Introduction to Breeds of Sheep

What will we be learning?

Today we will looking at the history on Sheep Production.

We will be taking a look at some breeds if sheep, and their characteristics.

This will build a basis for future lessons on breeds of sheep.

Their will be a small quiz at the end, so be sure to take notes.

Background Info.

If you are deciding to be a sheep producer, you must first decide, what part of the industry to enter.– That is, you must determine what breed,

or class of lambs that you will be raising. Well, are you looking to produce, lamb

(meat) or wool?– So, this means that the sheep industry is

grouped into two categories: Meat Production and Wool Production

breeds.

Meat Production or Wool Production?

So…how do you determine a sheep’s suitability for meat or

wool production?Wool Production

Type of wool produced– Fine Wool

Face Color– Typically white

Presence or absence of Horns– Typically present

Meat Production Type of Wool Produced:

– Medium Wool Face Color

– Typically black or a cross color (black and white) Presence or absence of horns:

– Typically Absence

Classifications: 2 Types

US System: By Wool– Fine Wool, Medium

Wool, Crossbred Wool, Hair Type, Other.

Commercial– Ewe Breeds, Ram

Breeds, Dual Purpose Breeds.

Wool Judging

All types of wool fibers, are graded to determine quality, but by several methods:– Bradford Numerical Count System

Numerical number of fineness or fiber diameter, as demonstrated form the length of yarn spun from a given weight of a wool.

– Measured in Hanks: 80=finest in diameter, 36=coarsest diameter

– Micron System Measures diameter or thickness of the wool

fibers– One Micron is 1/25,000 of an inch.

Fine Wool Type

Most Common Types– Delaine Merino– Rambouillet– Debouillet

All are of Spanish Merino Usually grade 60s and finer in their

spinning count The dense fleece contains a large

amount of yolk, or oil.

Delaine Merino(Texas Delaine)

Fine Wool Type– Descendant of the Spanish

parent stock A type, B type, C type

– C Type: Texas Delaine Became the most

practical on the farm Smooth Body Largest of 3 types

– Ranging from 175 to 235 lbs

White faced, white legs. Wool on both, and can be horned or polled. Very hardy breeds.

Color, uniformity, strength, density, and fineness. Grows 2.5” to 4” in one year.

Debouillet

Delaine Merino rams X Rambouillet ewes.

Open faced, legs and face are white, can be horned or polled, but polled is more desirable.

Fleece production: – 8 to 16 lbs

Rambouillet Developed in France, and

first came to the US in 1840.

Large white head, with hair all around. Body fleece is close and compact. There is wool on legs and face.

Largest of the Fine-Wool type.

Ewes are prolific, good mothers, and unequaled for range quality.

Annual fleece weighs 8-18lbs.

A large percentage of range sheep contain Rambouillet blood.

Review for quiz.

What have we discussed about the different classification of sheep?– Between the US and the rest of the

world? What are the 2 major categories of

sheep production? Why do we grade sheep’s wool?

– What are some of the wool quality determining system?

What breed am I?

Questions….

What wool type did we study today? What ways do we classify sheep? What two types of sheep are there?

(In relation to what are they good for?)

Why do we measure wool fibers?

Summary

What have we discussed about the different classification of sheep?– Between the US and the rest of the

world? What are the 2 major categories of

sheep production? Why do we grade sheep’s wool?

– What are some of the wool quality determining system?

What breeds did we discuss today?