NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
February 3, 2000
Modest growth in North Dakota's sheep industry indicates optimism in at least one segment of the state's agricultural producers, according to a sheep specialist at North Dakota State University.
"Sheep is an enterprise that producers can get into with very low investment and they can see the potential to make a profit," says Roger Haugen of the NDSU Extension Service. North Dakota ranks 14th in the nation for total sheep numbers, according to a USDA report released at the end of January.
North Dakota's total sheep numbers were up only 1,000 over a year ago. However, there were 5,000 more breeding females in North Dakota flocks. "That really shows producers have some optimism for the future," Haugen says.
North Dakota had 86,000 ewes and 14,000 ewe lambs, according to the report. The state had 135,000 total sheep. A year ago, the state had 79,000 ewes, 16,000 ewe lambs and 134,000 total sheep. The report also noted that there were 1,200 sheep operations in the state in 1999, up from 1,150 in 1998.
Nationwide, total sheep numbers and sheep operations were down by about 3 percent to 7.03 million sheep and 66,800 producers.
"There is a lot going on in the North Dakota sheep industry right now," Haugen says. "I think that's being reflected in this recent growth." Haugen says the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Association and its new president, Burton Pfliger of Bismarck, have been working to keep producers abreast of national trends and information so that they can remain competitive. For more information on the association, contact Pfliger at (701) 222-8770.
That group and other groups of producers in the state are exploring new marketing options. One example is the Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative that is selling lean lamb to niche markets and over the Internet.
Haugen says land owners are beginning to recognize the value of sheep for controlling leafy spurge, a weed that has invaded large areas of rangeland and reduced its value for grazing cattle.
With the removal of federal subsidies for wool, markets for the fiber are no longer a significant factor in raising sheep in the state, Haugen says. That's prompted a move by most producers to produce leaner, meatier sheep. "All of the emphasis has shifted to producing lamb," he says.
Economic forces are also changing the face of sheep enterprises. "We have very few full-time sheep producers anymore," Haugen says. "New producers are adding sheep to complement existing enterprises, to control leafy spurge, to make use of buildings and labor or to eat available feeds. All of these producers are looking at ways of gaining additional income from sheep." For those reasons, Haugen predicts growth in the number of lambs fed in the state too.
The biggest problem facing North Dakota sheep producers is a shortage of breeding stock. Recent growth in the region's sheep industry makes breeding animals scarce and expensive, Haugen says.
Haugen notes that North Dakota State University's sheep research and extension programs have helped facilitate much of the renewed interest in sheep. "Many regions are cutting back on the amount of research and education that is available to producers. Our programs here are very strong," he says. Examples of educational opportunities include the Annual Sheep Day at NDSU's Hettinger Research Extension Center scheduled for Feb. 9, the NDSU Sheep School in Bismarck later this month and other seminars throughout the state during the year. For more information, contact Haugen at (701) 231-7645.
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Source: Roger Haugen (701) 231-7645
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629