Economy driving interest in small ruminants - Brownfield Ag News
The struggling ag economy is leading some producers to explore diversification. Cliff Schuette, southern Illinois farmer and president of the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition, says interest is growing in small ruminant agriculture. “We just need to be more diversified, and I think there’s some people that are out there with the tough times with the […]
NewsEconomy driving interest in small ruminantsJuly 16, 2026 ByFiled Under:Hay/Forage,Livestock,NewsThe struggling ag economy is leading some producers to explore diversification. Cliff Schuette, southern Illinois farmer and president of the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition, says interest is growing in small ruminant agriculture. “We just need to be more diversified, and I think there’s some people that are out there with the tough times with the corn and beans and all that. The margins are pretty thin. ” He says, “So there’d be a chance to bring some livestock back. So, you know, goats or sheep could be part of that. So there is some more interest there. ”He tells Brownfield interest in ruminants is also rising amongst small and beginning producers. “Before people get into it, they need to look out what can be sold in their area, because it’s not going to be a high volume and stuff. ” He says, “In last year’s conference, we talked more on direct marketing, so a lot of these producers are direct marketing their product. ”Schuette says goats are browsers rather than grazers, and some producers are utilizing them as a land management option for rough and timber ground. Brownfield spoke with Schuette at the Heart of America Grazing Conference in Effingham, Illinois. AUDIO: Cliff Schuette – Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition