ASI welcomes new president
Fort Worth, Texas – The American Sheep Industry (ASI) welcomed sheep producers from across the country to meet and discuss topics and issues within the industry during the ASI Convention Jan. 18-21. During the convention, a new leadership team was announced.
Glenrock native Brad Boner, a sheep and cattle producer and former ASI vice president, was elected to serve as president.
Ag involvement
Prior to his involvement as ASI vice president, Boner served as the secretary/treasurer for the association.
In the past, he has also served as the Wyoming Wool Growers Association president, Wyoming Angus Association president, ASI regional director for region seven, ASI Wool Council chairman and Mountain States Lamb Cooperative chairman.
In addition, he has also been a member of the ASI Lets Grow Committee, ASI Lamb Council, Wyoming Animal Damage Control Board, Converse County Conservation District and Mountain States Rosen.
Boner shares his experiences in the last four years serving as ASI secretary/treasurer and vice president has helped provide him the tools he needs to serve as ASI president for the next two years.
“It’s an honor to represent a great group of people who work exceptionally hard trying to provide food and fiber for their customers around the world,” says Boner.
“We all battle many challenges in agriculture, and we want to do what we can to take away as many of those challenges through our lobbying efforts and contacts with regulatory agencies and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help make production agriculture more sustainable,” he adds.
Family ranch
The Boner family’s ranch includes ewe/lamb and cow/calf operations. The also sell Black Angus seedstock.
Brad and his wife Laurie have three children who live in close proximity and help on the ranch. His son Ryan works on the ranch daily, and his involvement is key in allowing Brad and Laurie to spend time with their grandchildren.
“This generational transition is an interesting process,” says Boner in a recent ASI press release. “As was alluded to by a few other speakers this week, there comes a point where it’s time for the next generation to step up and start doing what they can do. This is where we’re headed. Plus, the grandparent thing is pretty cool stuff.”
Future goals
Boner mentions he has several priorities he looks forward to working on during his term as ASI president.
“The number one priority for 2023 will be the reauthorization of the farm bill,” he notes. “This bill expires in September, so we will be working diligently to make sure this gets done in an acceptable manner.”
He will continue to focus on financial budgets and obligations and will work diligently to improve this focus within the association. He also looks forward to improving communication with membership.
“Our state members’ communication is always an ongoing effort and needs a lot of our attention,” says Boner. “We will continue to work on this in addition to helping our young entrepreneur’s group. These folks are our future, and we want to make sure we’re bringing them along as we move forward.”
Convention and leadership team
During the convention, producers and members worked to set priorities, share information and conduct business for a stronger sheep industry. Boner notes this year’s convention was a great success.
“We had a really good turnout, and it felt much more like a pre-pandemic convention,” he shares. “We’re tickled to be back to some normality, and we’re happy to see people we haven’t seen for a while and visit with them in person. It was great.”
In addition to the election of a new president, other newly elected ASI leadership included Ben Lehfeldt as vice president, Joe Pozzi as secretary/treasurer, Susan Shultz as past president, Laurie Hubbard as region one director, Lisa Weeks as region two director, Anne Crider as region three director, Lynn Fahrmeier as region four director, Tammy Fisher as region five director, Bronson Corn as region six director, John Noh as region seven director and Ryhan Indart as region eight director.
The National Lamb Feeders Association (NLFA) elected Kate Harlan of Wyoming to fill the NFLA representative spot on the executive board. She replaces her father, Bob Harlan, who wasn’t eligible for reelection.
ASI continues to develop an industry vision for the future; be an advocate of public policy to protect, promote and support the economic viability of the industry; create strong national and international markets for wool through advertising, promotion and marketing; advance and coordinate science and technology of production and marketing and promote communication and cooperation between all segments of the industry, related business and government agencies.
“I’m honored to represent this group of people who I have a lot of respect for and care a lot about. We will work diligently to get issues resolved as we move forward,” Boner concludes.
Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
