September 2014 - California Wool Growers Association

Herd the News
2014
September
The mission of the California Wool Growers Association is to be the voice of the California Sheep Industry at the local, regional, state, and national level. The Association will provide service to its members through effective communication that ensures the long-­‐term prosperity o f the industry and promotes economically viable and environmentally sound production practices. 2
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California Wool Growers Association – Herd the News Lorem Ipsum A message from retired,
CWGA President,
Greg Ahart
The 2014 California Wool Growers Convention is now a part of history, and so is my presidency. Both leave me with fond memories and many smiles. I’ve been an officer in the association for the previous eight years. I served as treasurer under both Joe Mattos and John Cubiburu, and was first vice president under Dr. Nancy East – and it’s strange to think that we are all n ow in the Past President’s Club. During those eight years (as well as many years prior, and many going forward) the industry has, and will continue, to face many challenges. Market volatility, with its corresponding effects on producer’s bottom line as well as consumer demand; continued pressure on the public lands utilization as well as threatened and endangered species concerns; rising costs of production, and succession planning for future generations of producers are amongst some of the biggest concerns. Don’t take that list and roll your eyes and feel defeated! One of the most valuable lessons this organization has taught me is the strength in n umbers as well as the passion and commitment by all involved. Look at what has come out of this group just since June of 2012: the original letter that has led to the Industry Roadmap, as well as the start of the Certified California Lamb Program. Two huge initiatives that came out of the CWGA – born of concern, desire to improve the current situation, and a consequence of a group effort to make things better. Learn from that: work together, get involved, speak up, and come to the table. On the note of speaking up: if you weren’t at the convention this year, you missed a beautiful moment in time that will leave a monumental lasting impression on me. Rob Rutherford did a wonderful job presenting the Master Shepherd award to Ray Talbot. And to give some background – if you’ve attended board meetings with any regularity, or especially if you’re in the aforementioned Past President’s Club, you know the feeling well in the pit of your stomach when Ray raises his hand with a question at the meeting. Rob’s comment (which I will not do justice here) is that a vaccine agitates your system to ultimately build strength. Ray Talbot is a vaccine, and I like the comparison. He has served our industry for many years by asking the questions that need to be asked, speaking his mind, and showing up and being engaged. I was so pleased to see this award go to him this year. I also believe he sets the bar high for working together, getting involved, speaking up, and coming to the table. We need a few more like him in our midst. He NEVER agitated the water solely for the purpose of agitation, he did it to bring about a greater good for our industry. Another greater good that was recognized with our Executive Director, Lesa Eidman. She was so d eservedly presented the Golden Fleece award at convention which (go TEAM!) was a complete surprise to her. I can’t say enough to thank her for all that she did for the years I was an officer, and I can’t recognize her enough for the service she has provided this organization, our industry, and so many of us personally through doing what she does every single day. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as President of this organization. It has been a privilege and an honor. Oh, and the best going away present ever? Judy Yriarte rode the bull at Gilley’s, with the proceeds of the auction that made that happen going to the Association. Her bull ride made the CWGA $2,100. That put a smile on my face as well as many others – and I’m just not sure you can top that. I have pictures, and I know where there is a video if any of you need access to that…. 2
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3 A message from CWGA President,
Frankie Iturriria
I would like to open my first message as President of CWGA by thanking all of you for the support I have received. It is truly an honor to be the President of this organization and I will treat it as such. Ever since I was a young boy, the sheep industry has had a special place in my life. The countless hours I have been able to spend on the ranch shaped my life and have molded me into who I am today. I feel so fortunate that I am able to continue our rich family tradition as a producer of American Lamb and Wool and to be able to teach my boys about it as well. Many of us just attended the convention in Reno. I would like to acknowledge at this time Lesa and Katie for putting together another wonderful and informative convention. I would also like to congratulate once again our awards recipients; Our Master Shepherds Lucy Vassar and Ray Talbot; Retailer/Marketer Don Watson; and our Golden Fleece Lesa Eidman. Congratulations to all and I know they are well deserved. There was much discussion at the convention