Sheep Milk — Find Sources Near You
Exceptionally rich milk with nearly double the solids of cow milk. The base for famous cheeses like Roquefort, Pecorino Romano, and Manchego.
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Benefits of Sheep Milk
Sheep milk punches far above its weight nutritionally. Because ewes produce small quantities of very rich milk — rather than large quantities of dilute milk — what you get per cup is packed with nutrients. Key benefits include:
- •Nearly double the solids of cow milk
- •Very high in calcium and zinc
- •Excellent for cheese and yogurt making
- •Contains more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than cow milk
- •Rich, creamy flavor
Sheep milk's fat globules are smaller than those in cow milk — closer to goat milk in this regard — which some research suggests improves digestibility. It is also among the highest natural sources of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid studied for its potential immune and metabolic support properties.
Famous Cheeses Made from Sheep Milk
Many of the world's most celebrated artisan cheeses trace their distinctive character to the richness of sheep milk. If you are interested in cheese making, sheep milk offers exceptional yields and complex flavor:
| Cheese | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roquefort | France | Blue-veined, aged in limestone caves, AOC protected |
| Pecorino Romano | Italy | Sharp, salty, aged hard grating cheese |
| Manchego | Spain | Semi-firm, buttery, made from La Mancha sheep |
| Feta | Greece | Brined, crumbly, PDO protected when made in Greece |
| Ossau-Iraty | France | Semi-hard, nutty, from the Basque country |
| Pecorino Toscano | Italy | Milder than Romano, semi-soft to semi-hard |
US artisan cheesemakers produce domestic versions of several of these styles using milk from local sheep dairies. The flavor profiles differ slightly from European originals but are often exceptional.
Where to Find Sheep Milk
Limited — sheep dairy farms in Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest
The US sheep dairy industry is small but growing — search volume for sheep milk has increased 24% year-over-year as awareness of its nutritional profile and cheesemaking applications spreads. Most sheep dairies operate as artisan enterprises that sell milk, cheese, yogurt, and other products at the farm gate or local markets.
Sheep have a defined lactation season — typically five months, from spring to early fall — which means fresh sheep milk availability fluctuates throughout the year. Some farms offer frozen sheep milk or sheep milk cheese year-round.
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Submit a SourceSheep Milk Price
Typical price range: $15-25 per quart
The high price of sheep milk reflects both the low production volume per animal (1–2 liters per day, versus 25+ for a dairy cow) and the short lactation season. The premium also accounts for the rich nutritional density — per calorie, sheep milk delivers more protein, calcium, and CLA than cow or goat milk. Sheep milk cheese is comparably priced on a per-pound basis to other artisan aged cheeses.
How Sheep Milk Compares to Cow Milk
| Property | Sheep Milk | Cow Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Total solids | ~19% (nearly double) | ~11% |
| Fat content | ~6–7% | ~3.5% |
| Protein | ~5.5% | ~3.2% |
| Calcium | ~193 mg / 100ml | ~120 mg / 100ml |
| CLA content | Higher | Lower |
| Lactation season | ~5 months | Year-round |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy sheep milk near me?
Sheep dairies operate primarily in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest. Most sell at the farm gate or at farmers markets. Help us expand our directory by submitting a source, or browse the main raw milk directory.
What are the benefits of sheep milk?
Sheep milk contains nearly double the solids of cow milk — more fat, protein, calcium, and zinc. It is rich in CLA and has smaller fat globules than cow milk. It is exceptionally nourishing and flavorful, and produces high cheese yields.
How much does sheep milk cost?
Raw sheep milk typically costs $15–25 per quart in the US. Low production volume per ewe and the seasonal nature of sheep lactation keep prices high.
What cheeses are made from sheep milk?
The most famous include Roquefort (France), Pecorino Romano (Italy), Manchego (Spain), Feta (Greece), and Ossau-Iraty (France). US artisan cheesemakers produce excellent domestic versions. The high fat and casein content of sheep milk gives these cheeses their distinctive richness and aging potential.
More Milk Types
Explore other specialty milks or return to our main raw milk directory.