Monday is Final Day for Early Bird Registration
Looking to register for the American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention at a discounted rate? Your chances are dwindling. Monday is the final day to register at the early bird price. After that, normal registration rates will apply. Online registration closes completely on Dec. 13 and registrations after that date will need to be done onsite in Scottsdale, Ariz.
An additional discounted registration opportunity applies to students and first-time convention attendees through ASI’s Young and Emerging Entrepreneur program. Those who qualify get a $150 discount on registration fees. To register through this program, please contact Zahrah Khan at [email protected] or 303-771-3500, ext. 108. Discounts through the YEE program are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click Here for more information.
ASI Awards Nominations Due by Friday
It’s time once again to submit nominations for ASI awards, which will be presented during the American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention on Jan. 15-18, 2025, in Scottsdale, Ariz. The deadline for all award nominations is Friday.
There are five awards open for nominations: The McClure Silver Ram Award, the Peter Orwick Camptender Award, the Distinguished Producer Award, the Industry Innovation Award and the Shepherd’s Voice Award. Past recipients of these awards are not eligible.
Click Here for more information.
Friday is Deadline for Officer Nominations
American Sheep Industry Association Nominating Committee Chair Susan Shultz reminds sheep producer leaders and state associations that nominations for ASI secretary/treasurer are due by Friday.
Interested producers should share a letter of interest – including leadership experience in the sheep industry – with the ASI office. The committee will then agree on a nomination slate of officers to be presented to the ASI Board of Directors at its annual meeting in January.
Contact Executive Director Peter Orwick at 303-771-3500, ext. 103, or [email protected] for more information.
Wyoming Launches Sheep Innovators Exchange
The University of Wyoming Sheep Program – in partnership with the Wyoming Wool Initiative, Wyoming Business Council and the UW Global Engagement Office – recently announced the Sheep Innovators Exchange: Wyoming to New Zealand. This international program gives Wyoming sheep producers and industry entrepreneurs a chance to gain fresh insights by engaging with global peers who face similar challenges.
Participants in the Sheep Innovators Exchange will travel to New Zealand to explore the country’s renowned sheep industry. For five days, participants will tour essential industry sites in Christchurch and South Island, such as genetic improvement facilities and value-added lamb and wool marketing operations. Leadership summits are included to drive innovation and strengthen Wyoming’s sheep industry.
The Sheep Innovators Exchange will take place from July 12-18, 2025. Participants must arrive in New Zealand by July 12. Programmed events begin on July 14. The program primarily targets young sheep ranchers ages 25 to 40, but it is also open to other sheep and wool industry professionals. If selected, applicants must purchase airfare and provide travel confirmation to secure a spot in the program. Regional applicants may be considered if space allows.
Participants are responsible for covering their own airfare. The Wyoming Wool Initiative will cover additional costs, such as lodging, transportation and food expenses associated with the program.
“Sometimes, gaining a fresh perspective on challenges and opportunities requires connecting with people who face similar circumstances in other parts of the world,” said Whit Stewart, UW Extension sheep specialist and associate professor of animal science. “This program is designed to create a dynamic exchange between sheep ranchers in Wyoming and New Zealand, a country recognized globally for its leadership in sheep production, innovative practices and forward-thinking marketing strategies. Through structured tours, hands-on learning and leadership summits, we aim to foster new ideas and strengthen the future of Wyoming’s sheep industry while building bridges with fellow sheep producers abroad.”
Kate Harlan – co-chair of the Sheep Innovators Exchange – underscores the need to engage young producers.
“It is important to focus on young producers and industry members as they will be taking the reins and guiding the industry forward,” said Harlan. “As the world continues to become more globally connected every day, it is important for us to use that to our advantage and stay connected globally, as well.”
Applications are open until Jan. 2, 2025.
Click Here for more information.
Click Here for the application form.
Source: Wyoming Wool Initiative
Oregon to Host 2025 Shearing Championships
The Mike McWilliam Memorial Shearing Contest will host the U.S. Sheep Shearing Championships on June 6-7, 2025, in Roseburg, Ore. This is the first time that the championship event has been held outside of the Midwest for many years, and Oregon is honored to be chosen as hosts.
Douglas County (Ore.) sheep are coarse wool, cross-bred animals that graze on grassy oak savannah hillsides throughout the year. A variety of county producers will provide animals for competitions in blade shearing, wool handling and conventional shearing.
Shearer registration will open on Jan. 1, 2025.
In order to host the national championships, the Douglas County Fairgrounds needs to upgrade its facilities to expand from three shearing stands to four. Organizers would also like to offer competitors with cash payouts large enough to incentivize travel to the West Coast. If you would like to donate to support the event, you can mail a check payable to the Douglas County Farm Bureau to 1545 Azalea-Glen Road, Azalea, OR 97410. Please email [email protected] for more information on contributing to the event.
Click Here for more information on the contest.
