Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Romeldale
An American breed that dates back to the 1920s, the Romeldale is a cross of
Romney (see below) rams and Rambouillet ewes. They produce medium to
fi ne wool that shrinks very little, making more pounds of clean wool than
is normally produced from the fl eeces of fi ne-wool breeds. The wool of the
Romeldale is fi nding favor with handspinners. The purebred Romeldale lamb
is very marketable, and the females can be saved as replacement ewes. Ewes
are excellent mothers, prolifi c, and long lived. Twinning and ease of lambing
are two traits for which the breed is known.
Romeldales are found primarily in California. Unfortunately, their popu-
larity has not spread, partly because, unlike the California Variegated Mutant
— a unique color variety of Romeldale — the white Romeldale has never had
an active association and registry.
Romney
The Romney is an English breed, which is called the Romney Marsh in its
native region, after the low, marshy area where they are thought to have origi-
nated. Romneys are said to be somewhat resistant to foot rot, liver fl ukes, and
other problems that often plague sheep in damp pastures. The breed was fi rst
imported to North America in 1904.
This breed has a quiet temperament and does well on a good pasture. They
are not suitable for hilly country or hot, dry climates. They have little herding
instinct but can be managed easily in a farm fl ock.
Although they are a long-wool breed, the wool of Romney sheep is much
fi ner and more lustrous than that of other long-wool sheep. Their fl eece
doesn't have the tendency to part along the back, so they do well in rainy cli-
mates. Except for a tuft of wool on the forehead and short wool on the lower
chin, the rest of the head is clean. Romneys, which come in both white and
natural-colored strains, produce an excellent handspinning fl eece. Their meat
is of good quality and has a delicate taste.
