History of the United States Sheep Industry

This set of flashcards covers the key concepts and historical developments in the U.S. sheep and goat industries as discussed in the lecture on the history of the sheep industry.

Family: Bovidae; Subfamily: Caprinae.

What family and subfamily do domestic sheep belong to?

Sheep were domesticated around 10,500 years ago.

When were sheep first domesticated?

Wool, meat, and then milk.

What were the primary uses for sheep in Mesopotamia around 6000 BC?

Sheep and wool.

What was the primary source of tax revenue in England during Elizabeth I’s rule?

Christopher Columbus brought the first domestic sheep in 1493.

Who brought the first domestic sheep to America, and when?

It was the year the first wool mill was established.

What significant event occurred in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1662?

Cattlemen believed sheep's foot gland secretions made grass undesirable for cattle.

What were cattlemen's beliefs about sheep during the 19th century?

Over 120 wars between 1870-1920 between sheep and cattle ranchers.

What were the Range Wars, and when did they occur?

Sheep production peaked at 55 million head.

What marked the peak of sheep production in the U.S. during the 1940s-1950s?

Meat, dairy, wool, youth programs, industrial uses.

List some current markets for sheep products as of 2025.

Regulations on grazing, competition from other meats, predation losses, consumer preference.

What are some factors that contributed to the decline in US sheep population?

Strong ethnic market demand, ecosystem grazing importance, new niche markets.

What kind of optimism exists for the future of the sheep industry?

Family: Bovidae; Genus: Capra.

What family and genus do domestic goats belong to?

Approximately 807.6 million goats.

How many goats are there worldwide?

Meat, milk production, dung, and hide.

What are the primary uses for goats historically?

63%.

What percentage of red meat consumed worldwide is goat?

They provide rich milk, lean meat, pliable hide, fiber, and efficient feed conversion.

Why are goats considered indispensable?

The number of goats has decreased, being the lowest since counting began.

What has been the trend in the US goat population since 2003?

The US is the largest importer of goat meat, supplying only 50% of demand.

What does the US's goat meat supply indicate about consumer demand?