Hopkins Testifies at House Ag Hearing
American Sheep Industry Association Legislative Action Council Co-Chair Larry Hopkins of Indiana appeared at the State of the Livestock Industry: Producer Perspectives hearing on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to call for support of the Farm Bill’s “orphan programs.”
The hearing was sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry and included testimony from several leading livestock-related associations. Orphan programs are those which don’t have baseline funding, and include the Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust, the Wool Research, Development and Promotion Trust Fund, and the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program.
Hopkins emphasized strong support for the bipartisan Farm Bill that was passed out of the committee last May. He raised concerns about the orphan programs being left out of the most recent Farm Bill extension attached to December’s continuing resolution. He mentioned the extreme market volatility of the wool industry and the need to update the Farm Bill’s wool marketing loan rate, as it has not been updated in nearly 25 years. He expressed the desperate need for the sheep industry to have access to risk management tools, which it currently does not. Additionally, he emphasized that the sheep industry is reliant on the H-2A sheepherder guest worker program, and the current adverse effect wage rate methodology used by program is untenable and pricing producers out of business.
“ASI appreciates the last two extensions of the 2018 Farm Bill, however, in spite of the committee’s best efforts, we are greatly concerned that the orphan programs were not included in the most recent extension,” Hopkins said in his oral testimony. “We ask that you include them in the next moving vehicle. The importance of those programs cannot be overstated. Ultimately, the reauthorization of the Farm Bill and the infrastructure it provides is paramount for the survival of our industry and our continued ability to provide the wool that clothes American service men and women and the American lamb that feeds your constituents.”
Rep. Jim Baird (R-Ind.) questioned Hopkins about the orphan programs later on during the hearing.
“Yes, the orphan programs are critical to the sheep industry,” Hopkins said. “The programs, as I understand it, in the past have been too small for the CBO to score those in the baseline, and as a result of that they always have to be listed in the Farm Bill as separate programs, which creates a lot of problems, especially when there’s a CR that has to be done. Last year in the Farm Bill that this committee released in May, we combined many of those orphan programs into what I believe was a fiber trust fund to make sure that they would be in the baseline. We are greatly pleased that you were able to do that. And if you could continue to do that in the new Farm Bill, I think we would be very satisfied that this problem that has been with us for a while would get resolved.”
Click Here for more information on the hearing.
Annual Market Report Available
The American Sheep Industry Association prepares an annual market report for the American Lamb Board summarizing key statistics and trends in the sheep industry. Here are some highlights from the 2024 report.
The industry saw an increase in inventory for the first time since 2016. On Jan. 1, the sheep and lamb inventory totaled 5.05 million head, an increase of 20,000 head. Market lambs were up 9,000 head for a total of 1.288 million. The total breeding flock grew by 10,000 head to 3.68 million.
While wholesale lamb prices remained stable due to favorable cuts, feeder and slaughter lamb prices fluctuated, especially in the latter half of the year, due to larger supplies. Retail lamb prices remained high, reflecting steady consumer demand despite inflationary pressures.
Overall, lamb and mutton production increased by 2.4 percent, driven by higher slaughter volumes. While lamb and yearling slaughter levels were 1 percent lower than the 2018-2022 average last year, Federally Inspected lamb and yearling slaughter was up 3.8 percent at 1.79 million head in 2024.
Per capita lamb consumption was 1.3 pounds in 2024, an increase attributed to a larger supply of lamb – American and imported. Based on lamb prices relative to supplies, consumer demand for lamb was stronger in 2024.
The 2024 lamb crop experienced an increase, with a lambing percentage of 105.9 percent, the highest since 2020. An increase in breeding stock – along with the higher lambing percentage – led to growth in the market lamb crop, marking 2024 as the first year-over-year increase in two decades. Regions such as the Corn Belt, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast saw an uptick in sheep numbers, while the Mountain and Western regions encountered declines.
The report highlights a modest increase in demand, especially from direct-to-consumer and ethnic markets, which contributes to a positive outlook for the sheep industry moving forward. Overall, the sheep industry continues to demonstrate signs of recovery with rising inventory, stable prices, decreasing feed costs and growth in various market segments, despite ongoing inflation challenges.
Download the full report with more information and insights at LambBoard.com.
Source: ALB
ALB Plans Targeted Grazing Workshops
The American Lamb Board’s Targeted Grazing Workshop is a comprehensive program aimed at educating and empowering individuals on the benefits and techniques of targeted grazing.
Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on field experience, participants will learn how to use sheep for effective land management, promoting environmental health and economic sustainability. The workshop covers key topics such as sheep management best practices, business planning and vegetation management strategies.
By attending the workshop, participants gain valuable knowledge and skills to implement targeted grazing practices, contributing to the overall goal of sustainable land management. ALB is excited to work with the American Solar Grazing Association to offer these workshops as an official ASGA certification course. Also, all registrants will receive a coupon for an American Sheep Industry Association flash drive with key educational resources, including ASI’s new Targeted Grazing 101 book.
The workshop series will kick off on April 24-25 in Hopland, Calif., at the University of California Hopland Research & Extension Center. ALB will host an optional solar grazing field day with Indart Solar Sheep Grazing in Lemoore, Calif., on April 23. Participants that would like to receive the ASGA certification will need to attend the field day.
