2026 ASI Washington, D.C. Legislative Trip touts Farm Bill, Possible Tariffs on Imported Lamb

By: Roger A. High, OSIA Executive Director

The coveted cherry blossoms were a couple of weeks from bloom in our national capital when we arrived March 2 for our annual legislative adventure to Washington, D.C. to discuss the sheep industry with our nation’s leaders. Collectively, we were able to share a positive message about our sheep industry in Washington D.C.

Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) member Tom Conner and OSIA members Lisa Shearer and her daughter Brynn Shearer joined OSIA Executive Director Roger High for the annual ASI lobbying trip. Along with representatives from several other member states, the Ohio delegation worked to promote the interests of the sheep industry through educating our government leaders and staff members about sheep industry issues.

The ASI trip officially kicked off with USDA briefing at the Marriot Navy Yard Hotel with the sheep industry lobbying firm leading the discussion. We received several much-needed USDA updates, especially those regarding the USDA FSA programs such as the Wool LDP, USDA Wildlife Services and the Farm Bill.  Hearing the concerns of shepherds from other states provided the attendees with more knowledge of the impact of federal policies on the sheep industry.

On Tuesday evening, the Ohio and Minnesota ASI delegation had the unique opportunity to take a tour of the West Wing of the White House.  This tour occurred at 9:30 p.m. on the evening of Tuesday March 3, 2025.  This opportunity was brought to us due to a friendship with Tom Conner and a connection to the White House.  Not only did we get a wonderful tour of the West Wing of the White House, but also the Eisenhower Executive Office Building that sits next to the White House and is important as it was once the War Department Building.

Meetings were held with representatives from Sen. Bernie Moreno and Sen. Jon Husted offices and with representatives from the congressional offices of Davidson, Rulli, Taylor, Miller, and Balderson. Tom, Lisa, Brynn and Roger tailored their message to show each member of Congress how the sheep industry affects their district – whether rural or urban. They spoke about the importance of support for services provided by USDA.  They also thanked each of the congressional offices for any work they will be doing to put together an acceptable farm bill beneficial to agriculture and the sheep industry. During the legislative meetings, they stressed that now is a great time to be in the sheep industry due to the growing demand for lamb and goat meat from ethnic populations in the United States.

There is real opportunity for job creation as many Ohioans want to become involved in sheep production. In order to recruit more people into small ruminant production to meet the growing demand, several key items are needed, shepherds must be allowed to use available – and approved – means for predator control so coyotes and black vultures do not decimate lamb crops. Federal regulations must be addressed to find a method of controlling the black vulture, which is protected under the 1918 Migratory Bird Act but no longer migrates away from the livestock-rich portions of Ohio.  In our meetings, the suggestion for support of the Black Vulture Act of 2023 was promoted as a viable way to manage Black Vultures legally.  Also, the message regarding a New Farm Bill was at the top of our priority list, as there are several provisions in the Farm Bill that have a tremendous impact on the nation’s sheep and lamb industry.  Another important topic was tariffs on imported Australian and New Zealand lamb. As the amount of lamb that is being imported into the United States increases, it puts an unfair disadvantage to U.S. producers.

Finally, it is vital all shepherds work to ensure sheep production in the western United States is allowed to continue on federal lands, as the use of these western lands impacts the entire country. The sheep industry is such that if production diminishes there, the infrastructure for the entire industry will be affected.

High said, “OSIA was able to take progressive and even younger members to represent the Ohio sheep industry on this lobbying trip to show our legislators that there is a bright future to the sheep industry and that they want to be involved.

OSIA Representatives to the ASI Spring Legislative Trip Brynn Shearer and Roger A. High met with Senator Bernie Moreno’s Legislative Aide Adison Niese regarding Ohio as well as national sheep industry issues.

Left to Right: Senator Bernie Moreno’s Legislative Aide Adison Niese, Brynn Shearer and Roger A. High

OSIA Representatives to the ASI Spring Legislative Trip Tom Conner and Roger A. High meet with Representative Troy Balderson’s Legislative Aide regarding Ohio as well as national sheep industry issues.

Left to Right: Troy Balderson’s Legislative Aide, Roger High, Brynn Shearer, and Tom Conner