American Lamb
Board
The American Lamb Board is comprised of 13 members –
producers, feeders, seedstock producers and first handlers – who are charged
with increasing market share for domestically produced lamb while maintaining
profitability for all segments of the U.S. sheep industry. Key information
accessible from the ALB Web site includes general information about ALB – its
mission, strategies and activities; an extensive array of recipes; U.S. sheep,
lamb and wool market information; and links to U.S. Department of Agriculture
checkoff-related forms.
American Sheep and Goat Center
The American Sheep and Goat Center is the successor organization to the Privatization of the National Sheep Industry Improvement
Center (NSIIC). NSIIC was approved by Congress as part of the 1996 Farm
Bill. Its mission: To assist the U.S. sheep and goat industries be strengthening
and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep, goats and their products,
in the United States. More specifically, the center oversees the utilization of
funds that are used in direct loans, loan guarantees, cooperative agreements,
equity interest, investments, repayable grants and grants to eligible entities
either directly or through an intermediary. A visit to this site provides quick
access to resources, grant and loan information and contact information for
staff and members.
National Livestock Producers Association
NLPA Sheep and Goat
Fund
The National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA) serves
as an Intermediary for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC).
More specifically, it maintains the Sheep and Goat Fund – a revolving fund
established within NLPA -- to assist the U.S. sheep and goat industries by
strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and goats and
their products in the United States. The fund is the result of a joint effort
between NLPA and NSIIC. Features of this easy-to-navigate site include grant
information, answers to frequently asked questions, applications, project
descriptions and contacts.
National Lamb Feeders Association
The National
Lamb Feeders Association is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is
to initiate, sponsor and carry out plans, programs, policies and activities that
promote, encourage and improve the production of lambs and sheep not just in the
United States, but worldwide. A visit to this site provides quick access to such
major categories as membership information, the NLFA newsletter, appropriations,
a calendar of events and the Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School.
National Sheep
Improvement Program
The National Sheep Improvement Program is a
computerized, performance-based program for genetic selection. It is designed to
help purebred sheep producers identify the best genetic stock for their breeding
programs. NSIP also gives breeders reliable information that they can use to
advertise and sell their breeding stock. NSIP uses the most modern,
scientifically proven technology to measure genetic performance. This technology
– called EPDs – has been used extensively in the dairy, beef cattle and swine
industries for many years, and is only now being implemented in the sheep
industry. To learn more about NSIP and EPDs visit the above-listed Web site for
a thorough explanation of the program and its benefits in an easy-to-understand
question-and-answer format.
American Farm Bureau Federation
With a membership
of more than 5 million members, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) can
lay claim to the fact that its membership comprises the single largest group of
food and fiber producers in the United States. The AFBF emphasizes teamwork in
achieving its goals in four key areas: (1) Public Policy Team; (2) Public
Relations Team; (3) Organizational Development Team; and (4) Economic Analysis
Team. Just a few of the major sections included on this well-laid-out Web site
include FB Programs, Farm Bureau News, Farm Bureau Views, Legislative Action,
Issues and numerous Ag Links.
Sheep
Breed Associations
It can perhaps be said that no one is more
passionate about the sheep they raise than those individuals who belong to breed
associations. From wool breeds to meat breeds and dual purpose breeds, fine wool
breeds to long wool breeds, the list of breed associations – and their
membership – is impressive.
The lists provided on this site are offered for the convenience of users
for informational purposes only and are not intended as endorsement or
recommendation. Please