Seasonal Supply Squeeze Drives Sheep and Goat Prices Higher

By Karn Dhingra

Texas sheep and goat producers are seeing strong prices this spring as seasonal supply patterns tighten markets while demand remains steady, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Premium lamb and goat prices at Texas sale barns recently exceeded $4 per pound and in some cases, approached $5 per pound, said Jake Thorne, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension sheep and goat program specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science, San Angelo.

“Those are extremely strong prices for live animals,” Thorne said. “They reflect a time of year when supply is limited, but demand remains consistent.”

Most sheep and goat producers follow seasonal breeding patterns that naturally create fluctuations in supply. Most animals breed in the fall, so lambs and kids are born in the spring, increasing the number of animals available later in the year.

Because of that cycle, fewer animals are typically available during late winter and early spring, which drives prices higher.

The year 2015 was just before a national election – which have major influences on policy paths, administration goals, and how farmers feel about their future.