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 In 2006, farm cash receipts from sheep and lambs was $542,000.
Forty eight hundred lambs were produced at a rate of 1.3 lambs
per ewe. Sheep population has decreased from 100,000 animals
pre-confederation to a low of 4,000. This decline in
numbers can be partially attributed to roaming dogs, changes in the
Livestock Act and a
reduction in consumption.
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Industry Opportunity and Challenges
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There are opportunities for sheep production in this province. Marginal
land can be utilized as sheep pasture as 80 percent
of feed requirements can be met by forages, so sheep operations are not
overly dependant on imported feeds. As well, a sheep operation can be started with a
relatively modest capital investment. Newfoundland Local sheep may have
potential as a low input breed of sheep suited to harsh environments and there
is potential in the province to increase lamb production per ewe.
The marketing period for lambs and sheep can be extended throughout the
year. Secondary processing of wool, hides and meat is creating employment
opportunities in rural parts of province. The sheep industry in the province has
significant competition with fresh vacuum packed product from offshore.
Traditional marketing results in most of the product being marketed in a
short time frame. Predator problems can cause serious economic losses.
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(pdf - 245 kb)
