Animal Science – Sheep Production Sheep Breeds Animal Science – Sheep Production Ms. Selman

Breeds of Sheep 1,000 distinct breeds of sheep, with 50 breeds in North America Many of these breeds are rare and some are in danger of extinction In the U.S., four breeds account for more than two-thirds of the sheep population

Breeds of Sheep Sheep are raised for wool and meat; some provide milk for cheese-making Breeds can be classified according the type of wool they produce: Fine wool Medium wool Long wool Crossbred wool Hair sheep www.damaras.com

Lincoln Originated in England The largest breed of sheep Long-wooled breed White faces Pronounced forelock between the ears

Corriedale Developed in New Zealand & Australia Dual purpose breed Produces bulky, high density wool Most popular breed in South America

Jacob Originated in England Two, four, or six horns Black and white fleece Fleece is highly sought after Unimproved breed

Oxford Originated in England Second largest sheep breed Meat-type breed Tends to forage for its own food White with black ears and bridge of nose

Southdown Medium- to small-sized breed Polled, medium-wool breed raised primarily for meat Early maturing breed Ewes have good lambing ability and average milk production

Hampshire Large medium-wool breed Mild disposition and polled Rapid growth and efficient feed conversion

Suffolk Most common breed in the U.S. (40 percent of sheep population Medium-wool polled breed Raised primarily for meat

Shropshire Heaviest wool producers among medium-wool breeds Medium-sized Dual purpose breed suitable for both meat and wool

Dorset Medium-sized medium-wool breed Both horned and polled varieties (polled is more common) Ewes are good mothers and good milkers Second most common breed in the U.S.

Merino Medium-sized fine-wool breed Originated in Spain 1,200 years ago Wool breeds are all related to these original Merino – Blood Grade Many different types of Merino have been developed all over the world - USA, Australia, Africa Noted for producing the best wool in the world

Rambouillet Fine-wool breed; medium size Good carcass characteristics; dual-purpose breed French in origin and descends from Spanish Merino Produce some of the finest wool in the world

Montadale Medium-wool, dual-purpose breed Produce high quality carcasses and excellent wool that is very white in color

Columbia Crossbred wool breed developed by the USDA in 1912 by crossing Lincolns and Rambouillets Produce large ewes with large lambs and good wool yield Survive well on range conditions of the western U.S.

Finnsheep Developed in Finland Small and very adaptable Large lamb crop Great mothering ability and milk production

Polypay Developed by USDA High lifetime prolificacy Large lamb crop at one year of age Ability to lamb more frequently than once per year Rapid growth rate of lambs

Barbado Hair sheep originated in Texas Males are horned and females are polled Color is usually tan, tan with pale or black belly, or “pied” (has two or more colors in large spots or blotches

Cheviot Small-sized, medium-wool Polled Raised primarily for meat; produces a high-quality lamb carcass Hardy sheep developed in Scotland and England