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Approximately 50 sheep producers and state leaders from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C., this week for ASI’s annual Spring Trip, meeting with policymakers and federal agencies to advocate for priorities important to the domestic sheep industry.
During the fly-in, ASI leadership and members met with key congressional offices, including meetings with staff for the House Agriculture Committee majority and minority, as well as Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and staff for Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Conversations focused on issues critical to sheep producers, including risk management tools, trade issues, animal disease prevention, wildlife services, and challenges related to bighorn sheep interactions on grazing allotments.
In addition to congressional meetings, ASI leadership received updates from several federal agencies that play key roles in livestock production and land management, including USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Forest Service, and APHIS. Participants also met with representatives from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to address ongoing concerns surrounding lamb imports and the impact on U.S. sheep producers.
While in D.C., state association leaders also met directly with their respective members of Congress to highlight the importance of sheep production in their home states and to reinforce the industry’s policy priorities.
Lastly, ASI hosted the Annual American Lamb Reception on Cornerstone’s rooftop. There, attendees enjoyed American lamb while building relationships and discussing the industry's most pressing issues. A special highlight was having Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) in attendance.
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