Sheep & The Many Ways We Use Them Animal Science
Jan 03, 2016
Sheep & The Many Ways We Use ThemAnimal Science
What do we use sheep for?MeatWoolDairy
MeatMost sheep in the U.S. are raised
for meat.Lamb
◦Less than one year of age.◦~200 million pounds are sold
annually in U.S.Mutton
◦Over one year of age.
WoolThe original “primary use” for
sheep in the U.S.◦Demand has declined since the
1940’s due to synthetic fibers.Each sheep yields approximately
5-15 lbs. per shearing.
Wool cont.Greasy Wool
◦Raw wool before being processed.Clean Wool
◦Wool after it has been processed.In 2011 there were
approximately 30 million pounds of greasy wool produced.
This was processed into approximately 16 million pounds of clean wool.
DairyMakes up 1.3% of world dairy
production.One dairy ewe can produce 400-
1,100 pounds annually. 6-8% Fat Content (Important for
Cheese)Used for cheese, yogurt, &
butter.◦Some of these cheeses can sell for
up to $50/lbs.
Breeds of Sheep
Breeds of SheepCertain breeds are better at
certain things than others.◦Meat
Hair
◦Wool◦Dairy
Every breed falls into at least one of these categories.
MeatThese breeds are used primarily
for meat production.Certain meat breeds fall into the
hair sheep category because they have hair instead of wool.
SuffolkDeveloped in Britain; introduced
to U.S. in 1888.Largest sheep in U.S.Mature Weights
◦ Ram: 275-400 lbs.◦ Ewes: 200-300 lbs.
HampshireDeveloped in Hampshire County
England; officially introduced to the U.S. in 1879.
Mature Weight◦ Ram: 250-350 lbs.◦ Ewe: 175-250 lbs.
Known for large head.
OxfordDeveloped in England;
introduced to U.S. in 1846.Mature Weights
◦ Ram: 225-325 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.
Dorset (Horned & Polled)Originated in southern England;
introduced to U.S. in 1885.Polled breed was developed in
North Carolina in 1948.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 225-275 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.
SouthdownOriginated in England; introduced
to the U.S. in 1803.One of the oldest breeds.Mature Weight
◦ Ram:180-230 lbs.◦ Ewe: 120-180 lbs.
ShropshireOriginated in England; introduced
to the U.S. in 1855.“Farm flock” sheep.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 225-290 lbs.◦ Ewe: 170-200 lbs.
CheviotDeveloped in Scotland;
introduced to U.S. in 1838.Known for ruggedness.Mutton BreedMature Weight
◦ Ram: 160-200 lbs.◦ Ewe: 120-160 lbs.
Hair SheepThis is a sub-category of the
meat category.Hair sheep were developed for
lamb and mutton production in tropical areas.
Very popular in the sheep industry; especially in the South and Carribean.
These sheep are year around breeders.
DorperDeveloped in South Africa;
introduced to U.S. within the past 30 years.
Black Head & WhiteMature Weight
◦ Ram: 220-250 lbs.◦ Ewe: 170-200 lbs.
Popular meat breed.
Barbados & American BlackbellyOriginated in Barbados from West
African sheep; introduced to U.S. in 1904.
American Blackbelly was developed in Texas.
Mature Weight◦ Ram: 90-150 lbs.◦ Ewe: 85-100 lbs.
KatahdinDeveloped in Maine; perfected
during the 1970’s.Largest hair breed.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 175-250 lbs.◦ Ewe: 120-160 lbs.
WoolThese breeds are used primarily
for wool production.Most farms that raise sheep for
their wool are located in the northern & western parts of the U.S.
RambouilletDeveloped in France & Germany;
introduced to U.S. in mid-1800’s.Largest of Fine Wool breeds.Foundation of U.S. Range Flock.Can be used for meat.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 200-300 lbs.◦ Ewe: 140-180 lbs.
Grease Fleece Weight◦ 10-15 lbs.
Delaine-MerinoDeveloped in Spain and brought
to America through colonization.Unbroken line of breeding for
1,200 years.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 190-240 lbs.◦ Ewe: 125-160 lbs.
Grease Fleece Weight◦ 9-14 lbs.
ColumbiaDeveloped in the U.S. in 1912;
first U.S. breed.Increasing in use as a terminal
sire.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 250-350 lbs.◦ Ewe: 160-240 lbs.
Greace Fleece Weight◦ 12-16 lbs.
RomneyDeveloped in England; introduce
to the U.S. in 1904.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 200-275 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.
Grease Fleece Weight◦ 10-18 lbs.
CorriedaleDeveloped in New Zealand;
introduced to the U.S. in 1914.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 220-275 lbs.◦ Ewe: 150-200 lbs.
Grease Fleece Weight◦10-15 lbs.
TargheeDeveloped in the U.S. in 1926.Primarily in intermountain &
northern states.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 200-300 lbs.◦ Ewe: 140-200 lbs.
Grease Fleece Weight◦ 10-14 lbs.
Gulf CoastDeveloped in the South;
descendants of colonial sheep.Tolerant of parasites and heat.Wool & MeatMature Weight
◦ Ram: 145-180 lbs.◦ Ewe: 85-115 lbs.
Grease Fleece Weight◦ 4-6 lbs.
DairyThese breeds are used primarily
for dairy production.There are several dairy breeds
worldwide but only a few in the U.S.
East FriesianDeveloped in Germany and
Netherlands; introduced to the U.S. in 1994.
Highest milk producing breed.Mature Weight
◦ Ram: 225-270 lbs.◦ Ewe: 160-180 lbs.
Types of Sheep Producers
Purebred BreederRaises sheep for breeding stock.Provides the ewes and rams that
will be used to produce commercial lambs.
Commercial Slaughter Lamb ProducerRaises the lambs from birth to
when they are sold for slaughter.Main goal is to produce well
finished, heavy lambs by weaning.
Weaned lambs typically weigh 60 lbs.
Lambs are penned & fed with a target weight of 120 lbs.
Commercial Feeder Lamb ProducersLambs are not fully fed out.Option for farmers that do not
have good pasture.Lambs are sold to a commercial
feedlot.Lambs weigh around 80-90 lbs.
when sold.
Commercial Feedlot OperatorLambs are bought from
commercial feeder lamb producers.
Lambs are treated for internal parasites and diseases.
Lambs should gain about 0.5-0.8 lb. per day.
Target weight of 130 lbs.