Brad Boner, ASI President
Since the general election and President Elect Trump’s resounding win, I have had multiple calls or emails from sheep producers asking because of Trump’s strong stance on tariffs what ASI plans on doing about imported lamb. With that in mind, I think it is good for us to review how tariffs on steel, aluminum and solar panels – most impacting imports from communist China – were done during the previous Trump administration.
As an ASI officer in that time frame, I can share that we explained the lamb meat problem and request for support in essentially every government meeting we did, including with the secretary of agriculture and agriculture advisors to the White House. Sec. Perdue was not supportive of our request for restrictions on lamb imports to the United States, and on his very last day in office in 2021 approved lamb imports from the United Kingdom. This decision came despite ASI successfully blocking it since 2009.
The trade restrictions announced during the first term of President Trump all followed trade cases and eight- to nine-month investigations. I share a reminder that ASI had two preliminary investigations on Australian and New Zealand lamb, with the 2018 and 2020 efforts looking for trade violations. ASI hired a leading law firm specializing in trade again in 2023 and conducted another investigation. We found that we might be able to prove harm, that there were no countervailing violations and the dumping margins that were seen were very small (1 to 3 percent).
On that topic, a recent research project completed at the University of Idaho found that in order for the American sheep industry to just maintain its market share, it would need a 21-percent tariff. In addition, there is always the lingering question of the political resolve and geopolitical consequences of a trade war with countries who are considered our allies.
By the tone of the last paragraph, you might be thinking that ASI has given up on any chance of a trade case on imported lamb. Nothing could be further from the truth. Year-to-date in 2024, lamb imports are up a whopping 38 percent! This is a staggering number by anybody’s measure. We need to remember that federal officials will look at the data from the most recent three years as they consider any trade action. In 2023, lamb imports were down a moderate amount (19 percent is the number in my head). With the big jump in 2024, ASI will be bringing this to the attention of the Trump transition team along with other topics important to our industry.
ASI and its legal counsel continue to monitor and assess the lamb import data as it becomes available. Mr. Paul Rosenthal of Kelley, Drye LLP – ASI’s trade attorney – will be addressing the ASI Board of Directors on Saturday of our upcoming ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz. I would strongly encourage everyone to attend this informative discussion. You can find necessary registration information at SheepUSA.org.
On a personal note, my family had to say goodbye today to Ben, our amazing Border Collie. Ben was a tremendous working dog and helped me and others get out of some real jams. He was happiest when he was with the sheep, and his love of working never ceased to amaze me. He was a true friend, and a tireless helper. We will most definitely miss him!
Until next time, keep it on the sunny side.
In recent months, range and pasture conditions have deteriorated as a lack of moisture has led to a growing area of dryness and drought across a large portion of sheep and lamb production regions in the United States.
As of early November, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported almost 88 percent of the United States was experiencing dryness or drought, compared to 55 percent at this time last year. The last week of October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that 51 percent of domestic range and pasture had a condition rating of poor and very poor, which is the worst condition in more than two years.
Although range and pasture conditions have recently deteriorated, alfalfa hay and other hay prices continue to track lower. In September, the U.S. alfalfa hay price was reported at $172 per ton and the other hay price was $140 per ton, which were the lowest prices since early 2021.
Sheep and Lamb Supplies
Weekly lamb and yearling slaughter continue to track above year-ago levels with the year-to-date total through mid-November up 4 percent from the same period in 2023. Mature sheep slaughter – year-to-date – is up 10 percent from the previous year. The higher lamb and yearling slaughter combined with the increased mature sheep slaughter has led to a 4 percent increase – more than 55,000 head – in year-to-date weekly sheep and lamb slaughter through mid-November. As weekly slaughter tracks above year-ago levels, the year-to-date average weekly lamb and yearling dressed weight is about 1 percent below – less than 1 pound – the same period in 2023. The higher pace of weekly slaughter has more than offset the decline in dressed weights, resulting in year-to-date lamb and mutton production up 3 percent from the previous year.
Although lamb and mutton production are tracking higher than a year ago, cold storage stocks indicate that supplies continue to remain below the previous year. September’s cold storage stocks were down
4 percent – 1.2 million pounds – from the same month last year. In 2024, lamb and mutton in cold storage has been below 2023 levels every month so far this year, and well below the five-year average. Lamb and mutton in cold storage tracking below year-ago levels is an indication that the higher production levels are not building up in cold storage.
Lamb Imports
Through the first three-quarters of 2024, lamb imports have totaled more than 234 million pounds, which is an increase of 35 percent –
60 million pounds – from the same nine-month period in 2023. Currently, 2022 holds the record for lamb imports at 278 million pounds. As a comparison, through the first nine months of 2022, lamb imports totaled
211 million pounds. If monthly lamb imports continue to track above 20 million pounds during each month of the fourth quarter, total lamb imports for 2024 could approach 300 million pounds, which would be a new record.
Although lamb imports are higher year to date, and production is above year-ago levels, the lower cold storage inventory levels indicate that demand appears to be strong, which is helping to pull product through the supply chain.
