Russ In Idaho - 1/20/2025 20:06

So most herders are from Peru today, come on H2-A visas. I'm assuming they are running maybe 1 black sheep to 100 head or so. No incentive to keep no more black sheep than necessary. As they have to keep their wool out main wool bags. Same as Suffolk breed, don't want to mix it with your fine micron wool.

Some guys still breed for wool, but it doesn't pay like it used too. Used to be you could run sheep outfit on wool alone, lamb was the gravy. Today it's reversed, need lamb to pay bills, wool is the little extra you get.

Yes still lots of open range, but still lots of cross fencing to meet grazing objectives.