The Breeds of Sheep

1. The Breeds of Sheep By: Hayley Wilson

2. Different Classifications of Sheep • Fine Wool • Long Wool • Meat • Hair

3. Fine Wool Sheep

4. American Cormo • Originated in Tasmania from ¼ Lincoln, ¼ Australian Merino, ½ Superfine Saxon Merino • Introduced to the U.S. in 1976 • They have open-faces and are hardy and adaptable to harsh climatic conditions. • Produce white, long stapled, high yielding fine wool.

5. Facts about the American Cormo • Mature Body weight: Ram- 160-200 lbs Ewe:- 120-160 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 5-8 lbs • Yield: 50-65%

6. Debouillet • Cross between a Delaine Merino and a Rambouillet. • White Faced with wool on the legs • Very hardy and can lamb unassisted under range conditions. • Also have a well developed flocking instinct.

7. Facts about the Debouillet • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 220-275 lbs Ewe: 125- 150 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 9 ½- 14 lbs • Yield: 45-55%

8. Delaine-Merino • Developed from the Spanish Merino. • They are smooth bodied, intermediate in size with wool going down the legs. • They are hardy, long-lived with a well developed flock instinct. • Suited well to hill country locations

9. Facts about the Delaine-Merino • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 190-240 lbs Ewe: 125-160 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 9-14 lbs • Yield: 45-54%

10. Rambouillet • Developed from Spanish Merino • This breed is the foundation of the U.S. range flocks. • Largest of fine wool breeds • Rugged and very adaptable • Has extended breeding season and produces a high quality, fine wool fleece

11. Facts about the Rambouillet • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 200-300 lbs Ewe: 140-180 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 10-15 lbs • Yield: 45-55%

12. Long Wool Sheep

13. Lincoln • Originated in England and was imported into the U.S. in 1825. • A large, deep bodied sheep with a large frame. • Sturdy and fully wooled except for the lower part of the front legs • Polled with a bluish-white face and forward pointing ears

14. Facts about the Lincoln • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 240-300 lbs Ewe: 200-250 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 12-16 lbs • Yield: 55-70%

15. Perendale • Originated in New Zealand. • They are an open faced, medium framed breed. • Were developed as an easy care sheep. • They are both hardy and highly adapted to marginal forage-producing areas.

16. Facts about the Perendale • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 220-260 lbs Ewe: 120-150 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 8 lbs • Yield: 60-70%

17. Romney • Developed in England in the Romney Marsh region to withstand the cold and wet conditions • Was imported into the U.S. in 1904. • Medium sized, white faced with wool on the legs. • They are good mothers with milking ability

18. Facts about the Romney • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 200-275 lbs Ewe: 150- 200 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 10-18 lbs • Yield: 55-70%

19. Wensleydale • Originated in the United Kingdom. Just recently was introduced into the U.S. • Is a very large, prolific long-wool sheep.

20. Facts about the Wensleydale • Mature Body Weight: Ewe: 200+ • Grease Fleece Weight: 16-20 lbs • Yeild: N/A

21. Meat Sheep

22. Dorset • Originated in Southern England, and was imported into the U.S. in 1885 • Medium sized, white faced, and has wool down the legs • Noted for their aseasonal breeding. • Ewes are prolific, heavy milkers, long lived and produced hardy lambs with moderate growth and maturity

23. Facts about the Dorset • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 225-275 lbs Ewe: 150-200 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 5-8 lbs • Yield: 50-65%

24. Hampshire • Is widely used in the U.S. for commercial lamb production. • They are a large, moderately prolific with wool caps, black faces, and medium wool fleeced. • Very good milking ability, growth and carcass cutability

25. Facts about the Hampshire • Mature Body weight: Ram: 250-350 lbs Ewe: 175-250 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 6-10 lbs • Yeild: 50-60%

26. Shropshire • Originated in England with was brought into the U.S. in 1855. • Medium to large framed with a dark face and wool down the legs • Lambs are hardy, fast growing and produce lean, well muscled carcasses

27. Facts about the Shropshire • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 225-290 lbs Ewe: 170-200 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 6-10 lbs • Yield: 50-60%

28. Suffolk • Was brought to the U.S. in 1888. • The largest breed in the U.S. • Has a bare and black head and legs • Is prolific and a good milker, so lambs grow rapidly.

29. Facts about the Suffolk • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 275-400 lbs Ewe: 200-300 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 4-8 lbs • Yield: 50-60%

30. Southdown • One of the oldest sheep breeds. • Imported to the U.S. in 1803 • Is a small to medium sized breed with a light brown face and wool down the legs. • They are early maturing and adaptable to live in almost any climate

31. Facts about the Southdown • Mature Body Weight: Ram: 180-230 lbs Ewe: 120-180 lbs • Grease Fleece Weight: 5-8 lbs • Yield: 40-55%

32. Hair Sheep

33. Dorper • Was developed in the early 1900’s in South Africa. • They are solid white, or white with black heads. • They are hardy and adaptable to almost any climate • Non selective grazers • Lambs have rapid growth and early maturity

34. Facts about the Dorper • Maturity Body Weight: Ram: 220-250 lbs Ewe: 170-200 lbs

35. Are There Any Questions?

36. Review Questions • 1. What breed is known for their aseasonal breeding? • 2. Which breed was just recently introduced into the U.S.? • 3. Which breed is the largest breed in the U.S.?