Sheep and Goats - Publication

Sheep and Goats
ISSN: 1949-1611

Released January 31, 2017, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA).

January 1 Sheep and Lamb Inventory Down 2 Percent
All sheep and lamb inventory in the United States on January 1, 2017 totaled 5.20 million head, down 2 percent from
2016. Breeding sheep inventory at 3.86 million head on January 1, 2017, decreased 2 percent from 3.95 million head on
January 1, 2016. Ewes one year old and older, at 3.04 million head, were 2 below last year. Market sheep and lambs on
January 1, 2017 totaled 1.35 million head, down 1 percent from January 1, 2016. Market lambs comprised 94 percent of
the total market inventory. Market sheep comprised the remaining 6 percent of total market inventory.
The 2016 lamb crop of 3.25 million head was down 1 percent from 2015. The 2016 lambing rate was 105 lambs per
100 ewes one year old and older on January 1, 2016, unchanged from 2015.
Shorn wool production in the United States during 2016 was 25.7 million pounds, down 5 percent from 2015. Sheep and
lambs shorn totaled 3.56 million head, down 3 percent from 2015. The average price paid for wool sold in 2016 was
$1.45 per pound for a total value of 37.2 million dollars, down 5 percent from 39.2 million dollars in 2015.
Sheep death loss during 2016 totaled 217 thousand head, down 5 percent from 2015. Lamb death loss decreased
1 percent from 374 thousand head to 372 thousand head in 2016.

January 1 Goat and Kid Inventory Up 1 Percent
All goat inventory in the United States on January 1, 2017 totaled 2.64 million head, up 1 percent from 2016. Breeding
goat inventory totaled 2.17 million head, up slightly from 2016. Does one year old and older, at 1.61 million head, were
slightly above last year's number. Market goats and kids totaled 469 thousand head, up 2 percent from a year ago.
Kid crop for 2016 totaled 1.64 million head for all goats, up 1 percent from 2015.
Meat and all other goats totaled 2.12 million head on January 1, 2017, up 1 percent from 2016. Milk goat inventory was
373 thousand head, unchanged from January 1, 2016, while Angora goats were up 1 percent, totaling 152 thousand head.
Mohair production in the United States during 2016 was 800 thousand pounds. Goats and kids clipped totaled
141 thousand head. Average weight per clip was 5.7 pounds. Mohair price was $4.56 per pound with a value of
3.65 million dollars.

Sheep and Goat Revisions
All sheep and goat inventory and lamb and kid crop estimates for January 1, 2016, were reviewed using official slaughter,
import and export data, and the relationship of new survey information to the prior surveys. A revision of 0.4 percent was
made to sheep inventory and a revision of 5 percent to lamb crop at the United States level. No revisions were made to all
goat inventory and a 3 percent change was made to the kid crop. State level estimates were reviewed and changes were
made to reallocate inventory estimates to the United States total.

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2

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents
Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 .................................................................. 4
All Sheep and Lamb Inventory – United States: January 1 .................................................................................................... 4
Wool Production, Price, and Value – United States: 2015 and 2016...................................................................................... 4
Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 ................................................. 5
Breeding Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 ................................. 6
Lamb Crop – States and United States: 2015 and 2016 .......................................................................................................... 7
Market Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Weight Group – States and United States: January 1, 2016 ...................................... 8
Market Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Weight Group – States and United States: January 1, 2017 ...................................... 9
Sheep and Lamb Farm Slaughter and Death Loss – States and United States: 2015 and 2016 ............................................ 10
Wool Production – States and United States: 2015 and 2016 ............................................................................................... 11
Wool Price and Value – States and United States: 2015 and 2016 ....................................................................................... 12
Goat and Kid Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 ..................................................................... 13
All Goat Inventory – United States: January 1 ..................................................................................................................... 13
Angora Goat Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 ...................................................................... 14
Milk Goat Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 .......................................................................... 14
Meat and Other Goat Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 ......................................................... 14
Angora Goat Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017.................................................................... 15
Mohair Production, Price, and Value – States and United States: 2015 and 2016 ............................................................... 15
Milk Goat Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 ........................................................................ 16
Meat and Other Goat Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017 ...................................................... 17
Statistical Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 18
Reliability of January 1 Sheep and Lamb Estimates ............................................................................................................. 19
Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 19

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

3

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
Class

2016

2017

2017 as
percent
of 2016

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

All sheep and lambs ........................................................................................

5,300.0

5,200.0

98

Breeding sheep and lambs ..........................................................................

3,945.0

3,855.0

98

Replacement lambs under one year old ..................................................

665.0

650.0

98

Ewes - one year old and older .................................................................

3,105.0

3,035.0

98

Rams - one year old and older ................................................................

175.0

170.0

97

Market sheep and lambs .............................................................................

1,355.0

1,345.0

99

All Sheep and Lamb Inventory – United States:
January 1
Thousand head
7,000
Total

Breeding

Market

6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

2017

Wool Production, Price, and Value – United States: 2015 and 2016
Year

2015 ..............................
2016 ..............................
1

4

Sheep
shorn 1

Weight
per fleece

Shorn wool
production

Price
per pound

Value

(1,000 head)

(pounds)

(1,000 pounds)

(dollars)

(1,000 dollars)

3,675
3,560

7.4
7.2

27,015
25,740

1.45
1.45

39,205
37,214

Includes shearing at commercial feeding yards.