about the Certified CA Lamb program. CWGA has been working on this program for almost 2 years in an attempt to provide a product that our lamb consumers are asking for. I know the program may not be perfect when many of you look at the specific parameters set up by CWGA, but I believe the program will ultimately help sell our product through the market. Today's consumer wants to know where their food is coming from and anything we can do to differentiate us from the norm will be great. Also please understand that if the need arises, CWGA will be able to modify the specific parameters that have been set up in order to adjust for our diverse industry. I also want to take the time to thank Greg Ahart for the leadership he has given our industry. I have been fortunate to work with Greg for the last 4 years on the Exec committee. His commitment and passion for our industry has always been evident to me. We are lucky to have Greg in our association. Thank you Greg! Many of us are ramping up and getting ready for our lambing season to begin. I would like to remind all of you that CWGA still carries the Vibrio, Covexin, and the Vision CDT vaccines for vaccinating your ewes at tagging. I look forward to working with our new Executive Committee and the membership of CWGA. The newly elected officers are: Treasurer is Dan Macon, First Vice President Ryan Indart, and of course Lesa. Good luck to everyone! California Lorem Ipsum Wool Growers Association – Herd the News USDA Announces New Progr ams to Assist Sheep Prod ucer s
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2014 -­‐ The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today two new programs to assist the sheep industry with the production and marketing of their products in the United States. Through the new Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program, approximately $1.5 million in grant funds are now available to assist the sheep industry. Additionally, AMS' existing verification program for small-­‐scale livestock producers will now include opportunities for the grass-­‐fed sheep industry. "USDA is committed to working with sheep producers as they continue to provide quality products and increase their returns here at home," said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Ed Avalos. "The Sheep Production and M arketing Grant Program, as well as inclusion in the USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small Producers, will create new opportunities for growth and innovation within the sheep industry." Authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program is designed to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products in the United States by improving infrastructure, business and resource development, and by supporting innovative approaches to address long-­‐term needs. Through this program, AMS will award grant funds to at least one national entity that is working to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products in the United States. Eligible organizations must submit an application for Federal assistance and sign a grant agreement via www.grants.gov by August 27, 2014 at 5p.m. EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding. Additional information will b e provided on the program's website atwww.ams.usda.gov/SPMGP. The USDA Grass Fed Program for Small and Very Small Producers was designed as a verification tool for small and very small-­‐scale producers to certify that animals meet the requirements of the grass-­‐fed marketing claim standard. The program was first announced in April for the grass fed b eef industry, and now sheep have been added to the program. For this program, USDA is targeting producers that market lambs p roduced from 99 head of ewes or less per year. Producers who are certified under the new program will receive certificates that allow them to market their sheep as USDA-­‐certified grass fed, increasing their market value and creating new economic opportunities for these producers. Additional information is available at www.ams.usda.gov/GrassFedSVS. This program is part of the many USDA services available to small and midsized producers. More information about these programs is available at www.usda.gov/small-­‐midsized-­‐farmer-­‐resources.xml. Today's funding announcement for this new grant program was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-­‐private conservation p artnerships; developing new markets for rural-­‐made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill. For additional information on the grant p rogram, contact Kenneth Payne, Division Director, AMS Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program's Research and Promotion Division, at (202) 720-­‐5705, or via email at [email protected]. For additional information on the grass-­‐fed program, contact Steve Ross, National Assessment Services Supervisor, AMS Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program's Quality Assessment Division at (970) 346-­‐0567, or via email [email protected]. Congratulations
