The latest sheep numbers in South Dakota show the number of sheep and lambs down 15,000 from 2013 to 2014. The total sheep inventory for last year was 255,000. South Dakota Sheep Grower’s President Max Matthews attributes the drop to a couple of factors. He says one of the most critical problems is the age of the producer with many retiring or leaving the business.
Matthews says the other major factor is the large number of predators producers have to deal with. He says some have found they just can’t stay profitable and have been losing animals. He says his group is working with ASI which is developing a mentoring program to get more younger producers into the business.
Matthews says in addition SDSU West River Extension Sheep Specialist Dave Ollilla is working with younger producers training them to become mentors in hopes of getting more people involved in the industry.