Sheep ProductionSheep Production

President Woodrow Wilson grazed sheep on the White House lawn. The wool from the sheep was sold to raise money for the Red Cross during World War I. The flock included "Old Ike," a tobacco chewing ram

• Dolly, the Famous Cloned Sheep Dolly, the Famous Cloned Sheep • Dolly -- the world’s first animal to be Dolly -- the world’s first animal to be clonedcloned from an adult from an adult cellcell -- became the -- became the

most famous sheep in history after her birth was announced by the Roslin most famous sheep in history after her birth was announced by the Roslin Institute in Scotland in 1997. Dolly was born July 5 1996 from three different Institute in Scotland in 1997. Dolly was born July 5 1996 from three different mothers. Her genetic mother provided the mothers. Her genetic mother provided the DNADNA, a second ewe provided the , a second ewe provided the eggegg into which the DNA was injected and a third carried the resulting cloned into which the DNA was injected and a third carried the resulting cloned embryoembryo and gave birth to Dolly. It took 276 attempts before the experiment and gave birth to Dolly. It took 276 attempts before the experiment was successful. The birth of Dolly was hailed as a scientific breakthrough. was successful. The birth of Dolly was hailed as a scientific breakthrough. Dolly became a superstar and seemed to enjoy the constant human attention.Dolly became a superstar and seemed to enjoy the constant human attention.

• Dolly gave birth to six lambs. She was put down when she was six and Dolly gave birth to six lambs. She was put down when she was six and a half years old, after developing a lung infection. Dolly’s health a half years old, after developing a lung infection. Dolly’s health problems may have been a result of the fact that she was cloned from problems may have been a result of the fact that she was cloned from a six-year-old ewe. She also suffered from a form of a six-year-old ewe. She also suffered from a form of arthritisarthritis. After her . After her death, Dolly was stuffed and put on display in the death, Dolly was stuffed and put on display in the Royal Museum of Scotland

• Renegade Sheep Renegade Sheep • A renegade New Zealand sheep that managed to evade the A renegade New Zealand sheep that managed to evade the

shearers for six years finally had a haircut. Shrek, the Merino shearers for six years finally had a haircut. Shrek, the Merino sheep, was shorn live on national television by top shearers sheep, was shorn live on national television by top shearers David Fagan and Peter Casserley. The 10-year-old sheep had David Fagan and Peter Casserley. The 10-year-old sheep had managed to roam freely on New Zealand's South Island for managed to roam freely on New Zealand's South Island for more than six years before being finally rounded up. Shrek's more than six years before being finally rounded up. Shrek's 27 kg (60 lbs.) 27 kg (60 lbs.) fleecefleece - enough to make 20 large men's suits - - enough to make 20 large men's suits - was auctioned off over the Internet for the benefit of was auctioned off over the Internet for the benefit of Children's medical charities. Shrek 2 bested Shrek 1 by Children's medical charities. Shrek 2 bested Shrek 1 by avoiding shearing for 7 years. His fleece, removed in April avoiding shearing for 7 years. His fleece, removed in April 2005, weighed 31 kg and measured three meters in 2005, weighed 31 kg and measured three meters in length. Shrek 2 was approximately 11 years oldlength. Shrek 2 was approximately 11 years old

Shrek

• Moviestars Moviestars • Border Leicester sheep were featured in the 1995 hit Border Leicester sheep were featured in the 1995 hit

movie, Babe, which tells the story of a sheep-herding pig. movie, Babe, which tells the story of a sheep-herding pig. The movie required 970 animals, including 550 sheep. All The movie required 970 animals, including 550 sheep. All scenes of sheep herding were real herds and the trained scenes of sheep herding were real herds and the trained dogs who herd them. When the sheep appear to be dogs who herd them. When the sheep appear to be attentively listening and keeping very still, both real and attentively listening and keeping very still, both real and animatronicanimatronic sheep were used. The ratio was one sheep were used. The ratio was one animatronic sheep for every three real sheep. The real animatronic sheep for every three real sheep. The real sheep were trained to calmly remain on their marks. When sheep were trained to calmly remain on their marks. When the sheep walk in unison, real sheep were used and the sheep walk in unison, real sheep were used and harnessed with a very thin material that was not visible on harnessed with a very thin material that was not visible on camera. These sheep had been trained in pre-production to camera. These sheep had been trained in pre-production to respond so that when one was called, they all followedrespond so that when one was called, they all followed

