ASI Weekly August 17, 2018

Page Receives Sheep Heritage Foundation Scholarship

Arizona native Chad Page has been selected as the winner of the 2018 Sheep Heritage Foundation’s Memorial Scholarship.

It should come as no surprise that Page picked up the award in his second attempt, as he studied under three previous winners while pursuing his master’s degree in animal and range sciences at Montana State University: Megan Van Emons (2011), Tom Murphy (2013) and Whit Stewart (2014).

“I’m honored to receive this scholarship,” said Page, who is now working under Stewart at the University of Wyoming as he pursues his doctorate in animal science and ruminant nutrition. “I first heard about it in the ASI Weekly newsletter when I was still in Montana, and then I found out that three of my professors had won the scholarship in the past. I’m honored to join them on that list.”

Page grew up with sheep and goats on a hobby farm in Arizona. He served a two-year mission in Brazil with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints before attending Brigham Young University-Idaho and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in animal health and veterinarian science.

“I have been fortune in my career to work with some of the most passionate sheep scientists in the United States, both Dr. Thomas Murphy and Dr. Whitney Stewart,” Page wrote in his application. “Working with these sheep specialists has provided plenty of opportunities to serve the sheep industry. I am an ultrasound technician for the National Sheep Improvement Program, managed the Montana centralized ram test, and have spoken at multiple sheep extension meetings about applicable research, including my own.

“The first project that I carried out in my master’s program quantified trace mineral status in Montana ram lambs. Twenty-one sheep operations across the state participated in the study. The results from this study provided valuable information for ranchers and livestock nutrition companies. A new sheep mineral premix for the western half of Montana was developed based on our findings. I conducted a follow-up study investigating the effects zinc has on ram development. The findings from that study showed that dietary zinc concentrations above current recommendations increased average daily gain and wool growth in Targhee rams.

“I have authored two proceeding papers in the American Society of Animal Science western section, two extension papers and an article in the Montana Wool Growers magazine. I co-authored grant proposals that were funded by the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center and the Zinpro Corporation. I currently have a journal article discussing the Montana mineral survey accepted with revisions, and other projects from my master’s soon to be published. I hope to continue to produce and teach valuable and applicable information for the sheep industry and its producers.”

Webinar to Discuss American Lamb Seasonality

Seasonality of the United States Lamb Industry is the topic for the next webinar sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association’s Let’s Grow Program. Reid Redden, Ph.D. – sheep and goat specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – will lead the discussion. Dr. Jay Parsons of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host the webinar that is scheduled for Tuesday (Aug. 21) at 8 p.m. eastern time.

The primary goal of this presentation is to provide information on the current situation of seasonality of lamb supply so that members of the industry can make informed decisions. This will include: (a) factors that affect seasonal supply of American and imported lamb; (b) demand for lamb by season for both traditional and non-traditional markets; (c) factors that influence seasonal supply of lamb from the farm/ranch gate; (d) opportunities to alter the seasonal supply of American lamb; and, (e) case studies of producers who have shifted their season of production to meet a shortage of lamb.

To register for the webinar, go to https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/953167022178121473.

Australian Wool Market Breaks More Records

Currency movement, a reduced offering and buyer concern over upcoming supply all contributed to producing a remarkable week in the Australian Wool Market.

Quantity reduced to 36,302 bales and buyer competition was intense from the opening lot. On the first day of selling, prices across the nation increased by an average of 110 to 160 Australian cents. The rises were realized across all microns and throughout the entire facet of types. Some small faults were increasingly overlooked, as buyers attempted to secure meaningful quantity in the rapidly rising market.

The benchmark Eastern Market Indicator added 99 Australian cents, the largest daily rise in the EMI since 2002. This increased the EMI to 2,089 cents, easily surpassing its previous high of 2,073 cents, set in June of this year. The second day of selling was more subdued, although the market continued to track upward at a less frenetic pace than on day one. All types and descriptions generally rose by another 20 to 50 Australian cents, pushing the EMI a further 27 cents into unchartered territory.

