American shepherds should be interested to know that there's a new breed that eliminates some negative aspects of their industry and make it more profitable. Katahdin sheep Kentucky are a hybrid variety that are easier to care for than some of the more established breeds. They were developer by a man from Maine who crossed breeds that are familiar to Americans with one found on other continents to achieve specific traits that he wanted.
Michael Piel's main objective was to relieve meat raisers from the need to deal with a crop of wool. A lot of energy on both the part of the farmer and of the animal is devoted to the fleece. This woolly coat used to be a profitable sideline to raising lamb and mutton for the market. Today the market's flooded with Australian wool, and it's facing stiff competition from synthetic fleeces.
Piel felt that shearing and marketing of wool was more of a nuisance than a positive part of his business. He began looking for a way out and discovered hair sheep. These domesticated animals are popular in Latin America and Africa. They have coats more like cows or horses; instead of woolly fleece that has to be removed every year, they have hair which does a good job of protecting them from extremes of hot and cold.
The foundation animals for the Katahdin breed were imported from the Virgin Islands a Maine farmer called Michael Piel. He brought in three ewes (all triplets) and a ram to cross with a variety of registered ewes. His goals were to raise animals without wool which were superior for meat production. Hair sheep are noted for having no fleece as well as being hardy, adaptable, prolific, and resistant to parasites.
Shepherds know that raising European and American sheep can be pleasant and unpleasant. Much time is spent outdoors in green pastures, watching lambs gambol. However, those same lambs are born, often with difficulty, in the bitterly cold months of late winter or early spring. They have to be sheared - not a pleasant task - and then protected from the weather until a new layer of wool can grow. Hair sheep, however, mate and lamb at any time of the year and require no shearing.
Piel wanted a superior meat animal and he bred for 'carcass quality'. This measures things like the amount of meat on a slaughtered animal and how much of it will provide the more desirable cuts. Today there is a standard for this new type, based on conformation, size, and muscling. There is no required color, an animal can be horned or born without horns, and the coat can vary in texture without making an animal ineligible for registration. Inspection of all animals with only one registered parent is mandatory.
Noted for a large amount of lean, flavorful meat, this breed grows well on many different kinds of forage. A flock can pretty much take care of itself while clearing overgrown waste land or long-fallow fields. They tolerate heat and cold, so can thrive in any part of the country. Kentucky, of course, is just about ideal.
Be the first in your 4-H club to exhibit Katahdin sheep Kentucky way. Remember that judging the woolly coat plays a part in the final placement for awards. But think of the fun you'll have explaining how you expect to make a lot of money with your easy to raise and prolific hair sheep.
Michael Piel's main objective was to relieve meat raisers from the need to deal with a crop of wool. A lot of energy on both the part of the farmer and of the animal is devoted to the fleece. This woolly coat used to be a profitable sideline to raising lamb and mutton for the market. Today the market's flooded with Australian wool, and it's facing stiff competition from synthetic fleeces.
Piel felt that shearing and marketing of wool was more of a nuisance than a positive part of his business. He began looking for a way out and discovered hair sheep. These domesticated animals are popular in Latin America and Africa. They have coats more like cows or horses; instead of woolly fleece that has to be removed every year, they have hair which does a good job of protecting them from extremes of hot and cold.
The foundation animals for the Katahdin breed were imported from the Virgin Islands a Maine farmer called Michael Piel. He brought in three ewes (all triplets) and a ram to cross with a variety of registered ewes. His goals were to raise animals without wool which were superior for meat production. Hair sheep are noted for having no fleece as well as being hardy, adaptable, prolific, and resistant to parasites.
Shepherds know that raising European and American sheep can be pleasant and unpleasant. Much time is spent outdoors in green pastures, watching lambs gambol. However, those same lambs are born, often with difficulty, in the bitterly cold months of late winter or early spring. They have to be sheared - not a pleasant task - and then protected from the weather until a new layer of wool can grow. Hair sheep, however, mate and lamb at any time of the year and require no shearing.
Piel wanted a superior meat animal and he bred for 'carcass quality'. This measures things like the amount of meat on a slaughtered animal and how much of it will provide the more desirable cuts. Today there is a standard for this new type, based on conformation, size, and muscling. There is no required color, an animal can be horned or born without horns, and the coat can vary in texture without making an animal ineligible for registration. Inspection of all animals with only one registered parent is mandatory.
Noted for a large amount of lean, flavorful meat, this breed grows well on many different kinds of forage. A flock can pretty much take care of itself while clearing overgrown waste land or long-fallow fields. They tolerate heat and cold, so can thrive in any part of the country. Kentucky, of course, is just about ideal.
Be the first in your 4-H club to exhibit Katahdin sheep Kentucky way. Remember that judging the woolly coat plays a part in the final placement for awards. But think of the fun you'll have explaining how you expect to make a lot of money with your easy to raise and prolific hair sheep.
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