Price Discussion
The national lamb cutout value has consistently been tracking between $460 to $480 per cwt. since the start of the year through mid-November, with a weekly average of $471 per cwt. The steady lamb cutout value is due to steady prices for the shoulder, leg, loin and rack.
The shoulder price continues to track above $400 per cwt., a trend that has been in place since August.
Single leg lamb prices have been consistently above $520 per cwt. since April. In mid-November last year, single leg lamb prices were around $460 per cwt.
Prices for lamb loins have been holding between $690 to $720 since the start of the year. Since July, lamb loin prices have been above $700 per cwt.
Prices for lamb rack have ranged from $1,100 to $1,160 per cwt. since the start of the year. In mid-November the lamb rack price was near $1,160 per cwt., which was the highest price so far for 2024 and above the same period last year.
Slaughter lamb prices – national negotiated live – started to move seasonally lower from $209 per cwt. in early-July to $155 in October, a decline of $54 per cwt., or 26 percent. Since the low in October, slaughter lamb prices have risen more than 10 percent – $16 per cwt. – to the mid-$170 per cwt. area in mid-November.
The three-market feeder lamb price (60 to 90 pounds, Colorado, South Dakota and Texas) has gained ground from the lows around $200 per cwt. in September and October to around $250 per cwt. in mid-November for an increase of about 25 percent – $50 per cwt. Seasonally, the three-market feeder lamb price will typically move higher through November and December.
Wool Market Update
In mid-October, the number of bales offered in the Australian market reached just more than 41,000. In subsequent weeks, the number of bales has moved lower into the mid-30,000 range. Despite the smaller number of bales being offered, wool prices remain stagnant.
Prices for 17- to 25-micron wool have generally been tracking about 1 percent to almost 2 percent lower than the prior month but posting modest improvements over prices seen during November 2023.
In late October and early November, prices for 26- to 32-micron wools were even to slightly higher by about 1 to 2 percent from the previous month with similar gains when compared to a year ago.
Merino cardings were down just over 1 percent from a month ago but higher by about 2 percent from a year ago.
Exchange rates continue to be a factor in wool prices. Into early November, the U.S. dollar had strengthened moderately against the Australian dollar. A strengthening U.S. dollar relative to the Australian dollar could be a headwind to American wool prices and exports.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in late October the appointment of one producer and one expert in finance and management to each serve as members on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors.
The newly appointed members will serve three-year terms from January 2025 to January 2028.
Newly appointed members are:
• Producer – Stephen Clements, Philip, S.D.
• Expert in Finance and Management – James W. Percival, Xenia, Ohio.
American Sheep Industry Association President Brad Boner of Wyoming appreciates the appointment of directors from the extensive slate of nominations he submitted this spring on behalf of ASI. “Not only are the choices very strong to support the center, but the timing is very helpful to ensure the full board is in place for the ASI Annual Convention in January 2025,” he said.
The board is composed of seven voting members and two non-voting members. Voting members include four active U.S. sheep producers, two members with expertise in finance and management, and one member with expertise in lamb, lamb product or wool marketing. Non-voting members include USDA’s Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics.
The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center was established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill – at the request of ASI – and administers a grant program designed to improve the infrastructure of the American sheep industry by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight of the center.
Source: USDA/AMS
Saturday lunch at the 2025 ASI Annual Convention will feature a musical act for the first time since ASI’s last trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2020.
Gordy and Debbie – a multi-award winning duo and stars of the popular A Tribute to George Strait dinner show in Branson, Mo. – will take the stage at the Terraza on Jan. 18. That’s the same outdoor tent at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort that hosted Gary Mule Deer when ASI last visited the area nearly five years ago.
The two have been entertaining music fans for more than 25 years. They met during a singing competition in Branson – which is known as the Live Music Show Capital of the World – nearly 20 years ago. Their friendship blossomed, and the couple married in 2006.
In 2021, they chose to close their popular Branson show and move to Mesa, Ariz., where they continue to perform regularly. They also travel extensively in the Midwest during the summer to escape the Arizona heat.
The 2025 ASI Annual Convention will officially kick off in Scottsdale, Ariz., with a panel discussion on Agrivoltaics. The Opening Session discussion will include three sheep producers and representatives from two solar companies.
Lexi Hain – who founded the American Solar Grazing Association and served as its first executive director – will moderate the session entitled Energizing the Sheep Industry With Solar, which will take place on Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.
Panelists for the session include:
• Daniel Dotterer of Daniel Dotterer Farms in Pennsylvania.
• Ryan Indart of Indart Solar Sheep Grazing in California.
• Reid Redden of Premier Solar Sheep in Texas.
• Loran Shallenberger of Silicon Ranch Corporation.
• David Wen of the AES Corporation.
Solar grazing has become the fastest growing segment of the American sheep industry in recent years, changing the way some sheep producers manage their flocks entirely and inducing others from outside the industry to develop flocks of their own. Each of the three sheep producers come from multi-generational sheep operations, but each are the first generation in their families to move into the area of solar grazing.
Earlier this year, Silicon Ranch opened a 26,000-square foot lambing barn at its Houston Solar Project in Houston County, Ga.
