Utah sheep producers are worried about federal rules affecting the public lands they need for grazing. And how the situation plays out in the West has a direct impact on the entire sheep industry.
Sheep producers also face challenges in trying to market their products with funds that are extremely limited compared to other industries.The American Sheep Industry Association hosted two grower meetings in Utah last week so members of the association's executive board and local sheep producers can exchange ideas and opinions.
A key concern is "getting along with the federal government," said Lorin Moench Jr., the association's vice president and a Utah sheep rancher.
Sheep ranchers typically graze their flocks on both private and public lands and pay for the right to use the public land.
If Western ranchers are forced out of business because they can't graze their animals, the U.S. sheep industry will get smaller. That will mean less lamb for consumers, who might stop buying the product or turn to foreign markets.
Association members say that many people don't understand the value of sheep in maintaining a healthy environmental balance. Properly managed flocks of sheep can actually enhance the environment with their grazing by keeping the eco-system in balance, ridding an area of "junk grass" and eliminating large clusters of vegetation that, if dried, can be a fire hazard.
In addition, ranchers pay for the right to graze their sheep on public lands for a brief period during the year.
"Sheep are a great resource for the land," said Moench.
Marketing their products also is challenging for sheep producers. Americans traditionally don't favor lamb, but the association is trying to change that by making sure that only top quality lamb is available in grocery meat counters. In addition, the association is working with mid-priced restaurants such as TGI Friday's and Boston Market to sell lamb entrees.
"It's a step up from fast food and a step down from fine dining," said Janice Grauberger, association spokeswoman and editor-in-chief for Lamb and Wool Grower and Sheep Country magazines. "Lamb has always been big in fine dining."
The growing number of Mediterranean and Arabic restaurants in this country also is helping lamb sales.
The association regularly buys advertising space in magazines, but is limited by its $7 million budget. Sheep association members note that the U.S. dairy industry spent $120 million just for its series of "milk mustache" ads featuring famous people.
There is good news as far as wool goes - there are new uses for the product including combining it with synthetic fibers to create stretchy, but durable and perspiration-absorbing sports apparel. Wool also is being used in Europe for building insulation. It can help contain oil spills because of its superior absorption and it is being used in water filters because it traps toxic materials well.
Wool is an attractive, comfortable and easy care fabric that comes in many weights so it can be used in everything from heavy sweaters to light sportswear, according to Larry Becker, a Wisconsin sheep farmer who chairs the association's lamb council.
"Your best baseball caps are made out of wool," Becker said.