NASS Reports Increase in American Flock
The Sheep and Goat Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service showed a slight increase in the American flock with 5.05 million head – as of Jan. 1, 2025 – when it was released this afternoon. For the first time, the report noted that 27 percent of all sheep and lambs in the United States are hair sheep or wool-hair crosses.
This year’s report confirms beliefs of industry analysts that the sheep inventory was under expectations in the 2024 report.
NASS reported slight increases in several categories:
- Breeding sheep inventory was up from 3.67 to 3.68 million head.
- Ewes 1-year-old and older were up slightly to 2.88 million head.
- Market sheep and lambs totaled 1.37 million head, up 1 percent from a year ago.
- The lamb crop of 3.04 million head was up slightly from the previous year, while the lambing rate was up 3 percent to 106 lambs per 100 ewes.
“We have long standing requests of producers for a breakout in the survey for the hair breeding and are pleased USDA delivered with this report,” said ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick. “As important is the sustained level of sheep numbers in spite of the glut of wool worldwide and for many producers, lamb market returns that are not keeping pace with high input costs.”
The report showed decreases in wool production and shorn sheep. Wool production was down 1 percent to 22.5 million pounds, while the number of shorn sheep and lambs totaled 3.17 million head, down 2 percent from a year ago.
Click Here for the full report.
Podcast Discusses Growth of Solar Grazing
The January episode of the American Sheep Industry Association Research Update podcast takes a look at the most electric topic in the sheep industry today: solar grazing.
Podcast host Jake Thorne is joined by Reid Redden, Ph.D., of Premier Solar Sheep and Loran Shallenberger of Silicon Ranch Corporation – both of whom participated in the ASI Annual Convention Opening Session on solar grazing earlier this month in Scottsdale, Ariz. – to discuss the fastest growing facet of the American sheep industry.
“I’m speaking specifically of Silicon Ranch here, but I think it’s probably true for the broader industry. Solar grazing was initially being looked at as a way to reduce operational expenses,” said Shallenberger. “It is a way to do that. Another big issue that the industry in general has seen is opposition to solar in general because of land-use issues. Putting these on prime farmland is a concern for some. And so, the application of solar grazing and really having a true dual-use program where you’re producing electrons and high-quality protein is a way to kind of combat some of that opposition. I think we’ll continue to see developers get into the space and look to partner with ranchers.”
Click Here to listen to the full podcast.
Sheep GEMS: Economic Impacts of Udder Diseases
A nationwide survey conducted in 2011 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service estimated that 14 percent of U.S. ewes – 402,000 head – are culled each year. Of ewes culled, 56 percent are removed for old age. Culling for age is a good thing as these ewes have been productive for years, but we have limited resources and need to make room for younger, genetically superior females.
The flip side is that 44 percent of cull ewes leave the flock early, which is not a good thing. The most common reasons for culling ewes prematurely are failure to lamb (7.7 percent), teeth problems (7.6 percent), hard-bag syndrome (7.1 percent) and mastitis (6.7 percent). To put that into perspective, more than 55,000 ewes are culled each year due to udder diseases alone.
Hard-bag syndrome is a common sign of Ovine Progressive Pneumonia virus infection, and there are excellent resources available to reduce this disease in your flock through management (https://oppsociety.org) and selective breeding (see Sheep GEMS news brief #5 at https://www.sheepgeneticsusa.org/sheep-gems). However, mastitis is typically due to a bacterial infection and far less research has been focused on ways to mitigate it in sheep. Most of us are familiar with clinical mastitis, which most often occurs near lambing and can be visually diagnosed. Though clinical mastitis is economically important, it has a relatively low incidence in most flocks (less than 5 percent). In contrast, ewes with subclinical mastitis present no observable signs of disease.
The only way to diagnose subclinical mastitis is to collect a milk sample and screen it for bacteria or quantify its concentration of white blood cells (i.e., somatic cells). Past research in dairy species suggests the rate of subclinical mastitis is much higher than clinical mastitis and it was hypothesized this would hold for meat and wool ewes. Across multiple experiments, we have collected more than 2,500 milk samples from eight breeds in four research flocks. Results have been shockingly consistent despite diverse breed types and management systems.
Approximately 25 percent of sampled ewes were visually healthy but had milk somatic cell count values indicative of subclinical mastitis. Furthermore, these sub clinically infected ewes weaned, on average, 13 to 35 lbs. less total weight of lamb than healthy ewes, equating to a loss in market lamb revenue of $24 to $63 per ewe, per year.