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
All sheep and lambs
State

Total breeding

2016

2017

2017 as
percent
of 2016

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Total market

2016

2017

2016

2017

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Arizona .........................................
California ......................................
Colorado .......................................
Idaho ............................................
Illinois ...........................................
Indiana .........................................
Iowa ..............................................
Kansas .........................................
Kentucky .......................................
Michigan .......................................

140.0
575.0
435.0
255.0
60.0
50.0
175.0
65.0
53.0
82.0

130.0
585.0
395.0
255.0
55.0
52.0
175.0
68.0
48.0
85.0

93
102
91
100
92
104
100
105
91
104

101.0
320.0
220.0
185.0
50.0
43.0
125.0
44.0
42.0
58.0

97.0
325.0
200.0
184.0
46.0
45.0
120.0
45.0
38.0
61.0

39.0
255.0
215.0
70.0
10.0
7.0
50.0
21.0
11.0
24.0

33.0
260.0
195.0
71.0
9.0
7.0
55.0
23.0
10.0
24.0

Minnesota .....................................
Missouri ........................................
Montana .......................................
Nebraska ......................................
Nevada .........................................
New England 1 ..............................
New Mexico ..................................
New York ......................................
North Carolina ..............................
North Dakota ................................

125.0
88.0
230.0
80.0
60.0
42.0
90.0
80.0
32.0
73.0

130.0
90.0
230.0
83.0
63.0
43.0
97.0
75.0
30.0
66.0

104
102
100
104
105
102
108
94
94
90

88.0
76.0
210.0
67.0
49.0
33.0
76.0
68.0
27.0
53.0

91.0
70.0
200.0
71.0
54.0
33.0
82.0
62.0
25.0
52.0

37.0
12.0
20.0
13.0
11.0
9.0
14.0
12.0
5.0
20.0

39.0
20.0
30.0
12.0
9.0
10.0
15.0
13.0
5.0
14.0

Ohio ..............................................
Oklahoma .....................................
Oregon .........................................
Pennsylvania ................................
South Dakota ................................
Tennessee ....................................
Texas ...........................................
Utah ..............................................
Virginia .........................................
Washington ..................................

120.0
46.0
180.0
94.0
265.0
48.0
725.0
285.0
75.0
50.0

117.0
48.0
170.0
93.0
250.0
46.0
700.0
275.0
80.0
48.0

98
104
94
99
94
96
97
96
107
96

96.0
37.0
130.0
77.0
200.0
40.0
580.0
265.0
60.0
41.0

92.0
38.0
124.0
75.0
193.0
38.0
560.0
255.0
61.0
39.0

24.0
9.0
50.0
17.0
65.0
8.0
145.0
20.0
15.0
9.0

25.0
10.0
46.0
18.0
57.0
8.0
140.0
20.0
19.0
9.0

West Virginia ................................
Wisconsin .....................................
Wyoming ......................................

36.0
76.0
355.0

34.0
76.0
360.0

94
100
101

30.0
63.0
265.0

28.0
63.0
275.0

6.0
13.0
90.0

6.0
13.0
85.0

Other States 2 ...............................

155.0

148.0

95

126.0

113.0

29.0

35.0

United States ................................

5,300.0

5,200.0

98

3,945.0

3,855.0

1,355.0

1,345.0

1

New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
2
Includes data for States not published in this table.

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

5

Breeding Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Class – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
Breeding sheep
State

Ewes
2016
(1,000 head)

2017

2016

Total breeding
sheep and
lambs

Replacement
lambs

Rams
2017

2016

(1,000 head) (1,000 head) (1,000 head)

2017

(1,000 head) (1,000 head)

2016

2017

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Arizona ..................................
California ...............................
Colorado ................................
Idaho ......................................
Illinois .....................................
Indiana ...................................
Iowa .......................................
Kansas ...................................
Kentucky ................................
Michigan ................................

71.0
265.0
184.0
146.0
39.0
33.0
100.0
36.0
33.0
42.0

68.0
270.0
160.0
138.0
36.0
35.0
95.0
36.0
30.0
44.0

6.0
10.0
7.0
5.0
3.0
3.0
5.0
2.0
2.0
3.0

6.0
10.0
6.0
5.0
2.0
4.0
5.0
2.0
2.0
3.0

24.0
45.0
29.0
34.0
8.0
7.0
20.0
6.0
7.0
13.0

23.0
45.0
34.0
41.0
8.0
6.0
20.0
7.0
6.0
14.0

101.0
320.0
220.0
185.0
50.0
43.0
125.0
44.0
42.0
58.0

97.0
325.0
200.0
184.0
46.0
45.0
120.0
45.0
38.0
61.0

Minnesota ..............................
Missouri .................................
Montana .................................
Nebraska ...............................
Nevada ..................................
New England 1 .......................
New Mexico ...........................
New York ...............................
North Carolina ........................
North Dakota ..........................

70.0
60.0
159.0
55.0
40.0
25.0
58.0
50.0
20.0
44.0

72.0
55.0
159.0
58.0
43.0
24.0
59.0
47.0
19.0
42.0

4.0
3.0
6.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
2.0

5.0
3.0
6.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
5.0
3.0
2.0
2.0

14.0
13.0
45.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
14.0
15.0
4.0
7.0

14.0
12.0
35.0
10.0
9.0
7.0
18.0
12.0
4.0
8.0

88.0
76.0
210.0
67.0
49.0
33.0
76.0
68.0
27.0
53.0

91.0
70.0
200.0
71.0
54.0
33.0
82.0
62.0
25.0
52.0

Ohio .......................................
Oklahoma ..............................
Oregon ...................................
Pennsylvania .........................
South Dakota .........................
Tennessee .............................
Texas .....................................
Utah .......................................
Virginia ...................................
Washington ............................

