Wool Growers Face Highest Loss In Years

Predators, disease and other causes cost Idaho wool growers nearly $4.3 million dollars in 1994, the largest annual loss in six years.

The Agriculture Department reported 51,000 sheep and lambs died last year from all causes, up 3,000 from the previous year when the value of lost stock totaled just over $3.8 million.

The last time the value of lost sheep and lambs was higher was in 1988 when it exceeded $5 million.

Predators, led by coyotes, were responsible for more than a third of the loss, killing 19,000 head worth nearly $1.6 million. The loss to predators was higher in 1987 at more than $1.7 million.

A year ago, predators claimed fewer than 15,000 head worth less than $1.2 million.

The other specific category to record a major increase was disease, which claimed 9,400 head valued at $790,000 in 1994. That compared to 7,900 head worth $632,000 in 1993.