“The lambing barn is a first-of-its-kind facility to be built, owned and operated by a solar company,” according to a company press release. “Nashville-based Silicon Ranch is investing to build out its own agribusiness as a wholly owned subsidiary to support the company’s operations and to deliver positive benefits to the land it owns and the communities where its projects are located. In just two years, the company’s flock of sheep has grown from less than 700 to more than 3,000 before the end of this year.
“Construction of the barn was completed in late 2023, in time for lambing season. The facility is sized to house 400 ewes and their lambs at a time, and Silicon Ranch plans to lamb annually in three separate waves to accommodate an eventual target of 1,200 ewes each year. Along with breeding its own sheep to adapt parasite resistance to survive and thrive in the Southeast, Silicon Ranch committed to participate in the National Sheep Improvement Program, with one of the largest flocks enrolled in the program. After lambing and prior to releasing each new lamb family from the barn to pasture, Silicon Ranch shepherds collect and record lamb birthweights, tag lambs with electronic IDs, scan lambs’ and ewes’ EIDs to record their connection (pedigree) and take a needle-size tissue sample for genomic mapping of specific markers. The company then enters this data into the NSIP database.
If you’d like to hear more about how sheep are reinvigorating the American sheep industry, make plans now to attend the ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale. Online registration is open through Dec. 13. After that date, additional registrations will need to be handled onsite at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.
Visit https://bit.ly/3BirOLo to register. You’ll also find more information on the full schedule of events, speakers, tours and making hotel reservations.
The ASI Annual Convention is the one place where the entire American sheep industry comes together. Other groups meeting during the week include: American Lamb Board, ASI Women, Food and Fiber Risk Managers, Make It With Wool, National Lamb Feeders Association, National Livestock Producers Association, National Sheep Improvement Program, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, Sheep Genetics USA, Sheep Heritage Foundation, Sheep Venture Company and Western Range Association.
Denver city residents rejected a proposed ban on slaughterhouses on Nov. 5, when more than 64 percent of voters said no to Ordinance 309. The ban unfairly targeted a single business – Superior Farms’ lamb plant on the city’s north side.
“Superior Farms spent a tremendous amount of time and money to defeat this referendum. Just as importantly, ASI quickly stepped up with financial support, leading the way for others in the protein industry to do the same,” said Superior Farms CEO Rick Stott. “We received significant support from cattlemen, cattle feeders, and the pork, dairy and packing industries. Superior Farms is very grateful for the engagement of sheep producers in every segment of the industry across the nation. That support came in the form of financial contributions and in writing some of the 45,000 postcards that were mailed to Denver voters.”
Animal extremists admitted the Denver referendum was a test case for pushing slaughterhouse bans in cities all across the United States. ASI was a key partner in the Stop the Ban Campaign, which launched at the 2024 ASI Annual Convention in January. The combined efforts resulted in saving the jobs of Superior Farms’ employee-owners and allowed the American sheep industry to keep open a plant that provides up to 20 percent of all lamb harvesting capacity in the United States.
“Denver voters showed up in large numbers to defeat 309, saving the jobs of 160 of their neighbors and countless others across our farmer and supply chain,” said Superior Farms Director of Marketing Bob Mariano. “Considering the importance of animal agriculture to food security and regional economies, we’re grateful to the voters and to the entire meat industry for helping to spread our message.”
Superior Farms drew support from livestock groups such as ASI, Colorado Wool Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and Colorado Livestock Association in an effort to defeat the ban. Additional support came from a variety of sources, including the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the Denver Pipefitters Union and VISIT DENVER. And more than 50 local restaurants and chefs also endorsed the Stop the Ban campaign.
Pro Animal Future – the group behind the proposed ban – shared a lot about its plans both in Denver and beyond with the Our Hen House podcast in September. Comments from Aidan Kankyoku included that the Denver referendum was more about testing the group’s campaign and messaging.
“So, we’d like to expand across the country. We’re starting with a pilot campaign in Denver to kind of figure out that model. Our top goal was to really learn about how to run these campaigns effectively and especially to learn about, like, what unexpected thing, what are we gonna face that we don’t know about right now? And so next time, we’re going to be all more prepared.”
Hopefully the sound defeat of the referendum will put a damper on the group’s future activities. But there’s no guarantee. The group also placed a referendum on the Denver ballot to stop the sale of fur and other animal products in the city limits, which would have had a direct affect on vendors at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. That effort failed as well, with nearly
58 percent of voters opposing the measure. The Hands of My Hat campaign worked in conjunction with Stop the Ban to defeat both measures.
“Today’s victory by the ‘Hands Off My Hat’ team and supporters is a testament to the people of Denver who value tradition, respect local businesses and recognize the unique cultural contributions that artisans and craftspeople make to our community,” said Landon Gates, spokesperson for Hands off my Hat.
While Ordinance 309 had a more direct impact on the American sheep industry, it was important to defeat both measures and show activists that Denver is pro-agriculture.
“Activists from New Orleans and California used dark money from out of state to try and shut down this local company, but they lost to Colorado workers, farmers, ranchers and restaurateurs,” said Ian Silverii, campaign spokesperson for Stop the Ban, Protect Jobs (No on 309). “A record number of endorsers and local supporters from across the political spectrum joined with us to defeat this ban, and their local voices mattered in this election. We have one message for those who tried to come to our city and our state to run their experiment to upend the lives of so many hardworking people: it was a baaaaaaaad idea.”
