ASI, NCBA Release Video on Public Lands Movement Criteria During FMD Outbreak
The American Sheep Industry Association worked with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and other stakeholders to develop movement decision criteria guidance addressing unique scenarios that would arise for federal lands grazers in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
A five-minute video describes the project and resources and can be viewed on the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply and Secure Beef Supply websites under the Public Land Grazing pages. This has resulted from a multi-year cooperative project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program.
“ASI appreciates the time and effort put in by the Advisory Group as well as Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, consultant with Preventalytics, in the creation of materials. This effort had multiple groups contribute to unique resources for sheep and cattle producers to prepare for, respond to and enhance their resiliency for an FAD event,” said ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick. “This collaboration across the sheep and cattle industries with state and federal partners demonstrates impactful results for business continuity and a secure food supply.”
“An FMD outbreak on U.S. soil is expected it would cost the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars. For years, the resources we have prepared have focused on mitigating losses on private land. Now, with the help of a wide spectrum of organizations including USDA, the Public Lands Council, state animal health officials, and many more, we have comprehensive resources to help public lands ranchers whose livestock may be far from any infected herd have predictability for their operations in the event of an FMD outbreak,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kaitlynn Glover. “Livestock producers in the West are now more prepared than ever to work with federal lands agencies and animal health officials to make movement decisions with the development of this collaborative guidance.”
These resources are in addition to the enhanced biosecurity plans found on the SSWS and SBS websites. Industry input and participation was critical to identifying gaps for federal lands grazers and establishing the need for these specialized documents. The sheep and beef industries continue to work together to provide educational resources to best prepare producers, veterinarians and other industry stakeholders before an FMD outbreak occurs.
Background
The U.S. is currently free of the FMD virus. The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan and Secure Beef Supply Plan for continuity of business provide opportunities for industry partners to voluntarily prepare before an FMD outbreak. If FMD were found in U.S. livestock, regulatory officials will limit the movement of animals and animal products to try and control the spread of this very contagious animal disease. Control areas will be established around infected premises and movement restrictions will be implemented. Given the nature of federal lands grazing, containment of livestock and mitigation of risk will require different strategies than private land containment measures. When the control areas encompass part or all of a public land grazing allotment in one or more states, there are unique challenges for sheep and cattle producers to mitigate disease exposure risks. FMD is not a threat to public health or food safety.
Click Here to watch the video.
NY’s Fashion Innovation Center Gets OFDA 2000
The American Sheep Industry Association recently installed an OFDA 2000 for wool testing at the Fashion Innovation Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. The machine will be used to test wool for sheep producers in the region.
Producers interested in having their wool tested can reach out to Laboratory Manager Clyde Carpenter at [email protected] or 518-276-2508.
“I’m really excited to start testing wool samples for people up here,” Carpenter said.
The Fashion Innovation Center’s core focus is to advance both natural textile products including bast fibers – notably hemp – and wool, and new-technology sustainable fibers and materials, so that they are manufactured in New York State from raw materials to final fashion products. The FIC was created in September 2023 with funding activated in May 2024. The FIC innovates sustainable fashion technologies, accelerates sustainable fashion business innovations, engages through meetings and activities, nurtures to spread knowledge and target supply chain gaps, and markets New York State’s sustainable fashion industry.
Click Here to learn more about the center.
Currency Fluctuations Affect Australian Wool Market
The Australian wool market returned from the annual three-week, mid-year recess this week to losses across nearly all sectors. In an all-too-common trend, currency fluctuations played a large role in the market movements.
With the sale recess moving later this year, comparing national quantities to the previous season was problematic. With the recess behind us, we can now accurately compare quantities. Season to date there have been 167,307 bales put through the auction system, this is 46,719 fewer bales than last season for a reduction of 21.8 percent.
In the Merino fleece sector, the individual Micron Price Guides movements ranged between +7 and -61 cents with 17.5 micron and finer in the North recording the largest falls. Strong competition on 19.5-micron wool in the West helped the 19.5-micron MPG to record the only positive result in the Merino fleece sector. The crossbred sector had a mixed series, while the oddment sector recorded losses across all three regions. The result of these movements was an 11-cent fall in the benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator, which closed the week at 1,113 Australian cents.
As mentioned earlier, currency played a large role in the overall outcome of this series. The USD is trading 1.48 cents higher compared to the close of the last series (July 24). As a result, when viewed in U.S. dollar terms, the market rose. The EMI added 9 U.S. cents for the series, closing the week at 751 U.S. cents. Worth noting, on the final day in the Western region, the fleece which sold last recorded increases across all MPGs, setting a positive tone for next week’s opening.
Wet weather across certain parts of the country – particularly in the West – has held up shearing. Despite this, next week’s offering is an almost carbon copy quantity wise. There are currently 42,349 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Table – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
Notice of Final Distribution to Mid-States Members
Mid-States Wool Growers Cooperative Association has dissolved and liquidated its property. To make final distributions of remaining cash to members, the Co-op needs current contact information for all members.
If you have not responded to mailings – or not received them – please mail your name, current mailing address, email address and phone number to Mid-States Wool Growers Cooperative Assn., P.O. Box 71, Baltimore, OH 43105.
Members, please respond before Oct. 1 so you can obtain your share of the final distribution. If members do not respond, their distributions will be sent to unclaimed funds in the states of their last known addresses.
Source: Mid-States Wool Growers
USMARC Hiring for Several Positions
The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., has openings for three sheep ranch hand positions and a sheep nursery and data associate.
The sheep ranch hand positions are responsible for care of livestock, including feeding, observation and treatment of the sheep population, as well as servicing and maintaining all equipment and buildings of the sheep facilities.
The sheep and nursery data assistant will have primary responsibility for the lamb nursery, including daily checks of all lambs for health concerns, teaching lambs to feed from automatic feeders and maintaining sanitation of the nursery unit. Additional duties include: collecting, recording and organizing data on individual and groups of sheep; compiling data; and training new staff and student interns.
For more information, contact Isaac Brunkow at 402-762-4115 or [email protected].
Click Here for a complete list of openings at USMARC.
Source: USMARC
Whipping Up New Lamb Burger at Taziki’s
Taziki’s Mediterranean Café and the American Lamb Board have teamed up once again to promote American lamb by featuring the new Whipped Feta American Lamb Burger. This new special – featured on menus in 98 locations and on the company’s website – is made with American lamb, creamy whipped feta and fresh Mediterranean ingredients.
It’s the perfect blend of ingredients to showcase the flavors of American lamb, and many anticipate this new menu item to be the new go-to for Taziki’s diners.
“Since the previous American lamb burgers on the Taziki’s menu outsold projections, we are excited to see how many consumers we can reach with this tasty new Whipped Feta American Lamb Burger,” said ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert.
Taziki’s is committed to using approximately 36,000 pounds of ground American lamb throughout this 12-week promotion, which ends in September. Along with serving these delicious American lamb burgers, the company shares the story of American lamb with its customers, highlighting the quality and taste it provides. Taziki’s is also spotlighting the promotion through special offers and information in its newsletters, social media promotions and table signs at every location.
Help ALB support the promotion by visiting a location near you before the end of September. Do ewe know additional restaurant groups that use American lamb that ALB should partner with? If so, email [email protected].
Source: ALB