The series returns to Texas with the support of Enel North America, Texas Solar Sheep and ASGA on May 5-7 in Sulfur Springs, Texas. ALB will host two days of classroom instruction and one day in the field on the final day.
Click Here for more information.
Source: ALB
Peterson Joins ASGA as Executive Director
The American Solar Grazing Association has announced that Stacie Peterson, Ph.D. – a recognized leader in agrivoltaics and energy – will serve as its new executive director. With her extensive expertise in environmental engineering, sustainable energy and community engagement, Peterson is poised to expand ASGA’s reach and elevate its impact as the leading voice of solar grazing in the United States.
Peterson was introduced as executive director at ASGA’s fifth annual membership meeting on Sunday.
“Stacie Peterson’s vast experience as an agrivoltaics researcher, convenor and advocate uniquely qualifies her to lead ASGA into the future,” said ASGA President and Spring Creek Farm Owner Nick Armentrout. “With over 130,000 acres of solar grazing in 30 states last year alone, ASGA is at a pivotal moment of growth. Stacie’s strategic vision and deep expertise will enhance our ability to support farmers and industry stakeholders in realizing the full potential of solar grazing.”
Peterson previously served as director of the AgriSolar Clearinghouse and director of energy programs at the National Center for Appropriate Technology. She has developed and led national, regional and state-level energy programs that engage communities, support rural businesses and provide vital education and technical assistance.
Her leadership in building the AgriSolar Clearinghouse established the premier knowledge hub for agrivoltaics and cultivated a network of more than 40 partners, bringing together agriculture leaders, solar industry professionals, academics and nonprofits. She has also spearheaded innovative community engagement initiatives, including a sold-out 20-stop tour of agrivoltaic sites across the country.
“I am honored and excited to join ASGA as its next executive director,” said Peterson. “Having worked alongside ASGA for the past five years to support and advance agrivoltaics, I know firsthand that its certifications, research, technical assistance and resources are second to none.
“As a farmer-founded and farmer-led nonprofit, ASGA is uniquely positioned to shape the future of solar grazing and agrivoltaics. I look forward to leading the organization with a focus on excellence, science and trusted partnerships, ensuring that we continue to make a lasting impact. We are stronger together.”
Source: ASGA
Australian Market Surges on Currency Movements
The Australian wool market performed strongly in this series, recording price increases across all sectors. The offering reduced by 7,194 bales as there were 32,598 bales available nationally.
From the opening lots in the Eastern centers on the first day of selling, buyer interest was strong across all wool types and descriptions, resulting in immediate price increases. The market then slowly but consistently rose all the way to the final hammer in the Western region. By the end of the day, the individual Micron Price Guides for Merino fleece had risen by between 17 and 53 cents across the three selling centers. The crossbred, skirting and oddment sectors all recorded small increases.
The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator rose by 22 cents, pushing back through the 1,200-cent barrier to close the day at 1,217 Australian cents. This was the highest the EMI has been in the 2024-25 season and its highest point since January 2024, when the EMI hit 1,220 cents.
The price rises were heavily influenced by currency, so much so, that when viewed in U.S. dollar terms, the market dipped slightly. The EMI lost one U.S. cent for the day, finishing at 755 U.S. cents. This ended the run of EMI rises in both currencies, however it extended the run in AUD terms to four consecutive selling days of rises.
On the second day, rises continued but at a much more subdued rate. The Merino fleece MPG movements ranged between unchanged and plus 24 cents. The other three sectors again posted small gains. The EMI added a further 8 cents, closing the week at 1,225 Australian cents. The EMI is now sitting at its highest point since May 2023.
Next week the national offering is expected to rise, bolstered in part by the higher prices on offer in this series that encouraged some sellers back to the market. There are currently 37,942 bales on offer nationally.
Source: AWEX
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.
U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Mexico & Canada – Agriculture Products Exempted
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump imposed new 25-percent tariffs on all goods being imported from Mexico and Canada. This action comes after the administration’s original announcement back in early February to levy the same taxes on Mexican and Canadian goods.
Canada first responded by pledging to levy counter tariffs on $30 billion in goods imported from the United States while Mexico said it would also launch retaliatory efforts but never released any specific details or a list of goods that would be subject to retaliatory tariffs. Before the tariffs ever went into place in February, separate interim agreements were reached between the United States and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pause any tariffs for one-month.
Since Tuesday, it’s been a fast-moving environment with both Trump and the involved trading partners making back-and-forth announcements. At the time of this writing, this is where the current events stand between the United States, Mexico and Canada:
- The United States imposed 25-percent tariffs on goods that do not satisfy U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement rules of origin.
- A lower 10-percent tariff has been imposed by the United States on those energy products imported from Canada that fall outside the USMCA preference.
- A lower 10-percent tariff on any potash imported from Canada and Mexico that falls outside the USMCA preference.
- No tariffs on those goods from Canada and Mexico that claim and qualify for USMCA preference.
These parameters are temporary and only in place until April 2, which is coincidentally the same day that Trump has announced he will impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports, matching the tariffs imposed on U.S. exports by destination markets. Ultimately, these tariffs culminate the pressure that the administration has continued to put on these countries to do more to strengthen border security and stop undocumented immigration and fentanyl from coming into the country.
It is worth emphasizing that these and other ongoing developments related to these tariffs, as well as any other tariffs proposed by the president are fluid and subject to change.