Colorado Lost 9,000 Sheep, Lambs To Predators In 2011

DENVER (AP) - A new survey says Colorado farmers and ranchers lost about 9,000 head of sheep and lambs to predators in 2011.

The Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service conducted the survey in January. It says the 9,000 animals were worth an estimated $1.64 million.

A comparable survey in 2009 showed 16,000 sheep and lambs were lost to predators. The dollar value lost was nearly the same because sheep and lamb prices have risen.

The Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service says that overall, sheep producers lost 36,000 head to all causes in 2011, representing about $6.53 million and 6.3 percent of the supply of animals. That's about the same number of animals lost overall in 2009 due to predators, disease, weather or other causes, representing 6 percent of the 2009 supply.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)