The U.S. sheep and lamb industry saw a modest uptick in numbers, according to the latest Sheep and Goats inventory report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). As of Jan. 1, the nation’s flock grew by 20,000 head—a 0.4% increase—to reach 5.05 million head.
Tyler Cozzens, Livestock Marketing Information Center director, told WLJthe increase marks the first year-over-year gain in inventory since 2016 when the flock grew by 25,000 head (0.5%) to 5.27 million head. While the latest increase is slight, it signals a potential shift in an industry that has faced years of declining or stagnant numbers.
While most states maintained steady sheep populations, several experienced notable shifts in inventory. Texas, the nation’s largest sheep-producing state, saw a 5% increase, bringing its total flock to 670,000 head. Other states posting gains included Iowa (3.9% to 161,000 head), Utah (4% to 280,000 head), Montana (2.8% to 185,000 head), Ohio (2% to 145,000 head) and Nevada (8% to 65,000 head). Michigan also recorded a 4% increase, while Utah and Ohio saw modest increases of 3.7% and 1.4%, respectively.
Conversely, Wyoming’s sheep population declined by 6% to 300,000 head, and South Dakota saw a 2.4% drop to 205,000 head. Other declines were reported in Arizona (down 10% to 95,000 head), Nebraska (down 5% to 74,000 head) and Missouri (down 3%). Meanwhile, flock numbers in California (510,000 head), Colorado (405,000 head) and Idaho (235,000 head) remained unchanged from the previous year.
The breeding sheep inventory saw a minor increase to 3.68 million head, with replacement lambs holding steady at 635,000 head. Notably, the number of ewes aged 1 year and older rose to 2.88 million head.
However, market sheep and lambs saw a more significant shift, increasing by 1% to 1.37 million head. In terms of weight distribution, the number of market sheep and lambs over 105 pounds remained stable at 465,000 head. However, market lambs weighing 65-84 lbs. slightly increased, rising from 195,000 head in 2023 to 195,500 head in 2024.
One notable change was the lambing rate, which climbed by 3% to 106 lambs per 100 ewes, signaling improved reproductive efficiency. The total lamb crop in 2024 reached 3.04 million head, a slight increase from 2023.
The report also noted that for the first time, 27% of all sheep and lambs in the U.S. are hair sheep or wool-hair crosses, according to the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).
“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.”
Wool production continued its downward trajectory, falling 1% to 22.5 million lbs. The number of sheep shorn declined by 2%, down to 3.17 million head. However, the most striking change occurred in wool prices: The average price per pound dropped from $1.56 to $1.43, leading to a 9% decrease in total wool value, which fell from $35.4 million to $32.1 million.
Cozzens said that in 2024, lamb imports reached a record of 309 million lbs., an increase of 69 million lbs. (29%). Lamb imports from Australia totaled 230 million lbs., up 51 million lbs. (29%) from the prior year, while shipments from New Zealand rose 18 million lbs. (31%) to 77 million lbs.
Cozzens noted feeder lamb prices have surged in early 2025, climbing 35% in just six weeks. Prices for 60-90-lb. lambs across Colorado, Texas and South Dakota started the year at $256/cwt but rose sharply to $345/cwt by mid-February—a $89/cwt gain. Meanwhile, slaughter lamb prices have struggled to gain momentum. National negotiated live prices have hovered between $161-171/cwt, lagging $21-25/cwt (11-13%) below the same period last year. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
