ASI Awards Another Round of Shearing Grants

The American Sheep Industry Association has once again awarded grants to developing shearers and shearing mentors in an effort to address the shortage of professional shearers all across the United States.

For the fourth consecutive year, the ASI Wool Council has awarded grants of $1,500 to assist developing shearers with a variety of expenses, including travel and equipment. Developing shearer grant recipients will receive $500 upon acceptance and $1,000 at the completion of the program.

Those selected for shearer grants in 2025 include: Philip Bulak, Isaiah Manus, Jared Moser, Angel Papineau, Austin Pethan, Katherine Pierce, Blade Thomsen and Karin Witthar. Recipients expect to shear sheep in more than 15 states this year.

The program is designed for shearers with some experience, specifically those who can handle shearing at least 10 sheep per day, and who are working to become a professional shearer. Priority for grant selection is given to those who can shear 25 head or more per day. Nearly all of this year’s recipients fall into that category. Ideally, recipients would also have an interest in shearing full-time as they develop their skills.

Two shearing mentors were chosen to receive $1,500 grants, as well. They will receive funding after finding work for and helping train a developing shearer. The mentors chosen for grants in 2025 include: Will Kleinert and Anne Shroeder.

 

Australian Wool Market Continues to Rise

The Australian wool market continued its positive start to the 2025 calendar year, recording further solid rises in this selling series. The national quantity rose compared to last week, due in part to the higher prices on offer during the previous series. That encouraged more sellers to the market and there were a total of 37,650 bales available to the trade.

The first day of selling was buoyant, from the opening lot it was apparent that the market was heading in a positive direction. By the end of the day, the individual Micron Price Guides across the country for Merino fleece had risen by between 6 and 41 cents with only the 17-micron MPG in the North resisting the trend and falling by a solitary cent. The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator added a healthy 15 cents for the day.

On the second day, only Sydney and Melbourne were in operation. The market generally continued to rise, predominantly in the medium to broad microns. In the South, the 21-micron MPG climbed to 1,449 cents, which is its highest point since May 10, 2023. The EMI added another 8 cents and finished the series 23 cents higher to close at 1,215 Australian cents. The EMI is now at its highest point since Jan. 10, 2024, and has risen for four consecutive selling days.

Minimal currency movement since the close of the previous series meant that the market gains were also realized in U.S. dollar terms. The EMI added 18 U.S. cents for the series, closing the week at 760 U.S. cents. This was the highest weekly rise in U.S. cents since April of last year.

Next week’s national offering is expected to increase, again buoyed by more sellers being attracted to the market. There are currently 41,243 bales rostered in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.

Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.

Source: AWEX

 

February is Lamb Lovers Month

For more than a decade, the American Lamb Board has celebrated February as Lamb Lovers Month – the perfect time to enjoy delicious American lamb. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, ALB is serving up inspiration for romantic, cozy meals at home.

The American Lamb website is packed with mouthwatering recipes, from heart-shaped lamb dishes to elegant wine pairings and even unexpected yet delightful lamb and chocolate combinations. Whether you’re planning a special date night or just want to try something new, there’s something for every lamb lover.

ALB is once again teaming up with its Lambassador network to spread the love for American lamb across social media. Throughout the month, Lambassadors will share their favorite recipes and give followers a chance to win an American lamb prize pack – including the iconic Le Creuset Grill Pan. Follow @fanoflamb on Instagram to stay updated and join the fun.

Check out Two Purple Figs for an easy Lamb Loin Chops with Romesco Sauce recipe – perfect for an elegant yet effortless meal.

Don’t miss the Homemade Class with Chef Joel on Feb. 13, where he’ll be cooking up Cherry-Braised Lamb Shanks – the ultimate dish for a romantic evening at home. Let’s make this Lamb Lovers Month the most delicious one yet.

Source: ALB

 

South Dakota Rams Earn Honors

Recently two Rambouillet rams from South Dakota reached the Registered of Merit Status in the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association.

To achieve this goal, a ram must compete in an approved ram test and must be in the top 10 percent of the rams tested. The ram must also have a 4-inch staple length, gain .60 pounds per day, have wool finer than 23.7 microns and have 9 pounds of clean fleece. He then must sire five rams that meet these requirements. The last time this was accomplished was in 2003.

The first ram to achieve this rare feat is Erk Bros B1510-997995R, raised by Erk Bros of Newell S.D. They run a range flock of 900 head and a registered flock of 300 head of Rambouillet ewes.  Breeding stock is sold at the Newell Ram Sale, Wyoming Ram Sale in Douglas, Wyo., and private treaty off the ranch.

