Introduction to Agriculture SHEEP INDUSTRY Ms. Tonnessen

TERMS TO KNOW

¡ Ovine—scientific species name for sheep ¡ Lamb—sheep under a year old ¡ Ewe—female sheep ¡ Ram—intact male sheep ¡ Weather—castrated male sheep ¡ Mutton—sheep over a year old ¡ Gestation length—145 days MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Rambouillet § Origin—France § Horned, polled, or scurred § Can breed out of season § Advantages § High quality wool § Hardy § Growth characteristics § Disadvantages § Muscle quality MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Columbia § Origin—United States § Cross of Rambouillet and Lincoln § Polled § Range condition § Advantages § Large fleece § Larger framed § Disadvantages § Muscle quality MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Dorset § Origin—Whales § Smaller breed § Horned or polled § Advantages § Fall lambing § Prolific lambers § Strong fleece and free of dark fibers § High milk § Disadvantages § Growth & size

MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Lincoln § Origin—England § Developed specifically for wool § Advantages § Longest wool § Disadvantages § Growth & muscle MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Corriedale § Origin—Australia and New Zealand § Cross of Merino and Lincoln § Advantages § Medium-Large fleece § Disadvantages § Muscle & growth MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Southdown § Origin—Susix England § Polled § White face § Advantages § Adaptable § Early maturing § High lambing § Disadvantages § Smaller sized MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Suffolk § Origin—England § Norfolk horn ewes with Southdown rams § Polled § Black faced § Advantages § Medium wool § Rapid growth § High quality muscle § Disadvantages § Maternal characteristics § Poor wool quality MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Hampshire § Origin—England § Wool cap § Black faced § Advantages § Large framed § High quality muscle § Freedom from unsoundness § Disadvantages § Poor maternal characteristics § Poor wool quality MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Targhee § Origin—United States § Cross of Rambouillet, Columbia, and Corriedale § Developed by the USDA § Advantages § High quality wool § Extremely hardy § Disadvantages § Medium quality meat MAJOR BREEDS

¡ Katahdin § Origin—United States § Cross of Suffolk and St. Croix § Color varies § Polled § Advantages § Hair § Maternal characteristics § High milk § Medium quality milk § Disadvantages § Growth § No wool ACTIVITY

¡ In groups of 4, using your notes, please pick two breeds of sheep that were just covered. ¡ One breed will hypothetically be used as your ewe. The other as your ram. ¡ Your goal is to create a cross-bred offspring who will be heavy muscled, fast growers, adequate wool production, and raised from good mothers. ¡ You will turn this in at the conclusion of class.