New Zealand’s sheep herd continues to shrink

New Zealand has long been known for having more sheep than people, but that iconic ratio is slowly shrinking.

In 2024, the country had 4.5 sheep for every person. That is a far cry from the 22 sheep per person in 1982.

As wool prices fell and farming shifted to more profitable industries, New Zealand’s sheep numbers have steadily declined. Despite efforts to support the wool industry, the national flock continues to shrink, with neighboring Australia facing a similar trend.

Related Stories
Premieres Tue, 10/22/24 – 9 PM ET | 8 PM CT | 7 PM MT | 6 PM PT
Poultry FarmHER Cynthia Capers joined us Monday on the Market Day Report to discuss her upcoming episode on the new season of FarmHER.
“I think there’s a number of attributes of the Southern Plains that have been very attractive. One is land availability, the ability to grow feed on that land”
FarmHer Cynthia Capers breeds heritage birds near Nashville, TN. See why she’s the only person who may help Kirbe conquer her bird fear.

Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.