Welcome to Mountain State Lamb

SHARE LEASES

MSLC members with extra shares to fill have the option of putting those shares in the Co-op’s share pool or utilizing an individual lease. Members need to be familiar with both options.
The Share Pool is simply any number of extra delivery shares that are made available for use by other members. There is currently no charge associated with pool shares. When a member sends in more lambs than the number of shares they own, MSLC automatically takes that excess delivery to pool shares unless the member has made us aware of an individual leasing arrangement.
At the end of the year, the pool delivery is prorated among members contributing shares to the pool. To be eligible to contribute shares to the pool all your production for the current year must be marketed through the Co-op and we must receive your request to put shares in the pool in writing. This request can be made by letter, fax or email, and you simply need to give your name, the date, and the number of shares you want placed in the pool. At the end of the year, producers using the pool (lessees) and the producers putting shares in the pool (lessors) are matched up according to the number of shares used or contributed and lease forms are sent out. Putting shares in the pool does not guarantee that they will be filled and you are still responsible for filling those shares.
Members also have the option of leasing their shares directly to another member. The Co-op simply requires a MSLC lease agreement signed by both parties and submitted to the Co-op. Any lease fees are at the discretion of the two parties to the lease.
Enclosed with your newsletter is a copy of the new MSLC Master Lease agreement for your files and the new one page agreement for your use if you enter into a lease agreement. If you have questions about either document please call.
Leases previous to December 31, 2010 must still use the older multipage form. When you receive a lease form in the mail requiring your signature for individual and pool leases from the prior year, please sign it and get it in the mail per the enclosed instructions. Again, call if you have any questions. We offer the leasing options for your convenience and try to make it as easy for you as possible by filling them out and providing instructions, but we need you to do your part and get them returned as soon as possible. Resending leases costs the Co-op extra time and postage so your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Burt Kunzler moves ewes on a cold Utah day

Board Nominations

The two at-large positions are up for election this year on the Mountain States Lamb Cooperative Board of Directors. Currently these positions are filled by Frank Moore, Douglas, WY and Mark Wahl, Albany, OR.
Both positions are for a three year term. Nominations forms are enclosed and should be returned by April 30. In order to appear on the ballot a nominee must receive three nominations.

Market News to ewes

It looks like winter is hopefully coming to a close. I hope everyone is prepared for lambing. The COOP members have done an excellent job of maintaining a current supply for MSR. The live and dressed market are still climbing and a leveling off point is still uncertain. Lamb pelts are at an all time high with Imperial pelts ringing the bell once again. Be cautious of wooled pelts this time of year, due to the fact that they are reaching their discount point. The pelt market looks strong for months to come and should stay that way if we keep producing a high quality product.

Feeder lambs are at record prices around the country. These lambs are high risk compared to the foreseen returnable profit potential. I would recommend purchasing feeders with caution just in case we have a volatile summer market. As everyone knows, the lamb market has not followed industry trends and therefore it is unknown what the summer markets will bring.

We’ve been diligent in the recruitment of new producers in the Midwest to increase the strength of MSLC/MSR. Hopefully by fall we will see an increase in membership and flow through our company.

I have also had some interest from Midwest producers about purchasing ewes so if you are going to have some availability please let me know. If anyone has any questions please feel free to give me a call.

Have a great spring,
Brad Anderson

Ball and Reed Top Grid

Ball Brothers Sheep Company, Lewisville, Idaho and Reed Land and Livestock, Douglas, Wyoming topped the MSLC grid in January and February. Ball Brothers earned an average of $4.73 per head in premiums on the marketing grid. The lambs were fed by Ball Brothers. The average premium in January was $1.96 per head.
Tom and Monty Reed of Reed Land and Livestock, Douglas, Wyoming fed the top lambs in February. The lambs earned an average of $6.12 on the marketing grid. The average lamb in February earned $2.63 in market grid premiums.
In January, the average pelt returned $14.83 and the average price in February was $16.79. If you have any questions about the pelt market when making shearing decisions give Brad Anderson or the office a call.

SAVE-THE-DATE

Plan now to join us for our 9th Annual Meeting, July 20-22, 2011 in the Greeley-Loveland, Colorado area. The Embassy Suites, Hotel, Spa, and Conference Center in Loveland will be our headquarters. Plans are underway now for fun and informative tours and presentations, plus plenty of time to network and connect with fellow members.

You can book your reservations now by calling 1- 800 EMBASSY (362 2779) and asking for the Mountain States Lamb Co-op group. Rooms can also be booked online at: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/
personalized/FNLESES-MLC-20110719/index.jhtml

The standard suite rate is $109 plus tax and mountain-view suites are $129. Reservations can be made until June 19 or until our block of rooms are filled.

2010 Patronage Reporting

We are happy to answer any questions you or your tax advisor has regarding your 1099 Patronage forms and reporting. Just call the office or email Becky (becky@mslamb.com).

2010 Non-Delivery Penalties

All our members should have received a letter about 2010 Non-Delivery penalties and the delivery requirements for 2011. Invoices were mailed if a penalty was assessed. Call the office if you have questions.