South West Farm Press Logo

2020 Sheep and Goat Outlook

December 26, 2019

2 Min Read
sheep-close-up-GettyImages-1018518836.jpg
Elena Volf/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The sheep and goat industries, while small, continued to provide opportunities for producers in 2019. Consumer demand trends have supported both lamb and goat meat and look to continue in the coming year. 

LAMBS

Lamb per capita consumption held steady at 1.27 pounds in 2019, a quarter of a pound more than at the beginning of the decade. 

Lamb imports surged early in the year to almost 26 million pounds in April, a more than 50% jump from April, 2018. Imports declined sharply by September, down to about 9 million pounds.

Large amounts of lamb in cold storage exceeded quarterly lamb production by late summer. Lamb prices continue to be negatively impacted by stock levels and imports.

San Angelo feeder lambs averaged about $175 per cwt in 2019. Prices will likely be about the same in 2020 based on lamb production similar to 2019 and current expectations for imports. 

GOATS

The goat inventory in the U.S. has remained relatively constant over the last few years at just over 2.6 million head. The number of angora goats has continued to decline while the dairy goat numbers have grown. The continuing demand for local foods, goat milk, and goat milk products have fueled this expansion.

Kid and yearling prices for 40-60 pound #1 goats peaked at over $320 per cwt in the Spring of 2019 at San Angelo. Goat prices exhibit a typical seasonal pattern peaking in the Spring and hitting a low in late summer.

Production in 2019 exceeded the year before in almost every month. When combined with heavier average weights, goat meat production increased in 2019. 

Meat production will likely increase in 2020, as well, based on growing supplies. Yet producers should see good support for prices as domestic demand appears to be growing.  Prices should be about the same in 2020 as in 2019. 

IMPORTS

Imports and lamb and goat will be interesting to watch in the new year. Growing imports of meat by China as the country deals with drastic pork production shortfalls due to African Swine Fever will not likely leave lamb and goat unaffected.

More Australian and New Zealand production going to China will cut into supplies normally coming to the U.S. and could support prices here. Ongoing drought conditions in Australia may curtail their available supplies for export, as well.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like