73.0
29.0
101.0
59.0
161.0
30.0
445.0
215.0
50.0
31.0

70.0
29.0
101.0
59.0
155.0
29.0
435.0
205.0
49.0
28.0

6.0
2.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
3.0
35.0
8.0
3.0
3.0

6.0
2.0
5.0
5.0
6.0
3.0
35.0
8.0
3.0
2.0

17.0
6.0
23.0
13.0
33.0
7.0
100.0
42.0
7.0
7.0

16.0
7.0
18.0
11.0
32.0
6.0
90.0
42.0
9.0
9.0

96.0
37.0
130.0
77.0
200.0
40.0
580.0
265.0
60.0
41.0

92.0
38.0
124.0
75.0
193.0
38.0
560.0
255.0
61.0
39.0

West Virginia ..........................
Wisconsin ..............................
Wyoming ................................

24.0
49.0
215.0

23.0
48.0
225.0

1.0
2.0
7.0

1.0
3.0
7.0

5.0
12.0
43.0

4.0
12.0
43.0

30.0
63.0
265.0

28.0
63.0
275.0

Other States 2 ........................

93.0

89.0

10.0

6.0

23.0

18.0

126.0

113.0

United States .........................

3,105.0

3,035.0

175.0

170.0

665.0

650.0

3,945.0

3,855.0

1

New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
2
Includes data for States not published in this table.

6

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Lamb Crop – States and United States: 2015 and 2016
Ewes 1 year
and older January 1

Lambs per 100
ewes January 1

Lamb crop 1

State
2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2016 as
percent
of 2015

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(number)

(number)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(percent)

Arizona ...................................
California ................................
Colorado .................................
Idaho ......................................
Illinois .....................................
Indiana ...................................
Iowa ........................................
Kansas ...................................
Kentucky .................................
Michigan .................................

76.0
275.0
184.0
150.0
38.0
34.0
100.0
36.0
30.0
40.0

71.0
265.0
184.0
146.0
39.0
33.0
100.0
36.0
33.0
42.0

67
85
109
120
118
121
124
119
117
123

63
92
98
110
118
121
125
122
115
119

51.0
235.0
200.0
180.0
45.0
41.0
124.0
43.0
35.0
49.0

45.0
245.0
180.0
160.0
46.0
40.0
125.0
44.0
38.0
50.0

88
104
90
89
102
98
101
102
109
102

Minnesota ...............................
Missouri ..................................
Montana .................................
Nebraska ................................
Nevada ...................................
New England 2 ........................
New Mexico ............................
New York ................................
North Carolina ........................
North Dakota ..........................

73.0
58.0
153.0
55.0
48.0
26.0
58.0
51.0
18.0
42.0

70.0
60.0
159.0
55.0
40.0
25.0
58.0
50.0
20.0
44.0

123
124
124
118
102
108
78
118
106
119

129
123
119
118
105
116
81
120
95
116

90.0
72.0
190.0
65.0
49.0
28.0
45.0
60.0
19.0
50.0

90.0
74.0
190.0
65.0
42.0
29.0
47.0
60.0
19.0
51.0

100
103
100
100
86
104
104
100
100
102

Ohio ........................................
Oklahoma ...............................
Oregon ...................................
Pennsylvania ..........................
South Dakota ..........................
Tennessee ..............................
Texas .....................................
Utah ........................................
Virginia ...................................
Washington ............................

73.0
31.0
110.0
56.0
162.0
28.0
435.0
220.0
50.0
31.0

73.0
29.0
101.0
59.0
161.0
30.0
445.0
215.0
50.0
31.0

121
100
108
116
120
121
80
105
116
110

121
114
120
110
121
120
76
107
116
116

88.0
31.0
119.0
65.0
195.0
34.0
350.0
230.0
58.0
34.0

88.0
33.0
121.0
65.0
195.0
36.0
340.0
230.0
58.0
36.0

100
106
102
100
100
106
97
100
100
106

West Virginia ..........................
Wisconsin ...............................
Wyoming ................................

22.0
50.0
210.0

24.0
49.0
215.0

114
120
112

117
122
114

25.0
60.0
235.0

28.0
60.0
245.0

112
100
104

Other States 3 .........................

87.0

93.0

92

81

80.0

75.0

94

United States ..........................

3,110.0

3,105.0

105

105

3,275.0

3,250.0

99

1
2
3

Lamb crop is defined as lambs born in the Eastern States and lambs docked or branded in the Western States.
New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Includes data for States not published in this table.

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

7

Market Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Weight Group – States and United States: January 1, 2016
Market lambs
State

Under 65
pounds

65 - 84
pounds

85 - 105
pounds

Over 105
pounds

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Total

Market
sheep

Total
market
sheep and
lambs

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Arizona ...................................
California ................................
Colorado .................................
Idaho .......................................
Illinois ......................................
Indiana ....................................
Iowa ........................................
Kansas ....................................
Kentucky .................................
Michigan .................................

