Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
TRAITS OF THE HERITAGE BREEDS
The loss of heritage breeds can have an especially grave impact on
homesteaders and small commercial operators who are interested
in low-input agriculture. These breeds, although not the most pro-
ductive in an industrialized system, have traits that make them well
suited to low-input systems: Some are dual purpose, able to pro-
duce both meat and fi ber well. Others are acclimatized to regional
environments, like hot and humid or cool and dry conditions. Many
perform well on pasture with little or no supplemental feeding.
Others resist diseases and parasites. Some have such strong
mothering skills that a farmer doesn't have to do much work during
lambing season.
Currently, there are about 60 breeds of domestic sheep in North America.
Each has traits that make it an ideal choice for certain shepherds. Some are
large, some small; some are prolifi c, whereas others produce particularly tasty
meat; and some are docile, while others are wary of humans. The ideal breed
for you will depend on the goals you have for your fl ock.
Blackbelly (Barbados and American)
The Barbados Blackbelly is a dark, tropical hair sheep that came originally
from Barbados in the West Indies. These sheep were developed from those
brought to the island by African slave traders during the 1600s. Although
the USDA imported some Barbados in 1904, they were used for crossbreed-
ing, and their pure bloodlines were soon diluted. But several years ago some
breeders began selecting again for the Barbados traits, and the Ministry of
Agriculture in Barbados gave some purebred sheep to North Carolina State
University for research. The American Blackbelly is a sheep derived by cross-
ing the naturally polled Barbados with moufl on sheep, Dorsets, and Merinos
in order to produce a large-horned, muscular sheep for hunting. Both breeds
are registered by the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Registry.
Some of the recent interest in Barbados sheep has centered on their ability
to lamb almost twice a year. Not only are they prolifi c, but they're also hardy,
early breeders. Mature ewes have between 1.5 and 2.3 lambs per lambing on
average. The record is eight lambs, born to a ewe on Barbados.
