Thuringia: downward trend in sheep farming continues

Erfurt (dpa/th) - The sheep population in Thuringia has continued to decrease this year. According to the State Statistical Office on Wednesday, around 102,000 sheep were kept in agriculture as of November 3rd, which means a decrease of 8 percent within one year. The number of ewes alone fell from just under 88,000 to under 80,000. According to the statisticians, the downward trend is mainly due to the fact that farms with larger flocks of sheep of 500 or more animals reduced their stocks. Sheep farms with at least 20 animals were recorded for the survey. Just five years ago, more than 122,000 wool, meat and milk suppliers were kept in Thuringia.