12.0
110.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
3.0
5.0
9.0
5.7
3.0

7.0
15.0
9.0
10.0
3.0
1.0
7.0
2.0
3.0
6.0

6.0
45.0
22.0
13.0
2.0
1.0
16.0
2.5
1.3
5.0

10.0
75.0
179.0
44.0
2.0
1.0
21.0
4.5
0.5
7.0

35.0
245.0
213.0
69.0
9.0
6.0
49.0
18.0
10.5
21.0

4.0
10.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
3.0
0.5
3.0

39.0
255.0
215.0
70.0
10.0
7.0
50.0
21.0
11.0
24.0

Minnesota ...............................
Missouri ..................................
Montana ..................................
Nebraska ................................
Nevada ...................................
New England 1 ........................
New Mexico ............................
New York ................................
North Carolina .........................
North Dakota ...........................

7.0
5.2
1.0
2.5
2.0
2.2
2.0
3.0
2.4
1.0

7.0
2.2
5.0
1.8
2.0
1.3
5.0
4.0
0.8
5.0

8.0
2.3
7.0
3.0
3.0
1.2
3.0
3.0
0.6
8.0

14.0
1.3
5.0
4.7
3.0
1.3
2.0
1.0
0.2
5.0

36.0
11.0
18.0
12.0
10.0
6.0
12.0
11.0
4.0
19.0

1.0
1.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

37.0
12.0
20.0
13.0
11.0
9.0
14.0
12.0
5.0
20.0

Ohio ........................................
Oklahoma ...............................
Oregon ....................................
Pennsylvania ..........................
South Dakota ..........................
Tennessee ..............................
Texas ......................................
Utah ........................................
Virginia ....................................
Washington .............................

7.0
5.5
5.0
7.0
8.5
5.0
80.0
2.0
6.5
1.5

5.0
1.0
7.0
5.0
10.0
1.4
25.0
3.0
5.0
2.5

5.5
1.0
15.0
2.0
11.5
0.6
15.0
7.0
2.0
1.5

5.5
1.0
20.0
1.0
33.0
0.5
15.0
7.0
0.5
2.0

23.0
8.5
47.0
15.0
63.0
7.5
135.0
19.0
14.0
7.5

1.0
0.5
3.0
2.0
2.0
0.5
10.0
1.0
1.0
1.5

24.0
9.0
50.0
17.0
65.0
8.0
145.0
20.0
15.0
9.0

West Virginia ...........................
Wisconsin ...............................
Wyoming .................................

3.0
4.0
1.0

1.0
2.0
10.0

1.5
2.0
43.0

0.5
3.0
31.0

6.0
11.0
85.0

2.0
5.0

6.0
13.0
90.0

Other States 2 .........................

13.0

5.0

3.5

2.5

24.0

5.0

29.0

United States ..........................

332.0

180.0

264.0

504.0

1,280.0

75.0

1,355.0

- Represents zero.
1
New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
2
Includes data for States not published in this table.

8

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Market Sheep and Lamb Inventory by Weight Group – States and United States: January 1, 2017
Market lambs
State

Under 65
pounds

65 - 84
pounds

85 - 105
pounds

Over 105
pounds

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Total

Market
sheep

Total
market
sheep and
lambs

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Arizona ...................................
California ................................
Colorado .................................
Idaho ......................................
Illinois .....................................
Indiana ...................................
Iowa ........................................
Kansas ...................................
Kentucky .................................
Michigan .................................

13.0
110.0
5.0
2.0
4.0
3.0
5.0
8.5
4.5
3.0

3.0
20.0
14.0
6.0
2.0
1.0
8.0
2.0
3.0
5.0

5.0
45.0
48.0
15.0
1.0
1.0
20.0
1.5
1.5
5.0

8.0
75.0
124.0
47.0
1.0
1.0
21.0
9.0
0.5
9.0

29.0
250.0
191.0
70.0
8.0
6.0
54.0
21.0
9.5
22.0

4.0
10.0
4.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
0.5
2.0

33.0
260.0
195.0
71.0
9.0
7.0
55.0
23.0
10.0
24.0

Minnesota ...............................
Missouri ..................................
Montana .................................
Nebraska ................................
Nevada ...................................
New England 1 ........................
New Mexico ............................
New York ................................
North Carolina ........................
North Dakota ..........................

7.0
5.0
2.0
2.3
1.0
2.8
3.0
3.0
2.1
1.0

8.0
5.0
9.0
2.0
1.5
1.4
4.0
4.0
1.0
4.0

8.5
5.0
11.0
2.7
2.5
1.0
3.0
3.0
0.5
3.0

13.5
3.0
7.0
4.0
3.0
1.8
2.0
1.0
0.4
5.0

37.0
18.0
29.0
11.0
8.0
7.0
12.0
11.0
4.0
13.0

2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
1.0

39.0
20.0
30.0
12.0
9.0
10.0
15.0
13.0
5.0
14.0

Ohio ........................................
Oklahoma ...............................
Oregon ...................................
Pennsylvania ..........................
South Dakota ..........................
Tennessee ..............................
Texas .....................................
Utah ........................................
Virginia ...................................
Washington ............................

