The American Sheep industry says they have seen a lot of changes over the last two decades, but there is one trend they say has helped with profitability.
“We’re seeing a lot of lambs that are going to market and going to the processing at a much lighter weight. The dollar amount is the same. It’s just a lighter-weight animal, so you’re putting in less feed, less input, and less management overall to get the same return. I think a lot of that is just customer preference. We’re seeing a lot of what we’d call the more nontraditional or ethnic market. They like a smaller carcass,” said Peter Orwick, executive director of the American Sheep Industry Association.
Related Stories
Animal health experts say every livestock operation should have a strong biosecurity plan in place regardless of its location.
Consumers are watching affordability, but projected beef demand remains strong enough to sustain market attention.
Texas A&M economist David Anderson says sharp declines in lamb and mutton production are helping support higher prices.
New livestock pest research in Texas could strengthen tools protecting cattle health, movement, and ranch profitability.
