OKLAHOMA CITY – This July, the U.S. Department

of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will reach out to producers in 42 states for the biannual Sheep and Goat Survey. The survey provides critical information on breeding and marketing herds, as well as lamb and kid crops in the United States.

 “NASS will contact a limited number of sheep and goat producers in Oklahoma during the first two weeks of July to obtain animal inventory and lamb and kid crop information,” said Wilbert Hundl, Jr., director of the NASS Oklahoma Field Office. “Results of this survey will provide the latest information on conditions and trends in the U.S. sheep and goat industry for 2010.”

“The Jan. 1 Oklahoma Sheep and Goat report showed inventories of 75,000 and 98,000 head, respectively. These represented a decline from 2009 Sheep and Goat counts. Having accurate data on sheep and goat inventory

is crucial information for Oklahoma sheep and goat

producers and the industry as a whole” added Hundl.

Producers contacted by NASS Oklahoma Field Office will be asked to provide

information on inventory of breeding and market sheep and goats, as well as lambs and kids born. For producer convenience, a variety of response options are available, these options include internet, telephone, mail, and field interview.  

“The results from the Sheep and Goat Survey provide helpful insight for producers when planning their production and marketing strategies,” added Hundl. “This information also provides a wealth of information to further consumer understanding and awareness of local, regional and national benefits of U.S. sheep and goats and their products.”

Hundl noted that, as is the case with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all survey responses ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

Results will be published in the Sheep and Goats report, scheduled for release on

July 23. The report will provide current national-level estimates on the sheep and goat industry. This and all NASS reports are available online at: www.nass.usda.gov.