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Record lamb markets opening doors for new producers
A sheep breeder says 2021 was the best year in the farm’s 40-year history.
Brenda Reau raises purebred performance Suffolk breeding stock along the Michigan/Ohio border.
“Many folks are expanding their flocks,” she says. “There are young people coming into the business—they see the sheep business as a place where there is opportunity.”
What has her most excited about last year was the customers.
“Fifty percent of our ram buyers were under the age of 30,” she says.
Record demand for lamb and short supplies Reau says will likely continue to support the market.
“People are wanting to expand, however there are not as many ewe lambs available to breed because the commercial market has been so good,” she explains.
The farm sells locally and across the country and is currently in the middle of its lambing season.
Reau is serving as president of the Michigan Sheep Producers Association.