Despite ongoing problems with illegal immigration, legal migrant labor continues to be of particular importance to the U.S. sheep industry, in addition to the seasonal workers needed for the many different fruit, vegetable and canning crop industries across the country.
“That’s why we’re concerned with proposed federal regulation that might make retention of this key labor source extremely difficult,” said Bob Benson, a Noblesville, Ind., sheep producer and Region III director of the American Sheep Industry. “We want to get them codified so that when they leave to revisit their home country they can return without having to be gone a period of time. Once you get a sheep herder trained, you don’t want to do it all over again.”
Speaking at the recent Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association annual meeting in Alexandria, Benson said that the adoption of legislation proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., would clear up this particular issue.
Addressing the issue of imports impacting the U.S. lamb industry, Benson made note of an organization called the Tri-Lamb Group, which involves New Zealand, Australia and the United States — the top three lamb-producing countries in the world.
“All three nations are in this promotion issue together,” Benson said. “We have agreed to use checkoff funds from the American Lamb Board to promote lamb, regardless of country of origin. Sheep producers from all three nations are kicking in dollars for this promotion which is geared to promote lamb consumption.”
To counter consumers who say “lamb is great but it’s a rich man’s food,” Benson said the best approach is to appeal to their taste buds.
“A good chef, even a good meat cutter in your local market, can do various cuts of lamb that make it affordable for anyone wanting red meat. And let’s appeal to that customer by suggesting rather than having hamburger, try something different like lamb kabobs. Do that two to three times during the summer and people will indeed find that lamb provides variety, good taste and super nutrition.”
He said predators are an issue for sheep producers in every state; this is a constant challenge in Washington, D.C., for people who simply don’t understand.
“When we go in to talk with our Senators and Congressmen we point out that it’s very important for our airports to have wildlife services because of the safety issues involved,” Benson said. “Once they understand that relationship then they begin to see the situation with the livestock industry, too. We think we’re making progress but we know the anti-livestock audience is blowing their horn, too.”
