September 11, 2026

201 TRADE CASE UPDATE

CASE MILESTONES

Thank you to ASI members for sharing their information for the 201 Trade Case. There were 140 completed surveys submitted to the economists. They are now sorting through the information to utilize the data for the ASI hearing brief. 
ASI's legal council, Kelley Dreye & Warren LLP preparing for the International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing on October 16 to determine injury. The October 16 ITC hearing will be available to view online. That link will be shared to ASI members as the date approaches. 

ASI OUTREACH

ASI sent state association leaders templates for a letter of support. This letter will be used in ASI’s brief that will be presented to ITC. ASI is hoping for 100% participation from our state partner organizations. Letters are due back to ASI on September 18. 


ASI FUNDRAISING

ASI is raising 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. 

A Billion Flies are Now in The Screwworm Fight

A lot is riding on the shiny green backs of large red-eyed sterile flies that scientists from the United States, Mexico and Panama have been raising.

The US government just released its billionth fly into Texas from a facility that opened in June in Chiapas, Mexico, near the Guatemalan border, and its sister operation in Panama in order to fight a pest that could cause $2.5 billion in damage in the Southwest US alone.

Decades ago, the creation and release of sterile flies to interrupt the pest’s breeding cycle were key to driving it out. But scientists said they’re worried the screwworm could threaten wildlife, pets and livestock for years, largely because sterile flies can’t be produced fast enough. 

New Sterile Fly Strain Could Boost Screwworm Fight

A newly developed strain of sterile New World screwworm flies could significantly increase the number of male flies available to help fight the pest.NovoFly™ is an all-male strain developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and university collaborators. The strain is designed to make the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) more efficient.

The SIT was essential in previously eradicating New World screwworm from the U.S.

“Releasing sterile screwworm flies is a proven, decades-old approach to eliminating populations of this pest and preventing the harm it inflicts—physically to livestock animals and wildlife and financially to the producers who raise livestock for our milk, meat, hide and other products,” Kim Lohmeyer, director of Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, said.



The SIT involves releasing sterilized male flies near areas with screwworm infestations. The sterile males mate with wild females, but the resulting eggs do not hatch. Over time, repeated releases can reduce and eventually eliminate the screwworm population.

Horse Smuggling Exposes Cracks in U.S. Defenses 
Against Screwworm

Six horses crossed the Rio Grande illegally from Mexico through a shadowy smuggling network, bypassing the veterinary inspections, health certifications and quarantine measures that the U.S. requires for livestock. Smuggled animals are coming into focus as possible hosts for New World screwworm. The flesh-eating parasite began infesting U.S. cattle in June despite efforts to halt the spread, such as a U.S. ban of more than a year on Mexican livestock, a team of government inspectors on horseback and a swarm of sterile flies.

ASI continues to be in regular communications with federal leaders at USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regarding issues that have arisen since the first detection. 

ASI developed a NWS sheep producer guide and treatment info resource that you may access here. The guide is also available in Spanish.

All of ASI’s resources and links to additional information at USDA and FDA can be found on our website here.

Current Status (as of September 9):

• 2 active cases
• 47 inactive cases
• Most recent detection: September 9, 2026

Find more information at screwworm.gov.

USSF Honor Guard Debuts New WOOL Ceremonial Uniform at Freedom 250 Grand Prix

The U.S. Space Force Honor Guard updated its ceremonial service dress uniform recently and debuted the new ensemble at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix event in Washington.

U.S. and Canada Slap New Tariffs on Goods, American Farmers are Stuck in the Middle

After trade talks between the countries fell apart last month, the Trump administration and Canada's leaders have rolled out new tariffs on everything from dairy products to machinery. Experts say farmers will likely feel the squeeze on both ends. American farmers are bracing for the impact of new tariffs exchanged between the U.S. and Canada on both their supply costs and their sales.

President Donald Trump’s administration placed new 50 percent tariffs on around $20 billion worth of Canadian goods after trade talks between the two countries fell apart in late August. Canada came back with its own list of equivalent import taxes on American goods that went into effect on Tuesday.

Federal Rangelands Rules Overhaul Could Cut Out Oregonians From Public Input

The Trump administration is considering increasing the number of cattle and sheep that roam public lands, which would expand the most widespread commercial use of those federal lands across Oregon’s high desert.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is proposing to overhaul its rules governing livestock grazing on millions of acres of federal public lands, including Oregon and Washington, in a move that has been largely applauded by cattlemen’s associations across the West. 

The proposal reflects the “Trump administration’s priority to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, promote productive working lands and strengthen local economies,” according to a BLM press release.

Federal Court Invalidates New H-2A Wage Methodology

A recent federal court decision has created significant uncertainty for agricultural employers who rely on the H-2A program. In United Farm Workers v. United States Department of Labor,[1] the federal district court for the Eastern District of California held that the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new methodology for calculating the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

The court found that several major components of DOL’s methodology were arbitrary and capricious and that DOL improperly bypassed the normal notice-and-comment process when adopting substantive changes to the wage system. But there is an important twist: the court did not immediately vacate the rule. Instead, the existing methodology remains temporarily operative while DOL develops a replacement.