Ewe breeds

• The Toast of Botswana The Toast of Botswana An unusual case of a goat-sheep An unusual case of a goat-sheep hybridhybrid was reported by veterinarians in Botswana in 2000. was reported by veterinarians in Botswana in 2000. The animal was born naturally from the mating of a female The animal was born naturally from the mating of a female goat (which is generally thought not possible) with a male goat (which is generally thought not possible) with a male sheep that were kept together. The hybrid had 57 sheep that were kept together. The hybrid had 57 chromosomeschromosomes, intermediate between sheep (54) and goats , intermediate between sheep (54) and goats (60), proving it was not a case of mistaken identity. Its (60), proving it was not a case of mistaken identity. Its features were halfway between sheep and goats. The hybrid features were halfway between sheep and goats. The hybrid had a very active had a very active libidolibido, mounting both ewes and does when , mounting both ewes and does when they were not in heat. This earned the hybrid the name they were not in heat. This earned the hybrid the name "Bemya" or "Rapist." He was "Bemya" or "Rapist." He was castratedcastrated when he was 10 when he was 10 months old because he was becoming a nuisance.months old because he was becoming a nuisance.   

Scientific ClassificationScientific Classification

• KingdomKingdom AnimaliaAnimalia• PhylumPhylum ChordataChordata• SubphylumSubphylum VertebrataVertebrata• ClassClass MammaliaMammalia• OrderOrder UngulataUngulata• SuborderSuborder ArtiodactylaArtiodactyla• FamilyFamily BovidaeBovidae• GenusGenus Ovis (sheep) Capra (goat)Ovis (sheep) Capra (goat)• SpeciesSpecies aries (sheep) hires (goat)aries (sheep) hires (goat)

In general: Sheep are-In general: Sheep are-

• Behaviorally, they are gregarious, Behaviorally, they are gregarious, precocial, defenselessprecocial, defenseless

• Flock together and prefer to be in Flock together and prefer to be in groups, high degree of groups, high degree of independence , are defenseless independence , are defenseless against predatorsagainst predators

• Very useful for meat, skins, milk and Very useful for meat, skins, milk and wool and were domesticated about wool and were domesticated about 10,000 B.C.10,000 B.C.

Place of Sheep and Goat Place of Sheep and Goat industry in US Agricultureindustry in US Agriculture• The purpose of the sheep and goats in The purpose of the sheep and goats in

the US is to take advantage of forage the US is to take advantage of forage and roughage to produce milk, meat and roughage to produce milk, meat and fiberand fiber

• Historically, sheep used as a part of the Historically, sheep used as a part of the mixed farm in the eastern states and in mixed farm in the eastern states and in large flocks that graze rangelands in large flocks that graze rangelands in the western USthe western US

• In conjunction with cattle, sheep and In conjunction with cattle, sheep and goats allow for better use of forage goats allow for better use of forage resourcesresources

Place of Sheep and Goat Place of Sheep and Goat industry in US Agricultureindustry in US Agriculture• When sheep and goats use the land with cattle When sheep and goats use the land with cattle

they make better use of the resources because they make better use of the resources because they graze slightly different foragethey graze slightly different forage

• Sheep better able to select their diet than cattle Sheep better able to select their diet than cattle and pick a better diet- and pick a better diet-

• Goats like browse ( twigs and brush) do not compete with Goats like browse ( twigs and brush) do not compete with cattlecattle

– One doe or ewe can be added for each existing cow and One doe or ewe can be added for each existing cow and no additional forage will be requiredno additional forage will be required

– Goats and sheep can improve pastures & grazing Goats and sheep can improve pastures & grazing resources because they eat many species, including resources because they eat many species, including weeds, that cattle leave behindweeds, that cattle leave behind

– Goats used as brush cleanersGoats used as brush cleaners– Why not combine sheep and cattle- sheep require more Why not combine sheep and cattle- sheep require more

care and suffer greater predation losses than cattlecare and suffer greater predation losses than cattle

