July 24, 2026

ITC Schedules Public Hearings Following ASI Lamb Imports Petition

ASI’s efforts to address the impact of lamb imports on U.S. sheep producers have advanced to the next stage. Last week, ASI welcomed the decision by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to recommend that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) initiate a global safeguard investigation into imports of lamb meat under Sections 201 and 202 of the Trade Act of 1974.

ASI officially asked the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate the impact of lamb imports on U.S. producers in October 2025. USTR officially recommended an ITC investigation on July 13, 2026. The ITC will now collect testimony and data, hold a public hearing, and determine whether increased lamb imports are a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry. 

Anticipated Timeline:

• Late July - ITC is scheduled to issue questionnaires seeking detailed information from U.S. producers, processors, importers and other market participants.
• Late August - Completed questionnaires are due back to the ITC. 
• October - ITC injury hearing to receive testimony and arguments from domestic producers and companies, importers, foreign suppliers and other interested parties.
• November - ITC will vote on whether the increased imports have caused or threaten to cause serious injury to the domestic industry. 
• December - If ITC rules in ASI’s favor, a remedy hearing will be scheduled. 
• January - The final determination and recommendations will be issued by ITC.

California Congressman Signs on to Bill to Protect Valley Livestock from New World Screwworm Flies

Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) has announced new bipartisan legislation to protect Valley livestock and agriculture communities from a growing outbreak of flesh-eating insects. Harder’s Protecting America’s Herds Act invests in early detection and prevention of New World Screwworm flies to control the outbreak and ultimately keep these parasites out of the Valley.

“These parasitic swarms kill livestock, drive up beef prices, and can even infect people - we have to stop this outbreak before it spreads even more,” said Rep. Harder. “My bill jumpstarts detection and prevention efforts by giving local agriculture communities the resources and support they need to keep Valley livestock healthy. Passing this bill ASAP should be a no-brainer.”

The Protecting America’s Herds Act is endorsed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Public Lands Council, and the American Sheep Industry Association. 

Sheep industry representatives continue to closely monitor the New World screwworm (NWS) situation, particularly the response to detections in Texas and New Mexico. ASI has been in regular communication 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 has developed resources for sheep producers that can be found on our website here.

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

Current Status (as of July 22):

• 10 active cases
• 32 inactive cases
• Most recent detection: July 21, 2026

USDA APHIS released a new NWS risk mitigation resource for producers.

Montana State Wool Lab Grand Opening

ASI Provides Industry Update at TSGRA Annual Convention

ASI Executive Director Mike Michener joined producers and industry leaders in Fredericksburg, Texas, for the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association’s 111th Annual Convention, held July 17–18 at the Vista Oaks Event Center.



The convention featured legislative and organizational updates, the TSGRA annual membership meeting, and extensive discussion of New World screwworm. Friday’s program included a panel with representatives from the U.S. Public Health Service, TSGRA, South African livestock production and Texas A&M University, followed by a producer update from the Texas Farm Bureau. Saturday’s agenda also included a discussion of supplying ethnic markets, reflecting the growing importance of diverse consumer demand to the sheep and goat sectors.

Michener presented an update on ASI’s national priorities following a scheduled introduction by ASI Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Fisher, who was unable to attend after flooding affected her home. His remarks covered ASI’s strategic planning and communications work, federal legislative and appropriations priorities, H-2A labor reform, access to animal-health products, New World screwworm preparedness, wool market development and ASI’s Section 201 lamb trade case.

Michener also recognized TSGRA’s leadership on animal-health issues, noting that the association’s recent work to improve access to products needed for the screwworm response could provide lasting benefits to sheep and goat producers across the country. He emphasized ASI’s commitment to working closely with state associations to ensure that national advocacy remains grounded in the needs of producers.

BLM releases proposed updates to northeast Wyoming and Nebraska resource management plans

The Bureau of Land Management has released proposed updates to its resource management plans for public lands in northeast Wyoming and across Nebraska, marking the first major revisions in decades.

If approved, the plans would guide future management of public lands and federal mineral estates while balancing resource development, conservation and multiple land uses.

According to the BLM, the proposals would continue to allow livestock grazing and commercial timber harvest while making nearly all federal mineral estate within the planning areas available for leasing, including fluid, solid and non-energy mineral resources.

The agency said the updated plans also incorporate public feedback and address threats to sensitive natural resources.

BLM releases proposed updates to northeast Wyoming and Nebraska resource management plans

The Bureau of Land Management has released proposed updates to its resource management plans for public lands in northeast Wyoming and across Nebraska, marking the first major revisions in decades.

If approved, the plans would guide future management of public lands and federal mineral estates while balancing resource development, conservation and multiple land uses.

According to the BLM, the proposals would continue to allow livestock grazing and commercial timber harvest while making nearly all federal mineral estate within the planning areas available for leasing, including fluid, solid and non-energy mineral resources.

The agency said the updated plans also incorporate public feedback and address threats to sensitive natural resources.

Lutnick Says Trump Administration’s Trade Agenda Is Opening Markets to U.S. Agriculture

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said his agency is working to ensure American agriculture is treated fairly overseas by protecting markets at home and opening markets abroad.

The secretary said American farmers have historically faced non-tariff trade barriers that have limited their ability to sell products overseas.

Lutnick said some of the trade barriers facing U.S. agriculture can seem unusual, but he believes current policies are creating new export opportunities for American producers.

USDA forecasts the U.S. agricultural trade deficit will narrow to $29 billion this year.

Rollins reassures Republicans amid farm aid negotiations

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reassured a group of House Republicans that the Trump administration is working to open new markets and bring down production costs as lawmakers weigh voting on a $12 billion farm aid package.

Rollins talked about policy moves “so we can move out of this cycle” of federal aid payments to struggling farmers, she told POLITICO in a brief interview after the Wednesday meeting with the Republican Study Committee.

She highlighted the administration’s work aimed at “making sure the farmers can sell their goods so that they don’t have to rely on government checks.”

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

Agriculture Stakeholders Testify Before USTR regarding Section 301forced-labor tariffs

Last week, agriculture industry leaders testified at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)’s Section 301 hearing, supporting adjustments to tariffs on agriculture imports from countries accused of engaging in forced labor. The three-day hearing comes after USTR determined in early June 2026 that 60 economies have failed to impose and enforce a forced labor prohibition policy, and that goods imported from these areas states would face an additional 10% or 12.5% duty. The proposed tariffs exempt bovine products, certain types of coffee, in addition to a few other agricultural products. Members of the cattle industry testified at the hearing that USTR could protect the American agriculture industry from Brazil and other foreign competitors by adding beef to the list of exemptions. Representatives from the wine, seed, and other businesses also presented their cases. More information about the Section 301 investigations can be found 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 Prices Decline Ahead of Market Recess 

Australian wool prices moved lower this week across most categories, with finer Merino wool seeing the biggest declines. Many growers chose to hold their wool rather than accept the lower prices being offered. The market will now pause for a three-week recess, with reports resuming the week of August 17.



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

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.

July 25: South Dakota Sheep Growers Yearling Ewe Sale, Huron SD - More info

July 27: ASGA-ALB Certified Solar Grazing Workshop, Plymouth, IN - More info

July 30: Katahdin Hair Sheep International Expo & Sale, Cookeville, TN - More info

July 31: Wyoming Sheep & Wool Festival, Powell, WY - More info

Aug 13: Hand Dyeing Wool & Other Fiber, Claremore, OK - More info

Aug 13: Washing Fiber Class, Claremore, OK - More info

Aug 25: South Dakota Sheep Growers Yearling Ewe Sale, Huron, SD - More info

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