And no one was more happy to see 309 defeated than the employee-owners of the Superior Farms Denver plant.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am,” said Superior Farms Denver General Manager Gustavo Fernandez, who has worked there for more than 30 years. “I and the workers at this facility just want to do our jobs and provide for our families. Now we can get back to that without this huge weight on our shoulders. Thank you, Denver!”
ASI has once again set aside $15,000 in grants to assist developing shearers and mentors. The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2025.
There is a large and continuing need for sheep shearers across the United States. Domestic shearers are becoming fewer and it is increasingly difficult to bring international shearers into the United States. Seeing the need of more shearers for both large and small sheep operations, the ASI Wool Council developed this grant program to incentivize the development of domestic shearers.
This program supports developing shearers as they work to increase the quality of their shearing and the amount of sheep they are able to shear each day, thus working to build their income and longevity in the shearing industry. Additionally, as mentors provide developing shearers with education and an avenue to shear – thereby sharing their work and income – mentors may also apply for assistance.
The grant will be given to 10 developing shearers and/or mentors at $1,500 each. Developing shearers will be paid $500 once accepted and $1,000 upon completion. Mentors will be paid $1,500 upon completion.
Developing shearers and mentors may apply jointly or separately; jointly is preferred. Priority will be given to developing shearers who meet the grant’s goals, including those who show dedication to becoming a professional shearer.
Developing U.S. shearers who have a supporting mentor and shearers serving as a mentor to developing shearers are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be 16 years or older by January 1, 2025.
• Developing shearers should be able to shear at least 10 head of sheep per day. Developing shearers shearing 25 to 75 head per day and showing a commitment to working as a full-time shearer will be given priority.
• Mentors may manage a crew or be an individual shearer and must support the developing shearer by aiding them with shearing skills and techniques and by aiding them in finding work.
• Past grant recipients may apply.
• The deadline to apply is Jan. 1, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed by members of the ASI Wool Council. Ranking and funding recommendations are based on the following criteria: Applicants must describe how many sheep they currently shear, how/where they shear and how the mentor will assist them. This information will aid in understanding how much this program will impact the industry. All applicants will be notified by Feb. 1, 2025, via phone, email or mail if their proposal was accepted and approved.
Developing shearers must provide required documentation to receive final $1,000 payment. This includes:
• A completed W-9 form as grant funding is considered taxable income.
• Videos showing shearer progress: including quality of shorn sheep; improved shearing/handling techniques; and speed of shearing.
• Final written summary and photos (1-2 pages), which document: how has the shearer progressed since January; new equipment the shearer has purchased; description of how the mentor was most helpful to the developing shearer; and a photo for promotional purposes.
Get the full details at SheepUSA.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2025-ASI-Developing-Shearer-Mentor-Grant.pdf. The same information is available in Spanish at SheepUSA.org/ wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2025-
Subsidio-para-esquiladores-en-formacion-y-mentores-Informacion-y-solicitud.pdf.
SheepUSA.org – the official website of ASI – is now home to a Wool Calculator for American sheep producers. Previously, the Wool Calculator was only available on the ASI Market News App.
The Wool Calculator allows you to see the current price of wool in both clean and greasy terms, as well as how prices increase or decrease with changes in micron, yield and quality. While micron is the primary driver of price, multiple factors including yield, length, strength and contamination play a role in the price.
Fortunately, these are all things that can be managed, allowing producers to garner a better price for their wool. The Wool Calculator allows you to see how big of a difference lower micron, higher yield and better quality can make.
“Having the Wool Calculator available on our website opens it up to additional use by producers,” said ASI Wool Marketing Director Rita Samuelson.
According to the Wool Calculator, “The Australian 100 percent description is based on square packs, full table skirted and sorted, 1 percent vegetable matter max, no polypropylene, no medulated fiber, no kemp or paint contamination, length of 76 mm (3 in.) or longer, no tender wool. Wools shorter than 75 mm are typically discounted $0.20 – $0.50 depending on actual length and fiber strength. The “percentages of Australia” prices are intended as an approximate guide to estimate U.S. dollar equivalent market prices per pound for American wool that matches the quality description in the ‘pop-up’ box that shows when you place the cursor over the percentage below. The further that description varies from the Australian 100 percent, the lower the percentage that can be expected. Additionally, there are no Australian price comparatives for Blackface wool, so those wools are not included in this AMS App.
“Packaging is assumed to be in well-made, Australian style square packs. Anything else will attract a discount. Market demand and conditions vary and can impact the price differentials. Prices quoted are U.S. dollar equivalent per pound calculated basis of the Australian wool market as per the AWEX Weekly Market Report plus $0.15 per clean pound freight. No allowance has been made for coring, freight and handling fees at the warehouse level.”
