Increase Profits And Cut Labor Costs With Katahdin Sheep Kentucky
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.
A man in Maine, who had been involved with sheep since childhood, wanted to eliminate the necessity of dealing with wool. His animals grew thick wool that had to be sheared, even if he only wanted to market the meat. Wool used to be a profitable sideline, but today competition from Australia and the increased use of synthetic fleece garments for winter wear has made it more of a burden than a incentive for many farmers.
Piel learned about a breed that has no fleece. These 'hair sheep' have coats which don't need to be sheared each year. These animals have been virtually unknown in Europe and North America but are familiar sights 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.
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.
Katahdin sheep Kentucky should be of interest to youth in 4-H clubs looking for an interesting project, to those who want to get a cash crop from uncultivated land, to anyone who wants hardy animals with few health problems, and to those who want the income potential of meat animals without the drudgery of wool production. Go online to the registry website for more information and contact information for flocks in your region.
A man in Maine, who had been involved with sheep since childhood, wanted to eliminate the necessity of dealing with wool. His animals grew thick wool that had to be sheared, even if he only wanted to market the meat. Wool used to be a profitable sideline, but today competition from Australia and the increased use of synthetic fleece garments for winter wear has made it more of a burden than a incentive for many farmers.
Piel learned about a breed that has no fleece. These 'hair sheep' have coats which don't need to be sheared each year. These animals have been virtually unknown in Europe and North America but are familiar sights 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.
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.
Katahdin sheep Kentucky should be of interest to youth in 4-H clubs looking for an interesting project, to those who want to get a cash crop from uncultivated land, to anyone who wants hardy animals with few health problems, and to those who want the income potential of meat animals without the drudgery of wool production. Go online to the registry website for more information and contact information for flocks in your region.
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