Breeds of Sheep Introduction to Livestock

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

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.

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

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

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

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

 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

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

 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

Ewe Breeds: Finnsheep  Originated in Finland  Rams – lbs  Ewes – lbs  Low to Medium growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  High +++ prolificacy  High milking ability

 Used in crossbreeding programs for multiple births and milking ability  lambs common  Will produce lambs twice per year  Poor carcass quality  Medium grade wool

Ewe Breeds: Rambouillet  Originated in France  Rams – lbs  Ewes – lbs  Medium to high growth rate  High hardiness  High gregariousness  Low to Medium prolificacy  Low to medium milking ability

 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

Ewe Breeds: Targhee  Originated in Dubois, Idaho  Rams – lbs  Ewes – lbs  Medium to high growth rate  Medium hardiness  Medium gregariousness  Medium prolificacy  Medium milking ability

 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

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

 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.

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

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

Ram Breeds: Cheviot  Originated in Scotland  Rams – lbs  Ewes – lbs  Medium growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  Medium prolificacy  Medium milking ability

 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

Ram Breeds: Hampshire  Originated in England  Rams – lbs  Ewes – lbs  High growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  Medium to high prolificacy  High milking ability

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

Ram Breeds: Suffolk  Originated in England  Rams – lbs  Ewes – lbs  High++ growth rate  Low hardiness  Low gregariousness  High prolificacy  High milking ability

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

Ram Breeds: Southdown  Originated in England  Wool covering face and legs  Rams  Ewes  Low growth rate  Medium hardiness  Low gregariousness  Low prolificacy  Low milking ability

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

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

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