Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Hog Island sheep have medium-weight wool, and mature animals weigh
125 to 200 pounds (56.7 to 90.7 kg). Most are white with spotted legs and
faces, though about 10 percent are black.
Icelandic Sheep
Viking settlers brought sheep to Iceland, and few sheep have been imported
since settlement ended there about 900 years ago. As a result, Icelandic sheep
are one of the purest breeds in the world today. In Iceland these sheep account
for about 25 percent of the island's total agricultural output. Its fi rst North
American importation was into Ontario, Canada, in 1985.
Icelandic sheep are of northern European descent, have short tails, and are
distantly related to Finnsheep, Romanovs, and Shetlands. But Icelandic sheep
are the biggest of these short-tail types. These sheep have good conformation
for meat production, and while they are raised for meat, milk, and wool in
Iceland, they are well known internationally for their wool, which is mostly
marketed as Lopi yarn. The fl eece is dual coated, with an outer coat that can
reach 15 inches (38 cm) and a shorter, softer inner coat, and comes in a wide
range of colors.
The breed is well suited to small farms, as its herding instincts are poor.
They are alert and aggressive, showing great determination in going after
their feed. The lambs, though they are born small, are eager nursers and can
reach fi nishing weight in 3 to 4 months if raised on good pasture. Both ewe
and ram lambs mature early and begin breeding at about 8 months. The meat
has a fi ne texture and a delicious fl avor, the wool is sought after by hand-
spinners, and the skins make beautiful rugs.
Ile de France
The Ile de France was developed beginning in 1832 under the supervision
of a professor at a French veterinary college. He used Dishley Leicesters and
French Rambouillets with the goal of improving meat production. When a
breed association formed in 1933, all animals had to be tested for production
traits prior to being registered.
Ile de France have been selected for two primary purposes: as a terminal
sire to produce vigorous, hardy, fast-growing lambs that yield carcasses that
grade well and demonstrate superior muscling of the loin and leg; and for
crossbreeding with maternal breeds in commercial fl ocks. They add hardi-
ness, longevity, feed conversion, out-of-season breeding ability and an excel-
lent fl ocking instinct.
