Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Canadian Arcott
Developed at the Agricultural Research Centre of Ottawa (ARCOTT) during
the 1970s and 1980s, the Canadian Arcott is a composite breed derived pri-
marily from Ile de France, Suffolk, and Leicester genetics. The breed is one
of three types of Arcotts that were dispersed to Canadian shepherds in 1988,
and they are still found in Canadian fl ocks today.
Candian Arcotts are large, well-muscled sheep, generally with a white or
beige face and a small amount of wool on the forehead. These sheep have
been selected for carcass quality and demonstrate better-than-average mus-
cling with acceptable to ideal fi nish. They are very hardy and lambs show
great survivability. Canadian Arcotts are extremely reliable and successful
under a wide range of conditions.
Charollais
The Charollais breed shares a heritage with the large white cattle known
as Charolais: both come from Charolles County in the Burgundy region of
France. Leicester Longwool sheep were bred to the native landraces of the
region during the twentieth century, and the French government recognized
the Charollais breed in 1974. The breed was imported to Canada in 1994, and
is used there as a terminal sire breed.
Charollais are long, well-muscled sheep with pink-grey faces and legs, with
fi ne to medium wool. Both purebred and crossbred Charollais lambs grade
exceptionally well. They are well known for heavily muscled, lean carcasses
between 40 and 66 pounds (18 and 30kg). The breed is rapidly increasing in
popularity due its fast, lean growth; high meat yield; premium carcass; and
easy lambing.
Clun Forest
The Clun Forest sheep was developed in the Clun Valley in southwestern
Shropshire, England, in the 1800s. Early breed selection was for hardy, fertile
sheep that could thrive on grass and whatever they could forage. The fi rst six
Clun Forest ewes were imported into North America from Ireland in 1959,
but the fi rst large importation didn't take place until the 1970s.
Clun Forest ewes are prolifi c and almost always have twins. With narrow,
sleek heads and wide pelvic structures, they lamb very easily and without
assistance. Even yearlings show strong mothering instincts; ewe lambs breed
at 8 or 9 months old and lamb as yearlings. The ewe's milk has a higher pro-
tein and fat content than that of other breeds, contributing to quick-growing
