Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Cotswold
The Cotswold is a large sheep, known for its very long, coarse, lustrous wool
that is 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) long and wavy; it hangs in pronounced
ringlets. Thought to have been introduced to England by the Romans more
than 2,000 years ago, today's Cotswolds were developed between 1780 and
1820 through the introduction of Leicester Longwool (see page 70) genetics
to the sheep of the Cotswold Hills in Gloucester. The fi rst Cotswolds were
imported to North America in the early 1800s, and the breed's 1878 registry
was also the fi rst U.S. sheep registry.
The breed was popular early on for crossbreeding with western range
sheep, but it fell out of favor as selection moved toward meat breeds. Today
the breed fi nds favor with smaller farm fl ocks, where its docile personality
makes handling easy.
The fl eece weighs from 13 to 15 pounds (6.0 to 6.5 kg), and there is very
little shrinkage. It is quite lustrous, with a count in the 40s range, and grows
at the rate of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per month. Because of this fast growth,
many shepherds shear twice a year. One unique characteristic of the Cotswold
is that the locks fall over its forehead in cords. The breed is white to silvery
gray and sometimes has excessive wool on the thighs.
Debouillet
Development of the Debouillet was begun by Amos Dee Jones in New Mexico
in the 1920s. The result of breeding Ohio Delaine Merino (see page 58) rams
with Rambouillet (see page 78) ewes, successful crosses of these sheep show
the length of staple and character of the Delaine fl eece and the large body
of the Rambouillet. By 1927 the ideal type was attained, and a line-breeding
program began. The breed was registered in 1954, starting with 231 rams and
1,587 ewes.
Debouillets are open faced below the eyes and over the nose, have a good
wool covering over the belly, and shear a heavy fl eece of long-staple, fi ne
wool. Rams can be horned or polled. Even under adverse conditions, ewes
produce desirable market lambs of excellent weight.
Debouillet lambs that are eligible for registration by bloodline must be one
year of age and in full fl eece when examined by an association inspector. Wool
must be 64s grade or fi ner, with 3-inch (7 cm) minimum staple and deep,
close crimp.
