Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Romney:
Although classified with the long-wool sheep, the Romney is also a good meat
sheep. Mature rams weigh 225 to 275 pounds, and mature ewes weigh 150 to 200 pounds. A
fleece from a mature ewe will weigh 8 to 12 pounds.
Dual-purpose breeds
Columbia:
The United States Department of Agriculture developed the Columbia breed
through crossing Rambouillet ewes with long-wool breed rams. Mature Columbia rams weigh
225 to 300 pounds, while mature ewes weigh 150 to 225 pounds. The fleece from a Columbia
ewe weighs 10 to 16 pounds.
Corriedale:
This white-faced sheep has a large frame with an ample wool coat. A mature
ewe's fleece weighs 10 to 17 pounds. A mature Corriedale ram weighs 175 to 275 pounds,
while a mature ewe weighs 130 to 180 pounds.
Other sheep breeds
The minor sheep breeds and the haired sheep breeds are not too common in the United States.
Finn:
The Finn sheep is an example of a minor breed of sheep. It is native to Finland and is a
smaller sheep. A mature ram weighs less than 200 pounds, and a mature female weighs
around 140 pounds. Ewes of this breed have been known to have up to four lambs at one time.
Katahadin:
The Katahadin is an example of a haired sheep breed. Although all sheep have
both hair and wool, wool is the predominant fiber in most sheep. As the name suggests, the
haired sheep has more hair than wool. The Katahadin was developed in the United States dur-
ing the 1950s. Because they do not have a fleece, they are not sheared. Instead, they are used
primarily for meat. Mature rams weigh between 180 to 250 pounds, and mature ewes weigh
between 120 to 160 pounds.
Buying Sheep
Before you buy any sheep, it is a good idea to study breeds of sheep and decide exactly what
your goals are. Are you interested in producing wool? Are you more interested in producing
meat? Are you interested in producing dairy products? Making these decisions will help you
know what kind of sheep you want to buy.
When buying sheep, it is a good idea to go to an established breeder. Try to visit a number of
sheep farms if possible. Talk to experienced breeders. Not only will you get better lambs and
