Texas Sheep and Goat Market Thrives in Early 2025, But Imports and Price Fluctuations Loom

Texas sheep and goat farmers are enjoying a boost in market prices in early 2025 due to a tight supply, which is driving higher prices. The trends seen in the market align with seasonal patterns, where a lower supply of livestock this time of year is pushing prices up, according to Jake Thorne, Ph.D., a specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s sheep and goat program.

Seasonal Market Conditions Support Price Increase

According to Thorne, sheep and goats typically follow seasonal breeding patterns, where most breed in the fall and give birth in the spring. This results in an increase in the number of lambs and kids in late summer, which can drive prices lower due to the surplus. However, the current low supply of livestock in early 2025 is helping to maintain higher prices.

Producers who breed off-season, meaning they produce lambs and kids in the fall, are seeing better profits as sale barn prices soar. Premium goat prices are exceeding $4 per pound, signaling a healthy market for high-quality animals. Lamb prices above $3 per pound are considered strong, with prices over $3.50 per pound regarded as excellent. Similarly, goat prices above $3.50 per pound are seen as solid, and anything over $4 per pound is highly favorable.

Challenges in the Market

However, while prices are strong now, there is usually a price dip during the summer months when the supply increases. At that point, prices can drop below $2 per pound. Despite this seasonal fluctuation, the current market conditions are favorable, especially for producers with high-quality stock.

Texas: Leading National Sheep and Goat Production

Texas continues to dominate the nation’s sheep and goat production. The state has more goats than the next ten states combined. The Texas goat industry is primarily made up of Boer and Spanish breeds, while the sheep industry is dominated by hair sheep like Dorpers, which are in demand in nontraditional meat markets.

A significant portion of Texas sheep and goats are shipped to metropolitan areas along the East Coast, where demand for goat and lamb meat from ethnic communities is high.

Imports and Global Competition

While Texas leads the nation in production, the United States only supplies about 30-40% of domestic lamb and goat meat demand. The rest is imported, mainly from Australia and New Zealand. These imports, often produced at lower costs, can put pressure on domestic prices, limiting how high U.S. producers can push their prices.

Thorne explains that while the market is favorable right now, imported meat poses a challenge. U.S. producers face competition from lower-cost imports, which can make it hard for domestic prices to rise too much. In addition to imports, producers also face concerns like predator management, parasite control, and disease risks.

Disease Threats and Precautions

While diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have not significantly affected smaller livestock like sheep and goats, Thorne urges producers to stay cautious. There was a confirmed case of HPAI in a goat in Minnesota last year, though there have been no widespread issues since. Thorne advises producers to keep their sheep and goats separated from poultry and to monitor animals for any signs of illness.

A Bright Outlook for the Texas Sheep and Goat Industry

Despite the challenges posed by competition from imports and seasonal price shifts, Texas’ sheep and goat industry remains in a strong position due to steady demand and the state’s dominant production. As 2025 progresses, it will be important to watch how external factors, like imports and price fluctuations, will affect the market.

Texas Panhandle Weather Impact

The Texas Panhandle region experienced a variety of weather conditions this week. High winds, light moisture, and fires occurred early in the week, followed by cold weather and snow toward the end, which kept many producers from working in the fields. Soil moisture levels ranged from very short to adequate, with pasture and range conditions ranging from poor to fair. Overall, crop conditions were also poor to good.

Livestock, particularly cattle, are still being supplemented with feed and hay, as grazing conditions remain challenging. Stockers are being moved from wheat fields set for grain production to wheat fields designated for grazing.

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