Which U.S. state has the MOST sheep and lambs?

The Lone Star State Rules the Range

Texas isn't just big in attitude and land area — it also leads the entire United States when it comes to sheep and lamb production. With millions of animals spread across its vast ranchlands, Texas is genuinely in a league of its own when it comes to the American sheep industry.

The Numbers Behind the Wool

Texas consistently accounts for roughly 15–20% of all sheep and lambs in the U.S., a share that dwarfs any other state. The Edwards Plateau region — a rugged, rocky stretch of central Texas sometimes called the "Sheep and Goat Capital of the World" — is the heartbeat of this industry. Counties like Sutton, Edwards, and Kimble have been ranching sheep for well over a century, and the tradition runs deep.

At its peak in the mid-20th century, Texas was home to over 10 million sheep. Numbers have declined since then due to falling wool prices and shifting agricultural economics, but the state still maintains a commanding lead over competitors like California, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

Why Texas?

The climate and terrain of the Edwards Plateau are surprisingly well-suited to sheep. The rocky, semi-arid landscape limits the kind of intensive cattle farming that needs lush pasture, but sheep — hardy and adaptable — thrive there. The region gets enough rainfall to support native grasses and brush, which provide solid grazing without requiring heavy irrigation.

The Merino and Rambouillet breeds dominate Texas flocks, prized for their fine wool. The state is the top producer of wool and mohair (from Angora goats) in the nation, making it a cornerstone of the American natural fiber industry.

A History Built on Wool and Lamb

Sheep ranching in Texas dates back to the Spanish colonial era, when missionaries and settlers brought flocks from Mexico in the 1700s. By the late 1800s, the industry had exploded, and Texas ranchers were shipping wool to mills across the country. The railroad expansion made it practical to get product to market quickly, and the sheep industry boomed alongside cattle ranching.

Even today, Texas wool is exported internationally, finding its way into textile markets in Europe and Asia. The annual sheep shearing season is still a major event in many small Texas towns, part of a living agricultural culture that stretches back generations.

More Than Just Wool

Texas lamb is also a significant part of the equation. American lamb consumption has grown steadily in recent years, driven partly by demographic shifts and the rising popularity of lamb in restaurant menus and home cooking. Texas producers are well-positioned to meet that demand, with large-scale operations that can supply both domestic and international markets.

So when you picture American sheep country, don't just think rolling green hills and misty mountains — think rugged limestone ridges, cedar brush, and a wide-open Texas sky stretching to the horizon.