Texas Wool Production Down 10 Percent,  Mohair Production Down 18 Percent

Issue:  PR-111-08
Released:  February 1, 2008
For information contact:  Joey Owsley or Charles Drain.

The number of sheep and lambs shorn were down 14 percent from a year ago, while average fleece weights were up 4 percent from 2006 to 7.3.  Mohair production was down 18 percent while the average clip per goat was down 2 percent from last year.

According to the annual report released by the Texas Field Office, wool production totaled 4.40 million pounds during 2007, 10 percent below the previous year's total.  Texas producers sheared 600,000 sheep and lambs during the year, 14 percent lower than 2006.  The average fleece weight was 7.3 pounds, up 4 percent from last year.

Total value of the state's wool production was up 19 percent from the previous year to 5.32 million dollars.  Price per pound averaged $1.21, up 33 percent from the average for 2006.

Texas mohair production during 2007 totaled 900,000 pounds, down 18 percent from a year ago.  Producers clipped 140,000 Angora goats and kids with an average clip weight of 6.4 pounds.  The number of Angora goats and kids clipped was down 18 percent from the previous year, while the average clip weight was down 2 percent from 2006.

Value of the state's mohair production was 3.60 million dollars.  Price per pound averaged $4.00, equal to the 2006 average.

United States shorn wool production during 2007 was 34.5 million pounds, down 4 percent from a year earlier.  Sheep and lambs shorn during 2007 totaled 4.71 million head, down 3 percent from 2006.  Average fleece weight of shorn wool was 7.3 pounds per head down 1 percent from 2006.

The average price paid for wool sold in 2007 was $0.88 per pound, for a total value of 30.3 million dollars, up 23 percent from 24.5 million dollars in 2006.

Mohair production during 2007 was 1.14 million pounds, down 16 percent from 2006.  Goats and kids clipped, at 185,000 head, were down 14 percent from 2006.  Average weight per clip at 6.2 pounds, was down 2 percent from 2006.  Value of mohair production was 4.31 million dollars, down 14 percent from 2006.