U.S. Sheep Inventory
Down 5% As Of Nov. 1

WASHINGTON — All sheep and lambs in the United States on November 1 totaled 8.45 million head, five percent below the number on November 1, 1995.

The number of breeding sheep and lambs on hand declined five percent from a year early to 5.89 million head. Market sheep and lambs, including newborns, were down six percent at 2.56 million head.

Of the November 1 breeding herd, 4.79 million head were ewes one year old and older, down seven percent from a year ago; 220,000 head were rams one year old and older, and 885,000 head were replacement lambs, up four percent.

Of the total market lambs, 15.3 percent weighed less than 65 pounds, 33.1 percent were 65 to 84 pounds, 34.7 percent were 85 to 105 pounds and 16.9 percent weighed more than 105 pounds.

Region 3, including Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, accounted for 32.7 percent of the total sheep and lambs. Region 1, made up of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, accounted for 21.4 percent, followed closely by Region 2, Texas and New Mexico, with 20.7 percent. Region 4, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oklahoma, had 13.4 percent and the remainder was in Region 5, comprised of all other states.