8.0
6.5
5.0
6.0
10.0
5.0
80.0
3.0
8.0
2.5

6.0
1.0
6.0
3.0
9.0
1.3
20.0
3.0
5.0
2.5

5.0
1.0
15.5
3.0
15.0
0.4
10.0
5.0
4.0
1.0

5.0
1.0
17.5
1.0
21.0
0.3
20.0
8.0
1.0
1.0

24.0
9.5
44.0
13.0
55.0
7.0
130.0
19.0
18.0
7.0

1.0
0.5
2.0
5.0
2.0
1.0
10.0
1.0
1.0
2.0

25.0
10.0
46.0
18.0
57.0
8.0
140.0
20.0
19.0
9.0

West Virginia ..........................
Wisconsin ...............................
Wyoming ................................

3.0
4.0
2.0

1.0
2.0
9.0

1.5
2.0
44.0

0.5
4.0
28.0

6.0
12.0
83.0

1.0
2.0

6.0
13.0
85.0

Other States 2 .........................

14.8

7.3

4.4

5.5

32.0

3.0

35.0

United States ..........................

345.0

180.0

295.0

450.0

1,270.0

75.0

1,345.0

- Represents zero.
1
New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
2
Includes data for States not published in this table.

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

9

Sheep and Lamb Farm Slaughter and Death Loss – States and United States: 2015 and 2016
Deaths

Farm
slaughter 1

State

Sheep

Lambs

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Arizona .........................................
California ......................................
Colorado .......................................
Idaho .............................................
Illinois ............................................
Indiana ..........................................
Iowa ..............................................
Kansas ..........................................
Kentucky .......................................
Michigan .......................................

12.4
4.4
2.6
2.6
2.0
3.4
1.4
2.6
0.5
2.1

13.0
4.3
2.7
2.6
2.1
3.3
1.5
2.3
0.9
2.0

7.0
14.0
14.0
9.0
3.0
2.0
8.0
3.0
3.0
3.0

6.0
15.0
13.0
9.0
2.5
2.0
7.5
2.5
2.5
3.0

3.0
9.0
16.0
11.0
6.5
6.0
18.0
6.0
7.0
8.0

6.0
12.0
16.0
9.0
5.5
6.0
17.0
6.0
5.0
7.0

Minnesota .....................................
Missouri ........................................
Montana ........................................
Nebraska ......................................
Nevada .........................................
New England 2 ..............................
New Mexico ..................................
New York ......................................
North Carolina ...............................
North Dakota .................................

4.1
1.0
1.5
0.3
1.0
2.3
5.4
2.6
0.1
0.5

3.1
1.0
1.9
0.5
1.4
2.0
5.4
2.3
0.4
0.5

7.0
4.0
11.0
4.0
4.0
1.5
6.0
4.0
1.5
3.0

6.5
4.0
11.0
3.5
4.0
1.5
5.5
3.5
1.0
2.5

14.0
10.0
16.0
9.0
10.0
2.3
4.5
6.5
2.7
7.0

16.0
10.0
16.0
8.5
10.0
2.5
7.0
6.0
2.5
6.0

Ohio ..............................................
Oklahoma .....................................
Oregon ..........................................
Pennsylvania ................................
South Dakota ................................
Tennessee ....................................
Texas ............................................
Utah ..............................................
Virginia ..........................................
Washington ...................................

3.1
1.3
4.1
2.0
1.5
1.3
2.1
6.2
3.1
6.2

3.0
2.0
4.1
1.5
1.2
1.1
2.5
6.1
2.6
6.1

6.0
3.5
9.0
5.0
9.0
3.5
37.0
10.0
4.0
3.5

6.0
3.0
8.0
4.0
8.0
3.0
35.0
11.0
4.0
3.0

11.0
5.5
6.0
9.0
24.0
6.5
67.0
15.0
9.5
2.0

12.0
6.0
8.0
8.0
21.0
6.0
65.0
15.0
9.0
3.0

West Virginia .................................
Wisconsin .....................................
Wyoming .......................................

0.9
1.5
2.0

0.9
1.5
2.5

2.5
3.0
9.0

2.0
3.0
9.5

6.0
7.0
11.0

4.0
8.0
12.0

Other States 3 ...............................

7.0

6.5

12.0

11.5

22.0

21.0

United States ................................

95.1

94.8

229.0

217.0

374.0

372.0

1

Excludes custom slaughter for farmers at commercial establishments.
2
New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
3
Includes data for States not published in this table.

10

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Wool Production – States and United States: 2015 and 2016
Sheep shorn

State

Weight per fleece

Production

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(pounds)

(pounds)

(1,000 pounds)

(1,000 pounds)

Arizona ..............................................
California ...........................................
Colorado ............................................
Idaho .................................................
Illinois ................................................
Indiana ..............................................
Iowa ...................................................
Kansas ..............................................
Kentucky ............................................
Michigan ............................................

110.0
430.0
320.0
200.0
44.0
34.0
165.0
42.0
12.0
66.0

95.0
410.0
295.0
195.0
33.0
35.0
165.0
43.0
11.0
68.0

5.6
6.6
7.5
8.3
7.0
6.2
5.5
6.5
6.7
6.0

6.4
6.6
7.5
8.2
6.1
6.3
5.5
6.6
6.4
6.0

620
2,850
2,410
1,650
310
210
900
275
80
395

610
2,700
2,200
1,600
200
220
900
285
70
405

Minnesota ..........................................
Missouri .............................................
Montana ............................................
Nebraska ...........................................
Nevada ..............................................
New England 1 ...................................
New Mexico .......................................
New York ...........................................
North Carolina ...................................
North Dakota .....................................

