Sheep Breeds

CU YOUTH ACADEMY OF LIVESTOCK LEARNING

Dorper• South African breed developed in the 1930s

from the Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persian• Breed has the characteristic black head

(Dorper) as well as white heads (White Dorper)• Breed shows exceptional adaptability,

hardiness, reproduction rates and growth, and good mothering abilities

• Primarily a mutton breed• Dorper sheep are very fertile and have a long

breeding season that is not seasonally limited• The Dorper is well adapted to a variety of

climatic and grazing conditions• The Dorper skin is the most sought after

sheepskin in the world and is marketed under the name of Cape Glovers. The skin comprises a high percentage of the income (20%) of the total carcass value.

Resource: http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/dorper

Dorset• In the USA they are called Dorset but are also

referred to as Horned Dorset in Europe• Both horned and polled Dorsets are an all white

sheep of medium size having good body length and muscle conformation to produce a desirable carcass.

• The fleece is very white, strong, close and free from dark fiber. Dorset fleeces average five to nine pounds (2.25-4 kg) in the ewes with a yield of between 50% and 70%. The staple length ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches (6-10 cm) with a numeric count of 46's-58's. The fiber diameter will range from 33.0 to 27.0 microns.

• The ewes are good mothers, good milkers and multiple births are not uncommon.

• Dorsets work well in commercial situations both in the ewe flock and from a terminal sire aspect.

• Are the number-one white faced breed in the United States

Resource: http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/dorset

Southdown• The Southdown were developed in Sussex,

England during the late 1700 and early 1800s’.• It is a medium to small sized breed with a gray to

mouse-brown face and lower legs and is polled (hornless).

• Southdown are an early maturing breed with good lambing ability and average milk production. They excel in a cross breeding program in their ability to produce meaty lamb carcasses at light weights and hot-house lambs.

• The Southdown is adaptable to varied and wet climates.

• Mature weights for Southdown rams range in weight from 190 to 230 pounds (86-104 kg), ewes are slightly smaller and weigh from 130 to 180 pounds (59-81 kg).

• Fleece weights from mature ewe are between five and eight pounds (2.25-3.6 kg) with a yield of 40 to 55 percent. The fleeces are considered medium wool type with a fiber diameter of 23.5 to 29.0 microns and a numerical count of 54 to 60. The staple length of Southdown fleece ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4-6 cm).

Resource: http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/southdown

Suffolk• The original Suffolks were the result of

crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes.

• Mature weights for Suffolk rams range from 250 to 350 pounds (113-159 kg), ewe weights vary from 180 to 250 pounds (81-113 kg).

• Fleece weights from mature ewe are between five and eight pounds (2.25-3.6 kg) with a yield of 50 to 62 percent. The fleeces are considered medium wool type with a fiber diameter of 25.5 to 33.0 microns and a spinning count of 48 to 58. The staple length of Suffolk fleece ranges from 2 to 3.5 inches (5-8.75 cm).

Resource: http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/suffolk

Friesian Milk Sheep• The family of Friesian sheep breeds are of the

marsh-type including: • East Friesian Milk Sheep (Deutsches Friesisches

Milchschaf) from East Friesland, Germany• Dutch Friesian Milk Sheep (Fries Melkschaap) from

West Friesland• Zeeland Milk Sheep (Zeeuwes Melkschaap) from the

Zeeland island

• These breeds are similar in appearance, polled in both sexes, with white wool and white faces, ears, and legs all clean of wool. Their most distinctive physical feature is a "rat-tail", thin and free of wool.

• German East Friesian Milk Sheep is the best known and most important of the Friesian breeds and is the breed known in the scientific literature as the "East Friesian”. This breed has a milk yield of 500-700 kg per lactation testing 6-7% milk fat, the highest average dairy milk yield recorded for any breed of sheep.

• They are highly specialized animals and do poorly under extensive and large flock husbandry conditions. They do not fare well in harsh hot environments but have produced excellent crossbreds with adapted local breeds.

Resource: http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/friesianmilk

MerinoThe Merino breed (Figure 1) originated in Spain over 1,200 years ago. Since being brought to the United States, breeders from different regions have developed varieties of Merinos that best suited their respective environments. Specifically, the Delaine Merino is the breed primarily used in more arid climates since they can thrive under harsh conditions and with little feed. They are moderate- to small-sized and have few health or lambing problems. This breed also provides producers an excellent opportunity for crossbreeding if you are looking to improve wool quality. Since fleece characteristics are highly heritable, Merino crossbreeds will add staple length and clean fleece yield to crossbred offspring.

https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

RambouilletA derivative of the Merino breed, the Rambouillet (Figure 2) is one of the most commonly raised sheep in the Western United States. They have fewer skin folds, which reduces skin and external parasite problems. Rambouillets also have excellent wool quality. These sheep are very agile and have ideal flocking behavior, allowing for better management in rugged mountain terrain. They are gregarious (tend to flock), which can also help with managing predation issues. You will find Rambouillet genetics in many composite breeds in the industry today.https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