Place of Sheep and Goat Place of Sheep and Goat industry in US Agricultureindustry in US Agriculture• Wool and mohair were subsidized by the federal Wool and mohair were subsidized by the federal

govt. From 1954 to 1995govt. From 1954 to 1995– Since the subsidized program ended, there has been a Since the subsidized program ended, there has been a

precipitous decline in sheep and Angora goat #sprecipitous decline in sheep and Angora goat #s

• Today, the Sheep industry has declined in USToday, the Sheep industry has declined in US– Only .2% of the total US farm revenue from livestock Only .2% of the total US farm revenue from livestock

and productsand products– Gross U S annual income from sheep and goats is ~$500 Gross U S annual income from sheep and goats is ~$500

million and decreasingmillion and decreasing– Only .4% of animal agriculture’s share of cash receipts Only .4% of animal agriculture’s share of cash receipts

• The US per capita consumption of lamb <1lb The US per capita consumption of lamb <1lb (boneless wt basis)(boneless wt basis)

Place of Sheep and Goat Place of Sheep and Goat industry in US Agricultureindustry in US Agriculture• The US sheep industry was once a mighty industry The US sheep industry was once a mighty industry

but those days are gone and not likely to returnbut those days are gone and not likely to return• ~ 69,000 sheep producers in the US today~ 69,000 sheep producers in the US today• Current status places it in the classification of a Current status places it in the classification of a

specialty industryspecialty industry• Most US sheep producers have small flocks and Most US sheep producers have small flocks and

raise sheep as a secondary enterprise or hobby.raise sheep as a secondary enterprise or hobby.• Most large producers are found in 17 western Most large producers are found in 17 western

states where the bulk of the sheep are kept in large states where the bulk of the sheep are kept in large range flocksrange flocks

• Most small flocks and most sheep producers are Most small flocks and most sheep producers are found in states other than where most of the sheep found in states other than where most of the sheep are foundare found

Producers

Sheep distribution

Place of Sheep and Goat Place of Sheep and Goat industry in in global Agricultureindustry in in global Agriculture• Sheep and goats used extensively around the Sheep and goats used extensively around the

world for grass conversionworld for grass conversion• Great livestock choice for people in less-Great livestock choice for people in less-

developed economiesdeveloped economies• Over 1.1billion head of sheep and 840 million Over 1.1billion head of sheep and 840 million

goats in the worldgoats in the world• They are the second and fourth most numerous They are the second and fourth most numerous

agricultural animals in the worldagricultural animals in the world– Smaller size- five sheep or seven goats kept on the Smaller size- five sheep or seven goats kept on the

same amount of land as one cowsame amount of land as one cow• One sheep (goat) for every 5 (8) people in the worldOne sheep (goat) for every 5 (8) people in the world• 22(16) head of sheep (goats) per sq mile of world land 22(16) head of sheep (goats) per sq mile of world land

surface – US has .34% of world’s goats and only .56% of surface – US has .34% of world’s goats and only .56% of world’s sheepworld’s sheep

Three major segments of US Three major segments of US sheep industrysheep industry• 1.1. Range sheep production- Range sheep production-

– Pasture and dry rangePasture and dry range• Dry range offers few alternatives for productive use of land- cattle Dry range offers few alternatives for productive use of land- cattle

often compete as the enterprise that makes more $ with less fussoften compete as the enterprise that makes more $ with less fuss• Range production differs – wet or dryRange production differs – wet or dry

– If sheep are part of a diversified farm then meat production is more If sheep are part of a diversified farm then meat production is more profitable than wool productionprofitable than wool production

– If forage conditions are poor then wool production is emphasized and If forage conditions are poor then wool production is emphasized and meat production is a secondary productmeat production is a secondary product

– In wet range, the nutrition is high enough for meat and wool productionIn wet range, the nutrition is high enough for meat and wool production• Grazing flocks are referred to as stock sheepGrazing flocks are referred to as stock sheep