The intersection of Cross Hollow Road and Interstate 15 in Cedar City, Utah, might be the busiest in Iron County. A modern, diverging diamond traffic pattern was put into use a decade ago, but steady growth and urban sprawl have assured regular congestion in the area. Traffic routinely snarls at the spot, and that’s before area sheep producers coming off the neighboring mountain range decide to push thousands of sheep through the underpass on multiple occasions in the fall.
But the drivers will have to wait a few extra minutes for their over-priced Starbucks coffee. After all, the sheep were here first. And the road – like most in the county – is a “Designated Livestock Trail.” Routes from the mountains on the city’s East side to winter ground on the West side are absolutely necessary, while also serving as a nod to the area’s agricultural history. The Cedar Livestock & Heritage Festival – which took place Oct. 25-27 – looks to bridge the gap between urban newcomers and multi-generation farmers and ranchers whose families have called the area home for more than a century. And sheep are the stars of the three-day event each year.
Settled in 1851, cows were the predominant livestock in Cedar City’s early days. They were milked to create butter and cheese. Women and children tended to them on the mountain in the summers while the men farmed in the valley below. But keeping cows alive on the mountain proved difficult thanks to abundant larkspur, which is poisonous to the species. Before long the entire mountain range was covered with sheep. To this day, more than 30,000 sheep call Iron County home.
“Sheep seem to do pretty well on it,” said producer Jake Benson of nearby Parowan, Utah. “When they realized sheep could eat it and utilize the entire mountain, that’s when sheep really took off in Iron County.”
In addition to running 400 ewes, Benson serves as a conservation planner with the Utah Department of Agriculture and the National Resources Conservation Service. It’s his job to work with area livestock producers and farmers, but it was his passion for raising sheep that helped him develop friendships with those who continue the area’s agricultural traditions. He started in sheep at an early age and spent most of his life trading work for sheep and access to pastures. And he’s a huge proponent of the festival’s goal to celebrate those who continue to farm and ranch in the area.
“The sheep are the biggest part of the festival,” he said with pride. “We call it the Livestock & Heritage Festival because we don’t want to exclude the cattlemen and the farmers. We want to celebrate the entire ag industry in this county. That’s why the amount of farm equipment in the parade will blow your mind.”
But there’s a reason they save the sheep for last. For the thousands who’ve assembled along Main Street – some of whom arrived more than two hours before parade time to stake out their favorite spots – the smiles get bigger and brighter when the sheep come into view nearly an hour into the parade.
“We’ve provided the sheep all but three years,” said Paul Nelson, a fifth-generation sheep producer along with his brothers. “We missed the first year and the two Covid years, but other than that it’s been our sheep. My great, great, great grandfather when he came over from Europe, he was a brick mason. He put brick on a house and was paid with six sheep, and that’s how the family got into the sheep business.”
The family runs approximately 1,000 head through town after holding up in corrals on the side of Cedar Mountain the day before the parade. After all these years, the flock knows its way around and doesn’t take long to make the two-mile trek north on Main Street.
“They actually travel three to four times faster than most of the parade,” said Nelson. “The first year or two, we were right on top of the parade and had some trouble holding them back. So, we’ve learned to let the parade get ahead of us a little ways before we get the sheep going.”
There is some pressure to being the center of attention during the Saturday morning parade.
“In the real world, if something went wrong, we’d just push everything back an hour or a day and it wouldn’t be a problem. But with the parade, we have to be on time.”
Sheep producer Scott Stubbs of Parowan was chosen as the 2024 grand marshall. He led the way on horseback, assuring that the area’s sheep industry was represented from start to finish during the parade. Stubbs is a fifth-generation rancher, member of the Public Lands Council’s board of directors and also played football at Cedar City’s Southern Utah State College – now known as Southern Utah University.
Scott and his wife, Stacy, have four children, all of whom have participated in working the family’s sheep flock through the years. His son, Marty, also runs a shearing crew in the area.
“It was pretty exciting when they told me,” Stubbs said of his selection as grand marshall. He was recognized two days before the parade with a dinner in his honor. “I think it’s great that we continue to recognize the history of livestock in this area.”
Fortunately for festival organizers, the first snowstorm of the season hit the weekend before and snow was in the forecast early in the week after the parade, but the 2024 festival fell on a nearly perfect weekend and weather wasn’t an issue.
The fesvital parade featured a little of everything, from classic cars to horse-drawn wagons to area sports teams and, of course, lots of sheep wagons – both new and old. Townfolk, tourists and children waved American flags and collected candy and other goodies handed out by those escorting the various parade entries.
A second parade followed as everyone from Main Street jumped in their vehicles and headed West to the Cross Hollow Event Center for the remainder of the day’s activities, that ranged from an antique tractor pull to children’s events to a dutch oven cooking contest and a sheep shearing demonstration. Sheep wagons and antique tractors were on display there, as well.
Other than the line of traffic to get into the facility’s parking lot, the longest lines of the day were at an old sheep camp that served as the backdrop for a booth selling the festival’s famous lamb burgers. At times, it weaved its way around and through the 100 vendors setup inside the Diamond Z Arena, which also hosted the dutch oven cooking contest, a Make It With Wool fashion show, an art show, and cowboy poetry and music.