The 126 cents that the EMI added for the series, was also the largest weekly increase since 2002. The regional market indicators and the individual micron price guides for 18.0 through to 21.0 micron rose to unprecedented levels in all three selling centers.

The skirtings followed a similar path to the fleece as prices generally rose by 50 to 100 Australian cents for the week. The crossbred sector also posted significant gains of 60 to 90 Australian cents. A limited offering of oddments generally rose by 40 to 80 Australian cents.

Souce: AWEX

RightRisk Education Offers Business Management Modules

One of the target priorities for the American Sheep Industry Let’s Grow committee is the development of better business management skills to assist sheep producers with success in the industry. In an effort to achieve that goal, three open access online course modules will be offered this fall. These course modules include: Foundations for Business Management, Managing Depreciation for Your Farm Business, and Hiring and Keeping Agricultural Workers.

The course instructors include RightRisk Education Team members: John Hewlett, a farm and ranch management extension specialist with the University of Wyoming; Jeff Tranel, an agricultural and business management economist with Colorado State University; and, Jay Parsons, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This opportunity is made possible by the Let’s Grow Program of the American Sheep Industry Association. All three modules can be accessed using the Moodle online learning platform at http://www.eRightRisk.com/courses/.

Livestock Groups Push for Necessary Farm Bill Funding

The American Sheep Industry Association joined more than 120 livestock organizations in signing on to a letter calling for full and permanent funding of the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program that was outlined in both the U.S. Senate and House versions of the 2018 Farm Bill.

The farm bill is now headed to a conference committee to alleviate differences in the two versions of the bill, and livestock producers understand how crucial it is that they have access to the necessary prevention tools and techniques in any disease outbreak.

“We are aware that in the early stages of farm bill development, proposed funding levels for this new critical program did not reach the levels we believe are necessary. This fact was driven home as a full House motion to instruct conferees garnered 392 votes supporting the animal agriculture industry, advocating for the needed baseline funding in the final package that will be sent to the president’s desk,” read the letter sent on behalf of the Animal Agriculture Coalition. “Animal agriculture continues to represent approximately half of all farm cash receipts, and over half when considering receipts from crops for animal feed. We urge you to include these necessary funds in conference as part of the permanent authorization proposed in the Senate bill.”

