As it turns out, the rollercoaster ride American wool and sheep producers have been on the past couple of years was actually a Pacific Ocean wave that carried the American Sheep Industry (ASI) Association into San Diego on Jan. 19-22 for its 157th Annual Convention: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wave.
Resiliency peppered conversations in San Diego after a COVID-induced wave took its best shot at sinking the industry, only to then carry it to record-high lamb prices and steady increases for wool. The American sheep industry proved its buoyancy and sustainability in the process, turning an eye toward the role it can play in slowing (and even reducing) climate change in the years to come.
The well-orchestrated chorus condemning American animal agriculture for its role in global warming is deceptive, according to air quality Extension specialist Frank Mitloehner of the University of California, Davis, also known as the “greenhouse gas guru.” Rather than being the problem, animal agriculture is part of a climate solution.
“It’s nothing short of a miracle,” Mitloehner said, noting that forestry and animal agriculture are the major societal sectors that can actually pull carbon from the air and store it—making these industries part of the climate solution rather than major culprits.
Among those most interested in Mitleohner’s presentation was Michigan State University’s Richard Ehrhardt, Ph.D. He’s conducting similar research on behalf of the American Lamb Board to determine the greenhouse gas footprint of the American sheep industry. He reiterated Mitleohner’s message in pointing out that not all greenhouse gases are created equal when it comes to their contribution to climate change.
Award winners
Unlike methane produced by small ruminants, the influence the 2022 ASI award winners have had on the American sheep industry will not be short-lived.
Tim Turner, DVM, received the association’s highest honor as he was selected for the McClure Silver Ram Award. Turner heads ASI’s for-profit Sheep Venture Company, which led the financial charge to develop a new commercial wool lab at Texas A&M’s Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Research Laboratory. He’s also a past president of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and owner of Southwestern Livestock Mineral in San Angelo, TX.
The Wes Moser family of Iowa was selected for the Distinguished Producer Award for its efforts on three fronts: innovation, education and for sharing what it learned along the way with the rest of the industry.
Idaho’s John and Diane Peavey were honored with the Industry Innovation Award for their efforts in starting the now 25-year tradition of the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. In 2021, the festival unveiled a life-size monument titled “The Good Shepherd,” which features a sheepherder, horse, dog and eight sheep.
While the Camptender Award has been around for quite a while to recognize individuals in a field related to sheep production, Colorado Wool Growers Association Executive Director Bonnie Brown-Eddy became the first winner of the newly renamed Peter Orwick Camptender Award. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of her state association, Brown-Eddy has contributed to ASI’s dealings with bighorn and wild horse issues (among others) in the West.
Emmett Keith Inskeep, Ph.D., was recognized posthumously with the Distinguished Service Award for the valuable role he played in educating several generations of students, as well as pushing for Federal Drug Administration approval of controlled internal drug release devices in aseasonal lambing. Scott Bowdridge, Ph.D., of West Virginia University—one of Inskeep’s former students—accepted the award on his behalf.
Dennis Sun and the Wyoming Livestock Roundup were honored with the Shepherd’s Voice Award for media covering the sheep industry. Wyoming producer Lynn Harlan accepted the award for the publication.
Also honored was Wool Excellence Award winner Keith Padgett of Colorado. The now retired USDA market reporter was also an occasional wool buyer and organizer of the wool show and wool judging competition at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver.
Discussions
It’s become apparent in recent years that sheep producers must make decisions based on numbers and sound analysis, rather than on tradition or intuition. Taking on that task is Sheep Genetics USA. Board members Tom Boyer and Rusty Burgett told attendees at the convention’s special genetics forum—co-sponsored by the ASI Genetic Stakeholders Committee, Sheep Genetics USA and the National Sheep Improvement Program—that the purpose of Sheep Genetics USA is to assist sheep producers in adopting genetic information, technology and research in their production systems.
The adoption of quantitative genetic selection provides infinite opportunities for improving the productivity of American sheep operations, Boyer said. From initial genetics research in Katahdins that revealed parasite resistance can be heritable, genomics research now examines thousands of DNA markers that can be responsible for genetic variation among animals. Producers can learn about single-gene traits, as well as more detailed information on traits as varied as feed efficiency, birthing ease and carcass weights, which are controlled by multiple genes. Sheep producers attending the afternoon session of the forum were able to hear progress reports from a panel involved in varied genotyping platforms.
Panel discussions on video sales and working with ethnic market buyers dominated much of the Lamb Council’s time in San Diego. While neither is new to the industry, each offers growth opportunities (as well as some additional headaches) for sheep producers. Video sales really took off during the pandemic. “I don’t know if it’s right for everybody, but it’s another tool,” said Wyoming producer Vance Broadbent.