5 The 2014 Master Shepherd Award presented to: Ray Talbott Ray has been a long time member and supporter of the California sheep industry. CWGA Board members can attest to the fact that Ray always has an opinion and a question. His support and wisdom is truly appreciated, and the California sheep industry is fortunate to have him as a sheepman within the state. The 2014 Golden Fleece was presented to Lesa Eidman, Executive Director of CWGA. Note from Lesa: As I am putting this newsletter together, I am still shocked and completely humbled for receiving this award. No words can express my gratitude for this award and recognition. I cherish my job and the ability to work with you, the sheep ranchers in California daily. And, I still can’t believe you guys were able to pull this off as a complete surprise! Thank you! Bullrider Judy Yriarte, helped the Association raise $2100. The last item in the fundraiser auction at the Shepherds Ball was to have Judy ride the bull at the new Gilleys restaurant and bar in the Nugget. Judy was a great sport, and is now considering a go in the Professional Bull riding circuit! Thank you Judy! Lorem Ipsum 7 California Wool Growers Association – Herd the News 2014 July Protect your flocks health with the vaccines that CWGA carries -­‐ Campylobacter Fetus-­‐Jejuni Bacterin -­‐ A two strain vaccine that is recommended for use to prevent abortion losses associated with either C.fetus or C.Jejuni $27.50/50 dose bottle and $47.50/125 dose bottle -­‐ Covexin 8 -­‐ For the vaccination of healthy cattle and sheep against diseases caused by Clostridium chauvoei, Cl. septi-­‐ cum, Cl. novyi Type B, Cl. haemolyticum, Cl. tetani and Cl. perfringens Types C and D. Refer to label for com-­‐ plete information. $31.50/50 dose bottle or $26.50/50 dose bottle with an order of more than 12 vials -­‐ Vision® CD-­‐T with Spur® -­‐ Clostridium perfringens Types C&D Tetani Bacterin-­‐Toxoid *Adjuvant -­‐ U.S. Patent Nos. 3,790,665 and 3,919,411 Indications For use in healthy cattle, sheep and goats as an aid in preventing disease caused by Clostridium perfringens Types C&D (Enterotoxemia) and Clostridium tetani (Tetanus). $27.00/50dose bottle or $24.00/50 dose bottle with an order of 12 bottles or more ESA Improvement Bill Passes House The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 4315, the “Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act,” a bill introduced by Rep. Doc Hastings (R-­‐ Wash.), the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. H.R. 4315 is designed to update and improve the Endangered Species Act (ESA). PLC and affiliates sent a letter of support for this important bill. As stated in our press release, the bill will require data used by federal agencies for ESA listing and proposed listing decisions to be made publicly available and accessible. It also requires the Interior Secretary to report and comprehensively track all litigation costs associated with the Act. Furthermore, the bill caps hourly fees paid to attorneys that prevail in cases filed under ESA, consistent with current law. Finally, the federal government will be required to disclose to affected states all data used in the ESA decision making process. It also ensures that “best available scientific and commercial data” used by the federal government will include data provided by affected states, tribes, and local governments. PLC urges the Senate to take up this important legislation without delay. Congress Rejects Proposal to Close Sheep Experiment Station Congress in July rescued the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station (USSES) from closure after U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, Tom Vilsack, proposed to pull (“reprogram”) its funding. Had the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee not responded within 30 days of Sec. Vilsack’s announcement, the facility would have been closed. The 100-­‐year-­‐old USSES covers almost 50,000 acres of federal land in Idaho and Montana, and includes a variety of ecosystems representative of many of the rangelands grazed by domestic sheep across the West. It has historically performed research that has vastly improved grazing methods and helped provide science to advance the industry. It is still doing so today, providing research on topics ranging from sage grouse conservation; to the truth about bighorn/domestic sheep disease transfer; to sheep genetics. PLC, the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and state woolgrowers associations all submitted letters to appropriators in Congress, asking them to reject Secretary Vilsack’s proposal. Idaho’s state officials also publicly protested, as did members of Congress from Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. In a letter to the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, the congressmen also voiced their disappointment that USDA did not contact them in advance to announcing plans to close the station. According to ASI, the USDA didn’t notify the sheep industry in advance, either. Although in his announcement, Sec. Vilsack cited budget concerns as his reasoning to close the facility, the proposal was likely actually driven by anti-­‐grazing organization, Western Watersheds Project (WWP). WWP has used litigation in attempt to close the station for years, most recently claiming that its presence threatens grizzly and wolf populations. Click here to read a recent letter from ASI to USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) stating industry’s desire to work with the agency so that the limited funding available to USSES be put to best use. The battle to save USSES is not over. The House ag appropriations subcommittee called upon USDA to provide Congress with a detailed