March 19, 2026

Apply Now for the Sheep Heritage Foundation Scholarship

Applications are open for the American Sheep Industry Association’s annual Sheep Heritage Foundation Scholarship. The deadline to apply is May 31 and the recipient will be announced in July. The $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to one graduate level (MS or Ph.D.) student who is attending school in the United States.

The scholarship was developed to drive advancement in the American sheep industry, through either wool or lamb research. Applicants must be a graduate student involved in sheep and/or wool research in such areas as animal science, agriculture economics or veterinary medicine with proof of graduate school acceptance. Applicants must also be a United States citizen, present two letters of reference and complete the application.

AWC Shares Shearing Story with Consumers

In honor of shearing season, the American Wool Council is sharing a one-minute video on its consumer-facing Experience Wool channel to show how wool is removed from sheep and to address common misconceptions about the shearing process.

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

Senate Ag Holds Hearing Promoting Domestic Production of U.S. Grown Products

Last week, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing titled, “Increasing Domestic Production of U.S.-Grown Agricultural Products.” Featuring testimony from various leaders of agricultural trade associations. Republicans and Democrats agreed on the need to support American farmers facing financial stress and rising input costs. Republicans focused on expanding domestic and international markets, reducing regulatory burdens, and supporting biofuels and the Buy American Cotton Act to boost profitability. Democrats emphasized strengthening nutrition and specialty crop programs, making E15 fuel permanent and year-round, addressing ag labor shortages, and ensuring equitable aid distribution. Other topics discussed included the impact of tariffs, global conflicts, farm labor reform, antitrust enforcement, and the importance of research and nutrition policy in supporting the agricultural sector’s long-term resilience. 

USDA Awards $26.8 Million to Local Agriculture Market Program



Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) directed $26.8 million to grant projects through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) in an effort to support the connection between farmers and regional markets. The funding for LAMP includes $11.1 million for 43 projects in the Farmers Market Promotion Program, $11.1 million for 37 projects in the Local Food Promotion Program, and $4.7 million for 7 partnerships in the Regional Food System Partnerships. LAMP’s grant programs, funded by the 2018 Farm Bill, are administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and require a 25% cost share of federal funds.

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 Pulls Back After Reaching Five-Year High

After climbing to its highest point since June 2019 last week, the Australian Wool Exchange (the global market indicator) reported lost momentum in the latest selling series. Wool prices weakened across all micron categories this week, with the Eastern Market Indicator falling 26 cents.

Source: AWEX

LDP Payments Available This Week

Graded Wool, Clean Prices in $ Per Pound

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 Wool Calculator

Adjust micron, yield and quality of wool percentage with ASI's Wool Calculator to estimate the value of your wool today, or the potential value of wool if genetics or management practices were changed.

Mar. 20-21 -Tennessee Shearing School - Click here for more information.

Mar. 21-22 - TN Sheep Producers Association Beginning Shearing School - Click here for more information.

Mar. 26 - University of Wyoming Extension Sheep Task Force Webinar: Metabolic stress of ewes through late gestation and early lactation. Register here.

Apr. 9-11 - Shepherds Cross Sheep Shearing School - Click here for more information.

Apr. 10-11 - 34th Annual Greencastle Wool Show. Click here for more information. 

Apr 11 - 106th Annual California Ram Sale. For more information email Susan, susan@woolgrowers.org.

Apr. 13-15 - Shepherds Cross Sheep Shearing School - Click here for more information.

Apr. 13-15 - 2026 Virginia Solar Summit, Click here for more information.

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