1. U.S. Sheep and Goat Breeds

2. World Sheep Breeds Breeds of Sheep –235 breeds world wide

3. US Sheep Breeds Meat Breeds Ewe Breeds Dual Purpose Breeds Wool Breeds Hair Breeds Five Classifications - 26 – 30 Breeds in US - Only 8- 10 Industry Impact

4. Meat Breeds Developed: –Suffolk county England Characteristics: –Black head and legs (Free of any wool) –Largest breed of sheep Rams up to 350 lbs Ewe up to 250 lbs Noted For: –Rapid growth rates, and carcass traits Suffolk

5. zOrigin: England zBlack face zMeat type zLarge frame/growth z# 1 ram breed Suffolk

8. Meat Breeds Developed: –Hampshire county England Characteristics: –Black head and legs with wool on them –Rams can weigh up to 325 –Ewes can weigh up to 225 lbs Noted For: Fast rates of growth and excellent muscling Hampshire

9. zOrigin: England zBlack face zMeat type zExcellent carcass zMedium wool z# 2 Ram breed Hampshire

11. Meat Breeds Developed: –Hampshire county England Characteristics: –Mouse colored muzzle and legs with wool on legs –Smaller sized –Rams can weigh up to 200 –Ewes can weigh up to 150 lbs Noted For: Calm docile sheep, gained popularity due to size for young exhibitors Southdowns

12. zOrigin: England zBase of all meat breeds zMedium wool zEarly maturing zMuscular, light weight carcasses Southdown

14. Ewe Breed / Wool Breed Developed: –Spain Characteristics: –White points, long fleece –Rams 220 lbs, Ewes 150 lbs Noted For: –Highest Quality fleece, up to 14 lbs –Finest Fleece –Maternal Strengths Merino

15. zOrigin: Spain zWhite face zGregarious zFine wool zRams = horned zEwes = polled zWool on shanks zWool blindness Merino

17. Ewe Breed / Wool Breed Developed: –In France from Merino Characteristics: –White with long wool –Ram 300 lbs, ewe 250 lbs Noted For: Excellent mothering Hardiness – Western Breed Quality wool, Heavy fleece up to 18 lbs Rambouillet

18. zOrigin: France zWhite face zGregarious zFine wool zRams = horned zEwes = polled zPredominant fine wool breed in U.S. Rambouillet

20. Ewe Breeds Developed: –Finland Characteristics: –Fine boned –Small breed, Rams 175 lbs – slow growers –Light muscled Noted For: –Multiple Births –Used best in crossbreeding Finnsheep

21. zOrigin: Finland zSmall frame zFine bone zHighly prolific zHardy zStrong maternal instincts zLean carcasses Finnsheep

23. Dual Purpose Breeds Developed: –First breed developed in the US –Univ of Wyoming –Western Range –Rambioullet X Lincoln (meat) Characteristics: –Large Sheep Rams Rams 300 lbs Ewes 225 lbs Noted For: –Mothering Characteristics –Good Carcasses Columbia

24. zOrigin: U.S. zCross of Lincoln & Rambouillet zMeat and wool type zLarge frame/growth zGood mothers Columbia

26. Dual Purpose Breeds Developed: –England Characteristics: –White face – horned and polled –Smaller meatier sheep Rams 250 lbs, Ewes 175 lbs Noted For: –Breeds out of season –Excellent mothering –Excellent carcass –“ True Dual Purpose Breed” Dorset

27. zOrigin: England zPolled or horned zUS type is polled zBreed out of season zExcellent conformation zProlific zHeavy Milkers zWool down legs Dorset

29. Dual Purpose Breeds Developed: –1960’s –Dubios, ID Characteristics: –White smaller ears open face –Rams 200 lbs –Ewes 150 lbs Noted For: –Prolificacy –Lamb more than once per year –Good growth and carcass Polypay

30. zOrigin: U.S. z4 way cross yDorset yTarghee yRambouillet yFinnsheep zVery prolific zExtended breeding season zVariation Polypay

33. Hair Breeds Developed: –South Africa –Meat breed that is heat tolerant Characteristics: –No wool or very little –Medium size Rams 200 lbs Ewe 150 lbs Noted For: –Meat and reproductive traits –No shearing Dorper

34. Developed Black Headed Persian South African Breed Dorset English Breed

35. Wiltshire Horn Katahdin Dorper

36. Royal White/Hair Breed –Weights: Rams 185-250+ Ewes 145-185+ –Resulted from: St. Croix and White Dorper cross

37. zOrigin: U.S. zHair sheep zAdaptability & Hardiness zEasy lambers & maternal instincts zExtended breeding season zOuter coat –long hair zInner coat – wool zHand spinning, carpets Navajo-Churro