– Provide lamb production directly to slaughter and to feedlotsProvide lamb production directly to slaughter and to feedlots• The value of wool has declined to the point that raising sheep for The value of wool has declined to the point that raising sheep for

wool is rarely profitable thus most systems focus on meat wool is rarely profitable thus most systems focus on meat production in the USproduction in the US

• 2.2. Lamb feeding- 40 to 90lbs fed to market weightLamb feeding- 40 to 90lbs fed to market weight• in past finished on grass now finished on grainin past finished on grass now finished on grain

• 3.3. Purebred sector (very small)Purebred sector (very small)

History of sheep & their History of sheep & their changeschanges

• Sheep and goats were domesticated about Sheep and goats were domesticated about 10-8,000 BC (long before pigs)10-8,000 BC (long before pigs)

• Develop more wool and less hairDevelop more wool and less hair• Color of wool & hair changed from brown to Color of wool & hair changed from brown to

whites and blacks whites and blacks (domestication of animals affects color of (domestication of animals affects color of

woolwool))• From erect ear to lop earFrom erect ear to lop ear• Horns were weaken or disappearedHorns were weaken or disappeared• Tail have less vertebratesTail have less vertebrates• Today’s sheep have smaller brainsToday’s sheep have smaller brains

History of US Sheep History of US Sheep productionproduction

• Christopher Columbus brought sheep and goats Christopher Columbus brought sheep and goats to the West Indies (second voyage) in 1493to the West Indies (second voyage) in 1493

• Cortez brought them to Mexico in 1519Cortez brought them to Mexico in 1519• English settlers brought them to the East Coast in English settlers brought them to the East Coast in

1609 when they settled in New England1609 when they settled in New England• As settlement of the continent proceeded, the As settlement of the continent proceeded, the

grasslands became increasingly used as sheep grasslands became increasingly used as sheep producing areasproducing areas

• Sheep industry became located predominantly in Sheep industry became located predominantly in the western USthe western US

History of US Sheep productionHistory of US Sheep productionSheep and Lamb inventorySheep and Lamb inventory

History of US Sheep History of US Sheep productionproduction• From colonial period until early 1900’s- sheep From colonial period until early 1900’s- sheep

were important for their wool production were important for their wool production (slaughter was incidental)(slaughter was incidental)

• Starting in late 1800’s- production of lambs for Starting in late 1800’s- production of lambs for slaughter became increasingly important- slaughter became increasingly important- production shifted to the western USproduction shifted to the western US

• 1867- sheep inventory ~46.3 million1867- sheep inventory ~46.3 million• 1942- all time high #- 56.2 million1942- all time high #- 56.2 million• 1950- dropped to 30 million1950- dropped to 30 million• 1970’s- down to 15 million1970’s- down to 15 million• 2007- less than 10 million head2007- less than 10 million head

Reasons for declining sheep Reasons for declining sheep production:production:

• Less demand for woolLess demand for wool• Declining demand for lamb and relative Declining demand for lamb and relative

high price of lamb relative to other high price of lamb relative to other meatsmeats

• Increased difficulty in obtaining and Increased difficulty in obtaining and keeping reliable herders to manage keeping reliable herders to manage and care for range flocksand care for range flocks

• Increased competition for public-owned Increased competition for public-owned rangeland and increasing grazing feesrangeland and increasing grazing fees

Reasons for declining sheep Reasons for declining sheep production:production:

• Increasing problems of predators in many Increasing problems of predators in many range and farm flock-producing statesrange and farm flock-producing states

• Decreased government support – especially Decreased government support – especially the demise of the wool support programthe demise of the wool support program

• Farmer diversification into other enterprisesFarmer diversification into other enterprises

• Seasonal nature of lamb production and Seasonal nature of lamb production and consumptionconsumption

• Inadequate profit to keep producers Inadequate profit to keep producers producing.producing.

