October 16, 2026

201 TRADE CASE MILESTONES

***JOIN THE HEARING ONLINE***

The momentum is building in the 201 Trade Case. Join the International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing to determine injury. The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. ET on October 16.

ASI FUNDRAISING

ASI continues to raise funds through the ASI Guard Dog Fund to support the legal and economic work necessary to pursue the Section 201 case. Producers and industry supporters who want to help strengthen this effort can contribute specifically to the Section 201 Trade Case.

To stay informed of developing information, follow ASI on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and on our website. 

ASI Meets with White House on Lamb Trade Case and Sheep Industry Priorities

ASI Executive Director Mike Michener and Erica Sanko, Senior Director of Policy & Production Programs, met Oct. 14 with White House Agricultural Advisor Jason Becker to discuss the Section 201 lamb trade case and opportunities for the Administration to support the American sheep industry.

The meeting focused on ASI’s effort to secure relief from lamb imports and the importance of maintaining a viable domestic sheep industry. With the U.S. International Trade Commission’s injury hearing approaching, the discussion provided an opportunity to bring the industry’s concerns directly to the White House and underscore the stakes for American sheep producers.The conversation also extended beyond the trade case to the broader state of the

Photo: ASI Executive Director Mike Michener and Erica Sanko, Senior Director of Policy & Production Programs, outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following their Oct. 14 meeting with White House Agricultural Advisor Jason Becker.

industry and ways federal policy can support its long-term success. Michener and Sanko emphasized the importance of an approach that addresses immediate pressures while strengthening the foundation for future growth.

ASI’s message was that trade relief and broader support for the industry are complementary priorities. Regardless of the outcome of the Section 201 proceeding, American sheep producers need policies that help sustain profitable operations, strengthen domestic production and create opportunities for the next generation.

ASI appreciates the opportunity to engage with Becker and will continue working with Administration officials to advance the interests of American sheep producers as the trade case proceeds.

See the press release regarding the October 16 hearing.

Producers, Congress Weigh in as Lamb Import 
Hearing Approaches

The U.S. International Trade Commission will hold a hearing Oct. 16 to determine if lamb imports are causing “serious injury” to the domestic industry to the extent protective measures should be enacted.

A determination is expected by Nov. 13, according to the commission’s Lamb Meat Global Safeguard Investigation summary.

If the commission determines lamb imports are causing serious injury to the U.S. industry, or is equally divided on the question, it will explore potential remedies in a hearing Dec. 1.

Reimagine Wool Entries Due November 15

ASI's Reimagine Wool Digital Poster Contest is looking for new uses and processing methods for 25+ micron wool. If you or someone you know has a creative idea, be sure to enter by November 15, 2026.

USMC Seeking Sources for Wool Boot Sock

n an exciting development with the potential to create significant new demand for American wool, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) released a Request for Information regarding wool combat boot socks.

Mitch Driggers, ASI's military consultant, estimates that outfitting the 173,700 active-duty Marines would require approximately 130,000 pounds of clean wool initally and an additional 32,500 pounds of clean wool annually.

There is a larger opportunity for American wool: adoption by the other military branches. Full military adoption (estimating 1.3 million active-duty personnel across all five military branches) could generate a demand for roughly 5.2 million pairs of socks, requiring nearly 975,000 pounds of clean wool.

"This is precisely the kind of opportunity we should be pursuing as part of our broader effort to strengthen domestic demand for American wool," said Mike Michener, ASI executive director.

This milestone reflects ASI’s sustained investment and effort to build and preserve the U.S. wool sock industry. It's important to remember that it has taken a long time to reach this milestone. Getting here required domestic Superwash capability so wool socks could be washed without shrinking, sock development with U.S. knitters, introductions between military representatives and manufacturers (and persistently rebuilding relationships through military personnel changes) and industry tours.

ASI has often been the matchmaker, connecting military needs with domestic manufacturing capabilities. This is an encouraging example of opportunity coming to fruition for American wool producers.

ASI/ALB Cost of Production Survey

In conjunction with the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the American Lamb Board (ALB), the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), is conducting a producer survey to collect sheep enterprise costs and production data directly from producers. The survey will generate industry benchmarks and economic insights that help producers compare their operations to regional and national returns, identify opportunities to improve efficiency, and make more informed management decisions. Information gathered through the survey will strengthen cost of production budgets, analytical tools, and reporting resources, ensuring producers have access to timely, data-driven information to support profitability and long-term business planning. The survey results will also support the development of more accurate and representative sheep industry economic benchmarks for producers, industry leaders, and researchers. The survey will remain open through November 30, 2026, with results scheduled to be presented at the ASI Convention in January 2027.

Reach out to ASI to add your shearing school to our list and to order educational shearing materials at heather@sheepusa.org!

