By an astounding margin of 85.1 percent, the U.S. sheep industry voted to continue the deduction on sheep sales to support the marketing of American lamb. In the volume vote, a record setting 93 percent supported the referendum. These are the certified results of the nationwide vote conducted in February.
Only 11 people voted in Maryland, 9 for and 2 against, representing 1,376 sheep. No states voted against the referendum.
“This is the second referendum since the inception of the program in 2002 and both have recorded overwhelming approval for an industry-funded lamb promotion,” remarks Peter Orwick, executive director for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).
The lamb program is the only livestock checkoff program that has producers, feeders and meat packers all contributing funds to the promotion effort. A 13-member volunteer board, known as the American Lamb Board, representing these segments of the industry collects the funds and administers all the programs.
Source: ASI News Release, April 23, 2009