For those not inclined to wait in the line, Anchor Sheep Company of Fountain Green, Utah, offered a much shorter wait for sliced lamb sandwiches. Selling at the festival for the first time, Kade and Julia Francom sold out of their supply in less than two hours.
“We’re trying to do a little different approach with our marketing,” said Kade. “We want to do more direct marketing, so that’s why we decided to come here this year. We need to get our name out in front of people more. This has been a good learning experience. We didn’t set out to make a huge profit today. We just wanted see if there was an opportunity here. We were hoping there would be plenty of people here who would be familiar with lamb and want to eat it.”
While Kade grew up with cattle, his wife comes from a multi-generational sheep operation in central Utah. Her family – the Baileys – has been supportive as they look to get their new company off the ground.
“I’ve got a soft spot for the sheep industry,” Julia said. “It’s a lot of work, but I want to keep it going.”
The festival will celebrate its 20th year on Oct. 25-27, 2025. Learn more about the festival at CedarLivestockFest.com.
The middle of September marks when the herds of sheep begin their descent out of the forest. Every year come the first of the month though, the men start asking when they can start heading out.
“Can we leave the 10th? Can we start the trail on the 13th?” And all I can think is, can we stay longer instead? More time riding on the trails where my grandpa left his name. More time learning the country that I’m not as familiar with, but our guys know like the backs of their hands. More time on top of my beloved Mt. Isabel, taking in her expansive views and drinking from her spring.
Every September I try to sneak in every extra minute of mountain time that I possibly can. I cherish every trip, every herd counted and the beautiful scene of sheep grazing on the steep mountainside just a little bit more, knowing that my time up here is coming to an end. I absolutely love September. The cooling weather and changing leaves, counting all the herds, and spending more time with the sheep and the herders.
But I hate that September means having to leave the mountains. I dread knowing that I won’t be back to the forest until the next July, when the sheep herds make their way there once again. Every year it seems to come sooner, summer shorter and somehow it seems I’ve spent less time up there than the year before. I long to learn all the ways of the sheepherders by living in a tent with the herd for multiple days, rather than just an overnight visit. I want to learn how they keep track of 2,300 ewes and lambs amidst the thick timber. I want to learn where all the springs are at each campground, the routes they use to take the sheep to water each day, and how to cook a good meal and their perfect rice on a wood burning stove.
I want to watch the sheep graze, to see exactly what plants they prefer. I want to read a good book on top of Bull Hill as the sun sets and I listen to the constant blatting of the ewes finding their lambs. But then it’s September, and before I know it, we’ve worked the last herd of sheep through the corral at the base of Sheep Mountain, the point that marks the south end of the mountains. Where I can look north and replay my time there: every meal, every packed horse, every lost sheep.
I remind myself that July really isn’t too far away, and we’ll all be back again. Trailing back up Commissary Ridge, sleeping back in our camp at Nugent Park, and counting sheep at first light on top of Indian Ridge. It’s not goodbye my dear mountains, because I will be back soon.
I arrive at the frost-covered, wood corral with the morning sun still rising. A semi is backed up to the chute and the old ewes are climbing their way up to it. The old ewes we classify as “botella verdes” and “botella azules,” meaning green and blue bottle dob marks. We put this mark on their backs with paint when we worked the herds. These paint marks signify that these ewes could still raise another lamb or two, but their teeth are too short or broken to be wintered on the desert for another year.
Range operation sheep lead a tough life. They are out on the range year-round, even through the winter. They never get fed hay, unless we have too much snow for them to find feed like we did in 2022-23. We do feed them whole corn as a supplement each day. They must paw through the snow and pick for last year’s dried up vegetation. This feed still provides nutrients required for the animals, but it is awfully hard to eat it without a good set of teeth.
Then, after a long cold winter of working for every bite, the herds are trailed 100 miles home to start lambing. The old ewes making their way on the truck have lived this life for six-plus years. They’ve provided us with beautiful fleeces and multiple lambs. I’ve assisted some of them in lambing, watched them run in excitement toward us for their corn, and petted their soft faces while working them in the corral. When working with the sheep every day, you begin to recognize them as individuals. You can tell certain ones apart. You notice their different personalities and tendencies. They are each known, appreciated and valued far higher than the price we get for them shows.
These ewes have contributed in supporting the ranch, my family and everything that we love; and on this chilly October morning I’m watching them leave. I look a ewe in the eye that has raised nice big triplets for us four years in a row, and then watch her disappear into the trailer. I look at a ewe who appears tired and worn out, knowing she probably looks that way from keeping track of two lambs to and from the forest. I quietly thank her for her service before never seeing her again. My eyes fill with tears as I prod ewe after ewe up the ramp and say goodbye for good.
By the time the truck pulls away, I am bawling. I am the hypersensitive one of the family – although all Julians I know are sensitive – and wish that I didn’t have to be apart of this one day on the ranch. As I calm, I remind myself of the many lambs these beloved ewes have raised, many of them being ewe lambs that replenish the herd when their old mothers must go. I remind myself that they’ve done their fair share, served their part in this often-complicated circle of life, and are leaving as loved and important members of Julian Land & Livestock and making room for the next valued herd members.
