Animal Science 101All About Sheep and GoatsSUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn)Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education CenterUniversity of Maryland Extensionsschoen@umd.edu – sheepandgoat.com – wormx.info

Sheep and Goats Among the earliest animals to be domesticated

(first dairy animals). 6,000 to 7,000 BC Multi-purpose animals: meat, milk, fiber, skins,

fur, manure, research, vegetation control Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Ovis - Capra Species: aries – hircus

Classified as small ruminants, along with cervids (deer) and sometimes camelids (pseudoruminants - 3-chambered stomachs)

Sheep Ancestor: Mouflon

Goat Ancestor: Bezoar

Are sheep and goats the same? Sheep and goats are often not

differentiated from one another. Some languages do not have

different words for sheep and goat(s).

The media frequently misidentifies sheep and goats.

Statistics for sheep and goats are often combined.

Sheep and goats have many similarities, but also many differences.

Was it the year of the sheep or goat?

Differences: physicalSheep Most sheep are polled. Horns are more curvy Sometimes have a mane Split upper lip Face or tear glands Foot or scent glands between

toes. Deposit fat externally (except

hair sheep) Heavier muscled Faster growing

Goats Most goats have horns. Horns are straighter

and narrower Sometimes have a

beard More agile Deposit fat internally

(around organs). Lighter muscled Slower growing

What is the easiest way to tell the difference between a sheep and a goat?

Goat tails go up - sheep tails go down

Angora goat

Barbados Blackbelly sheep

Differences: behaviorSheep Distant and aloof Easily “spooked” Stronger herding instinct Grazers: prefer to eat

grass and forbs. Graze close to the soil

surface. Prefer short, tender grass Rams charge

Goats Curious and independent Less gregarious More likely to seek shelter Browsers: prefer to eat

shrubs, twigs, and vines. Top-down grazers Like to get on hind legs

to eat. Bucks rear up before

charging.

Differences: productionSheep

ReproductionShorter estrus cycle - 17 days.Complicated cervixFew visible signs of heatMore difficult to AI[AI=artificial insemination]

NutritionLower maintenance requirementsLower copper requirementsMore susceptible to copper toxicity

LactationProduce less, but better quality milk.Shorter lactation period.

Goats Reproduction

Longer estrus cycle - 21 days.More obvious signs of heatNot difficult to AIBuck has odor, esp. during rut

NutritionHigher maintenance requirementsRequire a more nutritious dietHigher copper requirementsLess susceptible to copper toxicity

LactationProduce more milk (weight, volume)Longer lactation period.

The mating of a sheep and a goat will not result in a fertile pregnancy.

Goats - 60 chromosomesSheep – 54 chromosomes

Sheep/goat hybrid

Sheep/goat chimera – “geep”

Wattles in sheep

An overview of the sheep and goat industry

Boer goats

World livestock inventoriesChickens 23,243,345,000

Cattle 1,482,144,415Sheep 1,209,908,104Goats 1,006,785,725Pigs 986,648,755

Buffalo 195,098,316Horses 58,913,957Camels 27,777,346

Other camelids 8,894,140Source: FAO STAT, 2014

World sheep and goat population

Sheep Goats

Source: FAO Stat, 2014

Oceania

World sheep and goat inventories

Country SheepChina 185,000,000Australia 75,547,846India 75,500,000Sudan 52,500,000Iran 50,220,000Nigeria 39,000,000New Zealand 30,786,761United Kingdom

32,856,000

Pakistan 28,800,000Turkey 27,425,233Mexico 8,477,000USA 5,335,000Canada 892,000

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, 2013

Country GoatsChina 182,890670 India 162,000,000 Pakistan 64,900,000Nigeria 58,250,000Bangladesh 55,600,000Sudan 44,000,000Iran 22,100,000Mali 19,126,806Indonesia 18,576,000Mongolia 18,000,000Mexico 8,700,000USA 2,811,000Canada 30,000

U.S livestock inventoriesChickens 1,917,000,000Turkeys 240,000,000Cattle 89,299,600Pigs 64,775,000

Horses 10,350,000Sheep 5,335,000Goats 2,811,000

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, 2013

U.S. Livestock Slaughter

Species 2016 Avg. live wt.Cattle 30,565,200 1363Calves 487,600 265Hogs 118,202,800 282Sheep and lambs 2,233,7000 137Goats 577,700 67

USDA-NASS , 2017

U.S. sheep inventory - top 10 states

1 Texas 700,0002 California 585,0003 Colorado 395,0004 Wyoming 360,0005 Utah 275,0006 Idaho 255,0007 South Dakota 250,0008 Montana 230,0009 Iowa 175,000

10 Oregon 170,000Other states 148,000Maryland 19,265*USA 5,200,000

USDA-NASS , 2017 (*2012 Ag Census)

U.S. goat inventory - top 10 statesUSDA-NASS , 2017 (Maryland, 2012 Ag Census)

