US Cattle, Sheep, and Goat Industry: Key Facts & Statistics

What is the main prevention method for Brucellosis?

A live vaccine.

What is the primary concern with parasites in cattle?

Internal parasites like stomach worms and external parasites like horn flies.

What is the scientific name for sheep?

Ovis aries

What is the scientific name for goats?

Capra hircus

List three products produced from sheep.

Meat, wool, dairy

List three products produced from goats.

Meat, dairy, hair (mohair and cashmere)

What is the approximate number of sheep in the USA?

5.2 million

What percentage of US farm revenue does sheep production represent?

0.14%

What is the average lamb consumption per capita in the USA?

Less than 1 lb.

What is the trend in meat goat production from 2002 to 2007?

Increased by 58%

Which states are central to the goat industry in the USA?

Texas, California, and the Southeast

What is the estimated number of goats in the USA?

2.6 million

What is the role of sheep and goats in grazing with cattle?

They can graze alongside cattle, with one ewe or doe added per cow unit.

What are the grazing preferences of sheep and goats?

Sheep are more selective grazers, while goats prefer browse.

What historical significance do sheep have in ancient societies?

They were among the first domesticated food-producing animals.

What was the significance of wool during the reign of Elizabeth I?

It was a chief source of wealth.

When was the first woolen mill established in the USA?

1662 in Watertown, MA

What was the role of sheep on the South Lawn of the White House during WWI?

They symbolized home front support and helped cut grass.

What was the original flock size of sheep at the White House in 1918?

12 sheep and four lambs

What is the estimated world population of sheep?

1.1 billion

What is the estimated world population of goats?

880 million

How many head of Angora goats are there in the USA?

137,000

What is the primary use of Angora goats?

Production of mohair

What is the significance of the Farm Security & Rural Investment Act of 2002?

It supports sheep and goat production in the USA.

What are the main characteristics of farm flocks?

Farm flocks can be anywhere, mostly in Eastern and Midwestern States, average 30-40 head of ewes, produce 150-200% lamb crop, and are heavily managed with higher production costs.

What is the primary product of farm flock operations?

Lambs for meat.

What are club lamb and purebred operations used for?

They produce lambs for 4H and FFA projects, often using AI or embryo transfer.

What is the significance of dairy sheep in the USA?

Dairy sheep did not exist in the USA until the mid-1980s and are largely found in Wisconsin.

What defines range flocks?

Range flocks consist of thousands of ewes on large acreages and produce the majority of lamb and wool in the USA.

Which breeds are commonly found in finewool range flocks?

Rambouillet and Merino.

What are the advantages of hair sheep?

They do not need to be sheared, are parasite resistant, and are self-sufficient in lambing.

What is the role of migratory flocks in sheep production?

Migratory flocks graze on a combination of private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, with ranchers paying fees for grazing permits.

What is the average weight range for feeder lambs before harvest?

Feeder lambs weigh between 60-110 lbs and are fed to reach 130-140 lbs for harvest.

What factors have influenced the decline in lamb consumption in the U.S.?

Total red meat consumption has declined, lamb ranks last as a preferred red meat, and poultry consumption has increased.

What are the three systems used to grade wool?

American or blood system, Bradford or English system, and Micron count system.

What is lanolin?

Lanolin is the natural oil found in wool.

What is the significance of the term 'crimp' in wool production?

Crimp refers to the natural waviness in wool.

What are the characteristics of dual-purpose sheep breeds?

They produce both meat and wool and are adapted to diverse environments.

What is the gestation period for sheep?

The gestation period for sheep is 144-152 days.

What is the typical lambing rate goal for farm flocks?

The goal is a lamb crop of 180-200%.

What is the estrous cycle length for sheep?

The estrous cycle lasts 16-17 days.

What are common health concerns for sheep and goats?

Parasites, coccidiosis, contagious ecthyma, and caseous lymphadenitis.

What is the primary method of parasite diagnosis in sheep?

FAMACHA scores are used to diagnose parasite issues.

What are some predator control methods for sheep and goats?

Good fences, night penning, and guardian animals like dogs, donkeys, and llamas.

What is the average puberty age for ewe lambs?

Ewe lambs reach puberty at 5-8 months.

What is the primary purpose of goat production?

Meat and dairy goats are raised largely in farm-type operations.

What are some dairy goat breeds?

Saanen, Toggenburg, Alpine, and LaMancha.

What is the gestation period for goats?

The gestation period for goats is 150 days.

What is the significance of flushing in goat nutrition?

Flushing involves increasing feed to females immediately before breeding to improve conception rates.

