By Scout Nelson
As of January 1, 2025, the Kansas sheep and goat populations have experienced notable changes. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports a decline in numbers compared to the previous year, with sheep inventories decreasing and slight adjustments in goat numbers.
Kansas’s total sheep and lamb count reached 80,000 head, marking a decrease of 2,000 from the previous year. This includes breeding sheep, which fell by 5,000 to 48,000 head. Within this category, ewes one year and older were down by 4,000, totaling 38,000 head. Rams remained stable at 2,500 head, while replacement lambs decreased by 1,000 to 7,500 head.
In contrast, market sheep and lamb market saw an increase, rising by 3,000 to a total of 32,000 head. Despite this growth, the 2024 lamb crop fell by 3,000 to 43,000 head, with the lambing rate holding steady at 102 per 100 ewes.
Sheep mortality remained unchanged with 3,000 deaths, whereas lamb deaths decreased by 1,000 to 7,000. On-farm slaughter numbers halved to 500 head.
Wool production also saw a decline. In 2024, wool yield was 290,000 pounds, down by 20,000 from the previous year, with sheep and lambs shorn dropping to 49,000 head. The average fleece weight decreased slightly by 0.3 pounds to 5.9 pounds, although wool price per pound rose from $0.55 in 2023 to $0.60 in 2024, totaling a wool value of $174,000.
Turning to goats, the overall meat and other goat and kid inventory totaled 42,000 head, showing a decrease of 5,000. However, the milk goat sector presented a positive shift, increasing by 1,200 to 5,300 head.
These statistics reflect broader trends and challenges within the agricultural sector, emphasizing shifts in livestock management and market dynamics in Kansas. The data serves as a crucial resource for guiding future agricultural practices, research, and policy decisions in the state.
Photo Credits:istock-heebyj
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Goats & Sheep