The second ram is Cook Sisters 5931-999443R bred by Cook Sisters of Glad Valley, S.D. They run a Rambouillet flock of 200 head of ewes. Breeding stock is sold at the Newell Ram Sale, the South Dakota Sheep Growers Ewe Sale in Huron, S.D., and they also sell private treaty off the ranch. This ram is now owned by by Forbes, McGivney and Rabel of Kaycee, Wyo.  They run a flock of 300 Registered Rambouillet ewes. They sell at the Newell Ram Sale, Wyoming Ram Sale and the National Ram sale in Utah, as well as private treaty off the ranch.

All three breeders use the Performance Ram Tests at Hettinger, N.D., and the Wyoming Test at Douglas, Wyo. For more information, contact the South Dakota Rambouillet Association at 605-852-2233 or 605-430-5811.

Source: S.D. Rambouillet Association

 

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.

Senate Ag Reports USDA Nominee Favorably

On Monday, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a business meeting off the Senate floor to vote on Brooke Rollins’ appointment to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rollins was voted favorably out of the committee by a unanimous vote of 23-0.

Just last night, the Senate held a motion to consider Rollin’s nomination and following that, Senator Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) filed a cloture motion to move her nomination process to the Senate floor. She now joins the queue of other Trump cabinet picks awaiting to be confirmed by a full Senate, likely next week. Rollins is expected to be easily voted off the Senate floor and into her new role leading USDA.

Trump Announces Sweeping Tariffs

Last Saturday, President Donald Trump announced his plan to invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose 25-percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10-percent tariffs on goods from China. As outlined by the Trump administration, these tariffs are retaliation for illegal migration, drug and trade deficit concerns.

USDA believes tariffs would cost Mexico and Canada $75 billion in agricultural imports. That includes Mexico’s $34 billion and Canada’s $10 billion worth of fruits and vegetables. For Mexico, $4 billion worth of sugar and tropical products and more than $3 billion in livestock and meat are at stake. Additionally, Canada could lose up $9 billion in grains and feed, $6.5 billion in oilseeds, $6 billion in livestock and meats, and $4.5 billion in sugar and tropical products, according to USDA data.

Since the announcement, there have been multiple developments and reactions from the trading partners involved. Canada initially responded after the first announcement by levying counter tariffs on $30 billion in goods imported from the United States. Additionally, China’s government denounced the imposition of the long-threatened tariff onto Chinese imports and later imposed countermeasures on the United States, placing a 10-percent tariff on crude oil, agriculture machinery and large-engine vehicles, and 15-percent tariffs on coal and liquified natural gases. These measures are set to take effect on Monday, shortly after the U.S. imposes its own tariffs.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reached an agreement with Trump to exclusively halt tariffs between Mexico and the United States for one month. Following Mexico’s announcement and lead, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that an agreement was made between Canada and the United States to also pause tariffs for 30 days.

As the United States continues to apply pressure on its North American neighbors and China, it is uncertain how long these tariffs will persist and whether additional trading partners will also be targeted.

 

Coalition Celebrates Ag Export Promotion Act

The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports – of which the American Sheep Industry Association is a member – applauds Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) for reintroducing the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025. This legislation would double funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program. Both programs are critical to expanding global market access for American agricultural exports.

The MAP and FMD programs are funded under the Trade Title of the Farm Bill, but the investment has declined even in the face of global challenges and the need to expand and diversify markets. Funding for FMD has not changed in 23 years and MAP hasn’t had a raise in 19 years. Adjusted for inflation and for sequestration, the real dollar value of each program continues to diminish. Fully one-third of MAP funding has been lost to sequestration, inflation and program administration.

A series of program evaluations have shown MAP and FMD generate direct benefits to the American economy that have room to grow. A May 2022 econometric study conducted by IHS Markit and agricultural economists at Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports from 2024 to 2029.

ASI and its American Wool Council use MAP and FMD funds to promote the use of American wool in countries all around the world, and sales of American wool can be traced directly to the programs these funds support on a yearly basis.

The Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025 must now be considered by the House Agriculture Committees, and the coalition urges their swift consideration.

The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports is a group of 150 organizations focused on protecting and enhancing U.S. agricultural export promotion programs to help America’s agricultural industry reach more consumer and compete in a dynamic global marketplace.

Click Here for more information.

Source: U.S. Agricultural Exports