Board Elections

It is time once again to nominate MSLC Board members.  District 2 and 3 board seats are up for election this year.  All board seats are for a three-year term.

District 2 represents Idaho, Oregon, Washington, South Dakota, and Montana.  It is currently represented by Robert Oxarango.  District 3 includes the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.  Jay Hasbrouck is the current director for District 3.

Other board seats, not up for election this year, are District 1, which covers Wyoming and is currently represented by Brad Boner, and two at large seats held by Mark Wahl and Frank Moore.

Enclosed is a nomination form.  All ‘A” Share members are eligible to submit a nomination.  Nominees must receive at least three nominations to appear on the ballot.  All nominations must be postmarked or received at the MSLC office by May 15.

Top February and March Lambs

Tom Edwards, Gillette, Wyoming, delivered the top lambs to the Co-op in February.  Fed at Double J, this load was 41% YG 2’s and 49% YG3.  They earned $2.51 on the market grid and another $3.33 per head in natural premium for a total average premium of $5.84.  The average load during February earned $2.19 on the market grid.

During March, the top lambs earned a whopping total premium of $8.21 per head.  Of that amount, the lambs earned $4.90 on the market grid and $3.31 in natural premiums.  Miller Lamb Limited, Reinbeck, Iowa, and Gillespie Grazing Co. of Pendleton, OR marketed these lambs.  The load was 79% YG 2’s and 13% YG 3’s and were fed at Double J.  The average market premium in March was $1.91.

Pelt prices have moved up and remain strong.  The average pelt returned $8.50 in February and $8.48 in March.

MSLC 2010 Delivery Obligation

Your meat company, Mountain States Rosen, is the largest supplier of American Lamb in the USA.  Delivering good quality lamb to the Cooperative strengthens your company.  Your delivery obligation is a tremendous asset for MSLC, and a cornerstone of the Cooperative’s business plan.

For those members with shares in excess of their own lamb numbers, or those who no longer market lambs, we recommend utilizing the Co-op’s “Lease Pool” to help meet their delivery obligation or that members lease their shares directly to another producer.  For 2010, there is no lease fee attached to pool shares.

To place shares in the pool you must notify the office in writing or by email.  It is a good idea to determine your delivery numbers and get those excess shares moved to the pool as early in the year as possible.  Getting the shares committed to the lease pool does not guarantee they will be used, nor does it alleviate your responsibility if shares in the lease pool exceed demand.

For 2010, members must fill at least 85% of their shares to avoid a penalty.  No member will be allowed to utilize the lease pool beyond the 85% delivered mark, until all other members in the lease pool reach 85% delivery. 

It is crucial for you to meet your delivery obligation.  While it is not our desire to take punitive action against any of our members, it is the MSLC Board’s responsibility to protect the Co-op and make sure the Uniform Marketing Agreement is being honored. 

We encourage our members to market ALL of their quality production through MSLC!  It helps your meat company, your cooperative, and offers very competitive pricing. 

For 2010, we ask you to renew your commitment to MSLC, make every effort to meet your delivery obligation, and help us make Mountain States Rosen the successful venture you envisioned when we started this cooperative seven years ago.