Despite the economic impact that subclinical mastitis poses, milking ewes to diagnose it is extremely labor intensive and not practical for most flocks. So how can we reduce the incidence of this hidden disease? Like any trait we want to alter, it begins with understanding the genetic and non-genetic – i.e., environmental – factors at play. One of the major goals of the Sheep GEMS project is to identify easily measured indicator traits that might be strongly genetically related to udder health and ewe productivity. Some preliminary results from our efforts will be the topic of the next Sheep GEMS update.
For further information contact Tom Murphy ([email protected]).
Acknowledgements. We thank American sheep associations and breed organizations, the National Sheep Improvement Program and sheep producers for their contributions to this research. This work was supported by the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (grant 2016-51300-25723/project accession no. 1010329), and by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant (grant 2022-67015-36073/project accession no. 1027785), from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of USDA.
Source: Sheep GEMS
Ultrasound School Planned in Texas
A limited number of spots are available for the Texas A&M AgriLife Sheep and Goat Carcass Ultrasound School on April 22-24 in San Angelo, Texas. Attendees will have the opportunity to become certified to provide scanning services for the National Sheep Improvement Program.
During the school, attendees will learn how to ultrasound live sheep and goats for carcass traits, as well as learn about various ultrasound equipment, genetic selection, livestock management and carcass evaluation. Ultrasound machines will be provided for use during the school.
Due to space limitations and the hands-on nature of instruction, a limited number of applicants will be selected for the course based on a series of questions that must be answered during the application process. The deadline to apply is March 3, and selected applicants will be notified by March 7.
Click Here for more information.
Source: Texas A&M AgriLife
RSG, Premier 1 Partner to Support Future Producers
The RSG Foundation has announced a partnership with Premier 1 Supplies to enhance the foundation’s First Flock-Herd Grant program. Premier 1 Supplies will provide each First Flock-Herd Grant recipient with a $500 credit to use on its website, supporting these producers as they begin their livestock journey.
The First Flock-Herd Grant program is designed to help young and aspiring livestock producers acquire their first breeding sheep or goat. Each grant recipient will receive a breeding animal, a $500 monetary award from the RSG Foundation and the additional $500 credit from Premier 1 Supplies, equipping them with essential resources to launch and sustain their breeding programs.
“We are thrilled to partner with Premier 1 Supplies to expand the resources available to our grant recipients,” said Dr. Tad Thompson, DVM, founder of the RSG Foundation. “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of livestock producers.”
Grant submissions are open annually until Oct. 1, with animals awarded in January of the following year. The program’s timeline allows recipients to prepare for the upcoming breeding season with the support they need to succeed.
“At Premier 1 Supplies, we believe in supporting the future of agriculture and the livestock industry,” said Premier 1 Supplies CEO Ben Rothe. “Partnering with the RSG Foundation allows us to invest directly in the growth and success of young producers, and we are proud to be part of their journey.”
The 2025 First Flock-Herd Grant program received more than 30 applications from 22 states, with 13 winners. The RSG Foundation encourages aspiring sheep and goat producers to plan ahead and apply for the 2026 program to take advantage of this opportunity.
Click Here for more information about the RSG Foundation.
Click Here to explore Premier 1 Supplies’ catalog of livestock products.
Source: RSG Foundation
Australian Wool Market Off to Strong Start in 2025
The Australian wool market recorded an overall positive movement in this series, quickly bouncing back from the losses experienced last week.
The national quantity dropped by 16,256 bales compared to last week’s offering as there were 33,436 bales available to the trade. Compared to the previous season, the total amount offered this season continues to trend lower. There have been 885,488 bales put through the auction system season to date. That is 179,321 fewer bales than the previous season for a fall of 16.8 percent.
The first day of selling, results were mixed across microns and the three selling centers. The movements in the individual Micron Price Guides for Merino fleece ranged between plus 11 and minus 29 cents. The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator posted a 2-cent rise. The second selling day was more positive, with no negative results in the Merino fleece MPGs. The movements ranged between unchanged and plus 19 as the EMI added another 4 cents. The EMI finished the week 6 cents higher, closing at 1,192 Australian cents.
