1. Marketing Sheep, Goats, Wool, and Mohair
Chapter 30

2. Objectives Discuss trends in the sheep and goat industries
Describe the methods of marketing sheep, goats, wool, and mohair
Define terminology used in marketing sheep, goats, wool, and mohair
List the grades of wool and mohair

3. Objectives (cont.)
Explain methods of marketing meat, milk, and fiber products from sheep and goats
List products marketed from sheep and goats
Explain the differences between lamb and mutton

4. Objectives (cont.) Describe how sheep and lamb products are promoted
Compare and contrast the marketing of sheep and goats with respect to other types of livestock and poultry
Define the classes and grades of sheep

5. Marketing Sheep Promotion of Sheep and Wool The American Lamb Board
Charged with promoting lamb
American Wool Trust
Charged with promoting wool
Funded by assessments on sold animals

6. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Types of Markets for Sheep
Terminal markets
Local pools
Sale barns
Direct selling to packer
Electronic marketing
Auctions

7. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Classes and Grades of Sheep
Age
Hothouse lambs – under three months
Spring lambs – 3 to 7 months
Yearlings – between 1 and 2 years
Sheep – more than 2 years old

8. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Classes and Grades of Sheep (cont.)
Use Classes
Slaughter
Feeder
Breeding
Shearer

9. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Classes and Grades of Sheep (cont.)
Sexes
Ewe - female sheep or lamb
Ram - noncastrated male sheep or lamb
Wether - male castrated when young

10. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Classes and Grades of Sheep (cont.)
Grades
Live grades based on quality and estimated yield
Quality grades based on conformation and finish
Lambs and yearlings – prime, choice, good, utility
Slaughter sheep - choice, good, utility, cull

11. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Shrinkage
Occurs when moved to market
Depends upon distance traveled
Ranges from 2 to more than 8 percent
Average is 3 to 5 percent
Careful handling reduces shrinkage

12. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Seasonal Prices
Vary from month to month, due to varying lamb supplies
Normally above average in February through July
Normally below average in September through January
Low point often is November

13. Marketing Sheep (cont.)
Selling Purebred Sheep
Private sale or auction
Advertise through magazines or farm signs
Sold for slaughter if standards are not met

14. Marketing Wool Wool Markets Local buyers Wool pools Cooperatives
Warehouse operators
Direct sale to wool mills

15. Marketing Wool (cont.) Wool Prices Vary seasonally
Marketing assistance loans (USDA)
Loan deficiency payments
Price relates to amount of clean wool
Length, density, and diameter also have an affect

16. Marketing Wool (cont.) Wool Grades
Primarily based on diameter of fiber
Density also a factor
Length of fiber
Three common grading systems
American (blood) System
Numerical Count (USDA) System
Micron System

17. Marketing Goats for Meat
Often marketed directly to consumer
Chevon term used when marketing processed goat meat
Younger, lighter goats priced higher than older
Cabrito is meat from young kids, pounds; considered a delicacy

18. Marketing Goat Milk and Milk Products
Most milk used on farm where produced
Sold to consumers in high production areas
Evaporated or dried forms
Cheese and butter
Most popular is feta
Bath and beauty products

19. Marketing Cashmere and Mohair
Most cashmere produced in Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia, India, China, New Zealand, and Australia
Demand exceeds supply
Roughly 90 percent of mohair in U.S. is produced in Texas
Graded on fineness of fibers
Marketed through warehouses