CWC Farm

08/10/2026

Strong Lamb Prices Continue Despite Drought and Economic Pressures

The U.S. lamb industry continues to demonstrate resilience in 2026, with strong live lamb and lamb meat prices supported by tight supplies and steady consumer demand. While sheep producers continue to face significant challenges from widespread drought, higher production costs, and broader economic uncertainty, the lamb market has remained remarkably strong through the first half of the year.

Federally inspected sheep and lamb slaughter through June declined nearly 3% compared to the same period in 2025, while lighter average dressed weights have reduced overall lamb production by an estimated 8%. Strong market prices and drought conditions have encouraged producers to market lighter-weight lambs, contributing to lower production volumes.

Despite reduced domestic supplies, consumer demand for lamb has remained steady. Lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand have increased modestly to help meet demand, while total lamb and mutton imports are approximately 9% higher than one year ago.

Market prices have reached some of the strongest levels seen in recent years. During the first half of 2026, feeder lamb prices averaged $380 per hundredweight—40% higher than the same period last year. Lightweight slaughter lamb prices increased 27%, while negotiated slaughter lamb prices climbed nearly 30% since the beginning of the year. The National Lamb Cutout Value also strengthened significantly, averaging more than $651 per hundredweight during the first six months of the year.

"Drought continues to challenge sheep producers across the country, but the resilience of our industry has been remarkable," said David Fisher, Chairman of the American Lamb Board. "Strong consumer demand and historically favorable market prices are providing important opportunities for producers. While we remain mindful of rising input costs and ongoing weather concerns, these market conditions reinforce the value consumers place on American lamb and the dedication of the producers who raise it."

Drought remains one of the industry's greatest concerns. Approximately 45% of the U.S. sheep inventory is currently located in drought-affected areas, with nearly 40% of U.S. pastures rated in poor to very poor condition. Reduced forage availability and higher feed costs continue to pressure producers across many sheep-producing regions.

Looking ahead, the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) forecasts strong live lamb and lamb meat prices through the remainder of 2026, supported by lower sheep numbers and constrained lamb production. However, inflation, higher input costs, and continued pressure on consumer spending remain important factors to watch. Even with these challenges, the outlook suggests the U.S. lamb industry is well positioned to benefit from continued consumer demand and historically strong market fundamentals.

*The quarterly report is produced by the American Sheep Industry Association and paid for by your Lamb Checkoff.

08/02/2026

Starting off my series with the basics......
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There is an old principle in biology, engineering, and animal husbandry; FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION...........

In no group of dogs is that principle more important than in working livestock guardian dogs. For centuries, Anatolian Shepherds were not developed to win ribbons in a show ring or impress spectators with exaggerated (or lack thereof!) features. They were developed to perform one of the most demanding jobs any domestic dog can be asked to do; living with livestock, protecting vulnerable animals from predators, and making independent decisions in harsh environments, often without direct human guidance. Every physical characteristic that has endured across successful working guardian breeds exists because it serves a purpose. When we lose sight of function and begin breeding for appearance alone, we gradually lose the very qualities that made these dogs invaluable.
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A GUARDIAN'S JOB SHAPES ITS BODY:

A working livestock guardian may travel miles each day patrolling fences and pasture. It must conserve energy while remaining prepared to respond instantly to threats. It must possess the strength to confront predators without becoming so massive that movement becomes inefficient. It must withstand heat, cold, rain, snow, and rough terrain while remaining healthy enough to work year after year. These demands have shaped the ideal guardian dog far more effectively than any breed standard ever could. Correct structure is not simply about looking balanced—it is about efficiency as well. A well-laid shoulder allows for a long, economical stride. Proper rear angulation provides powerful but efficient movement. Strong feet resist injury over uneven terrain. A deep chest offers room for heart and lungs without becoming so broad that it restricts movement. Moderate bone provides durability without excessive weight. Every piece contributes to a dog capable of working twelve or more hours a day, often every day of its life.
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MODERATION IS FUNCTIONAL:

Many people equate "bigger" with "better." In reality, excessive size often works against an Anatolian Shepherd.
A dog carrying unnecessary weight tires more quickly, places greater stress on joints, and requires more food to maintain condition. Conversely, a dog that is too light lacks the strength and presence needed to deter and engage with predators. Successful working guardians exist in the middle ground—large enough to be formidable, athletic enough to move efficiently, and balanced enough to remain sound throughout a long working career.
Nature consistently favors moderation because moderation is sustainable.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF MOVEMENT:

Watching an Anatolian move tells an experienced farmer far more than seeing it stand. Efficient movement conserves energy. Every wasted step, excessive lift, rolling gait, or structural fault requires additional effort. Over the course of thousands of miles walked during a dog's lifetime, small inefficiencies become significant. A functional Anatolian should move with purpose, covering ground smoothly and effortlessly rather than dramatically. Flashy movement may attract attention in a show ring, but efficient movement keeps livestock alive.
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COAT PROTECTION; NOT DECORATION:

