ASI Requests Investigation Into U.S. Lamb Imports
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) has formally asked the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate lamb imports, which are putting domestic producers at risk. ASI warns that imported lamb, often sold at lower prices, is harming U.S. farmers, packers, and ranch workers, and is seeking federal support to protect and strengthen the domestic lamb industry. A formal request of the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) requesting the U.S. International Trade Commission (the “Commission”) initiate a global safeguard investigation into U.S. imports of lamb meat, pursuant to Sections 201-202 of the Trade Act of 1974. ASI also provided a public and confidential report to the federal agency that explains the trade situation and the injury data that has been gathered from lamb companies in recent weeks.
U.S. Lamb Imports a Key Focus in Senate Hearing
On October 29, 2025, USTA Chief Agricultural Negotiator Julie Callahan testified at her nomination hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. During the hearing, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming asked her about lamb imports. Callahan indicated that she is concerned that U.S. lamb imports are undercutting U.S. producers and expressed an interest in reversing the domestic sheep industry’s long-running decline in U.S. market share. “We have farmers, second- and third-generation farmers—that are at risk of losing their ranches,” Callahan said. “They’re being outcompeted by imports.”
ASI Accepting Awards Nominations
ASI Award nominations are due by November 14, 2025. Below you will find descriptions for each award. Please click here for the nomination award form. Please note that past award recipients are not eligible.
McClure Silver Ram 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 their state, region, or nation. The award may recognize a lifetime of achievement or may recognize a noteworthy, shorter-term commitment and service to the industry. Nominees should be recognized as industry leaders with nominations spelling out the candidates’ contributions to the industry and its producers. Producers should be actively involved in sheep production and may or may not produce sheep as their sole income. However, their nominations should not be based in any part on a paid position serving the sheep industry.
Peter Orwick Camptender Award: 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 that called for in their professional capacity. Nominees should be respected in their fields by their peers and by sheep producers. Nominees may be involved with the industry as teachers, consultants, scientists, youth leaders, promoters, event managers, journalists, or any other position directly related to the sheep industry, enabling the nominee to affect the sheep industry in a positive and long-lasting way. Nominees may be recognized for lifetime service to the sheep industry or may be recognized for a shorter-term commitment that resulted in significant benefits to the sheep industry.
Distinguished Producer Award: The distinguished producer award was established 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 predecessor organizations to ASI.
Industry Innovation Award: The industry Innovation Award will recognize 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, state, or national level. “We have brilliant and dedicated people and organizations in the sheep business that do impressive things with sheep production or lamb and wool processing and marketing,” said past ASI President Mike Corn. “We wanted to test the interest in a new award that would recognize innovations in the sheep business. ASI awards have traditionally recognized service and media coverage associated with the organization, so the Industry Innovation Award is an exciting addition.”
Shepherd’s Voice Award: The Shepherd’s Voice Award recognizes outstanding year-long 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 for excellence in covering Sheep Industry issues. Nominations may be publications, networks, or specific reporters exhibiting a strong commitment to balanced reporting and consistent coverage of the sheep industry locally, statewide, and/or nationally.
U.S. Wool Labs: Research Update Podcast
The American Sheep Industry Association’s Research Update podcast recently highlighted the Montana State University and Texas A&M San Angelo wool labs, which provide valuable testing services that help sheep producers understand their wool’s quality. By measuring fiber diameter, staple length, yield, and other traits, producers can make better breeding, management, and marketing decisions. Both labs are also researching new uses and technologies to support the wool industry.
Click Here to listen to the full podcast.
Don’t Miss the 2026 ASI Annual Convention
Registration for the 2026 American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention in Reno, NV at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa has been open for a few weeks. Early bird rates were available through Dec. 2 at a discounted price, and online registration continues at the standard rate through Dec. 29.
Click Here for information and to register to attend the convention.
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 Saga Continues
As of today, October 30, the federal government has been shut down and unfunded for the past 30 days with still no indication as to when the standoff between Republican and Democrats will come to an end. The Senate has since tried to advance the House GOP-passed continuing resolution (CR) twelve different times now and continues to fail in garnering the 60-votes needed to pass the measure. In addition to the CR, last week the Senate considered S.3012 – the Shutdown Fairness Act led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), that would have ensured paychecks for essential federal workers during the midst of the ongoing shutdown but ultimately failed on the floor by 54-45 vote. Whilst the Senate has been in session for nearly the whole month of October, the House of Representatives has been out of session since September 19. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has publicly suggested the House consider coming back to pass a new stopgap measure that would extend government funding beyond the initial November 21 date the House-passed CR outlined to help allow for more constructive negotiations to take place going forward. Discrepancies over Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies continue to persist and will likely come to a head soon with November 1 marking the start of open enrollment for the ACA marketplace and when insurance companies will start to notice increased rates. 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 further force lawmakers or the Administration to the negotiating table. 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 Agriculture Committee Advances the FOFA
On Tuesday, October 21, the Senate Agriculture Committee voted to advance the bipartisan Fix Our Forest Act (FOFA) which intends to mitigate wildfire risk by overhauling forest management policies. The bill passed with a 18-5 vote, representing new momentum after having stalled in the Senate last year. This bill would accelerate forest restoration projects by speeding up environmental reviews and fast-tracking timelines for adopting new firefighting technology. During the same business meeting, the Committee passed the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025 that would update grain standards including weight and inspection requirements. The FOFA bill text can be found here.
