Ia-press-releases Released January 28, 2005 January 1 Sheep Inventory Iowa: All sheep and lambs inventory at 245,000 head is down 5,000 head from last year. Total breeding stock at 175,000 head decreased by three percent from a year ago. Compared to last year, market sheep and lambs remained at 70,000 head, while the lamb crop decreased two percent to 215,000 head. United States: All sheep and lamb inventory in the United States on January 1, 2005, totaled 6.14 million head, up slightly from 2004, but 3 percent below two years ago. The inventory has leveled off and is showing a slight increase for the first time since 1990. Breeding sheep inventory increased to 4.53 million head on January 1, 2005, up 1 percent from 4.50 million head on January 1, 2004. Ewes one year old and older, at 3.57 million head, were 1 percent below last year. Market sheep and lambs on January 1, 2005, totaled 1.60 million head, down slightly from January 1, 2004. Market lambs comprised 95 percent of the total marketings. Twenty-six percent were lambs under 65 pounds, 13 percent were 65 - 84 pounds, 24 percent were 85 - 105 pounds, 32 percent were over 105 pounds, and 5 percent were market sheep. The 2004 lamb crop of 4.10 million head, a record low, was down 1 percent from 2003. The 2004 lambing rate was 113 lambs per 100 ewes one year old and older on January 1, 2004, up 3 percent from 2003. Shorn wool production in the United States during 2004 was 37.6 million pounds, down 2 percent from 2003. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 5.07 million head, down slightly from 2003. The average price paid for wool sold in 2004 was $0.80 per pound for a total value of $29.9 million dollars, up 6 percent from $28.1 million dollars in 2003. All Sheep and Lambs: Number by Class, Iowa and United States, January 1, 2004-2005 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Iowa : United States :-----------------------------:----------------------------- Class : : : 2005 as : : : 2005 as : 2004 : 2005 :% of 2004: 2004 : 2005 :% of 2004 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Head Percent 1,000 Head Percent : All Sheep and Lambs : 250 245 98 6,105.0 6,135.0 100 : Total Breeding Sheep : 180 175 97 4,499.0 4,533.0 101 Ewes : 147 142 97 3,609.5 3,572.5 99 Rams : 7 7 100 188.0 190.0 101 Replacement Lambs : 26 26 100 701.5 770.5 110 : Total Market : 70 70 100 1,606.0 1,602.0 100 : :----------------------------------------------------------- : : : 2004 as : : : 2004 as : 2003 : 2004 :% of 2003: 2003 : 2004 :% of 2003 :----------------------------------------------------------- Lamb Crop : 220 215 98 4,140.0 4,096.0 99 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact Information: Iowa Agricultural Statistics 210 Walnut St., Rm 833 Des Moines, IA 50309 1-800-772-0825 Fax 515-284-4342 nass-ia@nass.usda.gov