Sheep Breeds

A medium-sized sheep with white fleece that originated in Spain

Merino

Where do Merino’s originate from?

Spain

How many pounds do the Merino’s fleece grow per year?

30 pounds

A white-colored sheep with a large, angular, blocky-body type

Rambouillet

How much does the Rambouillet’s fleece grow in pounds per year?

35 pounds

Are the Rambouillet’s horned or polled?

All ewes are polled, rams are either polled or horned

Where do the Rambouillet’s originate from?

France

A white-colored sheep with a medium to large, blocky size and good quality wool/carcass

Corriedale

Are the Corriedale’s polled or horned?

Polled

How many pounds of fleece is sheered off a Corriedale’s fleece?

10 to 15 pounds

What is the result of the Corriedale?

The result of crossing Leicester rams and Merino ewes

A large, blocky-sized white sheep

Columbia

Are the Columbia sheep polled or horned?

Polled

How many pounds of fleece is sheered off a Colombia?

10 to 13 pounds

What is the resulting cross of the Columbia?

The cross of Lincoln rams and Rambouillet ewes

A black-faced sheep with a large, muscular body type that grows rapidly

Suffolk

What do the Suffolk produce?

Lean, muscular carcasses with desirable yield grades

A black bodied sheep with a large, blocky body type and wool at forehead

Hampshire

What is the maturation rate of the Hampshire sheep?

Medium rate (reaching 120 pounds in market)

A dark-colored sheep with a blocky body type and heavy face covering of wool

Shropshire

What is the quality of the Shropshire carcass?

Small carcass

What happens to Shropshire sheep’s when fed heavy weights?

They become fat due to little muscle (110 pounds at market)

A small, blocky sheep with a low-set body type and gray-colored face

Southdown

Why do Southdown sheep become over fat at an early age?

Early maturing

A sheep with a large, blocky body type with gray-ish faces and wool extending to eyes

Oxford

A medium-sized sheep with a blocky body type and white-colored face

Dorset

What is the quality of the Dorset sheep’s carcass?

Muscular carcasses

Are the Dorset sheep’s polled or horned?

Both

A sheep with a small, blocky body type with white faces, black nostrils, and erect-type heads

Cheviot