Lamb Checkoff Receives Strong Producer Approval

Lamb Checkoff Receives Strong Producer Approval

USDA has announced that lamb producers who voted in February’s national referendum have approved the continuation of the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order, commonly known as the Lamb Checkoff Program.

For the program to continue, it needed to be approved by a majority of those voting who were engaged in the production, feeding or slaughter of lambs during calendar year 2008 and who also represent a majority of the volume of lambs produced, fed or slaughtered. Both thresholds were easily met, as just over 85 percent of the 1,971 ballots cast favored the program, and those producers accounted for 93 percent of total lamb production.

Under the Lamb Checkoff Program, producers, breeders, feeders and exporters are required to pay an assessment of one-half cent ($.005) per pound when live ovine animals are sold. Packers pay an additional 30 cents per head whenever such animals are purchased for slaughter.

Further details on the program and the results of the referendum are available in this USDA news release.

After a very strong performance in 2008, lamb exports have continued to gain momentum this year. Through February, lamb plus lamb variety meat exports have increased 50 percent in volume and 72 percent in value over the same period last year. The Caribbean is the strongest export market for U.S. lamb, accounting for about 68 percent of total 2009 export value.

Lamb Checkoff Receives Strong Producer Approval

USDA has announced that lamb producers who voted in February’s national referendum have approved the continuation of the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order, commonly known as the Lamb Checkoff Program.

For the program to continue, it needed to be approved by a majority of those voting who were engaged in the production, feeding or slaughter of lambs during calendar year 2008 and who also represent a majority of the volume of lambs produced, fed or slaughtered. Both thresholds were easily met, as just over 85 percent of the 1,971 ballots cast favored the program, and those producers accounted for 93 percent of total lamb production.

Under the Lamb Checkoff Program, producers, breeders, feeders and exporters are required to pay an assessment of one-half cent ($.005) per pound when live ovine animals are sold. Packers pay an additional 30 cents per head whenever such animals are purchased for slaughter.

Further details on the program and the results of the referendum are available in this USDA news release.

After a very strong performance in 2008, lamb exports have continued to gain momentum this year. Through February, lamb plus lamb variety meat exports have increased 50 percent in volume and 72 percent in value over the same period last year. The Caribbean is the strongest export market for U.S. lamb, accounting for about 68 percent of total 2009 export value.