Sheep & The Many Ways We Use ThemAnimal Science

What do we use sheep for?MeatWoolDairy

MeatMost sheep in the U.S. are raised

for meat.Lamb

◦Less than one year of age.◦~200 million pounds are sold

annually in U.S.Mutton

◦Over one year of age.

WoolThe original “primary use” for

sheep in the U.S.◦Demand has declined since the

1940’s due to synthetic fibers.Each sheep yields approximately

5-15 lbs. per shearing.

Wool cont.Greasy Wool

◦Raw wool before being processed.Clean Wool

◦Wool after it has been processed.In 2011 there were

approximately 30 million pounds of greasy wool produced.

This was processed into approximately 16 million pounds of clean wool.

DairyMakes up 1.3% of world dairy

production.One dairy ewe can produce 400-

1,100 pounds annually. 6-8% Fat Content (Important for

Cheese)Used for cheese, yogurt, &

butter.◦Some of these cheeses can sell for

up to $50/lbs.

Breeds of Sheep

Breeds of SheepCertain breeds are better at

certain things than others.◦Meat

Hair

◦Wool◦Dairy

Every breed falls into at least one of these categories.

MeatThese breeds are used primarily

for meat production.Certain meat breeds fall into the

hair sheep category because they have hair instead of wool.

SuffolkDeveloped in Britain; introduced

to U.S. in 1888.Largest sheep in U.S.Mature Weights

◦ Ram: 275-400 lbs.◦ Ewes: 200-300 lbs.

HampshireDeveloped in Hampshire County

England; officially introduced to the U.S. in 1879.

Mature Weight◦ Ram: 250-350 lbs.◦ Ewe: 175-250 lbs.

Known for large head.

OxfordDeveloped in England;

introduced to U.S. in 1846.Mature Weights

◦ Ram: 225-325 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.

Dorset (Horned & Polled)Originated in southern England;

introduced to U.S. in 1885.Polled breed was developed in

North Carolina in 1948.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 225-275 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.

SouthdownOriginated in England; introduced

to the U.S. in 1803.One of the oldest breeds.Mature Weight

◦ Ram:180-230 lbs.◦ Ewe: 120-180 lbs.

ShropshireOriginated in England; introduced

to the U.S. in 1855.“Farm flock” sheep.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 225-290 lbs.◦ Ewe: 170-200 lbs.

CheviotDeveloped in Scotland;

introduced to U.S. in 1838.Known for ruggedness.Mutton BreedMature Weight

◦ Ram: 160-200 lbs.◦ Ewe: 120-160 lbs.

Hair SheepThis is a sub-category of the

meat category.Hair sheep were developed for

lamb and mutton production in tropical areas.

Very popular in the sheep industry; especially in the South and Carribean.

These sheep are year around breeders.

DorperDeveloped in South Africa;

introduced to U.S. within the past 30 years.

Black Head & WhiteMature Weight

◦ Ram: 220-250 lbs.◦ Ewe: 170-200 lbs.

Popular meat breed.

Barbados & American BlackbellyOriginated in Barbados from West

African sheep; introduced to U.S. in 1904.

American Blackbelly was developed in Texas.

Mature Weight◦ Ram: 90-150 lbs.◦ Ewe: 85-100 lbs.

KatahdinDeveloped in Maine; perfected

during the 1970’s.Largest hair breed.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 175-250 lbs.◦ Ewe: 120-160 lbs.

WoolThese breeds are used primarily

for wool production.Most farms that raise sheep for

their wool are located in the northern & western parts of the U.S.

RambouilletDeveloped in France & Germany;

introduced to U.S. in mid-1800’s.Largest of Fine Wool breeds.Foundation of U.S. Range Flock.Can be used for meat.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 200-300 lbs.◦ Ewe: 140-180 lbs.

Grease Fleece Weight◦ 10-15 lbs.

Delaine-MerinoDeveloped in Spain and brought

to America through colonization.Unbroken line of breeding for

1,200 years.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 190-240 lbs.◦ Ewe: 125-160 lbs.

Grease Fleece Weight◦ 9-14 lbs.

ColumbiaDeveloped in the U.S. in 1912;

first U.S. breed.Increasing in use as a terminal

sire.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 250-350 lbs.◦ Ewe: 160-240 lbs.

Greace Fleece Weight◦ 12-16 lbs.

RomneyDeveloped in England; introduce

to the U.S. in 1904.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 200-275 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.

Grease Fleece Weight◦ 10-18 lbs.

CorriedaleDeveloped in New Zealand;

introduced to the U.S. in 1914.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 220-275 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.

Grease Fleece Weight◦10-15 lbs.

TargheeDeveloped in the U.S. in 1926.Primarily in intermountain &

northern states.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 200-300 lbs.◦ Ewe: 140-200 lbs.

Grease Fleece Weight◦ 10-14 lbs.

Gulf CoastDeveloped in the South;

descendants of colonial sheep.Tolerant of parasites and heat.Wool & MeatMature Weight

◦ Ram: 145-180 lbs.◦ Ewe: 85-115 lbs.

Grease Fleece Weight◦ 4-6 lbs.

DairyThese breeds are used primarily

for dairy production.There are several dairy breeds

worldwide but only a few in the U.S.

East FriesianDeveloped in Germany and

Netherlands; introduced to the U.S. in 1994.

Highest milk producing breed.Mature Weight

◦ Ram: 225-270 lbs.◦ Ewe: 160-180 lbs.

Types of Sheep Producers

Purebred BreederRaises sheep for breeding stock.Provides the ewes and rams that

will be used to produce commercial lambs.

Commercial Slaughter Lamb ProducerRaises the lambs from birth to

when they are sold for slaughter.Main goal is to produce well

finished, heavy lambs by weaning.

Weaned lambs typically weigh 60 lbs.

Lambs are penned & fed with a target weight of 120 lbs.

Commercial Feeder Lamb ProducersLambs are not fully fed out.Option for farmers that do not

have good pasture.Lambs are sold to a commercial

feedlot.Lambs weigh around 80-90 lbs.

when sold.

Commercial Feedlot OperatorLambs are bought from

commercial feeder lamb producers.

Lambs are treated for internal parasites and diseases.

Lambs should gain about 0.5-0.8 lb. per day.

Target weight of 130 lbs.