Sheep Industry News February 2025

Shepherdess Releases Poignant Memoir F irst-time author and sheep producer Debby Jo Holmquist released her A Shepherdess Beaten But Never Broken: A True Story of Resilience, Triumph and Overcoming Adversity with

Grace last month. The touching memoir chronicles her difficult childhood and how she found solace and comfort in her barn among the animals. Brace yourself for an extraordinary story that speaks to the experiences of those who have faced physical, emotional and psychological child hood abuse and neglect. For those with dreams deferred by overwhelming challenges and obstacles, this powerful narrative of resilience and perseverance will serve as a lighthouse and inspiration to all who have lost hope. Shar ing the intimate details of surviving unimaginable child abuse, the author exemplifies how a determined spirit can overcome the most dire circumstances. Prepare to be captivated and inspired while cheering her on as she embarks on her journey to freedom. That journey takes her from a dark world of cruelty into the competitive world of producing nation al championship purebred Dorset sheep. She is, indeed, a shepherd ess beaten but never broken. Holmquist is a nationally certified Polled Dorset sheep judge and has served as a professional judge from coast to coast in North America and Canada. She currently lives in Illinois, surrounded by her beloved Dorset sheep who continue to compete nationally. She has a deep love and understanding for all livestock. Learn more at DebHolmquist.com.

MARKET REPORT Continued from Page 6

age have remained restrained. Reduced stock levels combined with increased domestic and foreign supplies does suggest positive move ment of lamb in the market. Although there is some uncertainty in the cold storage data. But, overall, lower cold storage stocks are better for prices. COMING EVENTS There are a number of things impacting the lamb market that I am interested in for the new year. The first is the inventory report. Mature sheep slaughter, past lower lamb prices and higher costs would indicate falling num bers. Yet, there are some reasons for expansion that might not be captured by the inventory survey. Increased slaughter might indicate some growth. I expect prices to exhibit some normal

seasonal behavior but if domestic production declines there is some opportunity for higher prices. Retail lamb prices have been competi tive – at times – with beef in the past year and high beef prices are likely to continue. While not directly impacting lamb or meat prices, the discovery of screwworms on a cow in southern Mexico should be of interest. Even though it seems far away, keeping screwworms eradicated in the United States is hugely im portant for all livestock producers. The ranch level costs of dealing with screwworms would likely be prohibitive. What happens on tariffs will be an im portant factor this year. Tariffs on imported lamb should result in higher domestic prices benefiting producers. Yet, higher prices will impact what consumers buy, having an op posite effect on purchases and prices.

18 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org Relatively lower Australian prices relative to domestic prices certainly boosted imports earlier in 2024. Supplies of lamb and mutton in cold stor likely important as well given buying and selling times. But some simple measures of volatility don’t indicate much change from the past. TRADE & STORAGE Imports continued to be above a year ago, adding to lamb on the market. Lamb imports did decline later in 2024 but remained above the prior year. Australian lamb leg prices increased compared to American prices later in 2024, which will likely help to pull back imports.