NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study Information

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According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, there were over five million sheep and lambs on more than 100,000 operations, numbers that are soon to be updated in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Do you know which three states have the most sheep? Do you think more or less than 25% of lambs are born in an individual lambing pen, barn, or shed? The answers may surprise you. We posted them at the end of this article.

This December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will partner to conduct a national study focusing on sheep and lamb health and management in the United States.

A select sample of 4,940 sheep producers with at least one ewe will receive a questionnaire and are encouraged to participate in the study. The study is designed to provide a snapshot of current health and management practices on U.S. sheep operations. The information collected will also allow us to analyze sheep health trends, based on similar studies conducted in 1996, 2001, and 2011.

For more information, please contact Natalie.J.Urie@usda.gov, or click on the NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study link on the NAHMS program page. Two videos, outlining the study and benefits, can be found at the following links.

Answers: The top three states in terms of sheep inventory are Texas, California, and Colorado, according to NASS Sheep and Goat 2023 data. And, over 40% of lambs on operations with 20 or more ewes are born in an individual lambing pen, barn or shed, based on data from the NAHMS Sheep 2011 study (2.23 MB).