By Blake Jackson
On January 1, 2025, Missouri’s sheep and lamb inventory stood at 104,000 head, a 3% decrease from the previous year. This decline was reflected in both breeding sheep and market lambs.
Breeding sheep inventory, at 84,000 head, saw a 2% drop, while market sheep and lambs numbered 20,000 head, a 5% decrease. The state's lamb crop for 2024 remained stable at 81,000 head, unchanged from 2023.
In terms of wool production, Missouri experienced a 7% decrease in total wool output during 2024, with 260,000 pounds produced.
The number of sheep and lambs shorn dropped to 45,000 head, a 4% decrease from the previous year.
These changes reflect the ongoing adjustments in Missouri’s sheep industry as producers navigate shifting market dynamics and inventory levels.
Additionally, Missouri’s goat inventory saw notable shifts. The total number of meat and all other goats was 72,000 head, reflecting a 6% decrease from 2024.
Conversely, milk goat inventory experienced a significant 24% increase, reaching 12,000 head. This growth in milk goat numbers highlights an emerging trend in the state's agricultural sector, with dairy goat production gaining traction.
As Missouri's sheep and goat industries continue to evolve, these figures underscore the ongoing adjustments producers are making to supply and demand fluctuations in both the sheep and goat markets.
Photo Credit: istock-heebyj
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Goats & Sheep