Meat Dairy Fiber1 Texas 790,000 Wisconsin 44,000 Texas 80,0002 Other states 182,000 California 41,000 Arizona 35,0003 Tennessee 110,000 Other states 33,300 Other states 23,1004 Oklahoma 92,000 Iowa 30,500 New Mexico 10,5005 California 87,000 Texas 22,000 California 3,4006 Georgia 67,000 Pennsylvania 15,000 Maryland 4467 Missouri 75,000 New England 14,2008 Kentucky 56,000 New York 13,7009 North

Carolina50,000 Oregon 12,600

10 Kansas 46,000 Michigan 12,500Maryland 7707 Maryland 2592

USA

2,115,000 373,000 152,000

Maryland livestock inventoriesBroilers 64,192,426 Layers 2,364,942

Cattle and calves 194,524Horses and ponies 28,662

Hogs and pigs 19,869Sheep 19,265Goats 10,745

Llamas and alpacas 2038Source: 2012 Census of Agriculture

Maryland sheep and goat inventory

SHEEPCounty # sheep # farmsCarroll 3556 85Harford 3293 49Washington 2449 61Frederick 1975 94Baltimore 1053 50Howard 1048 34St. Mary’s 856 52Garrett 633 23Montgomery 666 45Kent 577 8MD Total 19,265 663

GOATSCounty # goats # farmsWashington 1343 67Frederick 1260 77Carroll 1194 113Montgomery 732 56Baltimore 675 55Garrett 555 54Cecil 504 44Prince George’s 502 37Kent 450 5Harford 413 51MD Total 10,745 903

2012 Census of Agriculture

Trends in U.S. sheep industry 56 million head in 1945. Downward trend since end

of World War II. Making the transition from

tradition Minor industry Less emphasis on wool

production Small dairy sheep industry Growing importance of ethnic

markets and direct marketing. More hair sheep Sheep for vegetation control.

Merinos

Increase in hair sheep

Trends in U.S. goat industry

Has always been a small industry, focused mostly in Texas.

Meat goat industry grew for many years, but has leveled off in recent years.

There is some increase in dairy goat production.

Fiber industry (Angora goats) continues to decline.

Increasing use of goats for vegetation control.

Kiko buck

Challenges faced by industry Lack of infrastructure - medicine,

veterinary expertise, shearers, research$ Low consumption/use of products Lack of new product development Competition from imports Concentration of slaughter (lambs) Lack of slaughter capacity (goats) Predators of all shapes and sizes Burdensome regulation Tradition - failure to adopt new

technology and/or use recommended practices (lack of productivity improvement).

Labor

Reasons for optimism in industry Lack of supply

Failure to meet demand New markets New uses for products Growing ethnic demand Creative marketing Preference for fresh product Preference for local. Infusion of youth and women into

industry. Opportunity for greater use of

technology to improve productivity and reduce labor requirements.

Segments of U.S. sheep industry

Range operations Farm flocks Feed lots Dairy Other

Romney

Range operationsTexas and Western U.S. (mountain states) – most sheep in US

Fenced or unfenced rangeHerders used on unfenced range

Public or private landRanchers pay a fee to use and maintain public lands

Large flocks 1 band = 1,000 ewes + lambs

Sheep with strong flocking instinct favored: Rambouillet, Targhee, and Columbia

More emphasis on wool production, especially fine wool, though meat still accounts for most income.

Sell mostly feeder lambs, some fats. Predators (esp. coyotes) are a major

problem.

Farm flocksAll 50 states

Fenced pastures Cultivated or improved pastures More intensive management

practices More emphasis on meat

production Higher lambing rates Variable size flocks, but many

small flocks. Includes flocks that produce

seedstock, show stock, and club lambs.

More breeds raised More direct marketing

Katahdin x Dorper

Lamb feeding industry Concentrated in Texas, Colorado,

California, with smaller feed lots in the Midwest.

Approximately 50 percent of lambs are finished in lamb feed lots.

Some lamb processors own their lamb feed lots.

Feed lots are the primary source of heavy, over-fat lambs which can have negative impact on lamb prices and consumer acceptability.

Many producers feed their own lambs or finish them on grass or other feedstuffs.

U.S. dairy sheep industry U.S. is the largest

importer of sheep cheese in the world.

About 200 dairy sheep farms in US. Most farms are in

Wisconsin or Vermont. One farm in Maryland. Average flock size is 144

ewes Only 3 dairy sheep breeds

in U.S. (East Friesian, Lacaune, Awassi) Dairy sheep research program at

University of Wisconsin ended in 2016.

Other sheep enterprises or uses of sheep

Vegetation Control Biomedical

Research models Blood Drug “factories” Organ “factories”

Hides and skins Fur Agrotourism

Segments of U.S. goat industry

1) Meat (and other)2.1 million

2) Dairy373,000

3) Fiber152,000

U.S. meat goat industry Largest segment of U.S.

goat industry. ~80 percent of goats in

U.S. are classified as meat (or other).