Upcoming Events

• Aug. 16-18 – California Wool Growers Annual Meeting and Convention – Cambria, Calif. – http://www.californiawoolgrowers.org
• Aug. 17 – Texas A&M Sheep and Goat Field Day – San Angelo, Texas – https://agrilife.org/westresults/event/
• Aug. 17-18 – Texas A&M Sheep and Goat Expo – San Angelo, Texas – https://agrilife.org/westresults/event/
• Aug. 21 – Seasonality of the U.S. Lamb Industry Webinar – Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/953167022178121473
• Aug. 25 – 43rd Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb & Ewe Lamb Sale and Sheep Field Day – Raphine, Va. – http://www.vasheepproducers.com/
• Aug. 25 – Montana Columbia Sheep Show & Sale – Lewistown, Mont. – Call 406-235-4227 or email Raina Blackman at
• Aug. 29 – U.S. Sheep Experiment Station Annual Ram Sale – Dubois, Idaho – Annette Eddins at 208-374-5364
• Aug. 30 – University of California Cooperative Extension Preparing Ewes for Breeding Workshop – Auburn, Calif. – http://ceplacer.ucanr.edu/?calitem=406928&g=36980
• Sept. 1 – Virginia Tech 19th Annual NSIP Production Sale – Blacksburg, Va. – https://www.apsc.vt.edu/facilities0/copenhaversheepcenter.html
• Sept. 7-8 – Wisconsin Wool Handling School – Jefferson Fair Park – email Bob Black at
• Sept. 7-8 – Cooperative Sheep Producer Education Meeting and USMARC Sheep Sale – Clay Center, Neb. – www.lmaauctions.com, Danny Trausch at 402-469-3154 or , or Russ Kohmetscher at 402-469-3230 or
• Sept. 7-9 – Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival – Jefferson Fair Park – http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com
• Sept. 8 – Rafter 7 Merino Ram & Ewe Sale – Eureka, Nev. – or
• Sept. 8-9 – Garden State Sheep Breeders Sheep & Fiber Festival – Lambertville, N.J. – http://www.njsheep.org
• Sept. 11 – Wyomingn Wool Growers Association 90th Annual Ram Sale – Douglas, Wyo. – http://wyowool.com or email Laurie Boner at
• Sept. 12 – 5th Annual Montana Ewe Sale – Eastern Montana Fairgrounds in Miles City, Mont. – www.mtsheep.org
• Sept. 13 – 93rd Annual Montana Ram Sale – Eastern Montana Fairgrounds in Miles City, Mont. – www.mtsheep.org
• Sept. 14-15 – California Sheep and Goat Grazing School – Auburn, Calif. – http://ceplacer.ucanr.edu/?calitem=406929&g=36980
• Sept. 14-16 – California Wool and Fiber Festival & California National Wool Show – with the Mendocino County Fair in Boonville, Calif. – www.mendocountyfair.com
• Sept. 21 – Virginia Tech Southwest AREC Forage Based Ram Test Sale and Field Day – Glade Spring, Va. – http://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/southwest-virginia.html
• Sept. 22-23 – Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival – Canby, Ore. – http://www.flockandfiberfestival.com/
• Sept. 22-23 – Adirondack Wool and Arts Festival – Greenwich, N.Y. – http://www.adkwoolandarts.com
• Sept. 23 – Northeast Regional Katahdin Show – Big E in Springfield, Mass. – www.thebige.com
• Sept. 28-29 – South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Annual Convention – Brookings, S.D. – www.sdsheepgrowers.org
• Sept. 29 – Hoosier Sheep Symposium – Crawfordsville, Ind. – http://www.indianasheep.com
• Sept. 29 – Shepherd’s Shuffle at Sunrise hosted by The Shepherd’s Gift: GM1 for HD – Brookings, S.D. – www.theshepherdsgift.org
• Sept. 29-30 – 30th Annual Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival – Tunbridge, Vt. – http://www.vtsheepandwoolfest.org
• Oct. 5-7 – St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders Association Annual Meeting – at the Ozark Farm Fest in Springfield, Mo. – Email
• Oct. 6 – Autumn Fare – Scott County Fairgrounds in Jordan, Minn. – or 952-492-2436.
• Oct. 6-7 – Lambtown Festival – Dixon, Calif. – http://www.lambtown.org
• Oct. 10-14 – Trailing of the Sheep – Ketchum, Idaho – http://www.trailingofthesheep.org
• Oct. 12-13 – Missouri Sheep and Goat Conference – Columbia, Mo. – http://www.mosandgc.com
• Oct. 13 – Jewell Merinos Production Sale – Rifle, Colo. – 970-625-1578, 970-379-0397 or
• Oct. 19-21 – Kansas Certified Wool Classing School – Manhattan, Kan. – Dr. Alison Crane at or 785-532-1672.
• Oct. 19-21 – Kansas Sheep Shearing School – Manhattan, Kan. – Dr. Alison Crane at or 785-532-1672.
• Oct. 20-21 – New York State Sheep and Wool Festival – Rhinebeck, N.Y. – http://www.sheepandwool.com
• Oct. 25-27 – Washington State Sheep Producers Annual Convention – Ellensburg, Wash. – http://www.wssp.org
• Oct. 27 – Third Annual Mountain State Bred Ewe and Doe Sale – Tri-County Fairgrounds in Petersburg, W.V. – www.wvsheepandgoatsale.com
• Nov. 2-3 – Ozark Fiber Fling – Steelville, Mo. – http://www.ozarkfiberfling.com
• Nov. 8-10 – Michigan Merinos and Happy Goat Lucky Ewe Fiber Farm Holiday Open House – Mason, Mich. – http://happygoatluckyewe.com/
• Nov. 17-19 – North Dakota Wool Classing School – Hettinger, N.D. – Dr. Christopher Schauer at 701-567-4323 or email
• Nov. 29-Dec. 1 – 135th Annual Montana Wool Growers Association Convention – Billings, Mont. – www.mtsheep.org
• Nov. 30-Dec. 1 – Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium – Wooster, Ohio – www.ohiosheep.org
• Dec. 8 – Delmarva Small Ruminant Conference: All Worms, All Day – Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, Md. – Susan Schoenian at
• Jan. 23-26, 2019 – ASI Annual Convention – New Orleans, La. – www.sheepusa.org

MARKET NEWS

Weekly National Market Prices for Wool

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s prices for wool can be accessed at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_EPAS_Reports/wamrpt081418.pdf. The effective repayment rate is the lower of either the 30-day average or weekly rate.

