The story of Katahdin sheep Kentucky is interesting even to those who don't intend to become shepherds. For those who are already involved with raising sheep, the rationale behind this new registered breed will perhaps change the way they conduct business. This story is a real life example of American ingenuity in action.
Michael Piel of Maine became interested in different breeds of this valuable domestic animal in his childhood. He found the Suffolk to be satisfactory, but focused on meat production rather than the wool that every one of his animals grew every year. This wool, which once boosted profits, has become less valuable since the market has been flooded with Australian wool. In addition, synthetic fleece has captured public affection and reduced demand for the natural product.
Believe it or not, animals like this do exist. Called hair sheep, they have coats more like other domestic animals. Their hair coats shield them from extremes of weather but require no shearing. There are millions of these beasts, mainly in Africa and Latin America.
Piel imported three ewes and a ram from the Virgin Islands and crossed them with various woolly kinds of American animals. He was careful to select animals that fit his specifications. All of the imported ewes were triplets, all four animals were young and healthy, and all were prime examples of their breed in conformation, temperament, and size. The non-woolly breed was known to be prolific, resistant to parasites, adaptable, and hardy.
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's main focus was meat production, so he bred for 'carcass quality'. Almost fifty years later, there's a registry for animals who conform to his standards of size and conformation. Color is not important, the animal can be either hornless or horned, and there can be a variety of textures to the coat. The registry is not yet closed; an animal that meets the standard can be registered even if only one parent has papers. Every beast not from two registered animals must be inspected before being accepted for registration.
The taste and quality of the meat is paramount. Piel's new type gives a lot of lean, flavorful meat. In addition, the beasts are tolerant of many climates, can flourish on many kinds of forage, and are remarkably easy to care for. They do an outstanding job of clearing waste lands and fallow fields of brush, with little time and attention from their owners.
Check out Katahdin sheep Kentucky to see if there might be a flock near you. You can also go to the website set up for this breed, posted by Katahdin Hair Sheep International.
Michael Piel of Maine became interested in different breeds of this valuable domestic animal in his childhood. He found the Suffolk to be satisfactory, but focused on meat production rather than the wool that every one of his animals grew every year. This wool, which once boosted profits, has become less valuable since the market has been flooded with Australian wool. In addition, synthetic fleece has captured public affection and reduced demand for the natural product.
Believe it or not, animals like this do exist. Called hair sheep, they have coats more like other domestic animals. Their hair coats shield them from extremes of weather but require no shearing. There are millions of these beasts, mainly in Africa and Latin America.
Piel imported three ewes and a ram from the Virgin Islands and crossed them with various woolly kinds of American animals. He was careful to select animals that fit his specifications. All of the imported ewes were triplets, all four animals were young and healthy, and all were prime examples of their breed in conformation, temperament, and size. The non-woolly breed was known to be prolific, resistant to parasites, adaptable, and hardy.
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's main focus was meat production, so he bred for 'carcass quality'. Almost fifty years later, there's a registry for animals who conform to his standards of size and conformation. Color is not important, the animal can be either hornless or horned, and there can be a variety of textures to the coat. The registry is not yet closed; an animal that meets the standard can be registered even if only one parent has papers. Every beast not from two registered animals must be inspected before being accepted for registration.
The taste and quality of the meat is paramount. Piel's new type gives a lot of lean, flavorful meat. In addition, the beasts are tolerant of many climates, can flourish on many kinds of forage, and are remarkably easy to care for. They do an outstanding job of clearing waste lands and fallow fields of brush, with little time and attention from their owners.
Check out Katahdin sheep Kentucky to see if there might be a flock near you. You can also go to the website set up for this breed, posted by Katahdin Hair Sheep International.
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