Nominations open for ALB

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the American Lamb Board (ALB).

The terms of 4 current members expire February 2023.

Positions to fill include one producer with 100 or less lambs, one producer with more than 500 lambs, one feeder at-large, and one first handler.

The deadline for nominations is June 9, 2022. Members will serve 3-year terms beginning February 2023 and ending February 2026, with a maximum of two consecutive 3-year terms.

"Serving on the ALB is an excellent way to represent the sheep industry. This next round of board appointees will shape the next several years of building demand for American Lamb, especially as we work towards updating our long range plan," says Peter Camino, ALB chairman from Buffalo, Wyoming.

Any U.S. producer, feeder, or first handler who owns or purchases lambs may be considered for nomination to the 13-member American Lamb Board.

The individual must be nominated by a certified industry organization and submit a completed application. The list of certified organizations and application forms are on the USDA-AMS website.

Final appointments are made by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture.

The ALB is comprised of representatives from two geographical regions: 1) east of the Mississippi River, and 2) west of the Mississippi River.

Of the four board spots currently available the at-large feeder nominees must be from Region 1, the producers with 100 or less lambs or the producers with more than 500 lambs can be from either of the two regions.

According to AMS policy, the composition of ALB, like all AMS industry promotion boards, should reflect the diversity of the industries they represent in terms of member experience, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors. Emphasis is placed on serving historically underserved communities, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of members to reach and serve a diverse population, as well as to bring different perspectives to the table.

"USDA acknowledges we have not done enough to provide all farmers and ranchers an equal chance of success and prosperity. We are committed to changing that, actively working to build a USDA that ensures none of our customers are ignored or left behind," says Tom Vilsack, USDA Secretary of Agriculture.

AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, or checkoffs, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity. Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of such boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct research and promotion activities.

ALB was established to maintain and expand the market for sheep and sheep products, and is charged with directing research, information and promotion programs.

ALB is funded through the national American Lamb Checkoff, paid by all segments of the industry. Unlike other livestock checkoffs in the U.S., mandatory checkoff payments are not paid on imported lamb, only domestic lamb. This allows ALB to focus all its efforts on creating demand for American Lamb, enhancing opportunities for the entire US lamb industry.

The board is composed of:

3 first handlers

1 seedstock producer

6 producer representatives

At least 2 producer representatives must come from each region, with the other 2 appointed at the Secretary of Agriculture’s discretion. Also, on an annual basis, 2 must own 100 or fewer head of lambs, 1 must own between 101 and 500 head of lambs, and 3 must own more than 500 head of lambs.

3 feeder representatives
Feeders appointed to the board cannot all come from the same geographic region. Of the 3 feeders, at least 1 must feed fewer than 5,000 head of lambs annually, and at least 1 must feed 5,000 or more head of lambs annually. The third feeder will be appointed at the USDA Secretary of Agriculture's discretion.

Remember:

• To qualify for service on ALB, you must be a producer, feeder, seedstock producer or first handler who markets or handles lamb or lamb products in the United States and pays the mandatory assessment.

• You must be nominated by a certified industry organization and submit a completed application.

A list of certified nominating organizations, the nomination form and information about ALB are available at www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/lamb.

More information about the American Lamb Board and the American Lamb Checkoff is available at www.LambResourceCenter.com. Specific information about the board is at www.lambresourcecenter.com/board-info.