The lamb market is one of the protein segments feeling the repercussions of COVID-19. The American Sheep Industry Association estimates $125 million in immediate damages for sheep producers. In total, that is a $350 million spread over the entire 2020 lamb crop. According to ASIA Executive Director Peter Orwick says the protein sector lost almost half of its customer base virtually overnight. “That’s because the food service industry represents 50 percent of all U.S. lamb sales,” Orwick explains. Due to a shortfall of processing capacity, the harvest slaughter lamb volume decreased 38 percent for the week ending April 17 and is down 12 percent for 2020. “The plant in Detroit, Michigan, as well as another in the eastern United States, are currently offline,” says Extension sheep specialist in North Dakota and Minnesota Travis Hoffman. “Two additional ones in Colorado are also slowing down.” Hoffman stresses that sheep producers need to keep their marketing options open during the coronavirus outbreak. Listen to the full RRFN story.