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U.S. needs to produce more lamb to meet growing demand

A director from the American Sheep Industry (ASI) says the United States needs to produce more lamb. Region Three Director Susan Shultz says the majority of lamb in the United States is imported.

“We cannot produce enough lamb for the consumer…almost 60 percent of the lamb is imported. That’s phenomenal! We can do better,” says Shultz.

At the Buckeye Shepherds’ Symposium in Ohio Shultz says ASI has expanded its ‘Let’s Grow’ initiative to help the U.S. sheep industry produce more lamb.

“That is an initiative that was started a few years back to get people to think about expanding their flocks. ASI has put in $500,000 for each of three years to promote Let’s Grow activities and projects that producers will use to increase their flocks,” says Shultz.

Projects funded by Let’s Grow focus on connecting breeders, developing young producer organizations and research into best management practices for lamb producers.

Shultz represents Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin on the ASI Executive Committee.

Audio: Susan Shultz, Region Three Director, American Sheep Industry Association