1. Breeds of Sheep Introduction to Livestock

2. Commercial Use Classification of Breeds  Ewe breeds  Ram breeds  Dual Purpose breeds

3. Ewe Breeds  White faced  Fine, medium and long-wool types  Selected for adaptability to specific environmental conditions  Selected for reproductive efficiency, wool production, size, milking ability and longevity.

4. Ram Breeds  Meat-type breeds  Raised for production of rams to be crossed with ewe breeds  Selected for growth rate and carcass quality

5. Dual Purpose Breeds  May be used as ewe or sire (ram)breeds, depending on production situation  Columbia is used as a ewe breed in certain parts of the western intermountain region, but as a ram breed in the mid and southwest

6. Wool Breeds  Fine wools  Medium wools  Cross-bred wools  Carpet, coarse, and long

7. Ewe Breeds: Border Leicester (Maaaaa…)  Originated in England  Rams – 175-250 lbs  Ewes – 140-180 lbs  Medium growth rate  Low hardiness /adaptable to wet areas  Low gregariousness  Medium to high prolificacy  Medium to high milking ability

8.  Males and females polled  No wool on head or legs, both of which are white  Black nose and feet  Ears erect  Produces a long, heavy fleece

9. Ewe Breeds: Delaine-Merino  Originated in Spain  Rams – 180-220 lbs  Ewes – 120-140 lbs  Low to Medium growth rate  High hardiness  High gregariousness  Low to Medium prolificacy  Low to medium milking ability

10.  White faced with wool on the legs  Produce well in extremely warm climates with poor feed conditions  Breed year round  Rams are horned  Produces a high quality, fine-wool fleece

11. Ewe Breeds: Finnsheep  Originated in Finland  Rams – 150-200 lbs  Ewes – 120-190 lbs  Low to Medium growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  High +++ prolificacy  High milking ability

12.  Used in crossbreeding programs for multiple births and milking ability  2-3-4-5-6 lambs common  Will produce lambs twice per year  Poor carcass quality  Medium grade wool

13. Ewe Breeds: Rambouillet  Originated in France  Rams – 200-250 lbs  Ewes – 140-180 lbs  Medium to high growth rate  High hardiness  High gregariousness  Low to Medium prolificacy  Low to medium milking ability

14.  Largest of fine- wool breeds  Face and ears covered with white hair  Pink skin on nose  Sleepy appearance  Polled or horned rams  High quality, fine- wool fleece

15. Ewe Breeds: Targhee  Originated in Dubois, Idaho  Rams – 220-280 lbs  Ewes – 150-200 lbs  Medium to high growth rate  Medium hardiness  Medium gregariousness  Medium prolificacy  Medium milking ability

16.  Developed from a combination of Rambouillet, Lincoln, Corriedale and Columbia crosses.  Adaptable to variable climates and forage conditions  Produces a high number of twins under range conditions  Heavy, medium fleece

17. Dual Purpose Breeds: Columbia  Originated in U.S. (first sheep breed developed here)  Rams – 225-300 lbs  Ewes – 150-200 lbs  High growth rate  Medium hardiness  Medium gregariousness  Medium prolificacy  Medium milking ability

18.  Rams and ewes polled  Predominant range breed in the western U.S.  Large sized breed  Medium wool fleece with good length, free of black fiber.

19. Dual Purpose Breeds: Dorset  Originated in Southern England; polled strain originated in North Carolina  Rams – 175-225 lbs  Ewes – 130-160 lbs  Medium to high growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  Medium to high prolificacy  High milking ability

20.  “out of season” breeders – will come into heat every month  twins are common  Medium wool fleeces free of black fiber

21. Ram Breeds: Cheviot  Originated in Scotland  Rams – 160-200 lbs  Ewes – 120-150 lbs  Medium growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  Medium prolificacy  Medium milking ability

22.  ease of lambing and strong mothering instinct means fewer lambing problems.  Hard black feet make them less prone to foot rot.  tendency for worm resistance means less drenching, less crutching and less fly strike.  Meaty carcass  Medium wool

23. Ram Breeds: Hampshire  Originated in England  Rams – 250-300lbs  Ewes – 175-225 lbs  High growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  Medium to high prolificacy  High milking ability

24.  Do well in farm flock situations  Meaty carcass  Roman nose  Ear rounded at tips  Wool cap and cheek; wool on legs

25. Ram Breeds: Suffolk  Originated in England  Rams – 250-350 lbs  Ewes – 190-240 lbs  High++ growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  High prolificacy  High milking ability

26.  Large framed  Do well in farm/flock situations  High quality carcass  Medium, easy to spin wool containing black fibers

27. Ram Breeds: Southdown  Originated in England  Wool covering face and legs  Rams-85-150  Ewes-75-120  Low growth rate  Medium hardiness  Low gregariousness  Low prolificacy  Low milking ability

28.  Small framed  Do well in farm/flock situations  High quality carcass  Medium, easy to spin wool  Come in White or Brown

29. Ram Breeds: St. Croix  Originated in Caribbean  Hair Breed  Rams- 150-200  Ewes- 90-150  Medium growth rate  Low hardiness  Medium gregariousness  Low prolificacy  Low milking ability

30.  Medium framed  Do well in range and farm/flock situations  Low quality carcass  Rams and Ewes are Polled  Most popular teaser ram breed