Trump looking to Quadruple Beef Purchases from Argentina
On Thursday, October 23, Agriculture Secretary Rollins announced that the Administration is considering increasing the tariff-rate quota of beef imports from Argentina to increase to 80,000 metric tons. The current annual quota is 20,000 metric tons. This announcement follows the Administration’s previous announcement on October 20, initiating conversations around importing more beef from Argentina to decrease consumer beef prices. Since President Trump’s initial announcement, the plan has faced fierce backlash from Republican lawmakers, and the cattle ranching industry. Following USDA’s quota announcement, the agency released new beef-related policies that are intended to reduce costs to the domestic cattle industry in the long-term. While this announcement has caused an upheaval of attention across the country, it has also been reflected by a significant downturn in the cattle futures market.
USDA announces Plan for American Ranchers
On Wednesday, October 22, USDA Secretary Rollins, Interior Secretary Burgum, and Health, Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced a plan intended to support the American beef industry. The plan will largely focus on protecting and improving ranching businesses, expanding processing, consumer transparency, and market access, and building product demand. These efforts will be carried out through several initiatives which include expanding permitting for livestock grazing on federal lands, reducing costs for meat inspections, processing expansion grants, incorporating new industry technology, expanding help for new ranchers and boosting subsidies for conservation and regenerative agriculture policies. To view the official USDA while paper, use the following link.
FSA offices to Remain Open During the Shutdown
On Tuesday, October 21, 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.
The Australian wool market
The Australian wool market Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) closed the week at 1413c losing 14c, the 4th week in a row of losses albeit at a slower rate than what the market had rallied a little over a month ago post the annual Nanjing wool conference, in US$ terms the EMI actually rose 5c to 933. The total national offering size reduced to 33,535 bales in which all 3 Australian selling centers operated as well as including 2,479 bales being offered ex New Zealand. Year on Year our national offering is 4.1% lower and current AWTA testing figures are
showing a decline of 16% in comparative volumes should see offerings not able to maintain and most likely to reduce when compared to the previous season as the season goes on. Losses were felt across all merino & crossbred MPG’s (Micron Price Guides) except the 20-, 21- & 28-Micron MPG’s which made small gains. Percentile rankings comparing MPG values over the last 5 years remain highest in the 19 to 30 micron range, holding above 88 and up to 98 confirming prices are sitting near 5 year highs for those particular microns, while the 17 MPG sits at an average 50 and the MC (Merino Carding) indicator is low at 38 in a sign of poor demand in the carbonizing sector at the moment. The majority of the offering at this time of the year is quite stylish for those wool growing areas that have received good rains, overall vegetable matter content is low, West Australian merino fleece averaging 0.8% while Victoria is 1.3% & NSW 1.7%. Additional measurements like mid breaks or POBM (Point Of Break Middle) are important and discounts for high POBM and lower Nkt see premiums & discounts increasing.
Source: AWEX
Make Plans to Attend the Next Solar Grazing Workshop: Advancing Sustainable Agriculture
The American Lamb Board will host another Solar Grazing Workshop from December 8-10, 2025, in Franklin, Kentucky. The event is a three-day opportunity for farmers, ranchers, industry leaders, and solar advocates to network, learn about sheep production and gain hands-on experience. This workshop will provide current and new producers with a comprehensive overview of the emerging field of solar grazing.
Day 1: Building the Foundation
The event will kick off with registration and a warm welcome from ALB, ASI, ASGA, and Pivot Energy. Morning sessions will delve into contract grazing opportunities for sheep producers and introduce the basics of solar site management. Attendees will learn firsthand what to expect in contract grazing relationships and the essentials of submitting competitive bids for Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Practical safety briefings by Pivot Energy will emphasize both sheep and operator welfare in relation to solar installations.
Day 2: Growing the Enterprise
The second day will focus on flock productivity and equipping grazers to assess solar sites prior to bidding. Attendees will walk through post-bid checklists, address marketing fundamentals, and explore frequently asked questions about scaling up their grazing operations. Sessions on grazing math and enterprise budgeting will allow participants to refine their business strategies.
Day 3: Field Day with the Experts
The conference will conclude with an outdoor trip to a nearby solar site with a tour hosted by Silicon Ranch and New Slate Land Management. Participants will gain hands-on experience in identifying equipment, evaluating plant species, and observing safety protocols for both sheep and humans on an active solar project.
Why You Should Attend
As solar development expands across the U.S., workshops like this highlight the complementary relationship between renewable energy and agriculture. By bringing grazers and solar operators together, events like the ALB Solar Grazing Workshop foster innovation, address real-world challenges, and accelerate the adoption of solar opportunities.
“Attendees will leave this workshop equipped with the knowledge and connections to help lead the next chapter in sustainable land management,” says ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert.
For more information or to register for this workshop visit LambBoard.com
Source: ALB