AmericanWool.org Offers Revamped Shop
Fans of American wool can turn to AmericanWool.org’s revamped shop page to get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping. AmericanWool.org is a consumer-facing website of the American Sheep Industry Association’s Wool Council.
It’s easier than ever for consumers to discover and support products made with American wool. Featuring more than 50 brands, the new shop page gives users full control over their shopping experience with new filter options to search by product type or category – ensuring they’re able to find exactly what they need.
Uncover brands that embody the spirit of American craftsmanship through their commitment to using premium, homegrown wool. Whether you’re seeking durability, sustainability or simply the best in natural fibers, AmericanWool.org’s curated list connects you directly to the makers who share your values.
Click Here to start shopping today.
Apply Now for Shearing Grants
The American Sheep Industry Association has once again set aside $15,000 in grants to assist developing shearers and mentors.
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.
Click Here for more information.
Click Here for more information in Spanish.
Clements, Percival Appointed to NSIIC Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week 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. “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.
Click Here for more information about NSIIC.
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
MSPA Hiring New Executive Director
The Michigan Sheep Producers Association is looking to hire a new executive director. This position is responsible for overseeing the organization’s administration, programs and strategic plan.
Duties include communication, maintaining partnerships with key organizations, outreach and education for sheep producers, and promoting the Michigan sheep industry. This position reports directly to the board of directors. This is a part-time position.
Click Here for more information.
Source: MSPA
PLC Seeking Videographers
The Public Lands Council is looking for a number of videographers with advanced video production skills to capture audio/visual content on farms and ranches throughout the Western United States.
Applicants must:
- Be available for work on a contracted basis.
- Supply their own equipment, including but not limited to cameras, microphones, lighting equipment, sound equipment, computers and/or video editing software.
- Have the correct equipment and skill to record and edit high-quality, high-resolution videos for use on social media, broadcast television, websites and other platforms.
Additionally, PLC strongly prefers that applicants have prior experience on farms and ranches, understand basic farm/ranch safety procedures and practices, and are comfortable near livestock.
Click Here for more information and the application form.
Source: PLC
Brickle Group Acquires Family Yarns
The Brickle Group – operating as Hyman Brickle and Son Inc. – announced the acquisition of Family Yarns in Etna, Maine.
Founded in 1936, Brickle is a provider of high-quality berets, blankets and cold weather gear to the Department of Defense, as well as offering industrial nonwovens, recycling of waste fiber and trading of raw materials.
This strategic acquisition significantly enhances Brickle’s production capabilities, adding a million pounds of woolen spinning capacity to support its growing yarn needs in both the industrial sector and the Department of Defense.
The newly acquired woolen spinning facility specializes in creating yarns in coarser count ranges, utilizing a diverse array of fiber types. This expansion not only meets internal demands but also opens the door for Brickle to supply yarns to external textile companies.
In addition to the Family Yarns acquisition, The Brickle Group has made further investments in its textile division by establishing a yarn plying operation at its North Smithfield, R.I., facility. This new operation offers commission two-for-one twisting up to four-ply, catering to companies that require specialized plied yarns.
“Our commitment to vertical integration and enhancing our value-added services continues with these investments,” said President Max Brickle. “We are excited about the opportunities that the Family Yarns acquisition and our new plying operation will bring to our clients and partners in the textile industry.”
The Brickle Group remains dedicated to supporting its diverse textile businesses and meeting the evolving needs of its customers. For inquiries regarding yarn spinning or plying services, please contact [email protected]
Source: The Brickle Group
USDA Announces Additional Grant Funding
During a visit to Dramm Corp. this week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is making investments that will strengthen American farms and businesses by expanding innovative domestic fertilizer production and increasing independent meat and poultry processing capacity, which will in turn increase competition and lower fertilizer costs for farmers and food costs for consumers.
USDA announced $20.2 million in awards to 26 projects through the Local Meat Capacity grant program to expand processing capacity within the meat and poultry industry, which adds new jobs to their local communities and provides producers more options to ensure their products get to market.
The investments advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up and to promote fair and competitive markets for American farmers and ranchers.
This final set of awards through Local MCap is for both Simplified Equipment Only and Processing Expansion project types. Two additional projects (totaling $7.8 million), which have been selected to move forward, are in final review with USDA.