In the spring, summer and fall, we have 19 men working for us as sheepherders. They come here from Peru on work visas, and can stay up to three years on one contract. We work closely with these men, and are dependent on them to be able to run our sheep. During shed lambing, I spend all day from the first of March through the middle of April with three of these men. For four years now, I have had both David and Mequias as part of the shed lambing crew.
I talk to them more than anyone else during this time. Heck, I think I speak more Spanish than English during lambing season. We know how each other works, when one is having an off day, and details about each others’ personal lives. I consider these men some of my closest friends.
This year for my birthday, they planned the greatest lunch party for me as a surprise and made it a very special day. I consider close friends and even part of the family. We have a guy, Nic, that lives at the ranch year-round. He helps with the driving duties and literally anything we need. He has been working for us since 2003 and has been to two of my cousins’ weddings, and my grandpa’s funeral. I can’t imagine the ranch without him.
Then there’s German, who has been with us for 28 years. He started working for us at the age of 21 when my mom was pregnant with me. He has watched all of us cousins grow from babies to now, and I hope that he gets to watch my future babies grow too. He has the most cheerful smile and always gives great big, happy-to-see-you hugs.
One of my favorite things about my job is getting to visit with these guys. Listening to their stories, learning about their lives and families back home, and sharing laughs, meals and “saluds.” Every fall when we’re done working the sheep for the year, seven of the men go home to Peru for the winter. They are all excited to go home to see their families and friends and to get six months off of sheepherding.
But I’m sad in saying goodbye. I truly hate goodbyes, and one never knows where life will take us, or if we will see each other again. Thankfully, many of the guys stay in contact with me while in Peru. These men are more than just employees, they are dear friends that I care deeply about.
It’s the last day of someone heading to the airport for the year. I help gather dogs into the kennels where they will spend their winter until their master returns. I hate to see how sad the men are in leaving their companions, and the sad and confused look in the eyes of all the dogs. They clear all of their belongings out of their camps and close the door to an empty living quarters that will remain that way until they return.
As Edwis loads all of his luggage into the back of the pickup, I can’t help but cry. We give each other a big hug, but it’s not goodbye my friend. We will see each other in the spring.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Brad & Laurie Boner – WY
Ryan Boner, M Diamond Angus Ranch – WY
Robert & Becky Boylan, Boylan Ranch – SD
J. Paul & Debbie Brown, Reata – CO
David B. Burkhart, Burkhart Sheep Farms – OH
Peter & Jackie Camino, Camino & Son – WY
Jeanne Carver, Shaniko Wool Company – OR
Joe & Tonya Coplan, Coplan Farm – SD
Mike & Jennifer Corn, Corn Ranch – NM
John, Quinci & Florence Cubiburu,
Cubiburu Livestock – CA
Tom & Reneé Davis, WYO Davis FLP – WY
Renee & Lonnie Deal, Sperry Livestock – CO
Edward & Lo-Ra’ Dick, Breezy Flats Sheep Farm – TX
Adric Dietz, Noelke Ranch – TX
John & Mary Eagle, Eagle Suffolks – ID
Vernon & Terri Fairchild, Fairchild Shearing, LLC – ID
Dallas & Whittney Fairchild, Fairchild Sheep Shearing, LLC – ID
Guy & Pat Flora – OH
Michael A. & Vicki Guerry, Guerry, Inc. – ID
Mike & Mary Ann Harper, Mike Harper Livestock – CO
Kelly J & Kay C Ingalls, Round Grove Ranch Co. – OR
Innes Ranch, LLC – WY
Lee & Peg Isenberger, Isenberger-Litton Livestock – WY
Aaron & Katie Jones, CF, LLC – MT
Dave & Shannon Julian, Julian Land & Livestock – WY
Clint & Maureen Krebs, Krebs Livestock, LLC – OR
Skye & Penny Krebs, Krebs Sheep Company – OR
Terri Lamers, Steve Snyder, Todd Snyder & Jackie Thompson, Snyder Ranches, LLC – CO
Bob, Marie, Ben, & Jamie Lehfeldt,
Lehfeldt Rambouillets – MT
Jim Magagna, Magagna Bros. Inc. – WY
Ryan & Kelli Mahoney, R. Emigh Livestock – CA
S. Martinez Livestock
Jack & Kathryn McRae, McRae Brothers Targhees – MT
Pierce & Betty Miller, VIP Ranch Co. – TX
Mark & Martha Moench, Thousand Peaks Ranches – UT
Wes, Esther, Alex, Katherine, Caleb & Holly Moser, Triple Creek Farm – IA
New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. – NM
Mike, Kelly, & Katy Nottingham,
Nottingham Livestock – CO
Jack & Cindy Orwick – SD
Brian & Gayenell Phelan, Superior Farms – CA
Carol Postley, Fairmeadow – FL
Joe Pozzi, Joe Pozzi Livestock – CA
Doug & Susan Samuelson, Warren Ranch
Company – WY
Cindy, Jeff & J.C. Siddoway, Siddoway Sheep
Company – ID
Jack & Sharon Smith, Cedar Livestock Association – UT
Karla Stewart – TX
Bill & Jamie Strauss, Strauss Ranch – TX
Angelo, Karin, Anthony & Dani Theos,
Theos Swallow Fork Ranch – CO
Gary & Lori Visintainer, Visintainer Sheep Co. – CO
Tom & Karin Watson, Silverdale Farms – OR
Clark & Ruth Webster, C & R Fams – UT
SUPPORTING MEMBERS
Larry Allen, Allen Livestock – CO
Auza Ranches – AZ
Clinton & Loretta Bell – VA
Brian & Carolyn Bitner, BRB Livestock – UT
Matt & Lisa Borchgrevink, Corral Creek Livestock – MT
Broadbent Family, JRB, LLC – UT
Jack & Ross Blattner, Blattner Suffolks – ID
Patrick Burke, Burke Ranch – SD
Cody & Dylan Burns, Dolan Creek Cattle, LLC – TX
Curry & Bonnie Lou Campbell, Campbell /
Mayer Liveoak Ranch – TX
Center of the Nation Wool, Inc. – SD
Steve & Pam Clements – SD
David & Theressa Dalling, Dalling Sheep, Inc. – ID
Douglas & Julia Davis, The Homestead Ranch – SD
Krista & Dennis Doyle, Doyle Farm – OH
Alicia Dredge, Jouglard Sheep Co. / CD Ranches – ID
Jeff Ebert, Ebert Sheep Farm – KS
Thomas & Leah Edwards, TLE Ranch, Inc. – WY
Ben & Stella Elgorriaga, Elgorriaga Livestock, Inc. – CA
Martin & M. Teresa Etchamendy, Etchamendy Sheep Company – CA
Nick & Kimberly Etcheverry, Eureka Livestock – CA
Joe & Lillian Ethridge, Comanche Trail Ranch. L.P. – TX
Lorin & Waneta Fawcett, Joseph O. Fawcett & Sons,
Inc. – UT
Gerry & Gwen Geis, Geis Brothers, LLC – WY
Kevin & Bobbi Geis, Geis Brothers, LLC – WY
Helen Glass, JL Glass Ranch – TX
Bob & Kate Harlan, Bar SX Ranch – WY
Marlin Helming, Helming Hampshires – CO
Dwight Heser – MT
Kurt & Carol Heupel, Heupel Farms – CO
Larry & Angie Hopkins, Little Eagle Creek Valley
Farm – IN
Claire Jones, Bar 7 Ranch – TX
Gary & Gail Jorgensen, Legacy Lamb – KS
Chris Kokkeler – OR
Rodney & Sharon Kott – TX
Louis (Spud) & Thea Lemmel, Lemmel Ranch, LLC – SD
Dan & Kim Lippert – MN
Carol Martinez, Martinez Livestock, Inc. – WA
William Mast – OR
Max & Joyce Matthews – SD
Ken & Oogie McGuire, Desert Weyr, LLC – CO
Janet & Michael Mawhinney, Blaker Ridge Farm – PA
Ken & Phyllis McKamey, McKamey Ranch Co. – MT
Matt & Dan Mickel, Mickel Bros. Sheep Company – UT
Maxwell & Kelsey Miller, DJ Miller Ranches, Inc. – OR
Jim & Georgia Moore – WY
Ron & Elizabeth Moss – ID
Joanne Nissen – CA
North Dakota Lamb & Wool Producers – ND
Will & Laura Nuckolls, Nuckolls Ranch, Inc. – WY
Dave & Holly Ollila, Flying O Sheep – SD
Bob & Jennifer Orwick, Orwick Ranch – SD
Dan & Kay Persons, Rafter P Ranch – MN
Martha Pool Elder, Tisdale Ranch – TX
Jewell Reed – WY
Thomas & Carol Schene, Schene Enterprises, Inc. – CA
Louis Schmidt, Schmidt Ranch – CO
Maurice Short, M and K Short Ranch – OR
Dean & Paula Swenson – ND
Utah Wool Marketing – UT
Washington State Wool Growers Auxiliary
Sandy & Brenda Webster, Webster Livestock – UT
Ray & Jeri Willoughby, Willoughby LTD Ranch – TX
David & Sara Winters, David W Winters Livestock – TX
Paul J. Wipf, Cascade Colony – MT
Charles & Deborah Wray, Portland Prairie Texels – MN
CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS
Martin Albini – CA
Albert Bisek, Hidden Knoll Farm – MN
Ronald & Norma Bromley – VT
CRP Ranch Partnership
Debbie & Jim Cummings – PA
Anne & Rob Davis, Davis Family Livestock – CO
Pete & Sarah Gnatkowski, Hall Gnatkowski, Inc. – NM
David & Susan Hermann – IN
Sharon Holman, Pfluger Holman – TX
Kathy & Tony Meyer, Final Frontier Farm /
KY Wool Works – KY
Michelle & Dana Missler, Bittersweet Family Farm – OH
William & Susan Shultz, Bunker Hill Farm – OH
Richard & Jeanne Sparks – MT
Rex A. Streets – MT
Marilyn Volpe & George Borkow, Sheep Ranch – ID
Bobby & Sherri Zesch, Bar Z Zesch Ranch – TX