From the Pastures: Industry in decline

Hello from Graze-N-Grow. I’m writing this from Idaho, having just enjoyed the Trailing of the Sheep celebration with Ruth today. Their pastures are a lot bigger out here than mine and steeper, too. It was good to reconnect with friends we met 10 years ago when we were here last. The sheep industry here is still going, but in decline for many reasons, among them is an unwillingness for newcomers to take on such a labor-intensive life. Few want to work this hard on a 365-day schedule. I admire those older ranchers for their work ethic and their passion to care for their flock, but it is hard to duplicate that in the younger generation.

In spite of the challenge of cheap imported lamb, predator issues, increased labor costs particularly among Peruvian shepherds, competing interests for public land use and onerous paperwork, some ranchers keep going, but many sell out each year. Wool prices have declined while shearing costs go up, putting more pressure on these large-scale operations, many with five to 10,000 or more ewes. Trying to get fairer trading arrangements with Australian imports — which now approaches 75% of total lamb consumption in the United States— through tariffs has given these producers some hope, but nothing so far.

All in all, it was an interesting visit and makes me appreciate the relatively few problems we producers face with our smaller farm flocks, which can be more readily marketed direct to consumer. The only reason we were able to get away and drive out here — we don’t fly anymore — is due to Nathaniel’s willingness to hold down the fort. And since I no longer have a combine I can let my neighbor Richard do that without my help. Also Ruth lost her job running her brother Bill’s combine this fall, as well, so we took temporary unemployment status. Ain’t farming great?

Since our pastures are pretty well dried up except the low ground and the cover crops are all but non-existent, hay feeding has begun, but hopefully I can at least get some wheat out of the ground before winter. Once we get home I will broadcast rye on all the harvested acres, corn and bean ground. At least that’s pretty foolproof.

I hope by the time you read this we all have some rain. Happy trails.