Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The Leicester Longwool has a mop of wool over the crown of its head. The
breed is hardy and adapts to a wide variety of environmental conditions. The
animals have large frames, and the fl eece is generally white. It falls in long,
lustrous ringlets, with a 15-inch (38 cm) staple.
Lincoln Longwool
The Lincoln Longwools are from Lincolnshire, England. Although they are
the largest of the sheep breeds, they mature slowly. Their long fl eece is dense,
strong, and heavy, and they have forehead tufts. The breed is fairly hardy and
prolifi c, but lambs need protective penning for the fi rst few days.
The Lincoln is not an active forager, so it is really best adapted to an abun-
dance of good pasture and supplements. They don't stand cold, rainy weather
too well because their fl eece parts down the middle of the back, allowing cold
air to hit their backbone (a sensitive area on sheep). However, the fl eece is
resistant to the deterioration shown in the wool that parts along the backs
of other breeds. This lustrous fl eece is sought by handspinners for its long-
wearing qualities. When spun alone, the wool makes an almost indestructible
sock yarn; when blended with other wools, it makes a strong weaving warp
(the threads strung through a loom to create the foundation for weaving) and
has an attractive sheen.
Montadale
The Montadale is an American breed that originated around 1932 in the St.
Louis area. Montadale sheep are a cross between Cheviot rams and Columbia
ewes. The small head eliminates many lambing problems; the ewes are pro-
lifi c lambers and good mothers.
The fl eece is usually snowy white, though there are black strains. The
fl eece is heavy, with little shrinkage, and the wool grades medium. The breed
has a beautiful face and alert, Cheviot-style ears. These sheep are open faced
with clean legs. They are hardy and adapt to various climates, and there are
black strains.
Navajo-Churro
Much like the Gulf Coast Native sheep, the Navajo-Churro breed developed
from sheep imported by the Spanish more than 400 years ago. Connie Taylor,
secretary of the breed association, writes, “The Navajo-Churro endured prim-
itive, ocean transport and the rigors of trailing from Mexico to the Southwest.
They survived the pressures of providing food and fi ber to the early mining
settlements of Mexico, California, Arizona, and New Mexico.”
