Kentucky sheep and lamb producers joined Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles in Lexington Monday to commemorate February as Lamb Month in Kentucky.
“Sheep are an excellent livestock option for many Kentucky farms and add to our state’s agricultural diversity,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Packed with protein, lamb is the perfect lean meat for the dinner table. But it provides more than meat, sheep are an excellent source of milk and fiber as well. Every day, but this month in particular, we salute the value sheep and lamb add to our farms.”
Some 80,000 U.S. farmers and ranchers raise approximately 5 million sheep. With more than 12 million acres of agriculture land in Kentucky, the commonwealth is home to 58,000 head of sheep and lamb, ranking it 25th nationally for sheep inventory. More than 4,000 sheep producers dedicate their time and effort to producing high quality products for consumers.
“We are very excited to once again celebrate Kentucky’s lamb and sheep industry again this year for Kentucky Lamb Month,” said Richard Popham, a Brandenburg sheep producer and president of the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association. “Each year, our industry grows and continues to provide quality, fresh lamb and wool products to thousands of people. We are proud to produce an animal that is versatile, economic, and good for our environment. We encourage anyone to try something different tonight with a delicious lamb dinner!”
Kentucky has a strong tradition of sheep production, with the number of head reaching higher than a million in the post-World War II 1940s. Kentucky’s sheep industry’s numbers declined in the past 40 years. However, with the help of the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association and the American Sheep Industry Association, those numbers are rebounding. Sheep numbers increased by 51 percent through the past five years. Many producers retain breeding stock to increase the number in production.
The Kentucky sheep industry adds more than $7 million in revenue to Kentucky’s agriculture receipts. For 2023, market lambs and sheep stayed steady for 2023 at 14,000 head, with higher numbers of breeding stock in inventory. The market lambs inventory was Kentucky's second highest level on record. With solid markets, an increase in retail demand, growing grazing opportunities in the state, and increased value added opportunities for wool, the industry is expected to keep growing.
February serves as a reminder of the versatility and value of sheep and lamb. In addition to its being a source of protein, zinc, selenium and B vitamin, it’s also a good source of iron and riboflavin. Numerous products and byproducts also come from sheep, including milk, fiber for wool, and lanolin, a natural moisturizer. Worldwide, farmers also use sheep to combat noxious weeds on their property, to promote healthy forests, and to prevent wildfires.
To celebrate "Lamb Month," families are encouraged to purchase lamb from local grocery stores, specialty shops, butcher shops, or farmers' markets. The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office provides information on its website with tips for cooking the lean meat. The website also offers the buyers' guide for lamb at: https://www.kysheepandgoat.org/on-your-plate.
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Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles named February as "Lamb Month in Kentucky," during a proclamation signing Monday at Stella's Kentucky Deli in Lexington. Joining Quarles (seated) for the signing were, from left, Kentucky Department of Agriculture employees John Chism and Jason Wachter, Kelley Yates from the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association president Richard Popham, and Lester Miller, owner of Stella's. The deli has offered locally-sourced lamb burgers on its menu since 2007.
