There were fewer sheep, lambs, and goats in the U.S. at the start of this year than the start of last year. The numbers point to further contraction of the domestic herds this year, with smaller breeding inventories and lamb and kid crops, supporting prices if demand holds up.
The USDA says the sheep and lamb inventory fell by 2% to 5.065 million head, with all major categories below a year ago, with the 2021 lamb crop also 2% lower at 3.16 million head and a 3% decline in shorn wool production to 22.451 million pounds.
