 Australia and New Zealand are crucial players in the contemporary sheep industry , and sheep are an iconic part of both countries ' culture and economy . New Zealand has the highest density of sheep per capita ( sheep outnumber the human population 12 to 1 ) , and Australia is the world 's indisputably largest exporter of sheep and cattle . In 2007 , New Zealand even declared 15 February their official National Lamb Day to celebrate the country 's history of sheep production . 
