Approximately 1,400 farms in Kansas raise sheep.  January 1, 2004 numbers showed 100,000 head of sheep on Kansas farms, which puts Kansas 16th in total sheep numbers as a state.  Sheep inventory value for the state is estimated at $11.4 million and 2003 Kansas gross income from sheep was estimated over $6 million.  The Kansas sheep industry is relatively small by numbers and value, but it has been profitable for the business minded producer in recent years.

A number of educational opportunities are available in the sheep program at K-State.  Undergraduate courses are offered that expand the students’ knowledge of sheep production and that include work with sheep provided by the Sheep Teaching Unit. The educational offerings capitalize on a close working relationship with Veterinary Medicine faculty and shared responsibilities in various classes such as Production/Medicine of Small Ruminants. Extracurricular activities, such as the Little American Royal and Intercollegiate Wool Judging Contests, also are enjoyed by students.  The extension outreach program focus is toward traditional production and management related information.  This program not only directly benefits Kansas' sheep producers, but also facilitates the activities of the literally thousands of 4-H youth involved in sheep projects in Kanas.