Overview
Sheep are raised for both meat (lamb or mutton) and
wool. The U.S. sheep and wool industries have seen significant
change since the mid-1970s, marked by smaller inventories,
declining production, shrinking revenues, and fewer operations.
Historically, lamb and mutton were viewed as byproducts
of wool production, even though wool receipts accounted
a smaller share of revenue. As wool revenues have declined,
producers have turned their attention to lamb and mutton
production and the possibility of other byproducts such
as sheep leather. ERS economists, in cooperation with
other USDA agencies, provide market analysis and research
on the U.S. sheep industry, focusing on domestic supply,
demand, and trade.
Newsletter
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
provides a monthly analysis of current developments in
the livestock and poultry industry, providing data on
animal numbers, meat and egg production, prices, trade,
and net returns. Sheep and lamb are featured commodities
four to six times a year.
Recommended Readings
2008 Farm Bill Side-By-Side (August 2008) presents a title-by-title summary of key provisions of the 2008 Act in a side-by-side comparison with previous legislation. The side-by-side includes links to related ERS publications and to analyses of previous farm acts. New features include a user's guide, an A-Z list of major provisions, and a search function.
Products
Markets in 2005 and Forecasts for 2006 (September 2006) looks
at how uncertainty continues to shape the forecasts for
animal products markets and trade in 2006. Potential
and actual animal disease outbreaks, consumer sensitivities,
volatile exchange rates, and growing competition from
producers in other countries cloud U.S. trade prospects
for major meats.
Interstate
Livestock Movements (June 2003) analyzes livestock marketing
patterns. As part of the overall meat production
system, livestock
movements affect profits for livestock owners, what consumers
pay at the supermarket and restaurant, and potential
for spread of animal diseases.
Economic Impact of the Elimination
of the Wool Act (April 1999) considers the implications of
the loss of National Wool Act programs on wool and
mohair
producers. The 1999 Congressionally mandated study examines
changes in the value and production of sheep, lamb,
wool,
and mohair at the national level and for two counties
in Texas. (In 1993, Congress enacted legislation
that
phased out price support for wool and mohair in 1995.
The 2002 Farm Act, however, added wool and mohair
to the list of commodities eligible for marketing assistance
loans and loan deficiency payments.)
The U.S. Sheep Industry (July 1990) examines
production of lamb and lamb products, returns in the
sheep industry, demand
and marketing trends for lamb, and lamb imports.
Cotton
and Wool Outlook, published 10 times per year, provides
updates on current market developments and their influence
on the cotton and wool sectors, with data on production,
consumption, prices, and trade.
Recommended Data Product
Livestock and Meat Trade Data contains monthly and annual data for imports and exports of live cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats, as well as beef and veal, pork, lamb and mutton, chicken meat, turkey meat, and eggs. The tables report physical quantities, not dollar values or unit prices. Data on beef and veal, pork, and lamb and mutton are on a carcass-weight-equivalent basis. Breakdowns by country are included.
Retail Scanner Prices for
Meat contains monthly average retail price data for
selected cuts of beef, pork, poultry, lamb, and veal,
based on electronic supermarket scanner data.
Related Links
USDA
National Agricultural Statistical Service, Reports by
Commodity provides data on sheep and goat production,
predator loss, number of farm operations, inventory, cold
storage, wool and mohair, lamb crop, marketing, and prices.
USDA Farm Service Agency provides assistance to lamb
and mutton producers.
Foreign Agricultural Trade of
the United States (FATUS) provides U.S. agricultural
exports and imports, volume and value, by country, by
commodity.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illini
SheepNet provides papers that discuss the economics
of sheep operations, including cost management, prices
and production, and grazing management.
University of Nebraska, Yield
Grades and Quality Grades for Lamb Carcasses discusses
yield and quality grades and their importance to producers.
Virginia Tech provides information on
sheep marketing and economics.
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