Exploring Livestock - Sheep Unit 2 Animal Science Exploring Livestock - Sheep

The sheep industry includes OBJECTIVE 3: Understand the sheep industry and the numerous products that come from sheep. The sheep industry includes the different types of operations used to raise sheep the different products and by-products produced from sheep.

MAJOR EXTERNAL PARTS OF A SHEEP

MAJOR WHOLESALE AND RETAIL LAMB CUTS

d. From manure: fertilizer. A. Sheep are produced and used for many purposes. As far back as 10,000 years ago, primitive man in the Mesopotamian Plain used sheep for three basic human needs: food, clothing, and shelter. Sheep are still providing humans with the “basic three.” However, they also make possible dozens of other products. a. From hide and wool: lanolin, drum heads, insulation, rug pads, asphalt binder, paint and plaster binder, tennis balls, felt, carpet. b. From fats and fatty acids: paints, ceramics, medicines, dish soap, biodegradable detergents, antifreeze, candles, shaving cream, protein hair shampoo and conditioner. c. From the bones, horns, and hooves: syringes, bone china, wallpaper and wallpaper paste, photographic film. d. From manure: fertilizer.

2. The U.S. sheep industry contributes over $1 billion each year to the American economy. 3. Americans eat more lamb than mutton. Lamb-the meat from a sheep that is less than one year old. Mutton - the meat from a sheep that is one year old and older. Because Americans favor lamb over mutton, the United States typically sends sheep over one year of age to Mexico, which has a strong mutton market.

4. Sheep are earth-friendly animals They are used to graze leftover stalks and seeds after crops have been harvested. Sheep also help control weeds in ditch banks, roadsides, and pastures. They have even been used to graze heavily weeded areas to reduce the amount of flammable materials that could catch fire! The wool from sheep can be made into mats that are used to soak up oil spills both on land and water.

Sheep are raised in every state of the Union. The term sheep producer is used to define any person raising sheep, regardless of the number of sheep he or she raises. Some producers have farm flocks of 50 to 200 animals. Other producers have large range operations of 1,000 to 5,000 sheep with shepherds who live with the sheep and dogs that guard the sheep from predators and help move them to new grass and water.

U.S. sheep producers raise many breeds and crossbreeds of sheep. Almost every breed provides two products— meat Wool Some breeds of sheep are genetically geared toward producing higher quality meat or wool. There are also sheep that are called “dual purpose breeds” because wool and meat production are equally emphasized.

1. Fine-wool sheep- produce fine-textured wool with an average staple length of 4 inches. (Staple length is the length of a single fiber.) a. Fine wools are generally softer and are often used to make expensive garments like suits and evening gowns. b. Fine-wool breeds raised in the United States are the Merino and Rambouillet.

Merino Sheep

2. Medium-wool sheep are often dual-purpose sheep, used for both meat and wool. Medium wools are typically used in blankets, sweaters, and socks. b. Medium-wool breeds include the Columbia, Corriedale, and Dorset.

Dorset Sheep

3. Long-wool sheep- usually larger than other breeds and produce long wool with a staple length of 6 to 8 inches. a. Long-wool breeds include the Lincoln, Romney, and Cotswold. b. The fleece from long-wool sheep is often used in carpets.

4. Crossbred-wool sheep are crosses between two different breeds and, therefore, have the traits of both breeds. Fleece from crossbred-wool sheep is typically referred to as commercial wool in the sheep industry. b. Most crossbred-wool sheep are dual purpose.

5. Hair sheep are generally used for their meat. The good muscle quality of most hair sheep makes them an outstanding meat breed. These sheep are prized for their excellent mothering abilities. c. Example of Hair sheep breed: St. Croix

Coarse-wool sheep are often blamed for the scratchy feel of wool. Example of Coarse –wool breed: Suffolk