Marketing Sheep, Goats, Wool, and Mohair Chapter 30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 30-40 pounds; considered a delicacy

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

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