Modest Decline in Sheep, Lamb Inventory

WASHINGTON - Feb 17/10 - SNS -- Sheep and lamb numbers in the United States and Canada totalled 6.44 million head as of January 1, down 2% from last year, according to a joint report from the USDA and Statistics Canada.

Breeding sheep, at 4.81 million head, were down 1% from a year ago and market sheep and lambs, at 1.63 million head, were down 3% from last year.

All sheep and lambs in the United States as of January 1, 2010, totaled 5.63 million head, 2% below the 5.75 million head on January 1, 2009. Breeding sheep, at 4.19 million head, were down 1% from a year ago, while market sheep and lambs, at 1.44 million head, were down 4% from last year.

All sheep and lambs in Canada as of January 1, 2010, totaled 807,000 head, virtually unchanged from last year's number of 808,000. Breeding sheep, at 615,000 head, were down 1% from last year. Market sheep and lambs, at 192,000 head, were up 4% from a year ago.