Disease

any state of being other than the state of complete health

Clinical Sign

an observable difference in an animal's normal function or state of health that indicates the presence of a bodily disorder.

Lesion

a change in body organs secondary to disease or injury.

Etiology

the cause(s) or the study of the cause of disease

Pathology

the study of the nature or process of disease

Pathogen

a living disease causing agent

Resistance

the natural ability of an animal to remain unaffected by pathogens, toxins, irritants or poisons.

Predisposing Factors for Disease

Stress, Nutritional, Climatic, Social, Geographic, Genetics, Anatomy (Example: Leg Structure), Cancer genes, Life Stage, Pregnancy (Example: Milk Fever)

Contagious Disease

disease capable of being transmitted from animal to animal. Example: Equine Herpes, Feline Herpes

Vector Born Disease

disease that is transferred to an animal by an arthropod

Mosquito Born Disease

Example: Heartworms in Dogs

Tick Born Disease

Example: Anaplasmosis in Cattle

Infectious Disease

disease caused by pathogens that can be transmitted.

Metabolic Disease

disease related to metabolic dysfunction.

Toxin Induced Disease

disease caused by poisonous compounds produced by some microorganisms, plants, animals.

Toxin

a poisonous compound produced by some microorganisms, plants, animals.

Clinical

Clinical signs are visible

Subclinical

Clinical signs are not readily visible

Acute

Sudden onset, or early in the disease process; should resolve within 2-3 weeks.

Chronic

Continuing over a long period of time, or having a gradual effect; 'off' or 'unthrifty'

Diagnosis

the process of determining the nature and severity of a disease; the art of distinguishing one disease from another

Mobile Services

Veterinary services provided on-site for small and/or large animals.

Programmed Health Management

management practices for dairy, feedlot, and swine operations.

Herd Health

a coordinated effort involving management, nutrition, breeding & genetics, and disease prevention.

Regulatory Animal Medicine

involves USDA: APHIS for foreign animal disease recognition and prevention.

Necropsy

The examination of an animal's body after death.

What is the primary benefit of dairy cattle in food production?

Dairy cattle provide the most efficient conversion of feed to food among all food-producing species.

What was the gross income of the U.S. dairy cattle industry in 2016?

$34,558,672,000

Which region has the highest inventory of dairy cows?

Lake States with 14,680,000 cows (35.1%)

What percentage of milk production comes from the Lake States?

23.9%

What is the average milk production per cow in the Pacific region?

22,972 lbs/cow

What is the significance of dairy cooperatives in the industry?

Dairy cooperatives market nearly 80% of all milk produced annually.

What is the definition of milk according to the FDA?

Milk is the lacteal secretion, free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows.

What is pasteurization?

Pasteurization is the process of heating chilled raw milk to 161°F for at least 15 seconds before quickly cooling it back to 39°F.

What is homogenization in milk processing?

Homogenization reduces the size of fat globules into minuscule portions that are evenly dispersed throughout the milk.

What is lactose-free milk?

Lactose-free milk is produced by adding lactase, which splits lactose into glucose and galactose.

What are some problems associated with fluid milk consumption?

Health concerns, perception as a non-modern drink, association with high-fat snacks, convenience issues, and lack of variety in taste.

What percentage of beef produced in the U.S. comes from dairy cattle?

20 to 25%

What is the typical weight range for veal from male dairy calves?

Harvested between 300 and 500 lbs at about 5 months of age.

What was the first cheese factory established in the U.S.?

The first cheese factory was established in Oneida, NY in 1871.

What innovation in dairy farming occurred in 1861?

The introduction of the refrigerated rail car.

What is the role of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association?

It was instituted to improve dairy herd management and production.

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the milk produced in the first three days after calving, high in immunoglobulins and energy.

How are calves typically housed in the North?

Calves are raised indoors in barn-type facilities with individual stalls.

What is the average milk production in the Northeast region?

21,935 lbs/cow.

What is the average milk production in the Appalachian region?

18,637 lbs/cow.

What is the trend regarding dairy cow numbers and milk production?

Reduced cow numbers do not equate to reduced milk production.

What is the significance of the year 1964 in dairy history?

It marks the introduction of plastic milk containers.

What is the average milk production in the Mountain region?

24,501 lbs/cow.

What is the average milk production in the Corn Belt?

21,319 lbs/cow.

What is the average milk production in the Southeast region?

20,415 lbs/cow.

What is the purpose of using sexed semen in dairy farming?

To produce more female replacement heifers and reduce the number of male calves sent to beef/veal production.

What is the typical breeding ratio of male to female calves when using conventional semen?

Approximately 50% male and 50% female.