module 5 goats and sheep

Merino

Sheep from Spain

Rambouillet

Sheep from France

Lincoln, Shropshire, Dorset, Leicester

Sheep from England

St. Croix and Katahdin

Sheep from USA

Karakul

Sheep from Central Asia

Barbados Blackbelly

Sheep from Carribean Island

(1) Rambouillet, (2) American Merino, (3) Delaine Merino, and (4) Debouillet

Examples of Fine Wool

Fine Wool

All of these breeds were developed from the Spanish Merino. They produce a fine wool fiber that has a heavy yolk, or oil content. Originally, these breeds did not produce good meat carcasses.

(1) Cheviot, (2) Dorset, (3) Finnish Landrace, (4) Hampshire, (5) Montadale, (6) Oxford, (7) Shropshire, (8) Southdown, (9) Suffolk, and (10) Tunis.

Examples of Medium Wool

Medium Wool

-     breeds were originally bred mainly for meat. Wool production is secondary. The fleece is medium in fineness and length. Medium wool breeds are popular in both the range and farm flock production areas. They are used primarily for meat production in most programs.

(1) Cotswold, (2) Leicester, (3) Lincoln, and (4) Romney

Examples of Long Wool

Long wool

These breeds were developed in England and are larger than the other breeds of sheep. They produce long, coarse-fiber wool. They are hardy and prolific but tend to be late maturing. Depending on slaughter weight, the carcass quality may be poor, carrying too much fat. Excess fat may not be present at slaughter weights of less than 120 pounds (54 kg)

(1) Columbia, (2) Corriedale, (3) Polypay, and (4) Targhee

Examples of Crossbred Wool

Crossbred Wool

-     developed mainly to improve the carcass quality and the length of the wool fiber. These breeds have better banding (flocking) instinct than either the long wool or medium wool breeds. Banding (or flocking) instinct refers to the tendency of sheep to stay together in a group called a band or flock.

Carpet Wool

-     There are several breeds of sheep used in countries outside of the United States for the purpose of producing carpet wool. The only breed used in the United States for this purpose is the Black-faced Highland. Th e fleece is coarse, wiry, and tough. Th e length of the fiber varies from 1 to 13 inches (2.54 to 33.0 cm).

Fur Sheep Breed

-     The only breed of sheep raised mainly for fur in the United States is the Karakul. The fur pelts are taken from the young lambs to make coat.

Hair Sheep Breed

-     include the (1) Barbados Blackbelly, (2) Dorper. (3), Katahdin, (4) Romanov, and (5) St. Croix. The breeds have coats of hair, not wool. The coat may thicken in the winter but will typically shed in warmer months.

Anglo-Nubian

England