For agricultural employers, the decision creates both short-term stability and significant potential future wage exposure.

FAPRI Releases 2026 U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook

The University of Missouri Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute has released the 2026 U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook. 

The near-term outlook for farm finances shows stark differences between crop and livestock sectors. Net returns remain poor for most row crops, but the cattle sector, in contrast, is experiencing record prices and returns to cow-calf producers. Policy uncertainty remains especially high, according to FAPRI. 

Consumer food price inflation rose to 2.8% in 2025 with significant contributions from eggs and beef. The outlook is for a 2.5% increase in consumer food prices in 2026. FAPRI projects overall food inflation at 2.9% in 2026, slowing to 2.2% in 2027.  

2026 ASI Young & Emerging Entrepreneur Tour

Join us October 9–12 in Pennsylvania for a tour designed for young and emerging sheep industry entrepreneurs looking to learn, connect, and gain new perspectives from innovative agricultural operations and businesses. Participants will explore Pennsylvania’s sheep industry, build connections with fellow producers, and see the many ways entrepreneurs are growing and diversifying their operations.

Career Opening: Director of Livestock / Ohio Sheep Improvement Association & Ohio Sheep and Wool Program Executive Director

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is seeking an experienced agricultural professional to serve as Director of Livestock and Executive Director of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) and Ohio Sheep and Wool Program (OSWP).

This unique leadership position combines agricultural advocacy, policy development, industry relations and association management. The successful candidate will serve as a subject-matter expert on livestock and animal-related issues while building strong relationships across Ohio's agricultural community.

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

Trump Signs New EOs Impacting America’s Ranchers

On September 4, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders (EO) in support of America's ranchers and promoting fair competition in livestock markets. The first EO directs the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves meet the criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), updates standards for compensating ranchers for predator losses, and eases authorization for lethal removal. Additionally, the order directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to review its authorities on mandatory country of origin labeling for beef, building on the voluntary Product of USA label. The second EO directs USDA to prioritize investigations and increase staffing to address potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, expand the Cooperative Interstate Shipment and Talmadge-Aiken programs through USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to let more state-inspected meat across state lines, and build a technical assistance program for small and very small processors. USDA says the changes will expand market access for small meat processors and ranchers while reducing bureaucracy and maintaining food safety standards.

For more information, see the official announcement here.

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 Remains Steady

The EMI made small gains this week to finish $0.04 higher. Fine microns (19 microns and under) saw gains while other microns remained relatively steady. According to an AWEX report, "the total dollar amount sold continues to track well above last season."

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.

The Sheep & Goat Innovation Fund encourages innovation and efficiency in the sheep and goat industries by providing credit to eligible and qualified entities.

The NLPA Sheep and Goat Fund is a revolving fund established within NLPA to assist the U.S. sheep and goat industries by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and goats and their products in the United States.

Sep 11-13: Hall of Breeds Showcase, Jefferson, WI - More info

Sep 11-13: Pen of 3 Commercial Carcass Evaluation, Jefferson, WI - More info

Sep 11-13: Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Jefferson, WI - More info

Sep 12-13: 31st Sheep & Fiber Festival, Ringoes, NJ - More info

Sep 12: Indiana Sheep Association Annual Lambing School, Lafayette, IN - More info

Sep 15: Wyoming State Ram Sale, Douglas, WY - More info

Sep 16-17: Montana Annual Ewe & Ram Sale, Miles City, MT - More info

Sep 16: ASGA Certified Solar Grazing Workshop, Madison, WI - More info

Sep 17-18: Newell Ram Show and Sale, Newell, SD - More info

Sep 18: Statewide Ohio Sheep Shearing School, Hebron, OH - More info

Sep 21-22: Ag Outlook Forum, Kansas City, MO - More info

Sep 23-24: Grazing the Heartland Bus Tour, Sioux Falls, SD - More info

Sep 25: Virginia Tech Southwest AREC Forage Based Ram Test Sale and Field Day,

  Glade Spring, VA - More info

Sep 25-26: SD Sheep Growers Annual Convention, Brookings, SD - More info

Sep 26-27: Spokane Fleece and Fiber Festival, Spokane, WA - More info

Oct 2: North Dakota Lamb & Wool Annual Convention, Bottineau, ND- More info

Oct 2: National Ram & Ewe Sale, Herber City, UT - More info

Oct 8: Utah Ram Sale, Spanish Fork, UT - More info

Oct 8: Optimizing sheep nutrition – Virtual Series – Session 1- More info

Oct 10: Texas LGD Association Field Day, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame - More info

Oct 10: Sheep, Lamb, Wool, and Ewe!, Univ. of ID - More info

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.