Sheep have a long-standing presence in the agricultural landscape of the United States. Historically, sheep farming played a role in providing essential resources for early American communities. While the industry has evolved, sheep continue to be an important part of livestock production. This overview explores the current sheep population and the characteristics of the US sheep industry today.
Current Sheep Population in the USA
As of January 1, 2025, the total inventory of sheep and lambs in the United States reached approximately 5.05 million head, marking a slight increase from the previous year. This figure includes both breeding stock and market animals. The breeding sheep inventory stood at 3.68 million head.
The 2024 lamb crop totaled around 3.04 million head. These statistics are compiled and released by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), which conducts surveys. While this number may seem substantial, the sheep and lamb sector constitutes a smaller segment of the overall American livestock industry.
Key Characteristics of the US Sheep Industry
The primary purpose for raising sheep in the United States is meat and wool production. Lamb and mutton are key outputs, with lamb meat being particularly valued. Wool production also contributes fibers used in various textiles and other applications. A smaller but growing segment focuses on dairy production, using sheep’s milk for specialty cheeses.
Sheep farming operations are geographically concentrated in specific regions across the country. States in the Western United States, including Texas, California, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and South Dakota, are recognized as leading sheep-producing areas. In fact, over two-thirds of the nation’s sheep operations are found within the Southern Plains, Mountain, and Pacific regions.
The US sheep population has experienced considerable changes over time. Numbers peaked at 56 million in 1945 but declined to less than 7 million by 2003. This reduction was influenced by factors like increased synthetic fiber use and competition from lamb imports.
More recently, the decline has slowed, with some years showing slight increases in inventory. The industry has shifted its emphasis from primarily wool production to focusing more on lamb meat. While domestic lamb production has decreased, imports, largely from Australia and New Zealand, help meet consumer demand.