The sheep lost in that year represented a sum total of 18.3 million dollars for sheep producers.
Using llamas as livestock guards in North America began in the early 1980s, and some sheep producers have used llamas successfully since then.
The breed quickly attracted the attention of progressive sheep producers.
This ultimatum from the renderers amounted to an economic gun pointed at the heads of the sheep producers.
Second they comment that sheep producers seldom call them because they cannot afford to do so and that additional expense will force them out of business.
Especially in industrialized countries, sheep producers may fatten market lambs before slaughter (called "finishing") in feedlots.
A 1986 survey of sheep producers in the USA found that 82% reported the use of dogs represented an economic asset.
The fund helps sheep producers identify emerging markets and sell products in high-demand regions worldwide.
A 1990 study by Iowa State University found that 80% of sheep producers with guard llamas rated them as effective or very effective.
United States sheep producers market wool with private or cooperative wool warehouses, but wool pools are common in many states.