Three Tours Offered at ASI Annual Convention
The ASI Annual Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 18-21, 2023, will offer three tours that provide a unique look at the Lone Star State and its Western roots. Tours are expected to fill up quickly, so attendees are encouraged to register for the convention and sign up for preferred tours as soon as possible.
Garrett Training Stables Industry Tour
See how horses are trained to championship status with a visit to Garrett Training Stables in Weatherford, Texas. Visit with J.D. Garrett – a top 2-year-old cutting horse trainer – who has been training horses for more than 20 years. You might recognize J.D. from being a former National Finals Rodeo bareback riding qualifier and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s 1999 bareback riding rookie of the year.
After visiting the stables, you will have lunch at the famous Joe T. Garcia’s – a Fort Worth legend that has been serving since Joe and Jess Garcia opened their doors in 1935. Lunch is included. Individual alcohol purchases can be made with cash only.
Fort Worth City & Cowgirl Museum Tour
See the sights of Fort Worth and learn about the city from a local expert tour guide.
The tour includes a visit to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, which honors and celebrates women – past and present – whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the American West. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the American West who have displayed extraordinary courage and pioneer spirit in their trail-blazing efforts.
Fort Worth Stockyards, John Wayne Museum & Leddy’s Boots
The Wild West will come alive at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. On the way, your tour guide will explain the exciting history of the Wild West and the impact that Fort Worth had in that time period. Upon arrival, you will take a historical walking tour of the stockyards.
Next, you will visit the John Wayne Museum, where you can tip your hat to the legendary ‘Duke’ as you view memorabilia collected during his lengthy film career. The tour will then visit the famous M.L. Leddy’s – which has been crafting handmade boots and saddles since the 1920s – before closing with the twice-daily cattle drive of Texas Longhorns down Exchange Avenue.
In addition, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will be taking place during ASI’s time in the city.
Registration for the ASI Annual Convention is now open and early bird rates apply through Dec. 16. All online registrations must be completed by Dec. 30. Any registrations after that date will have to be done onsite in Fort Worth. The Omni Fort Worth Hotel is offering a discounted rate for convention attendees, but reservations must be made by Dec. 30 to assure attendees receive that rate.
Click Here for more information and to register.
Research Update Podcast Looks at Lamb Quality
Dr. Travis Hoffman with North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota discusses lamb quality in this month’s ASI Research Update podcast.
“I’d like to challenge our listeners to think of it and our whole supply chain from the consumer level,” Hoffman says in the early moments of the podcast. “That’s why I do what I do, because I believe that the American lamb industry provides a positive eating experience. I like to think of a lot of things from the consumer standpoint, so beginning with the end in mind is my theme for today’s podcast, and I guess a theme for my life and career right now.”
Click Here to listen to the podcast.
ASI Accepting Awards Nominations
It’s time once again to submit nominations for ASI awards, which will be presented during the 2023 ASI Annual Convention on Jan. 18-21, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. The deadline for all award nominations is Nov. 25.
There are five awards open for nominations: The McClure Silver Ram Award, the Peter Orwick Camptender Award, the Distinguished Producer Award, the Industry Innovation Award and the Shepherd’s Voice Award.
The McClure Silver Ram Award is dedicated to volunteer commitment and service and is presented to a sheep producer who has made substantial contributions to the sheep industry and its organizations in his/her state, region or nation.
The Peter Orwick Camptender Award recognizes industry contributions from a professional in a position or field related to sheep production. Nominees should show a strong commitment and a significant contribution to the sheep industry, its organizations and its producers above and beyond what is called for in his/her professional capacity.
The Distinguished Producer Award was launched in 2014 to recognize the 150th anniversary of the national organization – the oldest livestock association in the country. This award is a way to recognize an individual who has had a significant long-term impact on the industry, including involvement with the National Wool Growers Association or American Sheep Producers Council.
The Industry Innovation Award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual or organization that improves the American sheep industry in a game-changing way, regardless of whether its impact is felt at the regional or national level.
The Shepherd’s Voice Award for Media recognizes outstanding coverage of the sheep industry by either print or broadcast outlets. The award excludes all publications and affiliates related solely to the sheep industry, allowing for recognition of outlets with general coverage of sheep industry issues.
Nominations must be submitted to ASI by Nov. 25, and past recipients of these awards are not eligible.
Click Here for more information.
Rally in Australian Wool Market Comes to an End
The Australian wool market’s brief upward run ended this week as the market recorded its first overall loss in three weeks. As the market rose during the previous two selling series, so to did the number of people wishing to offer their wool. As a result, the national offering rose to 41,056 bales.
Although the larger offering received solid buyer support, the prices on offer were noticeably lower from the outset. By the end of the first day, the individual Micron Price Guides across the country for Merino fleece had fallen by between 3 and 49 cents. The only exception was 19 micron in Sydney, which remained unchanged. The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator dropped by 11 cents for the day.
Prices continued to ease on the second day despite widespread competition and robust bidding. The movements in the MPGs ranged from unchanged to -43 cents. The skirtings followed a similar path to the fleece with general falls of between 20 and 40 cents for the week. The crossbred MPGs dropped by between 8 and 25 cents. The oddments defied the trend of the other sectors. Strong demand for locks, stains and crutchings – particularly those carrying less than 2 percent vegetable matter – pushed prices higher. This was reflected in the three Merino carding indicators which rose by an average of more than 14 cents. By the end of the series, the EMI had fallen by 23 cents to close at an even 1,300 Australian cents. The EMI is still slightly below the level it was at the corresponding sale of the previous season. One year ago, the EMI was sitting at 1,333 cents.
Next week’s offering increases again despite the weaker market. Currently, there are expected to be 43,036 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. The sales will be conducted on Wednesday and Thursday to accommodate a Public Holiday in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Click Here for the Full Australian Wool Market Report.
