The U.S. sheep herd contracted in 2025, while the goat herd grew slightly.
Those year-to-year changes are at least partially in response to differences in producer profitability and consumer demand for meat and wool.
The USDA says the sheep and lamb inventory at the start of 2026 was 1% smaller than a year ago, with declines in the breeding herd and lamb crop implying another decrease this year.
The goat inventory was 1% larger and could grow again this year with increases in breeding goats and the kid crop.
The USDA says goat for meat slaughter numbers were down in 2025, but average live weights got heavier, while the sheep and lamb slaughter grew even as live weights shrank.
