If I had to describe the current situation of the sheep industry, I would cite a popular phrase from literature, "these are the best of times and the worst of times".

They are the best of times because of what the industry has been able to accomplish during its most trying times. Never before has an industry accomplished more with less. Today's American Sheep Industry has delivered to producers over 73 million dollars in direct payments to sheep producers, with more slated for the next two years. Two more years of feeder lamb, fat lamb and retained ewe lamb payments, and legislation in the new farm bill to potentially support wool prices at or above one dollar per pound. These are the best of times because of the people we have working for our industry. People like our own Burdell Johnson who was recently elected to the Executive Committee of the ASI. Congratulations Burdell, you give North Dakota great exposure and representation at the national level. People like Frank Moore, President of the ASI and Bill Salina, outgoing President of the National Lamb Feeders Association. These two gentlemen are not only passionate, knowledgeable and well respected, they are responsible for bringing these two groups together to form one voice and one mission for and industry. These are the best of times because of people like Representative Henry Bonilla (R-TX) who proudly wears the badge of "Mr. Sheep" in Washington D.C. Mr. Bonilla chairs a house appropriations subcommittee on agriculture, and was instrumental in the 201 and proposed wool legislation for our industry. These are the best of times when we in the sheep industry have long time friends like Bobby Acord, who was just promoted to Administrator, USDA/Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service. And other loyal and hard working friends like Marty O'Connor and John Van Dyke, with USDA / Agricultural Marketing Services. These are the best of times when we have great people like Peter Orwick, Executive Director ASI and his dedicated and devoted staff working for your interest. One who just happens to be a North Dakota native, Lisa Jager from Devils Lake. These dedicated people are responsible for the huge 73 million-dollar infusion into the sheep industry over the past eighteen months. Currently they will be looking at ways to improve our lamb prices, and have urged USDA to investigate the factors surrounding this past years lamb markets and would welcome your ideas and input. These are the best of times because the proposed lamb checkoff could generate funds to get your products into the hands and shopping carts of the consumers. Without representation and advertising we remain an unknown entity. These are the best of times because of the new national lamb marketing campaign about to be launched. ASI secured Weber Shandwick/Campbell Mithun, the firm that developed the "milk mustache" for the dairy industry, and the "other white meat" for the pork industry. They developed the new American Lamb slogan "meat lovers know" that will be kicking off nation wide, be sure to look for it in print and video media. It is the hope of the sheep industry that this new slogan becomes as recognizable as others are for their respective industry. Locally it is the best of times because of the people working for you at the land grant university level and the volunteers of your North Dakota Lamb and Wool Association. So do your part to help these people continue to work for you and your industry. Join the NDLWPA and ASI to keep the momentum going. Optimize your opportunities by supporting those who supported you and support your own industry and farm and ranch by supporting the proposed lamb checkoff.

For more info contact Mark Miller, Rolette County Agent, 477-5671
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Bylaw Changes
Present language: Section 2A - All regular and associate membership dues shall be $15.00 per year. A junior membership is available for $5.00 per year for anyone 18 years of age and under.
New Language: Section 2A - All regular, associate and junior (anyone 18 years of age and under) membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.
It was moved and seconded that Section 2A bylaw change be adopted. Motion passed.

Present language: Section 3C1a - Concerning term limits of officers - The president, vice-president and secretary shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.
New language: Section 3C1a - Concerning term limits of officers - The president, vice-president and secretary shall serve no more than five consecutive terms.
It was moved and seconded that Section 3C1a bylaw change be adopted. Motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS
It was discussed as to whether the NDLWPA should continue to subscribe for liability insurance from ASI. The annual premium is $49.50 and the policy covers $1 million per occurrence. It was moved and 2nd to continue the liability coverage through ASI. Motion passed.

It was moved, 2nd and passed that the Board of Directors of NDLWPA be given appropriate time to draft and send a letter to Congressional Constituents, including Senator Johnson of SD, requesting Congress to address the lamb import issue.

Nominating Committee
Rodney Hickle and Wyman Scheetz made up the nominating committee. They recommended the following slate of officers.

President - Burton Pfliger It was moved and 2nd that a unanimous ballot be cast. Motion passed.
Vice-president - Brent Stroh It was moved and 2nd that a unanimous ballot be cast. Motion passed.
Secretary - Lyle Warner It was moved and 2nd that a unanimous ballot be cast. Motion passed.
Treasurer - Theo Johnson It was moved and 2nd that a unanimous ballot be cast. Motion passed.

Board of Directors were elected by the four regions.
NW Ula Widdel
NE Ole Erickson
SW Don Lawson
SE Mark Sheppard
ASI Rep Burdell Johnson

It was moved and 2nd that the Convention meeting be adjourned. Motion passed.

Danielle Stromme of Crary was the winner in the pre-teen division (ages up to 12). For her effort she won a sewing machine sponsored by J&R Vacuum & Sewing Center of Bismarck. Alternate was Callie Hanson of Devils Lake. Other contestants for this category were: Tricia Berg and Shelby Ness of Devils Lake, Rachel Boerner of Cavalier, Joleesa Moser of Medina, Emily Smith of Bismarck, Andrew and Kyle Wolf of Kintyre, and Madeleine Zacher of Parshall.

Winning the junior division (ages 13-16) was Danielle Billing of Enderlin. Alternate was Katie Billing. Other contestants for this category were: Gina Hendrickson of Rolla and Meredith Ramsey of Devils Lake. Winning the senior division (ages 17-24) was Elizabeth Horner of Devils Lake. Alternate was Melanie Miller of Fargo. Both the junior and senior winners will represent North Dakota at the National Make It Yourself with Wool competition to be held in San Antonio, Texas, January 24- 27.

The adult division (ages over 24) was won by Nancy Billing of Enderlin. She received a sewing machine sponsored by Sewing Machines Plus! of Mandan. Nancy's photo will be judged on a national basis and 1st place winner will receive an expense paid trip to nationals. Alternate was Carolyn Graff of Carpio. Other contestants for this division were: Ardyce Hoffert of Bismarck, Gail Huff of Donneybrook, and Tara Nichols of Fargo.

All contestants received a length of Pendelton wool yardage and several other gifts. For more information of next year's contest, contact: NDMIYWW@Yahoo.com or Jane Horner, ND MIYWW Director, 341 Old Main, Devils Lake, ND 58301.

The DLGC has extended its equity drive in order to give more sheep producers an opportunity to receive information about the DLGC. We put on equity drive meetings starting late in Nov. and continued until the Jamestown meeting on Dec. 20, 2001. There was additional interest from the states of South Dakota and Montana, so the time frame of our equity drive was extended. Dave Merwin went back to these states on Jan 8 and Jan. 14, 2002.

The DLGC equity drive has been officially extended to Feb. 15, 2002 to give interested sheep producers a chance to purchase shares and become members of this farmer owned Cooperative.

The DLGC markets are steadily increasing. We are in the Minneapolis area as of Jan. 1, 2002. With other potential markets already identified, the DLGC needs more lambs from area sheep producers. The current owners of this co-op are in a unique position to buy more shares plus we also need new members to get us up to the 28,000 lambs projected to be marketed per year from our current level of 7880. These are exciting times to be in the sheep industry. The DLGC has developed a reputation to be the leader in the natural lamb market. Other lamb organigations are looking for us to be the leaders in this new marketing challenge.

As I've stated in previous newsletters, this is an opportunity for American sheep producers to unite and join together so we can better compete against the lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand.

Sheep producers wanting more information on the DLGC can call our CEO, Dave Merwin at 1-888-822-5262. The equity drive ends on Feb.15, 2002.