This final set of awards for simplified equipment and processing expansion covers projects in 21 states. Simplified Equipment Only awards fund projects to purchase processing equipment such as meat grinders, stuffers, and smokers. Processing Expansion projects increase processing or rendering capacity through activities including facility upgrades, equipment purchases, and training.
The Local MCap grant program supports meat and poultry processors with smaller-scale projects, with a goal to increase processing availability and choice for local and regional livestock producers. A first round of funding was announced in March 2024, and a second round of funding was announced in July 2024. With this announcement, USDA has funded a total of 97 projects for $55.8 million through Local MCap. The program is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service and is authorized by the American Rescue Plan.
For more information, on Local MCap and to view a complete list of the awarded projects visit the AMS Local MCap webpage.
Source: USDA/AMS
ALB Connects with Consumers at Local Events
The American Lamb Board recently collaborated with Foodwise, a San Franciso community-driven organization championing local agriculture and small farms. The group’s October Sunday Supper began with a delightful reception by Chef Adam Rosenblum of Causwells, who wowed guests with his Lamb Jam winning American Lamb Boudin Balls. As a special touch, each guest received Chef Rosenblum’s signature spice blend and a recipe card, allowing them to recreate his dish at home.
Chef Francis Ang led the main dinner with a show-stopping whole lamb on a spit, which brought attendees together in a celebration of community and the rich flavors of American lamb. Joe Pozzi – a California lamb rancher – attended the dinner to share his valuable insights on the importance of supporting American lamb farmers and ranchers.
The Foodwise Sunday Supper not only celebrates local food systems but also supports crucial causes, from promoting food access and education for youth to uplifting early-stage entrepreneurs in the Building Equity program. ALB is proud to participate in this event and share the unique stories behind American lamb.
ALB has partnered with the Secret Supper Series, bringing farm-to-table dining experiences to communities across the country. This month, ALB sponsored dinners in Detroit and Atlanta adding to the series in Portland, Sonoma, Calif., Austin, Boston, Denver and Seattle. Secret Supper’s mission to unite people over exceptional food and wine in stunning settings aligns perfectly with showcasing American lamb. Through these dinners, we’re able to bring people closer to the source of their food and celebrate the flavors of American lamb.
ALB was the main host at the Atlanta Secret Supper this week where an entire menu was designed around showcasing the versatility of American lamb. Tucker and Emily West of Liberty Farms – a local Georgia couple raising sheep for the Atlanta market – joined the dinner to share stories about their operation and lamb featured at the dinner. Their customer and friend, Cam Floyd of Gezzo’s Coastal Cantina – a local butcher and chef – conducted a butchery demonstration to help educate attendees about cut diversity and cooking methods when cooking with American lamb.
“These events focus on community, local food systems and support for American lamb, aligning well with our values,” said ALB Chairman Jeff Ebert.
Source: ALB
Australian Wool Market Down Despite Currency Movements
Despite many industry observers predicting a dearer market – due to a weakening of the Australian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar – the Australian wool market recorded another small overall loss this series – the third consecutive week where this has occurred.
When the market opened, it was immediately apparent that the lower AUD was not going to have the expected impact on prices and instead losses were generally recorded. Wool 18.5 micron and finer was most affected.
Across the country, the Merino fleece Micron Price Guides movements ranged between plus two and minus 33 cents. The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator dropped by 3 cents for the day. Small rises in the crossbred sector prevented a larger fall. The second day of selling was similar to the first. The Merino fleece MPG movements ranged between plus 2 and minus 21 cents. The EMI fell by another 3 cents, with small general increases in the crossbred sector again preventing a larger fall. This 3-cent drop in the EMI was the sixth consecutive daily fall in the EMI, although no fall has been larger than 4 cents.
The EMI dropped 6 cents for the week, closing at 1,125 Australian cents. Since the close of the previous series, the AUD has dropped sharply compared to the USD and is currently trading at 65.42 U.S. cents – a fall of 1.34 cents. Due to this fall, when viewed in USD terms, the fall in the EMI was greater. The EMI fell by 19 U.S. cents for the week, closing at 736 cents – a reduction of 2.5 percent. This was the largest weekly fall in USD terms in the EMI since January.
Next week holds an unusual selling pattern. Sydney and Fremantle will sell on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Melbourne will sell Wednesday and Thursday. There are currently 37,991 bales rostered nationally.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Table – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX