Dollars and cents


• U.S. Sheep Industry
  According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, there are 84,134 sheep farms in the United States. Large sheep operations, which own 80 percent of the sheep, are located primarily in the Western United States. Texas and California have the most sheep. Small producers, those owning less than 100 sheep, comprise the majority of sheep operations, but own only 17 percent of the sheep.
  
  2009 U.S. Sheep and Lamb Inventory
  

  State	Number of head
  Texas	870,000
  California	660,000
  Wyoming	420,000
  Colorado	410,000
  South Dakota	305,000
  Utah	290,000
  Oregon	220,000
  Montana	210,000
  Idaho	210,000
  Iowa	200,000
  Total	5,747,000

  Source: USDA NASS Sheep and Goat Report, January 30, 2009
  
  
  
• A small industry
  Compared to other animal and agricultural industries, the sheep industry is very small, accounting for less than 1% of total U.S. livestock receipts.
  
  2008 U.S. Livestock Slaughter
  

  Species	1,000 head	Avg. live weight
  Cattle	35,514	1,282
  Calves	993	257
  Hogs	116,559	268
  Sheep	2650	136
  Total	50.4 billion tons

  Source: USDA NASS Livestock Slaughter 2008 Summary, March 2009
  
  Over the past 200 years, the U.S. sheep population has come full circle. From 7 million head in the early 1800's, sheep numbers peaked at 56 million in 1945, then declined to less than 7 million head on January 1, 2003. At the same time, industry emphasis has changed from wool to meat. Sheep numbers increased slightly in 2005 and 2006, the first time since 1990.
  
  
  
• Home on the range
  Sheep in the Western United States are often raised under traditional range conditions, where flocks graze unfenced pastures under the watchful eye of shepherds or sheepherders. Some range flocks graze public lands (for a fee), while others graze privately owned land. A range "band" consists of 1,000 ewes and their lambs. Wool production is still important in the range sheep industry. Fine wool breeding predominates. Most range ewes have Rambouillet blood.
  
  
  
• Lamb feeding industry
  Colorado is the most concentrated lamb feeding area in the United States. Other states that feed out a lot of lambs include Texas, California, Iowa, and Oregon. Lamb feeders purchase 60 to 90 pound lambs for finishing in feed lots. Sometimes, lambs are grazed on alfalfa fields.
  
  The lamb feed lot industry has struggled in recent times due to high feed costs and higher feeder lamb prices, brought about by the increased demand for light weight slaughter lambs by the ethnic trade, primarily Halal (Muslim).
  
  
• Small farms
  While the U.S. sheep industry is still dominated by small numbers of large operations, these operations continue to decline for various reasons. At the same time, small flocks are increasing, especially in the eastern half of the United States, where the majority of lamb is consumed. To be profitable, small flocks must be efficient and have access to excellent markets. Sheep are especially popular on small farms where sustainable farming practices are favored, such as pasture-finishing of lambs.
  
  
• Making money with sheep
  As with other agricultural enterprises, sheep farming is not a "get-rich-quick" scheme. The profit margins are narrow. To make money raising sheep, you would need at least several hundred ewes, probably more than 500. While there are some farmers who make a majority of their income from sheep farming, sheep raising is more often a part-time or secondary enterprise of a farm. For some, it is a hobby, retirement activity, or 4-H project.
  
  Sheep farmers derive their income from the sales of lambs and wool and related products. Though it varies by state and farm, the vast majority income comes from the sale of lambs. Dairy sheep farmers have three sources of income: lambs, wool, and milk (or cheese). Some farmers receive income by leasing their sheep out for grazing. Some sheep are raised for bio-medical purposes (research, blood, etc.).
  
  
• World sheep
  There are more than one billion sheep world wide. Sheep production is increasing in some countries; declining in others. While China has the most sheep, Australia and New Zealand dominate world markets for lamb and wool. The United States is not a major sheep-producing country and is a net importer of lamb and wool.
  
  2007 World Sheep Inventory
  

  Country	Number of head
  China	171,961,203
  Australia	100,000,000
  India	64,269,000
  Iran	52,220,000
  Sudan	49,000,000
  New Zealand	40,000,000
  United Kingdom	33,582,000
  Pakistan	26,500,000
  Turkey	25,400,000
  South Africa	25,000,000
  Total	1,112,520,621

  Source: FAOSTAT 2007
  
  
  <== RAISING SHEEP
  
  
  

Last updated 12-May-2009
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