Source: AWEX
Webinar Features Beginning Goat and Sheep Farmer’s Stories
The University of Minnesota Extension will host a free zoom webinar on Nov. 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to hear how two beginning goat and sheep farmers started out farming. Beginning farmers, farmers, 4-Her’s, ag business professionals who work with farmers and those interested in sheep or goats are invited to attend.
How does a person start raising sheep or goats? What goes into the planning and what are some lessons, successes and pitfalls these farmers have learned along the way? Beginning farmers and farmers looking to diversify their livestock operations have heard that sheep and goats can be a profit center as the demand for lamb and chevon have increased at the family table. We will hear from beginning farmers on how they got their start and learned how to feed, house and care for small ruminants, as well as market them.
“I have received many calls about how to raise and market goats and sheep in the last few years,” said Todd County Extension Educator Brenda Miller. “Raising sheep and goats is a great way to start a small livestock operation, a hobby farm or begin a 4-H project.”
This is the third session in a monthly series of webinars addressing the needs of new beginning sheep and goat farmers.
Pre-registration is required. Please register at z.umn.edu/ProducerSpotlight2022 and you will receive the Zoom link upon registering. If you are unable to attend the live session, you will receive the recording via email. If you have any questions, please contact Miller at nesl4220@umn.edu or Colleen Carlson at traxl042@umn.edu.
Source: University of Minnesota
VSU Has Opening With Mobile Processing Unit
Virginia State University Cooperative Extension has an opening for someone to manage and operate the VSU Small Ruminant Mobile Processing Unit. The deadline to apply is Nov. 3.
The full-time position will be responsible for preparing the unit and associated hardware for instruction, assisting in setting up producer co-ops and promoting marketing opportunities for Virginia’s sheep and goat producers. The position provides technical and organizational support for extension programs associated with the VSU Mobile Slaughter Processing Unit and on campus facilities. The program assistant will provide small ruminant (sheep and meat goat) and livestock production and management expertise and work closely with VSU’s small ruminant specialist, research faculty and VCE agents to develop small ruminant (meat-goats and sheep) educational program activities that will enhance sustainability of Virginia’s agriculture in a multi-county area.
Click Here for more information.
Source: Virginia State University Cooperative Extension
Foodie Favorite Teaches Lamb Cooking Class
The American Lamb Board recently partnered with Seattle food influencer Danielle Kartes of Rustic Joyful Foods to host an American lamb cooking class. Kartes – a longtime fan of lamb – has developed amazing American lamb recipes along with stunning food photography. The Seattle foodie favorite is a regular contributor on The Kelly Clarkson Show, as well as a cookbook author.
The cooking class provided a high-energy and fun-filled experience with lots of American lamb and laughter for attendees. Participants were welcomed with a fall apple cider cocktail and a grazing board featuring sheep’s milk cheeses. Kartes demonstrated two American lamb dishes perfect for fall entertaining.
First was a homemade hummus topped with spiced ground lamb paired with a cucumber salad and served with warm pita. It was positioned as a perfect dish for a casual fall gathering. The second lamb dish was an extravagant, roasted bone-in leg of lamb, sliced thin and served with a warm Israeli couscous and topped with an herby Greek yogurt sauce.
“American lamb is a versatile choice for fall and can be a real show-stopper for Friendsgiving or a family gathering,” said ALB Chairman Peter Camino. “We love working with food influencers who feature American lamb with flavors their followers love.”
Attendees went home with an American Lamb swag bag of recipes, custom spice blend and one pound of ground lamb.
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.
Second Rail Union Vetoes Deal
The Brotherhood of Railroad Signal men has voted to oppose the proposed labor contract negotiated by rail carriers and workers’ union representatives, as well as officials within the Biden Administration.
This rejection comes after The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters – the third largest rail workers’ union in the country – rejected the proposed contract earlier this month. The deal would have resulted in a 24 percent wage increase for employees over five years. All 12 rail unions must approve the contract to prevent a strike from taking effect, but there is no immediate threat of a railroad shutdown with negotiations continuing through Nov. 19. On Oct. 25, Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa) stated that if rail companies and labor unions could not come to terms voluntarily, Congress would be ready to step in to prevent a strike that could cripple an already fragile supply chain.
AMS Announces GIPSA Rule Webinar
This past week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service announced its plan to host a webinar providing information on the latest proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration rule.
In a press release, AMS stated that the webinar will be prerecorded and posted on the AMS Fair and Competitive Markets web page but did not provide a date for when the webinar will be posted. The webinar will cover the second proposed rule to GIPSA, which was released on Oct. 3. The new rule proposes to take action on discrimination against market-vulnerable individuals, identify retaliatory practices, and identify unlawfully deceptive practices with respect to contracts.
Since the webinar will be prerecorded, questions for the webinar may be submitted to PSDWashingtonDC@usda.gov through Nov. 1.
Colorado NRCS Accepting Applications for Additional Funding
Colorado’s Natural Resources Conversation Service has announced applications are now available for Fiscal Year 2023 funding opportunities through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program, as well as the ACT NOW program.
In addition to classic EQUIP funding, Colorado’s ACT NOW Initiatives allow producers the opportunity to apply for applicable EQIP funding and those who have fully established eligibility records with the Farm Service Agency have the potential to know if their project will be funded before leaving their UDSA service center. ACT NOW Initiatives include Climate Smart Ag, the National Water Quality Initiative and Animal Waste Management, among others.
To be eligible for this funding pool, applications must be submitted by Dec. 2. Producers must have farm records current with FSA and must submit a complete program application to NRCS to be considered for financial assistance through EQIP and CSP. To apply for assistance, please visit your local Colorado NRCS field office.
Source: Cornerstone Government Affairs