After many years of growth, the industry has leveled off, due to similar challenges as sheep industry. Boer x Nubian

U.S. dairy goat industry ~18 percent of U.S. goat

population. Top 8 states: California,

Wisconsin, Texas, Iowa, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, and New England.

There are a handful of certified goat dairies in Maryland.

Milk regulations vary by state; raw milk and raw milk cheese legal in some states.

Greatest economic potential?

Saanen

U.S. fiber goat industry Angora goats comprise

~7 percent of U.S. goat population. 5.7 lbs. of mohair per

goat in 2016. Average price: $4.56/lb.

Small number of Cashmere goats. 4 oz. of down per year

Cashmere

Other goat enterprises or uses of goats

Vegetation Controlwww.eco-goats.combrowsinggreengoats.com

Biomedical Research models Blood Drug “factories”

Hides and skins Agrotourism

Sheep and goat products

Sheep and goat products

Meat Milk and dairy products Fiber Fur, hides, and skins Biomedical products Vegetation control

MeatLamb Red meat with similar nutrient profile

as beef and pork. Naturally tender - no need to age Less marbling than beef and pork. Easy to digest Favored for various Christian, Muslim,

and Jewish religious holidays. Distinct flavor; meat gets flavor from

its fat.

Goat Lean red meat Lower in fat than other red meats

and poultry. Milder flavor than lamb; tastes

more like venison, due to its lack of intramuscular fat.

Typically marinated or cooked with spices.

Age of animal less of a concern.

Sheep meat

Lamb - under 1 year of ageMutton - over 1 year of age

Goat meat

Chevon - FrenchCabrito - Spanish

Lamb Average dressing percentage

is ~50%. Carcass weight ÷ live weight

Average slaughter weight is 137 lbs.

Almost all lambs grade USDA Choice or Prime.

Lambs for ethnic markets are usually lighter (< 100 lbs) than lambs for commodity markets.

Per capita consumption is less than 1 lb. per person.

35% of Americans have never eaten lamb.

Meat goats Average dressing percentage is

~44%.Carcass weight ÷ live weight

Average slaughter weight is 66 lbs. USDA grades for yield, but no

quality grading: a goat is a goat is a goat.

No records on per capita consumption of goat meat.

Not traditionally consumed by most Americans, especially those of Northern European descent.

Compared to importsImported product comprises a significant portion of the market for both species.

U.S. Lamb Fresher Milder flavor Larger cuts Usually fatter

(often grain-fed) More expensive

U.S. Goat Fresher Younger More tender More expensive Most imported goat is from feral goats in Australia.

Ethnic marketsPeople that share a common culture, language, religion, or nationality.Most lamb, almost all goat consumed by ethnic markets.

Lamb Muslim (Halal) Orthodox Christian Jewish (Kosher)

Hispanic Greek Italian

Goat Muslim (Halal) Orthodox Christian Jewish (Kosher)

Hispanic African West Indian Asian

Despite low per capita consumption, population growth and population demographics favor an increase in the demand for sheep and goat meat.

FiberWool comprises 1.2% of world fiber production.

Sheep Wool and coat type

Fine Medium Long Carpet Hair

Sheep are sheared annually, usually before lambing

Fleece weights range from 2 to 30 lb.

Avg. fleece wt. in 2016 was 7.2 lbs.

Avg. price in 2016 was $1.45 per lb (greasy).

Goat Mohair (Angora goats)

Kid hair is more valuable than adult hair.

Gets coarser as goats get older.

Cashmere - Fine down grown by all goats except for Angoras

Angora goats are usually sheared annually.

Cashmere goats are sheared (and dehaired) or combed.

Wool Fine wool Crossbred wool Medium (meat) wool Long wool Carpet wool

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DairySheep milk

Made mostly into gourmet (branded) cheeses. Roquefort Pecorino Romano Feta Manchego

Twice the cheese yield as goat and cow milk(higher fat content)

Can freeze for later use

Goat milk For fluid consumption of

manufacturing. Similar nutrient profile as

cow’s milk Stronger taste Naturally homogenized Considered more healthful (is

it?) Some people that can’t drink

cow’s milk can drink goat’s milk.

Favored for infant formula.

World milk production (year 2000)

SpeciesProduction

1,000 tonsPercentof total

Cow 493,828 87.7Buffalo 69,248 11.9Goats 12,445 2.13Sheep 7,808 1.34

World sheep and goat milk production(FAO United Nations, 2009, tons)

GoatIndia 4,114,290

Bangladesh 2,226,900

Sudan 1,475,000

Pakistan 719,000

France 623,460

Greece 484,000

Spain 473,000

Iran 429,082

Somalia 394,873

Niger 276,091

SheepChina 1,150,000

Greece 780,000

Turkey 734,219

Syria 706,023

Romania 600,444

Italy 599,500

Iran 577,030

Sudan 513,000

Spain 506,700

Somalia 465,710

Questions? Comments?

SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn)Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education CenterUniversity of Maryland Extensionsschoen@umd.edu sheepandgoat.com - wormx.info