US Lamb 101
(courtesy of the American Lamb Board)

About the Industry

History
Sheep are one of the oldest domesticated animals in the world. Sheep have provided milk, meat and clothing to people for more than 10,000 years.

U.S. Sheep Farms and Ranches
In 2002, The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that there were 64,170 sheep ranches in the United States raising approximately 6.4 million sheep.

Flock Animals
Sheep have a social nature, known as a flocking instinct. As such, sheep like to be in groups and herd easily. Sheep can tolerate severe conditions of cold and heat as well as a range of pastures.

Breeds
There are hundreds of breeds of sheep in the world. Some are better known for wool production while others for lamb production. Common breeds in the United States are Columbia, Hampshire, Rambouillet and Suffolk.

Major Predators
Coyotes, dogs and mountain lion/cougars/puma are the leading predators of sheep in the United States, leading to more than 250,000 deaths each year.

Guarding The Flock
Sheep producers use dogs, llamas and donkey to guard sheep flocks from predators. Electric fences/guards, pens and noise-making devices are also used.

Grazing Ecological Benefits
Sheep grazing offers low-cost, natural benefits to the environment and wildlife habitats. Sheep will eat grasses, brush, weeds and other plants, thus controlling undergrowth (and potential spread of fires) in forests and other wooded areas. The U.S. Forest Service has used sheep grazing to decrease soil erosion and to help regenerate tree growth after fires.

Leading Sheep States In The United States
There are sheep operations in most states. Leading sheep/lamb states include Texas, California, Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado and Utah.

U.S. Lamb Production
In 2002, the United States produced about 207.5 million pounds of lamb/mutton. Approximately 80 percent of U.S. sheep are raised for lamb production. The majority of American sheep are grain fed which leads to a milder flavor. The average dressed weight of an American lamb is 65 pounds.

World Sheep Production
Australia, China and New Zealand have the largest number of sheep and the highest production of lamb/mutton. About 80 percent of the sheep in Australia are raised for wool.