120.0
44.0
205.0
63.0
47.0
31.0
82.0
53.0
8.0
64.0

127.0
43.0
200.0
64.0
48.0
30.0
89.0
53.0
7.0
59.0

6.4
6.0
9.0
7.3
9.4
6.5
7.9
6.1
5.0
7.6

6.2
6.0
9.0
7.0
8.8
6.7
7.9
5.8
5.0
7.3

770
265
1,840
460
440
200
645
325
40
485

790
260
1,800
450
420
200
700
310
35
430

Ohio ...................................................
Oklahoma ..........................................
Oregon ..............................................
Pennsylvania .....................................
South Dakota .....................................
Tennessee .........................................
Texas ................................................
Utah ...................................................
Virginia ..............................................
Washington .......................................

81.0
17.0
152.0
48.0
239.0
19.0
270.0
255.0
27.0
33.0

79.0
19.0
142.0
45.0
230.0
18.0
255.0
245.0
25.0
31.0

6.0
5.6
6.6
6.6
7.6
5.5
7.2
9.4
5.4
7.9

5.9
5.5
6.3
6.9
7.6
5.6
6.7
9.4
5.6
8.1

490
95
1,000
315
1,820
105
1,950
2,390
145
260

470
105
900
310
1,750
100
1,700
2,300
140
250

West Virginia .....................................
Wisconsin ..........................................
Wyoming ...........................................

22.0
51.0
270.0

20.0
51.0
280.0

5.5
7.2
9.2

4.5
6.7
8.6

120
365
2,480

90
340
2,400

Other States 2 ....................................

51.0

50.0

6.1

6.0

310

300

United States .....................................

3,675.0

3,560.0

7.4

7.2

27,015

25,740

1

New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
2
Includes data for States not published in this table.

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

11

Wool Price and Value – States and United States: 2015 and 2016
[United States value may not add due to rounding]
State

Value 1

Price per pound
2015

2016

(dollars)

2015

(dollars)

2016

(1,000 dollars)

(1,000 dollars)

Arizona ...................................................
California ................................................
Colorado .................................................
Idaho .......................................................
Illinois ......................................................
Indiana ....................................................
Iowa ........................................................
Kansas ....................................................
Kentucky .................................................
Michigan .................................................

1.15
1.55
1.80
1.53
0.75
0.75
0.79
0.87
0.80
0.72

1.00
1.50
1.70
1.59
0.79
0.50
0.56
0.89
0.90
0.71

713
4,418
4,338
2,525
233
158
711
239
64
284

610
4,050
3,740
2,544
158
110
504
254
63
288

Minnesota ...............................................
Missouri ..................................................
Montana ..................................................
Nebraska ................................................
Nevada ...................................................
New England 2 ........................................
New Mexico ............................................
New York ................................................
North Carolina .........................................
North Dakota ...........................................

0.79
0.73
1.90
0.90
2.10
0.80
1.40
0.60
1.20
1.28

0.62
0.88
1.90
0.94
2.00
0.85
1.50
0.70
1.50
1.13

608
193
3,496
414
924
160
903
195
48
621

490
229
3,420
423
840
170
1,050
217
53
486

Ohio ........................................................
Oklahoma ...............................................
Oregon ....................................................
Pennsylvania ..........................................
South Dakota ..........................................
Tennessee ..............................................
Texas ......................................................
Utah ........................................................
Virginia ....................................................
Washington .............................................

0.74
0.70
1.73
0.60
1.26
0.84
1.64
1.70
1.05
1.90

0.53
0.80
1.38
0.60
1.43
0.90
1.75
1.80
1.25
2.10

363
67
1,730
189
2,293
88
3,198
4,063
152
494

249
84
1,242
186
2,503
90
2,975
4,140
175
525

West Virginia ...........................................
Wisconsin ...............................................
Wyoming .................................................

1.00
0.75
1.80

1.25
0.70
1.90

120
274
4,464

113
238
4,560

Other States 3 .........................................

1.50

1.45

465

435

United States ..........................................

1.45

1.45

39,205

37,214

1

Production multiplied by marketing year average price. United States value is the summation of State values.
2
New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
3
Includes data for States not published in this table.

12

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Goat and Kid Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
Class

2016

2017

2017 as
percent
of 2016

(head)

(head)

(percent)

All goats and kids .....................................................................................................

2,620,000

2,640,000

101

All, breeding goats ................................................................................................
Replacement kids - under one year ...................................................................
Does - one year old and older ...........................................................................
Bucks - one year old and older ..........................................................................

2,161,000
391,000
1,607,000
163,000

2,171,000
393,000
1,614,000
164,000

100
101
100
101

All, market goats and kids .....................................................................................

459,000

469,000

102

Kid crop 1 ..................................................................................................................

1,631,000

1,641,000

101

1

Kid crop refers to kids born the previous year.

All Goat Inventory – United States: January 1
Thousand head

3,500
Angora

Milk

Meat

All

3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
2013

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

2014

2015

2016

2017

13

Angora Goat Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
Class

2016

2017

2017 as
percent
of 2016

(head)

(head)

(percent)

Angora goats and kids .................................................................................................

150,000

152,000

101

Angora, breeding goats ............................................................................................
Replacement kids - under one year ......................................................................
Does - one year old and older ..............................................................................
Bucks - one year old and older .............................................................................

130,000
19,500
103,500
7,000

131,000
20,000
104,000
7,000

101
103
100
100

Angora, market goats and kids .................................................................................

