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Wisconsin producers are raising more sheep

Wisconsin producers are raising more sheep. 

Jeff Swenson with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection tells Brownfield the recent USDA livestock report shows national sheep numbers are up slightly, but Wisconsin production grew a little more. “We grew to 80,000 head total. That’s 65,000 breeding ewes, and that’s up 2%, and market lambs increased by 7% so we have about 15,000 lambs on feed.”

Swenson says Wisconsin doesn’t set the world on fire with its sheep inventory numbers, but it’s always one of the top states when counting the number of farms that raise sheep. “Our sheep flocks are small, which makes sense. It’s a part-time income. People work off the farm, maybe a 4-H project, but the sheep community is strong in Wisconsin.”

Swenson spoke to Brownfield during the recent Wisconsin Corn-Soy-Pork Expo in Wisconsin Dells.

AUDIO: Jeff Swenson discusses beef and sheep production, and consumer trends with Brownfield’s Larry Lee