An Anatolian's coat is another example of form following function.
The ideal coat protects against weather extremes while remaining practical. It insulates against winter cold, reflects summer heat, sheds dirt and debris, and offers some protection from bites during predator encounters. Likewise, coats that are too short may leave a dog vulnerable to harsh weather.
The correct coat is the one that allows the dog to work comfortably in its environment.
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TEMPERAMENT IS PART OF FUNCTION:

Structure alone does not make a livestock guardian. An Anatolian's mind is every bit as important as its body. The ideal dog is calm, observant, confident, and thoughtful. It should be capable of distinguishing normal activity from genuine danger without constant human direction. It should bond deeply with its livestock while remaining stable around people.
Excessive aggression is not functional. Neither is timidity. An Anatolian that attacks indiscriminately creates new problems. One that retreats from conflict cannot fulfill its purpose. The best guardians display confidence, restraint, and sound judgment.
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WHY PRESERVATION MATTERS:

Modern breeding presents new challenges. As Anatolian Shepherds become more popular outside agricultural settings, there is increasing pressure to select for appearance, rarity, exaggerated size, unusual coat colors, or traits that appeal to companion-dog owners rather than working producers.
These trends can slowly separate form from function. History has shown this pattern in numerous working breeds. When selection emphasizes appearance over performance, working ability often declines within only a few generations. Preserving working structure, sound temperament, and functional movement is not about resisting progress. It is about protecting the qualities that generations of shepherds and farmers painstakingly developed through practical experience.
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THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BREEDERS AND OWNERS:

Every breeding decision influences the future of the breed. Breeders should ask not only whether a dog is beautiful, but whether it could perform the work its ancestors were expected to do. Owners should recognize that an Anatolian Shepherd is more than a large dog with an impressive appearance. These dogs are highly specialized working animals whose physical and mental characteristics exist because they have proven effective over centuries. The closer we stay to functional selection, the healthier and more capable these dogs remain.
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FORM IS THE EVIDENCE OF FUNCTION:

A truly correct Anatolian Shepherd dog is impressively beautiful....not because of exaggeration or ornamentation, but because every aspect of its structure reflects purpose. Its balance reflects endurance. Its movement reflects efficiency. Its coat reflects protection. Its temperament reflects judgment. Its presence reflects confidence. When form follows function, beauty becomes the natural result of usefulness.

That is the standard Anatolian Shepherd breeders, judges, and owners should strive to preserve for the continued success of the dogs and the livestock that depend on them.

07/31/2026

Sometimes it just feels like your being followed everywhere you go!

07/22/2026

Calling all creators, makers, and problem-solvers!

What new ideas do you have for wool? A new materials? A smarter product? A sustainable solution?

The ASI Reimagine Wool Digital Poster Contest wants to hear your ideas! Whether you’re a student, artist, engineer, entrepreneur, or simply someone with a creative vision – your concept could help shape the future of wool.

Start brainstorming now – entries open September 1, 2026.
For full contest rules & info: https://champ.ly/mKbYIxT0

07/20/2026

CAE & OPP - Part 1: Meet the Lentivirus

Welcome to our series on CAE and OPP in sheep and goats. I recorded a video earlier in the week describing this and will continue publishing videos to accompany these articles as we move through the series.

CAE in goats and OPP in sheep are caused by closely related viruses collectively known as "small-ruminant lentiviruses".

You may not recognize the word "lentivirus", but you probably recognize other members of this viral group.

- In humans, the best-known lentivirus is HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS.
- In cats, it is FIV, commonly referred to as feline AIDS.
- Horses have equine infectious anemia virus, another member of the lentivirus group.

These are NOT the same virus (but same genus), and they don't normally move freely between those species. However, they share important biological characteristics that help explain why CAE and OPP are so difficult to eliminate once they enter a herd or flock.

*A virus designed to take its time*

The word "lentivirus" comes from the Latin word "lentus", meaning slow.

That name describes the way these infections commonly progress.

A lentivirus doesn't usually enter an animal and cause obvious illness a few days later. An infected sheep or goat may appear healthy and productive for months or even years while the virus quietly persists inside its body.

- During that time, the animal may still expose others.
- By the time visible disease develops, the infection may have been present for a very long time.

*It is a retrovirus*

Lentiviruses belong to a larger family known as retroviruses.

Most people imagine a virus entering a cell, making copies of itself, and then moving on to infect additional cells. A retrovirus does something more permanent.

It carries its genetic instructions as RNA. After entering a cell, it converts RNA into DNA and inserts the viral DNA into the infected cell's genetic material.