Source: Douglas County Farm Bureau
Animal Imports Restricted by New World Screwworm
Effective Nov. 22 and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services is temporarily suspending the importation of live animals originating from or transiting Mexico based on the confirmation of New World screwworm in cattle.
APHIS is temporarily suspending the importation of ruminants, including live cattle and bison, from Mexico. An updated import alert will be issued with additional guidance once APHIS has implemented mitigations that would allow resumption of imports. Importation of bovine germplasm, sheep and goats and their germplasm, and swine and their germplasm from Mexico are already prohibited.
Specific information about live animal import requirements for all species regulated by APHIS VS can be found at: www.aphis.usda.gov/live-animal-import.
A list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by screwworm can be found on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website.
For additional information about live animal imports regulated by other agencies, please check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and/or USDA APHIS Animal Care to ensure import requirements of those agencies are met, when applicable.
Source: USDA/APHIS/VS
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.
Trump Taps Rollins as Secretary of Ag
On Saturday, President-elect Donald Trump announced Brooke Rollins as his pick to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture as secretary. Rollins previously served as director of the Office of American Innovation and acting director of the Domestic Policy Council during the first Trump administration. She also co-founded the America First Policy Institute, where she currently serves as president and chief executive officer.
In addition to her career resume, Rollins received a degree in agricultural development at Texas A&M University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law. A statement from the Trump-Vance Transition noted, “From her upbringing in the small agriculture-centered town of Glen Rose, Texas, to her years of leadership involvement with Future Farmers of America and 4-H, to her generation family farming background, to guiding her four kids in their show cattle careers, Brooke has a practitioner’s experience, along with deep policy credentials in both nonprofit and government leadership at the state and national levels.”
Rollins is expected to have a smooth Senate confirmation, and if confirmed as secretary of agriculture, she will provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition and related issues at USDA. Rollins has since responded to the official nomination stating it is her honor to have the ability to fight for American farmers and agricultural communities.
Craig In the Race to Lead House Ag Dems
On Monday, news broke that Rep. Angie Craig (Minn.) circulated a letter announcing her plans to enter the race to challenge current Ranking Member Rep. David Scott (Ga.) for the top House Ag Committee Democratic spot.
She stated in the letter that if given the opportunity to serve as Ranking Member she will, “continue to champion shared priorities, working with Republicans where possible and standing firm where needed.”
This comes after Rep. Jim Costa (Calif.) announced his bid to challenge Scott for the top spot just last week. Democrats will make final decisions on their caucus’ committee heads after the Thanksgiving recess.
Dairy Sheep & Goat Conference Set for January
The Dairy Sheep and Goat Conference 2025 will take place January 27-28 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Congresbury near Bristol (England).
Organized by the Dairy Sheep and Goat Consultancy Team at Friars Moor Livestock Health Veterinary Practice, the conference will bring together leading experts, livestock vets, dairy farmers and industry professionals to discuss both challenges and innovative scientific solutions in sustainable small ruminant dairy production.
The 2025 event will feature presentations on sustainable farming practices and new insights into improving animal health and productivity. Keynote speakers include Dr. Nadav Galon, former Chief Veterinary Officer, Director of Veterinary Services, Israel and independent consultant to World Organization for Animal Health, who will speak on Trans-Boundary Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance.
Attendees can tour Bagborough Farm where White Lake Cheese is produced to discuss Johnes disease control.
Click Here for more information.
Source: Friars Moor Livestock Health
Australian Wool Market Records Increases
The Australian wool market recorded an overall increase in this series, driven by solid price rises in the Merino fleece sector across both selling days.
By the end of the opening day, the individual Merino Price Guides across the country had risen by between 2 and 24 cents. The only exceptions were the 18.5- and 19.5-micron MPGs in the North, which remained unchanged. The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator added 3 cents for the day, climbing to 1,140 Australian cents. An overall softening in the crossbred sector prevented a larger rise.
The first day price rises could be largely attributed to currency movements. On Tuesday, the Australian dollar dropped to 64.33 cents, its lowest level since August. As a result of this weakening of the AUD when viewed in U.S. dollar terms, the market fell. The EMI dropped by 3 U.S. cents for the day, falling to 740 U.S. cents.
The second day of selling, the market recorded another overall rise, again mainly due to solid increases across most of the published Merino fleece MPGs. With only the Northern and Southern regions in operation, the movements in the MPGs ranged between minus 4 and plus 48 cents. Only the 18.5 micron and coarser MPGs in the North didn’t record increases. The EMI added another 4 cents, closing the week 7 cents higher at 1,144 Australian cents. In a similar pattern to the first day, a weaker crossbred market again prevented a larger rise in the EMI.
The EMI is now trading at its highest point since the end of June and the highest it has been for the 2024-25 selling season. The stronger market has encouraged more sellers, pushing next week’s offering above the previously forecast figure. There are expected to be 39,580 bales on offer nationally. If this quantity is realized, it will be the largest sale since October.
Source: AWEX