Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 720-8998Samuel.Jones@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2010—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced four appointments to the 2011 Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Board (board). Each appointee will serve 3-year terms beginning immediately.
"These appointees represent a cross section of the lamb industry and I am confident that the lamb industry will be well served by them," said Vilsack.
According to the 2007 USDA Ag Census, there were approximately 83,000 sheep and lamb farms with an estimated 5.8 million head of sheep and lambs in the United States during 2007. Top producing states included, Texas, California, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota.
The newly appointed board members are: Stanley R. Potratz, Washington, Iowa, representing producers; and Dennis M. Stiffler, Plano, Texas, representing first handlers. Reappointed to the Board are: Nick L. Forrest, Oxford, Ohio, representing producers; and J. Richard Drake, Windsor, Colorado, representing feeders.
The 13-member board is composed of six producers, three feeders, one seedstock producer and three first-handlers. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints approximately one-third of all board members each year.
Established under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 and the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order, the board is financed by a mandatory assessment of one-half cent per pound on ovine animals of any age, including ewes and rams, sold by producers, seedstock producers, feeders and exporters. Also, an assessment of thirty cents per head must be paid by first-handlers. Assessments began on July 1, 2002.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the board.
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