Goats:Goats:

• From colonial times, goats have been used in small #’s as From colonial times, goats have been used in small #’s as meat and milk animalsmeat and milk animals

• Later, Angora goats became useful as fiber producers in the Later, Angora goats became useful as fiber producers in the Southwest- especially TexasSouthwest- especially Texas

• USDA published its first annual goat survey in 2005 (prior to USDA published its first annual goat survey in 2005 (prior to that no survey was done –except Angora-)that no survey was done –except Angora-)

• Since 2005, 3-5% annual increase with most growth Since 2005, 3-5% annual increase with most growth related to the meat-type productionrelated to the meat-type production– Much of the demand is due to growing immigrant and ethnic Much of the demand is due to growing immigrant and ethnic

populationspopulations– Many states offered incentives to farmers who participated in Many states offered incentives to farmers who participated in

the tobacco buyout program if they got into other forms of the tobacco buyout program if they got into other forms of agricultureagriculture

• Southeast is where the majority of tobacco is grown and has also Southeast is where the majority of tobacco is grown and has also seen the largest increases in goat numbersseen the largest increases in goat numbers

– Goat enterprises appeal to those who have a limited acces to land and Goat enterprises appeal to those who have a limited acces to land and want an animal enterprisewant an animal enterprise

US Goat InventoryUS Goat Inventory

WOOLWOOL

Leading wool producing Leading wool producing countriescountries• AustraliaAustralia

• New Zealand New Zealand

• ChinaChina

• UruguayUruguay

• ArgentinaArgentina

• South AfricaSouth Africa

• USAUSA

• UKUK

DefinitionsDefinitions

• Grease wool – directly from sheep, has Grease wool – directly from sheep, has not been scourednot been scoured

• Lanonlin – purified wool greaseLanonlin – purified wool grease

• Scouring – removal of grease and dirtScouring – removal of grease and dirt

• Shrinkage – what is left after removal Shrinkage – what is left after removal of grease and dirt (want this to be of grease and dirt (want this to be minimal)minimal)

• Grade, gradingGrade, grading

Wool GradingWool Grading

• BloodBlood

•     The attributes of wool include fineness, The attributes of wool include fineness, length, crimp, color, strength, uniformity, length, crimp, color, strength, uniformity, and in grease wool, percentage of foreign and in grease wool, percentage of foreign material. Fineness is considered the most material. Fineness is considered the most important. important.

• Was based on the fraction of Merino blood Was based on the fraction of Merino blood in a particular breedin a particular breed– Has not been used since 1955Has not been used since 1955

Wool GradingWool Grading

• Bradford Spin countBradford Spin count– Hanks of yarn (hank = 560 yards) that Hanks of yarn (hank = 560 yards) that

can be spun from 1 pound of wool topcan be spun from 1 pound of wool top– Get more hanks of yarn from finer woolGet more hanks of yarn from finer wool– Now used in conjunction with micron Now used in conjunction with micron

measurementsmeasurements

Wool GradingWool Grading

• Micron systemMicron system– 1 micron = 1/25,400 inch1 micron = 1/25,400 inch– Measured with a laser deviceMeasured with a laser device– Given a micron count and information Given a micron count and information

that gives information about the that gives information about the uniformity of the fleece.uniformity of the fleece.

– Samples usually taken from the side and Samples usually taken from the side and the britch (over the top hind leg)the britch (over the top hind leg)

BloodBlood Spin CountSpin Count MicronsMicrons

FineFine 64, 70, 8064, 70, 80 < 22.04< 22.04

Half – bloodHalf – blood 60, 6260, 62 22.05-24.9422.05-24.94

3/8 blood3/8 blood 56, 5856, 58 24.95-27.8424.95-27.84

¼ blood¼ blood 50, 5450, 54 27.85-30.9927.85-30.99

Low ¼Low ¼ 46, 4846, 48 31.0-34.3931.0-34.39

CommonCommon 4444 34.4-36.1934.4-36.19

BraidBraid 36, 4036, 40 36.2-40.236.2-40.2

Types of Sheep – body Types of Sheep – body coveringcovering• Fine wool fine to ½ blood (Merino)Fine wool fine to ½ blood (Merino)

• Medium wool 3/8 – ¼ bloodMedium wool 3/8 – ¼ blood

• Long woolLong wool low ¼, common, low ¼, common, course,strong, luster and braid, 12”/yrcourse,strong, luster and braid, 12”/yr

• Carpet wool lowest qualityCarpet wool lowest quality

• types of wool