U.S. Sheep Numbers
Continue To Decline

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— The total number of sheep and lambs in the United States on July 1 was down five percent from a year earlier at 9.4 million head, according to a report by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The 1998 lamb crop is expected to reach 4.87 million head, a decline of seven percent. Lambs born the first six months of the year totaled 5.24 million head and 620,000 are expected to be born the last six months.

Breeding sheep numbers declined three percent to 5.58 million head. Market sheep and lambs were down seven percent at 3.83 million head.

All sheep and lamb numbers were down 11 percent in region one, the six western states; up one percent in region two, Texas and New Mexico; down eight percent in region three, the five states along the east side of the Rockies; up six percent in region four, the Midwest states; and down five percent in region five, all other states.

Breeding sheep and lambs were down in regions one, three and five, up in regions two and four, although replacement lambs were up seven percent and showed increases in all areas except region one. Market sheep and lambs were down in all areas except region four.

Market lambs weighing under 65 pounds on July 1 totaled 2,330,000 head, down six percent, 65-84 pounds down 12 percent at 720,000 head, 85-105 pounds down nine percent at 420,000, and weights over 105 pounds up two percent at 270,000 head.

Region three accounted for 33.4 percent of the total sheep and lambs, region two had 22.6 percent, region one had 16.5 percent, region four had 14.6 percent, and region five had 12.9 percent.