ASI is working year-round to advance producer priorities across the country. 
Here’s what’s happening, what it means, and what’s next.

Rollins Urges Federal Land Ranchers to Incorporate the USDA’s June Grazing Directive

On Thursday, October 8, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Brooke Rollins sent a letter to livestock ranchers with grazing permits on U.S. Forest Service land inviting them to put the agency’s Grazing Directive to work on their allotments. The directive builds upon the USDA’s ranching industry initiatives published in June such as the Fortify the American Beef Industry and the Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and BLM Lands MOU. Taken together, the three documents provide implementation guidance to streamline and expand livestock grazing on federal lands and strengthen support for American ranchers. See the official press release here.

Judge Halts USDA Reorganization

On October 13, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge issued an order temporarily blocking USDA from moving forward with its sweeping reorganization and employee relocation plan, ruling that the department is likely violating provisions included in FY2026 appropriations law that prohibit USDA from using appropriated funds for major reorganization efforts without congressional approval. The order halts office closures, employee relocations, and related expenditures while litigation proceeds, affecting plans to relocate roughly 2,600 Washington-based employees to regional hubs across the country. Judge Chhabria indicated the injunction could be short-lived, however, as the underlying appropriations restrictions expire with the current continuing resolution on December 11, 2026, setting up a potential congressional fight over USDA's reorganization plans later this year.

USDA Announces $1.8 Billion in 2026 Conservation 
Program Payments

On Thursday, October 8, USDA announced approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Grassland CRP payments to producers and landowners for 2026. The annual rental payments help stabilize farm income while encouraging conservation practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, preserve wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. For Fiscal Year 2027, 26.8 million acres will be enrolled in CRP after the Farm Service Agency (FSA) accepted offers on 2.2 million acres through Grassland, General, and Continuous CRP signups for 2026. For more information, contact your local Farm Service Agency office or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp.

Your weekly snapshot of key market rates and reports (U.S. and global) to help you stay ahead of pricing and demand shifts.

Wool Market Dips Slightly

The EMI lowered slightly this week, finishing $0.03 less overall. Minimal losses between -$0.01 and -$0.07 were seen across most microns.

About the EMI: The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) is the key benchmark index of Australian wool auction prices and is widely used as a global wool market indicator.

Source: AWEX

LDP Payments Available This Week

Ungraded Wool, Grease Prices in $ Per Pound

Unshorn Pelts, Prices in $ Per Pelt

Note: Producers must visit their Farm Service Agency office and fill out the appropriate paperwork before the wool or unshorn lambs are sold to claim the Wool LDP (when available). 

USDA Weekly Sheep, Lamb, & Wool Market Summary

The report is generally updated on Friday afternoon.

ASI is so thankful for our industry partners and magazine advertisers! Their support not only strengthens our work in Washington, D.C. but also supports a number of programs that are important to the sheep industry.

Want to support ASI and reach American wool and lamb producers? Contact our Director of Communications, Morgan Young at Morgan@sheepusa.org.

Oct 15-18: Montana Wool Harvesting Beginner School, Billings, MT - More info
Oct 16-17: Sheep IQ: Improving Production Efficiencies, Cedar City, UT - More info

Oct 19-21: Oklahoma State Meat Goat & Sheep Boot Camp, Ada, OK - More info

Oct 22: Optimizing sheep nutrition – Virtual Series – Session 3 - More info

Oct 23-25: Cornell 2026 Sheep & Goat Symposium - More info

Oct 24: Brigham City Sheep Trail - More info

Oct 24: Ohio Statewide Sheep Production Tour - More info

Oct 24-25: Connecticut Advanced Shearing School - More info

Oct 24-26: SDSU Sheep Shearing School - More info

Oct 28: 2026 KY Annual Producer Conference - More info
Oct 29: Optimizing sheep nutrition – Virtual Series – Session 4 - More info
Nov 5: West Central States Wool Growers Convention - Cody, WY - More info
Nov 5: Optimizing sheep nutrition – Virtual Series – Session 5 - More info
Nov 6: Nebraska Sheep and Producers association Fall Conference - More info
Nov 12: DSANA's 2026 Dairy Sheep Symposium - More info
Nov 12: Optimizing sheep nutrition – Virtual Series – Session 6 - More info

ASI Address Change

We’ve successfully moved into our new office! ASI’s new address is:

American Sheep Industry Association (ASI)

9781 S. Meridian Blvd.

STE 200

Englewood, CO 80112 

New Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

ASI is so thankful for our industry partners and magazine advertisers! Their support not only strengthens our work in Washington, D.C. but also supports a number of programs that are important to the sheep industry. Want to support ASI and reach American wool and lamb producers? Contact our Director of Communications, Morgan Young at Morgan@sheepusa.org

ASI operates in accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture civil rights regulations and policies, and complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it under these. ASI is an equal opportunity employer and provider.