Money-Making Ideas To Boost Farm Income Small, Colorful Sheep Breed Catching On Fast Shetland Sheep are one of the smallest down to about 2 to 3 lbs. per animal. British sheep breeds. Their numbers are Shetlands are considered a primitive, expanding quickly in North America. or unimproved breed, since they haven’t Although only imported into Canada in generally been selected for specifi c traits. If 1980 and coming to the U.S. in 1986, more breeders do select for specifi c traits, in order A small breed, Shetland than 15,000 animals have been registered to be registered by the NASSA, the sheep sheep come in with the North American Shetland Sheep have to stay within the breed standard. It 11 colors and Association (NASSA) in the past 6 years. outlines a collection of varied traits, such 31 patterns. Although the meat is tasty, it is the wool as short tail, medium length of face with The wool is that attracts most breeders. prominent nose, and small mouth. very soft with lots of loft. “Shetlands come in 11 colors and 31 Ewes range from 75 to 100 lbs., and rams patterns,” says Sandy Powers, Fantasia range from 90 to 125 lbs. Shetlands are Fleece Farm. seasonal breeders that commonly produce A NASSA board member, Powers twins when well fed. describes the wool as very soft with lots of The breed is very adaptable to the climate. loft. She says spinners really like working Powers says breeders range from the Northern she markets weathers for meat. “You can get a beautiful ewe for $200 to with it as it doesn’t scratch and works well U.S. and Canada into the southeast and “It is very mild tasting with smaller cuts,” $300,” she says. “A ram would be more.” for things like scarves worn next to the southwestern U.S. she says. “A loin cut runs about 3 oz., which Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, skin. Powers has run as many as 80 head at a is a recommended meat portion.” Fantasia Fleece Farm, 10600 N 600 E, As expected from a small breed, the time, though she is now down to 60. She Although the fi rst Shetlands imported sold Roanoke, Ind. 46783 (ph 260 672-9623; wool comes in small quantities. Average rotates pastures and averages about 7 head per for thousands of dollars each, Powers reports [email protected]; www. production of 5 lbs. of raw wool processes acre. Though typically raised for the wool, today’s prices are signifi cantly less. shetland-sheep.org). Rare Sheep Breed Known For Easy Lambing, Weight Gain Clun Forest sheep have the attributes “I fi nd that the ewes need very little to producers appreciate – easy lambing, bounce back from lambing. I have 9 and growth and carcass quality. A native of 10-year-old sheep that I put on scrubland the Welsh hills (near Clun), the breed (after weaning), and by the end of July they has adapted well to many different look like they have been on alfalfa round environments in North America, says bales,” Fitz says. Rich Fitz, sheep owner and secretary/ He and other producers say the medium- treasurer for the North American Clun size sheep are easier to handle than most Forest Association (NACFA). of the large commercial breeds. Yet, the Small in overall numbers (205 lambs fast-growing lambs fl ourish on less feed and registered in the U.S. in 2016), hobby 100-120 lb. lambs dress out at 50-60 percent. farmers and small flock producers Fitz sells many lambs to an ethnic market, emphasize the importance of keeping and customers are surprised how much mild- Hobby farmers and small fl ock producers emphasize the importance of keeping the the breed pure. At the same time, they fl avored meat they get from the stocky lambs. Clun Forest sheep breed pure. Only 205 lambs were registered in the U.S. last year. sell stock to commercial producers who Fitz says he gets consistent flavor and crossbreed Cluns in their fl ocks for the quality with a combination of pasture, limited They tend to hold their heads up high and are The price of purebred rams varies easy lambing trait and ability to thrive on grain and free-choice fi rst cutting hay. smart, he adds, alerting each other to danger. depending on the breeding program and lower quality feed. “In Michigan, the growing season is so They aren’t as wild as breeds like Cheviots, region. On the East Coast rams from “We have a lot of breeders (NACFA) variable that we err on the side of caution but tend to be more standoffi sh than tamer semen imported from the UK can run $700 who are new to livestock and want easy with feeding,” he says. breeds. to $1,000. In the Midwest prices are closer production sheep, and they don’t want He notes that Clun sheep adapt to all types Many producers have created markets to the $300 to $600 range. lambs that have to be pulled,” Fitz says. of feed management with producers from for Clun wool, which is strong, springy and Check out NACFA’s website for more With a narrow head and short legs, Georgia to Canada. The sheep are often suitable for socks and outerwear. information. lambing rarely requires human assistance. grass-fed on the East Coast, for example. A “I do see more interest in Cluns from Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Rich Lambs are up on their feet quickly, and Colorado fl ock feasts on sprouted grains. Midwest commercial breeders who are trying Fitz, Ugly Dog’s Farm, 5185 N. Washburn ewes give lambs everything they have for Fitz says he likes the alert appearance of the to get away from huge, tall sheep that need Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423 (ph 810 299- fast gains. sheep with their open faces and upright ears. extra feed,” Fitz says. 3417; [email protected]). Cheese Production May Save Rare Canadienne Cattle Mario Duchesne is using cheese to help since it was an ideal cow for small farmers. revive the once common Canadienne dairy It was selected for producing on grass breed. Duchesne, the managing director of and forage, not grain. Duchesne describes the Association for the Development of the Canadiennes as very hardy and frugal, Canadienne Cattle Breed in Charlevoix, small to medium-sized with a long life span. Quebec, notes that there has to be an Average production runs about 11,000 lbs. economic return if herd numbers are to Red or fawn-colored when young, the cattle increase suffi ciently. may mature to brown and black tones as well. The Association’s efforts are aimed “They’re very mild tempered and maternal, at developing the breed by expanding a although if threatened, they’ll react strongly,” network of dairies producing milk to make he says. “The breed is very hardy and will a specialty, premium cheese. recover from milk fever or other metabolic Mario Duchesne is trying to develop the Canadienne dairy breed by expanding a “We introduced them here in 2007 to diseases where a Holstein won’t. They are network of dairies producing milk to make a specialty, premium cheese. produce milk for a local cheesemaker also very easy calvers, so fast and easy, there interested in value-added cheese,” says is often not time to get them to a calving pen.” genetic testing of existing Canadiennes to 344, 138 road, Saint-Hilarion, Quebec Duchesne. “We know they can’t compete Duchesne estimates that today there are determine the rate of inbreeding and the Canada G0A 3V0 (ph 418 457-4333; with Holsteins or other major breeds for fewer than 300 Canadiennes left and of them, genetic diversity remaining. [email protected]; www. milk production. However, they’re very only 50 that are purebred. “Once we know the genetics, we can work vachecanadienne.com) or Rare Breeds high in protein, which is good for cheese As the breed dwindles, it has become to restore the breed through selection,” says Canada, RR 1, Nesbitt, Manitoba production.” very in-bred. Duchesne hopes that growing Duchesne. Canada R0K 1P0 (ph 204 573-8204; The Canadienne cow was introduced interest in using the milk for cheese, as well Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, [email protected]; www. to Quebec more than 400 years ago. Over as advanced genetic research, will combine to Association for the Development of the rarebreedscanada.org). the past 100 years it drifted across Canada, save the breed. The Association is conducting Canadienne Cattle Breed in Charlevoix,

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