Industry News

SALE AT SONORA WOOL & MOHAIR 

A spring sale was held at Sonora Wool & Mohair on Thursday, May 21, 2010. 

Results:

Adult types brought from $4.21/lb - $4.25/lb

Young goat matching from $4.50/lb - $4.65/lb

Bulk brought $4.65/lb

Spring Kids brought $5.38/lb - $5.40/lb

Stain mohair brought $2.55/lb

12 month and defective hair brought $2.50/lb

CAPE SALE DATES FOR 2010

February 16, 2010

March 9, 2010

March 23, 2010

April 20, 2010

May 11, 2010

May 25, 2010

June 15, 2010

August 24, 2010

September 7 2010

September 28, 2010

October 12, 2010

October 26, 2010

November 16, 2010

December 7, 2010

Texas Ag Facts Annual Summary 3-4-2010

Sheep and Goats

Released July 24, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on Sheep and Goats call Everett Olbert at 202-720-4751, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

All Sheep and Lamb Inventory Down 3 Percent

All sheep and lamb inventory in the United States on July 1, 2009 totaled 7.05 million head, down

3 percent from July 1, 2008. Breeding sheep inventory at 4.28 million head on July 1, 2009 was down 3 percent from July 1, 2008. Market sheep and lambs (including newborn lambs), at 2.77 million head, were down 3 percent from last July.

The breeding herd consists of 3.47 million ewes one year old and older, 180,000 rams one year old and older, and 630,000 replacement lambs (including newborn lambs). Market lamb inventory at 2.69 million head was comprised of 1.60 million lambs under 65 pounds, 560,000 lambs 65-84 pounds, 290,000 lambs 85-105 pounds, and 240,000 lambs over 105 pounds. Market sheep inventory was 80,000 head.

Lamb Crop Down Slightly

The 2009 lamb crop in the United States is expected to total 3.70 million head, down slightly from the 2008 lamb crop of 3.71 million head. Lambs born during January through June 2009 totaled 3.25 million head or 88 percent of the yearly total. An additional 450,000 head are expected to be born during the period July through December 2009.

Total Goat and Kid Inventory Down 2 Percent

All goat inventory on July 1, 2009 totaled 3.71 million head, down 2 percent from the previous July number. Breeding goat inventory totaled 2.79 million head, down 2 percent from July 2008.

All market goats and kids totaled 925,000 head, down 2 percent from the previous July. On July 1, 2009 meat and all other goats totaled 3.16 million head, down 1 percent from July 2008. Milk goat inventory was up 4 percent increasing to 385,000 head while angora goat numbers fell 28 percent to 165,000 head.

Kid Crop Virtually Unchanged

The 2009 kid crop in the United States is expected to total 1.96 million head, virtually unchanged from the 2008 kid crop. The 2009 expected kidding rate of 103 kids per 100 does is up 1 percent from the 2008 kid rate of 102.

News from Australia

Mohair booming, as large-scale processing is tested

Monday, 27/07/2009

The export-focused mohair goat sector is enjoying a 30 per cent boost in prices for the natural fiber, which is being used in a trial of large-scale, commercial domestic processing.

Australian yarn and cloth manufacturers are showing strong interest in the eight-ton early stage mohair processing trial that's produced the 'tops' they've previously had to re-import to manufacture luxury Australian clothing.

The Australian Mohair Marketing Organizations chairman Keith Cowan says the mohair was processed at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, and is finding a ready market with manufacturers catering for a growth market in natural fiber blends.

"There is q uite a drive at the moment into these natural fiber at the moment, whether it be wool or alpaca or mohair," he says.

"The companies out there are prepared to use it and the consumer is really looking for rare natural fibers."

The Australian Mohair Marketing Organization (AMMO) is the only marketing body for Australian mohair onto the export market.

Becky Talley

Associate Editor

American Sheep Industry Association

303-771-3500 x. 40

www.sheepish.org

Sheep and Goats