Navajo-ChurroThough quite rare today, the Navajo-Churro sheep (Figure 3) were the first domesticated sheep developed in the United States when the Spanish conquistadors introduced their Iberian breed to the Native Americans. The breed has been brought back from near extinction, and their wool is once again prominent in traditional Navajo rugs and wares. Other than wool color (white to tan to black), their most notable characteristic is their ability to grow multiple sets of horns (polycerate).https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

KatahdinThe Katahdin breed (Figure 5) originated in the United States and is a cross of multiple breeds, including the West African haired sheep, St. Croix, Wiltshire Horn, and various English meat breeds, such as Suffolk and Hampshire. Katahdins are growing in popularity for their hardiness, meat production, growth, and fertility. This breed is also very tolerant to parasites, and therefore minimal parasite control is needed.https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

St.CroixAs the name suggests, St. Croix sheep (Figure 6) are a composite breed that originated in the Virgin Islands. Though predominantly white, this breed can also be tan or black, or have spot patches. These highly adaptable sheep are excellent foragers. They can also develop a winter coat in colder climates. Highly fertile, the St. Croix could be used in an accelerated production program. Like the Katahdins, this breed is also resistant to parasite infestation.https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

Royal WhiteDeveloped in Texas, this haired sheep is a cross between St. Croix, Dorper, and White Dorper breeds. The Royal White (Figure 7) has proven to be very efficient, exhibiting lower maintenance requirements for production. Lambs have also shown to be more thrifty, with greater survivability rates than other breeds. This breed is classically all white and polled (lacking horns).https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

ColumbiaThe Columbia (Figure 11) is considered the first “American breed.” A cross between a Rambouillet and a Lincoln, the Columbia breed was established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1912. The intent was to develop a breed that provided producers in the Western United States an animal that produced both a good lamb crop and wool yield under harsh range conditions. They are a larger-framed sheep with mature weights ranging from 225 to 300 lb.https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

CorriedaleDeveloped in New Zealand, the Corriedale (Figure 12) is a cross between a Lincoln and a Merino. The Lincoln provides the growth and carcass traits, while the Merino contributes to the Corriedale’s wool quality and substantial wool yield. They do require a steady feed supply for optimal performance, but could be suited well in a crossbreeding program in a more sparse range condition.https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

TargheeThe Targhee (Figure 13) is another breed developed by the USDA to help diversify the genetic base of the nation’s sheep population. The goal was to improve overall production in the U.S. This breed is a combination of Rambouillet, Corriedale, and Lincoln. The ewes are known for their ability to successfully raise twins under rugged conditions and breed out of season, which can result in more pounds of lamb weaned per ewe. This breed could work well in higher, cooler elevations.https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

PolypayLike the Columbia and Targhee breeds, the Polypay (Figure 14) breed was developed by the USDA in order to best meet the needs of U.S. sheep producers. The Polypay consists of four foundation breeds: Rambouillet, Targhee, Finnsheep, and Dorset. The Polypay provides the best traits from the respective breeds for wool, carcass, and reproduction, including breeding out of season. It suits many management situations, and as a result has grown in popularity among sheep producers.https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

South African Meat Merino (SAMM)The South African Meat Merino (SAMM; Figure 15) has gained in popularity in the U.S. over the last 20 years and has been shown to acclimate to arid regions well. Lambs are early maturing, with a rapid growth rate. This breed will also yield strong, good-volume fleeces, making them an excellent dual-purpose choice for producers.

https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684/welcome.html

Table 1. Summary of Sheep Breed Classification and Purpose

WOOL MEAT DUAL-PURPOSEFine Wool Haired Columbia

Merino Dorper Corriedale

Rambouillet Katahdin Targhee

Heritage St. Croix Polypay

Navajo-Churro Royal White South African Meat Merino

Debouillet Wooled

Dorset

Hampshire

Suffolk

Sample QuestionsCloverbuds1. Name 1 “meat type” breed. 2. Name 1 “wool type” breed. 3. Identify “meat type” breeds by

image.

Junior1. Name 3 “meat type” breeds of

sheep.2. Name 2 “wool” breeds of sheep.3. Name the black headed breed,

known for meatiness and high carcass value.

4. Be able to determine “meat type” breeds by image or description.

Senior1. Be able to differentiate “meat

type” and “wool” breeds.2. Define “inbreeding”. 3. List 3 “Dual-Purpose” Breeds4. Be able to identify breeds by

picture or description5. Be able to determine Haired from

wooled Breeds

Junior & Senior Breed Description Practice

https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/d6/files/publications/documents/4H_959_Chapter_2.pdf

Try this Kahoot :https://create.kahoot.it/share/breeds-sheep/5f9f7ef9-87af-4f1c-9d8a-5caaa3ef7c56