20,000

21,000

105

78,000

76,000

97

Kid crop
1

1

.....................................................................................................................

Kid crop refers to kids born the previous year.

Milk Goat Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
Class

2016

2017

2017 as
percent
of 2016

(head)

(head)

(percent)

Milk goats and kids ......................................................................................................

373,000

373,000

100

Milk, breeding goats .................................................................................................
Replacement kids - under one year ......................................................................
Does - one year old and older ..............................................................................
Bucks - one year old and older .............................................................................

335,000
71,000
240,000
24,000

334,000
71,000
239,000
24,000

100
100
100
100

Milk, market goats and kids ......................................................................................

38,000

39,000

103

Kid crop 1 .....................................................................................................................

258,000

260,000

101

1

Kid crop refers to kids born the previous year.

Meat and Other Goat Inventory by Class – United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
Class

2016

2017

2017 as
percent
of 2016

(head)

(head)

(percent)

Meat and other goats and kids .....................................................................................

2,097,000

2,115,000

101

Meat and other, breeding goats ................................................................................
Replacement kids - under one year ......................................................................
Does - one year old and older ..............................................................................
Bucks - one year old and older .............................................................................

1,696,000
300,500
1,263,500
132,000

1,706,000
302,000
1,271,000
133,000

101
100
101
101

Meat and other, market goats and kids ....................................................................

401,000

409,000

102

Kid crop 1 .....................................................................................................................

1,295,000

1,305,000

101

1

Kid crop refers to kids born the previous year.

14

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Angora Goat Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
State

2016

2017 as
percent
of 2016

2017

(head)

(head)

(percent)

Arizona ..................................................................................
California ...............................................................................
New Mexico ...........................................................................
Texas ....................................................................................

35,000
3,600
10,000
78,000

35,000
3,400
10,500
80,000

100
94
105
103

Other States 1 ........................................................................

23,400

23,100

99

United States .........................................................................

150,000

152,000

101

1

Includes data for States not published in this table.

Mohair Production, Price, and Value – States and United States: 2015 and 2016
[United States value may not add due to rounding]
State

Goats
clipped

Average clip
per goat

Price per
pound

Production

2015

2016

2015

(head)

(head)

(pounds)

2016

2015

2016

Arizona ............
California .........
New Mexico .....
Texas ..............

29,000
2,000
8,000
78,000

30,000
2,000
8,000
80,000

4.0
5.0
3.8
6.2

4.2
5.0
3.8
6.4

115
10
30
480

Other States 2 ..

22,000

21,000

5.9

6.0

United States ...

139,000

141,000

5.5

5.7

Value 1

2015

2016

2015

2016

(dollars)

(dollars)

(1,000 dollars)

(1,000 dollars)

125
10
30
510

1.60
6.00
1.40
7.10

1.40
6.00
1.20
6.00

184
60
42
3,408

175
60
36
3,060

130

125

2.75

2.55

358

319

765

800

5.30

4.56

4,052

3,650

(pounds) (1,000 pounds) (1,000 pounds)

1

Production multiplied by marketing year average price. United States value is summation of State values.
2
Includes data for States not published in this table.

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

15

Milk Goat Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
State

2016

2017 as
percent
of 2016

2017

(head)

(head)

(percent)

Alabama ................................................................................
Arkansas ................................................................................
California ...............................................................................
Colorado ................................................................................
Florida ....................................................................................
Georgia ..................................................................................
Idaho ......................................................................................
Illinois .....................................................................................
Indiana ...................................................................................
Iowa .......................................................................................

3,800
4,600
39,000
10,000
9,500
3,100
3,800
5,600
11,500
33,000

3,900
4,500
41,000
9,000
10,000
3,500
4,200
6,000
11,000
30,500

103
98
105
90
105
113
111
107
96
92

Kansas ...................................................................................
Kentucky ................................................................................
Michigan ................................................................................
Minnesota ..............................................................................
Missouri .................................................................................
Nebraska ...............................................................................
New England 1 .......................................................................
New York ...............................................................................
North Carolina ........................................................................
Ohio .......................................................................................

4,200
5,000
11,800
13,500
11,300
3,200
14,500
12,300
8,100
9,500

4,700
5,500
12,500
12,000
10,300
3,700
14,200
13,700
6,400
10,000

112
110
106
89
91
116
98
111
79
105

Oklahoma ..............................................................................
Oregon ...................................................................................
Pennsylvania .........................................................................
South Carolina .......................................................................
Tennessee .............................................................................
Texas .....................................................................................
Virginia ...................................................................................
Washington ............................................................................
Wisconsin ..............................................................................

6,600
12,200
14,000
3,400
7,200
22,000
5,700
8,000
44,000

6,000
12,600
15,000
3,000
7,000
22,000
6,000
7,500
44,000

91
103
107
88
97
100
105
94
100

Other States 2 ........................................................................

32,600

33,300

102

United States .........................................................................

373,000

373,000

100

1
2

New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Includes data for States not published in this table.

16

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Meat and Other Goat Inventory – States and United States: January 1, 2016 and 2017
State

2016

2017 as
percent
of 2016

2017

(head)

(head)

(percent)

Alabama ..........................................................................
Arizona ............................................................................
Arkansas .........................................................................
California .........................................................................
Colorado ..........................................................................
Florida .............................................................................
Georgia ...........................................................................
Illinois ..............................................................................
Indiana ............................................................................
Iowa .................................................................................

