Breeds of Sheep Mr. Smith

Sheep Facts 5 month gestation Dual purpose breed Meat, wool Docking, castration, vaccinating Wool grading Micron, length, crimp Lambs born in spring, shearing in spring Range operations Micron- individual fibers are accurately measured 1micron = 1/25,000, diameter Crimp- How close together is it, number of bends in fiber Length- how long?

Wool

Wool Crimp

Pros of Sheep Production 1. Eat a variety of forages including weeds and brush 2. Eat grain lost at harvest 3. Very versatile: can graze in various environments 4. Frequently have multiple births 5. Can be raised on limited acreage 6. Low initial investment 7. Yields many useful by-products 8. Provides healthful meat a. More digestible than other red meats b. Lower cholesterol because it does not marbleize c. Provides protein d. High in B vitamins, niacin, zinc, and iron Can graze from steep mountain to colder regions most common with wool breeds Meat is more digestible than other red meats, low in cholesterol because it does not marbleize, provides protein, high in B vitamins, niacin, zinc, and iron

Cons of Sheep Industry 1. Low consumer consumption rate 2. Fluctuation in meat processing and marketing structure 3. Low wool prices 4. Easy prey for predators 5. Susceptible to disease and injuries 6. Susceptible to a variety of external and internal parasites 7. Must be carefully managed 8. High labor cost to manage sheep

Columbia Developed by the US Department of Ag Developed to thrive on Western ranges Produce medium wool and large amounts of meat Rams of long wool breeds and crossed them with a Rambouillet = large ewes with increased wool and meat production. Create true breed to eliminate range cross breeds Used on range and raised on farms 150-225lb ewes and 225-300lb rams

Corriedale Developed in New Zealand & Australia Dual purpose breed Produces bulky, high density wool Most popular breed in South America Second most significant breed below Merino Mature ewe 10-17lbs of fleece

Dorset Originated in Europe Medium-sized breed with high quality, white wool Most popular white-faced breed in the United States Horned and polled varieties exist Polled varieties came to existence in North Carolina, genetic mutation #1 white face breed #2 breed in USA second to Suffolk

Hampshire Originated in Hampshire, England Black face and legs Mild demeanor Unbroken wool cap should extend from the neck over the forehead Rams 275lbs, ewes 200lbs 6-10lb fleece

Lincoln Originated in England The largest breed of sheep Long-wooled breed White faces Pronounced forelock between the ears 250-350lb male rams 200-250 lb ewes Large lean, well muscled carcass

Merino Originated in Australia Primarily a wool breed White-faced Most popular breed in Australia High quality wool used in the textile industry 20-22 microns

Rambouillet Originated in Spain Shipped to France in 1801 White in color

Southdown Developed in England Well suited to farm flock production Gray face with white body Adapted to wet conditions Early maturing, good lambing ability, and average milk production

Suffolk Originated in England Most popular breed in the US today Produce large amounts of meat White with black faces and legs Southdown rams with Norfolk horned ewes University of Idaho played a great role and continues to play a role in their advancement in the western United States

BY Products Project In groups of three or four will create collage/ poster of a certain topics of animal by products Will have a rubric for what is expected Each person will choose Sheep Hide and Wool, Sheep fats and fatty acid, Sheep bones horns hooves Goat By-Products Beef By-Products Horse By-Products Pig By-Products Llama/alpaca By-Products