A group of 50 members of the American Sheep Industry Association are in the nation’s capital this week meeting with government officials and lobbying lawmakers. ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick says half of their time is spend meeting with USDA officials on programs important to their industry.

He says one of their biggest challenges will be trying to make headway with budget negotiators on needed legislation, especially during an election year which is tougher.

Orwick says one of the key budget areas they’re working on is funding for wildlife services. He says they’ve joined a large coalition battling for that money.

Orwick says legislative victories they gained in 2015 included approval of the H2A sheepherder program and the mandatory country of origin lamb program. He adds recent passage of the Sportsmen’s bill delisted the wolf which is positive in terms of predator control.