Montana producer Henry Hollenbeck—who also oversees video sales for Northern Livestock Video Auction—said it’s important for producers to deal with a video sales representative that can be trusted. “The reps have to take pride in representing lambs correctly for both the seller and the buyer,” he added.
USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jennifer Moffitt addressed the ASI Board of Directors at their Friday afternoon information session. A fifth-generation farmer from California, she was proud to visit with sheep producers in her home state. She announced the development of a new USDA market mobile application that was “inspired by ASI’s own work to bring our market data to you in a much more modern way.”
Additionally, ASI’s Resource Management Council met to discuss a number of key priorities for the group. The Resource Council includes ASI’s Predator Management and Public Lands committees. The council heard an update on current Wildlife Services programming from Deputy Administrator Janet Bucknall and stressed the need to continue to use a comprehensive approach to predator control to support the future of the sheep industry.
Joining with the Public Lands Council (PLC), litigation and engagement in the rulemaking process was also highlighted by Caroline Lobdell, executive director of Western Resources Legal Center. Lobdell has been a critical partner in helping ASI and PLC craft comments on many issues facing public lands ranchers, and she urged ranchers and affiliates to engage in the various opportunities for public comment—including on sage grouse revisions and the waters of the United States rulemaking.
The benefits of grazing and opportunities for grazing as a treatment to enhance range landscapes were communicated in the meeting with a presentation from the U.S. Forest Service on future planning around wildfire fuel reduction grazing projects and John Walker’s presentation on ASI’s Targeted Grazing Handbook supplement, expected to be finished in 2023.
The Production, Education and Research Council (PERC) hosted a panel discussion on adopting innovative practices to improve efficiency as producers Ryan Mahoney of California, Kalen Poe of Indiana and Bill Sparrow of North Carolina covered topics ranging from facility improvements, to artificial insemination, to electronic identification. The council also received updates on both the Sheep Safety and Quality Assurance (SSQA) program and the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply (SSWS) Plan. SSQA is currently being revamped by Colorado State University.
Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle hosted three training sessions for producers to learn what might happen in a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and how to prepare to protect their flocks using SSWS Plan resources. Now with Veterinary Educational Services, Bickett-Weddle helped ASI develop the SSWS Plan and materials while working with Iowa State University’s Center for Food Security and Public Health.
The Animal Health Committee—which falls under PERC—heard that sheep producers have about 18 months to work with their veterinarians to get plans in place for the use of antimicrobial drugs when the need arises in their flocks, according to University of California, Davis specialist Dr. Roselle Busch. When these drugs switch to prescription-only next year, producers will not be able to purchase the drugs at supply stores or online without a prescription, and the prescriptions will be served by licensed pharmacies.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) plans to transfer all medically important antimicrobial drugs for use in animals (both food-producing animals and companion animals) to availability only under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian. While the FDA has been phasing in the program in the last few years, remaining over-the-counter antimicrobials for animals will be transitioned to prescription-only by June 2023.
ASI’s Legislative Council focused on staying proactive on behalf of sheep producers on issues of tremendous importance for the industry. The meeting kicked off with a forum on the Farm Bill, featuring Senate Agriculture Committee professional staff from both the majority and minority parties to discuss producers’ priorities as the committees prepare to draft the next bill.
With updates on current issues, the committee set the priorities for the year ahead and discussed plans for the 2022 ASI spring trip to Washington, D.C., set for March 14-16.
Members of ASI’s Young Entrepreneurs heard the latest research from their own peer group, with graduate students providing updates on the potential for use of blockchain technology for traceability and tracking transactions, development of a fine fleece index that will be incorporated into the National Sheep Improvement Program, research on the cost of excessive fat on lamb carcasses, nutritional management in aseasonal lambing systems, and progress on the national lamb quality audit.
Sheep producers and industry volunteers also elected and reelected members to the ASI Executive Board during the meeting. John Noh of Idaho was chosen to fill the Region VII spot previously held by Montana’s Randy Tunby—who was not eligible for reelection. Three other regional representatives were reelected to second terms on the board, however. They included Laurie Hubbard (PA) of Region I, Anne Crider (IL) of Region II and Tammy Fisher (TX) of Region V.
ASI’s officers were elected to a second year of their current leadership roles. Susan Shultz (OH) will continue to serve as president of ASI, while Brad Boner (WY) and Ben Lehfeldt (MT) were also asked to continue in their roles as vice president and secretary/treasurer, respectively.
The week closed out on Saturday evening with the National Make It With Wool Banquet and Fashion Show: Sun, Sand and Fabulous Fashions. Champions crowned at the show included: Whitney Black of Utah, senior ambassador; Marissa Sanchez of California, junior ambassador; Kim Vogley of Washington, adult winner; and Maria Olsson of Wisconsin, fashion/apparel design winner.
Next year’s ASI Annual Convention will be at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 18-21, 2023. — ASI