Wool LDPs are not available when the weekly repayment rate is above loan rate.

Market Summary, Week ending Aug. 10, 2018
Feeder Prices, ($/cwt.), San Angelo: 60-70 lbs. $144-$160, 70-90 lbs. $140-$143, 90-100 lbs. $137.50-$138.
Slaughter Prices – Live, Negotiated, 123-181 lbs. $146.39 per cwt.
Slaughter Prices – Formula, 85.00 lbs. carcass weight $282.08 per cwt.
Slaughter Prices “Comprehensive Information” — Formula & Negotiated, 80.85 lbs. carcass weight $289.03 per cwt.
Equity Electronic Auction, No Sales.
Cutout Value/Net Carcass Value¹, $329.06 per cwt.
Carcass Price, Choice and Prime, YG 1-4, weighted average prices ($/cwt.), No prices reported.
Boxed Lamb, weighted average prices ($/cwt.), Trimmed 4″ Loins 539.87, Rack, roast-ready, frenched (cap-on) 1,635.12, Rack, roast-ready, frenched, special (cap-off) 2,141.75, Leg, trotter-off, partial boneless 524.06, Shoulder, square-cut 277.93, Ground lamb 567.82.
Imported Boxed Lamb, weighted average prices ($/cwt.), AUS Rack (fresh, frenched, cap-off, 28 oz/up) 1,042.49, AUS Shoulder (fresh, square-cut) 296.53, AUS Leg (fresh, semi boneless) 405.53, AUS Rack (frozen, frenched, cap-off, 28 oz/up) 1,124.52, NZ Rack (frozen, frenched, cap-off, 20 oz/up) 1,146.20, AUS Shoulder (frozen, square-cut) 260.71.
Exported Adult Sheep,0 head
Wool, ($/pound clean), delivered FOB, From Nine Weeks Ago, 18 micron (Grade 80s) 7.00, 19 micron (Grade 80s) 6.86, 20 micron (Grade 70s) 6.65, 21 micron (Grade 64-70s) NA, 22 micron (Grade 64s) NA, 23 micron (Grade 62s) NA, 24 micron (Grade 60-62s) 5.24, 25 micron (Grade 58s) 5.01, 26 micron (Grade 56-58s) 4.28, 27 Micron (Grade 54-56s) NA, 28 micron (Grade 54s) NA, 30 micron (Grade 50s) NA, 32 micron (Grade 46-48s) NA, Merino Clippings NA.
Australian Wool, ($/pound clean), delivered FOB, 18 micron (Grade 80s) 6.39-7.24, 19 micron (Grade 80s) 5.96-6.75, 20 micron (Grade 70s) 5.78-6.55, 21 micron (Grade 64-70s) 5.73-6.49, 22 micron (Grade 64s) 5.66-6.42, 23 micron (Grade 62s) 5.67-6.42, 24 micron (Grade 60-62s) NA, 25 micron (Grade 58s) NA, 26 micron (Grade 56-58s) 3.73-4.23, 28 micron (Grade 54s) 2.34-2.65, 30 micron (Grade 50s) 1.78-2.02, 32 micron (Grade 46-48s) 1.25-1.42, Merino Clippings 3.84-4.35.
¹The cutout value is the same as a net carcass value. It is a composite value that sums the value of the respective lamb cuts multiplied by their weights. It is also the gross carcass value less processing and packaging costs.
Source: USDA AMS

American Sheep Industry Assn, 9785 Maroon Circle, Ste 360, Englewood, CO 80112