In plain English:

*The virus writes itself into the cell’s instruction manual*

Once that happens, the infection becomes part of that cell. The immune system may (and usually does) fight back viral activity, but it can't simply remove the viral DNA from every infected cell in the body.

That is why CAE and OPP are considered lifelong infections.

There is currently no treatment that clears the virus from an infected animal.

*It hides inside the immune system*

"Small-ruminant lentiviruses primarily infect cells belonging to the monocyte-macrophage system".

-These are immune cells.

Monocytes circulate through the bloodstream. When they leave the blood and enter body tissues, they mature into macrophages.

Macrophages normally protect the animal. They identify pathogens, remove damaged material, and help coordinate inflammation.

Remember that statement: "Coordinate Inflammation" because this will help explain a lot of things as we roll through this series.

Basically, the virus turns these immune cells into its transportation system and hideout.

While an infected monocyte is circulating in the bloodstream, the virus may remain relatively quiet. But... when that cell enters tissue and matures into a macrophage, viral activity usually increases substantially.

The infected macrophage attracts more immune cells, which creates continuing inflammation in the tissue that the body cannot completely clear.

*Much of the damage comes from chronic inflammation*

CAE and OPP don't destroy tissue in one sudden attack.

Instead, the immune system repeatedly responds to infected cells but cannot fully eliminate them. This creates a cycle of long-term inflammation and slow, steady tissue damage.

Depending on where infected macrophages accumulate, the disease may affect:

- Joints
- Lungs
- Mammary glands
- Brain and spinal cord
- Other lymphoid tissues

The signs we eventually see depend on the species, age of the animal, strain of the virus, and tissues most affected.

*CAE and OPP are related, but not identical*

- CAE stands for "Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis" and is most commonly associated with goats.
- OPP stands for "Ovine Progressive Pneumonia" and is most commonly associated with sheep. A closely related disease is also known as "Maedi-Visna" in many parts of the world.

These names describe the most recognizable forms of disease, but they are kinda misleading as well.

- CAE doesn't cause ONLY arthritis and encephalitis. It may also cause chronic pneumonia, hard udder, reduced milk production, and progressive weight loss.
- OPP doesn't affect only the lungs. It may also contribute to mastitis, poor body condition, neurologic disease, and declining productivity.

Once upon a time, these sheep and goat viruses were discussed as though each remained neatly within its own species. We now know some small-ruminant lentiviruses can cross between sheep and goats.

"It is therefore more accurate to think of CAE and OPP as closely related members of a larger viral group rather than two completely isolated diseases".

*“Slow” does not mean harmless*

A lentivirus may take years to produce visible disease, but that doesn't mean it is inactive.

- The animal may be infected.
- The immune system may already be responding.
- Microscopic inflammation may be developing.
- Virus may be present in colostrum, milk, or respiratory secretions.
- Other animals may be exposed.

All this can happen while the infected animal continues to look "normal".

That is what makes CAE and OPP so challenging. We aren't usually looking for an obviously sick animal spreading a short-lived infection.

We're dealing with a lifelong virus that can hide inside immune cells, write itself into the DNA of those cells, and remain largely invisible for years.

Understanding that biology is the first step toward understanding how these diseases spread, why testing is imperfect, and why prevention matters so much.

*Next: How CAE and OPP move through a flock or herd - and why colostrum is only part of the story.*

07/14/2026

Big Dogs age too fast. We are blessed with some long lived genes in our Bloodlines. George celebrated his 19th bday this month. He was born when we were buying this farming and relocating, when the sheep and goats were being held at my parents house for closing. He’s obviously an old man in appearance and behavior, but keeps on clicking along.

Cousins BD and Trevor were born in 2009 in June from 2 different litters and have been best buddies all their life. Trevor’s role on the farm was always my personal guardian. I was basically never out of his sight and he went everywhere I went all day long. The last 2 years have been a little lonely because now sometimes he decides I can handle it and just naps. He’s having a few problems with dementia and is clearly confused and anxious sometimes and his buddy BD steps in and looks out for him. It’s pretty amazing.

BD ( black dog) at 17 never misses a lick, can clear ever fence on this farm
And make it look effortless, looks out for Trevor dog and loves to “talk” to me- he’s a pretty vocal dude. And you’d never believe he was an old dog when you pull up in my yard!

Our dogs went from passing at 8-12, when worked as singles to numerous dogs in their teens when we started running larger groups to discourage bears. All of a sudden, just the number game changed everybody’s retirement age. They living longer, staying sound and working well into their teens. And the trick all along was not making them be on duty 24/7 and having shared responsibility so they could relax.

Fun Fact Friday (Canine Edition) - On average, a one-year-old puppy is as physically mature as an adolescent teen. However, large dogs age faster than small dogs.

07/08/2026

Not about sheep or goats, but interesting