The U.S. sheep and goat inventory was tighter in 2023 and could get tighter in 2024.

The USDA says the sheep and goat inventories on January 1st of this year were both down 2% from last year, at 5.03 million and 2.47 million head, respectively, including lower breeding herds and kid and lamb crops.

All major categories also fell under year ago levels.

Shorn wool production was 22.7 million pounds, 2% lower than the previous year, with a total value of $35.3 million, a decrease of 1% on the year, with mohair production at 505,000 pounds with a total value of $3.21 million.

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