USDA Announces New
Lamb Board Members

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman has announced 13 appointments to the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Board.

The 13-member board is composed of six producers and three feeders representing regions east and west of the Mississippi River, one seedstock producer, and three first-handlers. The appointees will serve one, two or three-year terms. During each subsequent year, the secretary of agriculture will appoint one-third of all board members for three-year terms.

Appointed members representing producers are: Nicholas L. Forrest, Ohio, three-year term; Mary E. Clarke, Colo., two-year term; Margaret C. Magruder, Ore., one-year term; John L. Oswalt, Mich., three-year term; Michael A. Guerry, Idaho, two-year term; and Thomas A. Kourlis, Colo., one-year term.

Appointed members representing feeders are: Joseph O. Harper, W.V., three-year term; Larry S. "Spencer" Rule, Colo., two-year term; and William D. "David" Winters, Texas, one-year term.

Appointed members representing first handlers are: William R. Brennan, S.D., three-year term; Teddie R. Crippen, Ore., two-year term; and Kevin R. Quam, Colo., one-year term.

The seedstock producer appointed is Joanne G. Evans, Pa., three-year term.

Established under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 and the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order, the board will be financed by a mandatory assessment of a half-cent per pound on ovine animals of any age, including ewes and rams, sold by producers, seedstock producers, feeders and exporters. An assessment of thirty cents per head must be paid by first-handlers. Assessments began on July 1 and are being collected by the USDA.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service monitors operations of the board.