Dr. Frank Craddock, Extension sheep and goat specialist in San Angelo, said many sheep and goat ranchers are being forced to change or expand their operations in the pursuit of income.
Ranchers are in trouble when cattle, sheep and goat prices are low at the same time.
This balances out the losses. Right now there is nothing to relieve the pressure from everything. Craddock said many sheep and goat ranchers have begun leasing land for deer hunting. This can help pick up the slack of the goat and sheep business. Craddock said the transition is gradual, but many ranchers have completely switched from the sheep and goat business to leasing land for deer hunting.