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In a growing industry, with huge potential, The Alberta Sheep and Wool Commission exists to ensure that every producer has the information, training, and resources necessary to succeed.
As an organization run by producers, for producers, the ASWC provides every member with an opportunity to have a positive influence on the industry as a whole. In fact, the participation, contribution and feedback of members, is helping to fuel the steady growth of Alberta’s sheep and wool industry.
The ASWC is responsible for a variety of programs all aimed at supporting producers and ensuring the continued growth and profitability of the industry.
Our Mandate
The mandate of the ASWC is to initiate, support, and conduct programs to stimulate and improve the economic well being of the Alberta sheep industry.
This is accomplished through a variety of means, including:
- Provision of information and resources to producers
- Research and development programs
- Consumer promotions to build awareness and demand
- Representation and advocacy for the industry with both levels of government and other industry groups
- Liaison with other commodity groups, such as cattle and pig producers.
The Check-Off
The ASWC is producer directed, and is funded by a service charge (check-off) of $1.50 per sheep/lamb on all animals produced in Alberta. The service charge is paid one time by the producer when he purchases the Canadian Sheep Identification Program ear tag for each animal.
This check-off creates the revenue needed to maintain operations of the ASWC and also leverages government funding programs to assist with development of the sheep industry. Over the last five years, producers’ check off dollars have leveraged an additional $800,000 of external funding.
Each pound of wool produced is also subject to a service charge of $0.01, collected and remitted when the wool is sold.
Your check-off dollars, in conjunction with that additional funding, have been used to undertake many valuable projects, such as:
- Research Projects, such as Building Better Lambs, The Lakeland Carcass Sire Project, and The Alberta Scrapie Surveillance and Genotyping Program
- Promotion of lamb at consumer shows, including distribution of recipes etc.
- Producer Education on humane handling, care and transportation, parasite control, wool etc.
- And many other projects which are of benefit to the industry and individual producers alike.
The Alberta Sheep & Wool Commission operates under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, overseen by the Agricultural Products Marketing Council which has responsibility for facilitating the establishment and supervising the operations of agricultural boards and commissions in Alberta.
For a copy of the Alberta Sheep & Wool Commission Plan & Regulation, please visit the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act & Regulations webpage or call the office.
ASWC Audited Accounts/Budget