report outlining the research activities at the station as well as the collection of comments from stakeholders. USDA has since held two virtual listening sessions in August to collect stakeholder input. Livestock Producers Urged to Enroll in Disaster Assistance Program by Oct. 1 Congressionally Mandated Payment Reductions to Take Effect at Beginning of New Fiscal Year Ranchers Applying for LFP Support Who Have Scheduled Appointments by Sept. 30th Will not be Impacted WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2014 -­‐ The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging producers who have suffered eligible disaster-­‐related losses to act to secure assistance by Sept. 30, 2014, as congressionally mandated payment reductions will take place for producers who have not acted before that date. Livestock producers that have experienced grazing losses since October 2011 and may be eligible for benefits but have not yet contacted their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office should do so as soon as possible. The Budget Control Act passed by Congress in 2011 requires U SDA to implement reductions of 7.3 percent to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) in the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, 2014. However, producers seeking LFP support who have scheduled appointments with their local FSA office before Oct. 1, even if the appointment occurs after Oct.1, will not see reductions in the amount of disaster relief they receive. USDA is encouraging producers to register, request an appointment or begin a Livestock Forage Disaster Program application with their county FSA office before Oct. 1, 2014, to lock in the current zero percent sequestration rate. As an additional aid to qualified producers applying for LFP, the Farm Service's Agency has developed an online registration that enables farmers and ranchers to put their names on an electronic list before the deadline to avoid reductions in their disaster assistance. This is an alternative to visiting or contacting the county office. To place a name on the Livestock Forage Disaster Program list online, visitwww.fsa.usda.gov/disaster-­‐register. Producers who already contacted the county o ffice and have an appointment scheduled need do nothing more. "In just four months since disaster assistance enrollments began, we've processed 240,000 applications to help farmers and ranchers who suffered losses," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Eligible producers who have not yet contacted their local FSA office should stop by or call their local FSA office, or sign up online before Oct. 1 when congressionally mandated payment reductions take effect. This will ensure they receive as much financial assistance as possible." The Livestock Indemnity Program, the Tree Assistance Program and the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program Frost Freeze payments will also be cut by 7.3 percent on Oct. 1, 2014. Unlike the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, applications for these programs must be fully completed by Oct. 1. FSA offices will prioritize these applications, but as the full application process can take several days or more to complete, producers are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program compensates eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire between Oct. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2014. Eligible livestock includes alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep or swine that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland. Producers forced to liquidate their livestock may also be eligible for program benefits. Additionally, the 2014 Farm Bill eliminated the risk management purchase requirement. Livestock producers are no longer required to purchase coverage under the federal crop insurance program or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program to be eligible for Livestock Forage Disaster Program assistance. To learn more about USDA disaster relief program, producers can review the 2014 Farm Bill fact sheet atwww.fsa.usda.gov/farmbill, the LFP program fact sheet,http://go.usa.gov/5JTk, or contact their local FSA office. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program was made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-­‐private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-­‐made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill. Office:Sutter,Ca.530-755-0861
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California Wool Growers Association 1225 H Street, Suite 101 Sacramento, Ca 95814 Phone: (916) 444-­‐8122 Website: www.woolgrowers.org FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S Postage PAID Sacramento, Ca Permit No. 204 Mark your Calendars
April 11, 2015 California Ram Sale The sale will offer the same number of rams as 2014, and we are expanding the ultrasound contest as well as adding composite rams. More information to come! The 88th Annual California National Wool Show will be held Sept. 12-­‐14, in conjunction with the Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show. This event has grown to judge and show from 250-­‐300 fleeces. Wool judging will be held Friday, Sept. 12, beginning at 10 AM. Our judge this year is Dr. Stephanie Larson of Sonoma County. Fleece sales will begin after judging is completed.