The American Lamb Checkoff: FAQs
The national lamb checkoff, directed by the American Lamb Board (ALB), is funded by mandatory assessments (checkoff) paid by all segments of the sheep industry. By federal law,
all sheep or lambs of any age, including ewes, rams, feeder and market lambs, breeding stock and cull animals, are subject to the national lamb checkoff assessment at the time of every sale.
WHAT IS A DIRECT MARKETER? Direct marketers are producers who maintain ownership of some or all of their lambs and sheep through production, feeding and harvest, and sell their products directly to consumers, retailers and/ or chefs. Direct marketers have their lambs or sheep custom-harvested at a local processor or butcher. In some cases, primarily for ethnic sales and holidays, direct marketers sell their lambs and sheep directly off the farm. Direct marketers are both the producer and the first handler and are responsible to pay both the live weight and first handler assessments and remit directly to the American Lamb Board.
WHAT IS A FIRST HANDLER? Owner of the animal at time of slaughter, such as packer, processor or direct marketer.
WHAT IS AN EXPORTER? Each person or entity which sends live lambs or sheep out of the US are responsible for remitting the live weight assessment to ALB at the time of export.
DO 4-H, FFA AND SEEDSTOCK SALES PAY THE CHECKOFF? Yes. Fair boards, sale managements and 4-H/FFA clubs can collect and remit the live weight assessment directly to ALB. Otherwise, they can deduct the assessment from the sale and pass the live weight assessment to the buyer, who becomes the first handler responsible for remitting both the live weight and first handler assessments.
WHAT’S THE USDA’S ROLE? The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) oversees the American Lamb Checkoff to assure that funds are spent as intended by law. Information is available at ams.usda.gov.
HOW TO SEND YOUR ASSESSMENT? Assessments must be sent with Form LS-81, the Monthly Remittance Report. This form is available at LambResourceCenter.com or by calling 303-759-3001. You can submit your remittance online or mail Form LS-81 and your payment to: American Lamb Board, 23029 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1230.
WHERE CAN I FIND ONLINE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHECKOFF? Go to Lambboard.com. Specifically, these pages will be helpful to learn more about how the American Lamb Board works, is collected, Long Range Plan and programs, and reports:
https://lambboard.com/reports
HOW DO I CONTACT THE AMERICAN LAMB BOARD? The American Lamb Board is happy to answer your questions about the lamb checkoff, provide industry information and help with local promotion resources. Call 303-759-3001 or send an email to info@AmericanLamb.com.