The market has made a positive start in the 2025 calendar year. In the six selling days of this year, the EMI has fallen on only one occasion – a 4-cent fall on Jan. 21 – and is currently trading 38 cents higher than its 2025 opening level. In USD terms, the EMI has also recorded just one negative result, rising four out of the six selling days, with one unchanged result. The EMI has added 12 U.S. cents across these sales.
The crossbred sector performed strongly this week, with all published MPGs recording rises of between 5 and 40 cents. These rises contributed to the overall rise in the EMI.
Next week’s national offering is expected to increase. There are currently 38,361 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. Sales return to the normal Tuesday/Wednesday selling pattern.
Click Here for the ASI Conversion Chart – AWEX Prices to USD Per Pound.
Source: AWEX
Lamb Jam is Baaack
Lamb Jam – a coast-to-coast celebration of American lamb featuring top chefs from seven markets – is kicking off during Lamb Lovers’ month in February.
Participating restaurants in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Denver, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., will offer one-of-a-kind happy hour lamb dishes throughout a monthlong Dine Around highlighting the versatility and flavor of American lamb. Following the Dine Around, chefs will showcase their lamb creations at the Lamb Jam Happy Hour Tour, tasting events and cookoffs at various venues throughout the spring and summer.
Consumer attendees will have the chance to vote on their favorite dish, while enjoying beverage pairings, games and exclusive American lamb swag. The winning chef from each market will move on to compete against the winning chefs in other participating cities in the Lamb Jam Finale.
A portion of the proceeds from each event will support World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by renowned chef José Andrés who is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises and has served more than 450 million nourishing meals around the world.
Live events will be held on: March 26 in Atlanta; April 16 in Austin; May 21 in Washington, D.C.; June 18 in San Francisco; July 30 in Seattle; Aug. 20 in Denver; and September in Boston
Fans of lamb can visit the participating restaurants throughout February to preview the delicious lamb items and get a 20 percent off coupon code for tickets to the Lamb Jam Live events. Check out the American lamb website to view a list of participating restaurants in your local market and purchase tickets for the live events.
“The new Lamb Jam live events will offer a unique dining experience that celebrates the dedication of family-run farms and ranches raising sheep across the U.S.,” said ALB Chair Jeff Ebert. “You can support these events by encouraging your friends, family and customers to go out and support local chefs as they present their finest lamb creations.”
Source: ALB
Legislative Update from Washington, D.C.
The American Sheep Industry Association’s lobbying firm – Cornerstone Government Affairs – offered an update this week on legislative issues in our nation’s capital.
Zeldin Confirmed as EPA Administrator
On Wednesday, senate lawmakers confirmed and swore in former New York Republican Congressmen Lee Zeldin to lead as the 17th administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin was confirmed following a 56-42 vote in his favor.
Notably, three democrats voted across party lines in his support, including Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mark Kelly (R-Ariz.) and John Fetterman (D-Penn.). The confirmation reflects the administration’s focus and dedication to reducing regulatory burdens related to environmental policies and protections. Zeldin expressed his interest in prioritizing environmental concerns while balancing the economic growth and prosperity of the United States.
Burgum to Serve as Secretary of Interior
On Wednesday, the Senate voted with general consensus to confirm former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as the next secretary of the Department of Interior. Burgum was confirmed with a 78-20 bipartisan vote, with 25 of those being held by Democratic members.
His nomination marks a new era in public lands management. In alignment with the Trump administration’s agenda, Burgum vocalized his commitment to creating policies supporting responsible land use, energy production and rural development. Historically, DOI has had extensive involvement in the regulatory policy that helps to shape the sheep and greater livestock industries. With this in mind, the industry is eager to see the administrative shifts that occur as the administration begins to reprioritize and roll back the regulatory burdens that have strained the broader livestock industry for many years.
Video of the Week
For more than 40 years, Brown Sheep Company has been spinning high quality, natural fiber yarn near Mitchell, Neb. This week, the company was spotlighted by Building Nebraska, which is powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“The now third-generation business was started by Harlan and Janet Brown. Harlan – a sheep farmer – got the idea to spin his own yarn when his daughter asked for a spinning wheel for Christmas. At this same time that many textile companies on the East Coast were struggling to get by, Harlan jumped on the opportunity and purchased used equipment to start a business of his own. Just nine months later, he produced his first skein of yarn. After receiving pushback and being chastised for his decision to produce yarn in western Nebraska, Harlan loaded up his Buick and started selling the old-fashioned way: from his trunk.”
Click Here for the full story.
Source: Rural Radio Network TV