at 98, indicating they are at or very near their highest point in the last 5 years. Of note this week a price of 33,000 cents per kilo ($330 per kilo) was achieved for a lot of 12.7micron sold ex Tasmania.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
Open Position for North Dakota State University Sheep Unit Manager
NDSU sheep unit (Fargo, North Dakota) currently has over 300 head of brood ewes and conducts spring and fall lambing. We have registered Hampshire, Columbia and Royal White sheep as well as commercial Dorset and composite hair sheep. We are seeking a talented colleague to assist with our teaching, extension, and research mission.
Please provide Cover letter; Resume; Unofficial transcript; Phone and email information for three professional references. Deadline October 26, 2025; Screening starts on October 27, 2025. Please let me know if you have any further questions, [email protected]
Click Here for More information.
Resilient Demand Drives American Lamb Market: October 2025 Quarterly Update
Despite high meat prices and ongoing economic uncertainties, consumer demand for meat—and especially American lamb—remains robust. Retailers are reporting continued year-over-year growth in both dollar sales and volume, a clear indicator of steady, resilient consumer loyalty. However, shoppers are also becoming more budget-conscious. They’re visiting stores more frequently, buying less per trip, and opting for lower-priced options such as ground lamb, reflecting broader shifts in sentiment and spending across the food industry.
Lamb Supplies Are Up
This year, lamb and yearling slaughter numbers are about 39,000 head (3.1%) higher than last year, and above the 5-year average from 2019-2023. Weekly slaughter rates have averaged about 35,000 head. Typical lamb weights dropped, as expected, over the summer, reaching a low of 56 lbs. in early September. Lighter slaughter lamb weights may indicate strong consumer demand or limited supply, as lambs are marketed earlier to meet production needs. Overall, total lamb and mutton production is up 2.9% through September, driven by these larger slaughter numbers—even though mature sheep slaughter is down 2%.
“It’s an exciting time to produce American lamb,” says ALB Charman Jeff Ebert. “Checkoff dollars invested by the American Lamb Board continue to help consumers learn more about preparing American lamb, and we are seeing steady growth, but it will be important to focus on producing more lamb in the United States to continue taking back market share.”
Imports Decline While Prices Shift
Through July, U.S. lamb imports totaled 174.9 million pounds, down 4.5% year-over-year. Both Australian and New Zealand imports have decreased, with monthly import volumes below last year’s levels. Notably, mutton imports are down nearly 50% from 2024. Price comparisons reveal that imported Australian leg of lamb is getting pricier relative to U.S. offerings, but this shift can’t be pinned to one reason—tight supplies in Australia, strong overseas demand, and a weaker U.S. dollar may all play a part.
Strong Prices Across the Board
Since July, the National Lamb Cutout value has climbed 8% to $580 per cwt—its highest since September 2022. Prices for major cuts have surged: racks are up 13%, shoulder 15%, loin 7%, leg 6%, and ground lamb 17%, with all reaching their highest prices this year.
Slaughter lamb prices have also risen. After hitting a yearly low in May, they’ve increased 40% to $226.32 by early October – reaching values not seen since February 2022. Lightweight slaughter lambs (60-90 lbs.) are fetching strong prices, up 34% from this time last year. Feeder lamb prices, after a seasonal summer dip, have rebounded to $260 per cwt as of October. Summer video market sales averaged between $192 and $214 per cwt.
Looking Ahead
Despite larger supplies, strong live and wholesale lamb prices point to resilient demand in American households. Consumers continue to prioritize value and convenience, with ground lamb staying popular as more meals are cooked at home—currently 86% according to Circana. Even amid today’s high price landscape, American lamb has plenty of opportunities ahead.
Source: USDA-AMS, American Sheep Industry Association Quarterly Report, October 2025
Source: ALB