By TIM THORNBERRY Kentucky Correspondent
FRANKFORT, Ky. — For many of the state’s sheep producers, winter time is also lambing season, but the recent record cold temperatures have not made the process any easier. But for those in the industry, there’s no better sound than that of a newborn lamb – whether it’s cold or not. J.R. Zinner, along with his brother Jeff and best friend Josh Hack, can attest to that as they prepare to welcome more than 100 new members to their sheep family. The trio own and operate a sheep operation in Franklin County and represent a growing number of producers in the state. Kelley Yates, executive director of the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, said both sheep and goat numbers are increasing here. “It is for sure growing in Kentucky, whereas they have been on the decrease in other states. For the past five years, Kentucky has seen a huge growth in those numbers,” she said. Yates noted that sheep numbers increased by 6,000 head from 2013 to 2014 to a total of 49,000. Also, breeding sheep numbers increased, which is a good mark of sustainability. More breeding and replacement animals in the industry means more babies and more opportunity to make money. That trend, however, is not being reflected nationally. Total inventory numbers decreased by 2 percent to 5.21 million. Yates emphasized that nationally, breeding numbers decreased as well because of drought, loss of range lands and predator problems. Falling numbers elsewhere coupled with increases here may bode well for state producers because the demand from consumers still rises. Yates said the goat numbers are still higher than sheep, but the rate of increase for sheep has been higher. Kentucky currently ranks 29th nationally in total sheep numbers, according to the American Sheep Industry Assoc. Increasing numbers are important, but so is the marketing aspect of the business. Yates said marketing is different in the eastern part of the country mostly because of a larger ethnic market whose consumers eat more lamb and goat meat. Most of the lambs and kids that are bought in Kentucky are shipped to the Northeast and sold in markets there. But there is a growing local demand for lamb as more consumers are in tune to buying from local producers via venues like local farmers’ markets. Operations like Zinner’s fit the bill when it comes to the local consumer. Many of his sheep go to those looking to show the animals. His numbers run in the neighborhood of 140 total sheep with a possible 130 lambs coming this lambing season. “We raise market lambs for young people to show in 4-H and FFA county fair projects, and we raise a flock of purebred Hampshire sheep,” he said. Zinner said now is a good time to be in the business because of the higher prices of all animals at the stockyards across the United States. “Meat cuts alone of all species are up in the grocery store, so it’s an OK period to be a sheep producer,” he said. Zinner is able to speak to many fronts agriculturally as he serves as the FFA advisor for the Western Hills High School chapter and is one of the two agriculture teachers at the school. It’s not unusual for some of his students, present and former, to show up at the farm to watch or learn more about the show aspect, and many of them aren’t typical farm kids. “Most of the students in our community that show sheep are actually from more urban settings,” he said. “I know most that show with us within our county don’t live on a farm, so I help them find space, equipment and knowledge to do what we’re doing.” While many of his students move on away from their showing days after they get older, Zinner said the experience they have as high school and college students brings many back to the business after they get a little older. “Josh and I have seen a lot of turnover, but a lot of those we used to show sheep with, we’re seeing a lot of their children get into the program,” he said. “In fact, one of this year’s State Fair winners was shown by a young man whose mother showed when I was showing, and it has come back full circle for that family.” Besides young people wanting to show the animals, Zinner thinks sheep are a good alternative for younger farmers looking to get into the livestock business who may be deterred by the high cost of cattle. “You’d be hard pressed to jump into the cattle business if you’re not one of the producers already established and has their own herd built up,” he said. ‘They are really concentrating on increasing their herds, so the price of cattle is high right now. To get into the small ruminant sector like goats or sheep is something I think more people can afford as they get into the industry on the floor level.” One thing that has helped new producers get a start in the sheep or goat industry is the creation of a check-off program that has helped producers with research and marketing efforts. Another valuable program for Kentucky producers due to those check-off dollars is a beginning farmer program, Yates said. “We actually provide a $2,000 (interest-free) loan that they pay back in three years, and you can get up to 40 percent waived based on education events you attend,” she said. “We’ve been able to get several people started in the sheep and goat business through that program. I feel like it is probably the most invaluable thing that our check-off program has done.” Zinner thinks the diversity Kentucky farms have experienced over the last few years has helped keep state sheep and goat numbers increasing. For more on Kentucky’s sheep and goat industry, go to https://kysheepandgoat.org |
