Breeds of Sheep Mr Smith Sheep Facts b

Breeds of Sheep Mr. Smith

Sheep Facts b 5 month gestation b Dual purpose breed • Meat, wool b Docking, castration, vaccinating b Wool grading • Micron, length, crimp b Lambs born in spring, shearing in spring b Range operations

Wool

Wool Crimp

Pros of Sheep Production b b b b 1. Eat a variety of forages including weeds and brush 2. Eat grain lost at harvest 3. Very versatile: can graze in various environments 4. Frequently have multiple births 5. Can be raised on limited acreage 6. Low initial investment 7. Yields many useful by-products 8. Provides healthful meat a. More digestible than other red meats b. Lower cholesterol because it does not marbleize c. Provides protein d. High in B vitamins, niacin, zinc, and iron

Cons of Sheep Industry b b b b b 1. Low consumer consumption rate 2. Fluctuation in meat processing and marketing structure 3. Low wool prices 4. Easy prey for predators 5. Susceptible to disease and injuries 6. Susceptible to a variety of external and internal parasites 7. Must be carefully managed 8. High labor cost to manage sheep

Columbia b Developed by the US Department of Ag b Developed to thrive on Western ranges b Produce medium wool and large amounts of meat

Corriedale b Developed in New Zealand & Australia b Dual purpose breed b Produces bulky, high density wool b Most popular breed in South America

Dorset b Originated in Europe b Medium-sized breed with high quality, white wool b Most popular whitefaced breed in the United States b Horned and polled varieties exist

Hampshire b Originated in Hampshire, England b Black face and legs b Mild demeanor b Unbroken wool cap should extend from the neck over the forehead

Lincoln b Originated in England b The largest breed of sheep b Long-wooled breed b White faces b Pronounced forelock between the ears

Merino b Originated in Australia b Primarily a wool breed b White-faced b Most popular breed in Australia b High quality wool used in the textile industry

Rambouillet b Originated in Spain b Shipped to France in 1801 b White in color

Southdown b Developed in England b Well suited to farm flock production b Gray face with white body b Adapted to wet conditions

Suffolk b Originated in England b Most popular breed in the US today b Produce large amounts of meat b White with black faces and legs

BY Products Project b In groups of three or four will create collage/ poster of a certain topics of animal by products b Will have a rubric for what is expected b Each person will choose