47,000
27,000
36,000
90,000
24,000
45,000
72,000
19,000
32,000
28,000

45,000
27,000
36,000
87,000
25,000
44,000
67,000
18,000
33,000
32,000

96
100
100
97
104
98
93
95
103
114

Kansas ............................................................................
Kentucky ..........................................................................
Louisiana .........................................................................
Minnesota ........................................................................
Mississippi .......................................................................
Missouri ...........................................................................
New York .........................................................................
North Carolina .................................................................
Ohio .................................................................................
Oklahoma ........................................................................

43,000
59,000
19,000
21,000
20,000
70,000
17,000
45,000
44,000
91,000

46,000
56,000
18,000
22,000
19,000
75,000
17,000
50,000
42,000
92,000

107
95
95
105
95
107
100
111
95
101

Oregon ............................................................................
Pennsylvania ...................................................................
South Carolina .................................................................
Tennessee .......................................................................
Texas ..............................................................................
Virginia ............................................................................
Washington .....................................................................
West Virginia ...................................................................

27,000
37,000
34,000
115,000
765,000
47,000
22,000
21,000

27,000
37,000
32,000
110,000
790,000
45,000
20,000
21,000

100
100
94
96
103
96
91
100

Other States 1 ..................................................................

180,000

182,000

101

United States ...................................................................

2,097,000

2,115,000

101

1

Includes data for States not published in this table.

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

17

Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: A random sample of United States producers was surveyed to provide data for these estimates.
Survey procedures ensured that all sheep and goat producers, regardless of size, had a chance to be included in the survey.
Large producers were sampled more heavily than small operations. About 22,300 operators were contacted during the first
half of January by mail, telephone and face-to-face personal interview and 68 percent of the reports were usable.
Regardless of when operators responded, they were asked to report inventories as of January 1.
Estimating Procedures: These sheep and goat estimates were prepared by the Agricultural Statistics Board. National and
State survey data were reviewed for reasonableness and with estimates from past years. A projected balance sheet for
calendar year 2016 was also used. The balance sheet begins with the previous inventory estimate, adds estimates of births
and imports, and subtracts estimates of slaughter, exports and deaths. This indicated ending inventory level is compared
with the Agricultural Statistics Board estimate for reasonableness.
Revision Policy: Revisions to previous estimates are made to improve the current estimate. Previous year estimates are
subject to revision when current estimates are made. Estimates will also be reviewed after data from the Department of
Agriculture’s five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date.
Reliability: Since all operations raising sheep and goats are not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to
sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors, such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes
in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are
minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data
for consistency and reasonableness.
To assist users in evaluating reliability of the estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for
selected sheep items in the following table. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past
performance and is computed using the differences between the first and latest estimates.
The "Root Mean Square Error" for sheep and lamb inventory estimates over the past 10 years is 0.8 percent. This means
that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 5.2 million head by
more than 0.8 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 1.5 percent.
The “Root Mean Square Error” for sheep shorn over the past 10 years is 1.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of
3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 3.56 million head by more than 1.2 percent.
Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 2.3 percent.
Also shown in the table is a 10-year record showing the range between the first inventory estimate and the latest estimate.
Using estimates for All Sheep and Lambs as an example, changes between the first inventory estimate and the latest
estimate during the past 10 years have averaged 35,000 head, ranging from 0 to 105,000 head. The initial inventory
estimate of All Sheep and Lambs has been below the latest estimate 4 times and above the latest estimate 4 times in the
last 10 years.
For Sheep and Lambs Shorn, changes between the first inventory estimate and the latest estimate during the past 10 years
have averaged 23,000 head, ranging from 0 to 140,000 head. The initial inventory estimate of Sheep and Lambs Shorn
has been below the latest estimate 0 times and above 5 times in the last 10 years.

18

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of January 1 Sheep and Lamb Estimates
[Based on data for the past ten years]
Item

Root mean
square error
(percent)

Difference between first and latest estimate

90 percent
confidence
level

Average

Smallest

Largest

(percent)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

(1,000 head)

Years
Below latest

Above latest

(number)

(number)

All sheep and lambs .................

0.8

1.5

35

0

105

4

4

Breeding sheep ........................

0.8

1.5

23

0

74

3

4

Lamb crop ................................

1.7

3.1

36

0

155

1

5

Sheep shorn .............................

1.2

2.3

23

0

140

0

5

(percent)
Wool production ........................

1.0

(percent)
1.9

(1,000 pounds) (1,000 pounds) (1,000 pounds)
147

0

870

(number)

(number)
1

7

Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to
contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to [email protected].
Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch .......................................................................................................... (202) 720-3570
Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........................................................................................................... (202) 690-2424
Sherry Bertramsen – Livestock Slaughter ................................................................................................ (202) 720-3240
David Colwell – Sheep and Goats ............................................................................................................ (202) 720-8784
Donnie Fike – Dairy Products .................................................................................................................. (202) 690-3236
Michael Klamm – Cattle, Cattle on Feed ................................................................................................. (202) 720-3040
Mike Miller – Milk Production and Milk Cows ....................................................................................... (202) 720-3278
Seth Riggins – Hogs and Pigs .................................................................................................................. (202) 720-3106

Sheep and Goats (January 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

19

Access to NASS Reports
For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:
 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov
 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free
subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and click on “National” or “State” in upper right corner above “search”
box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive.
For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540,
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: [email protected].

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If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination
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