The size and conformation of the St. Elizabeth is generally good, especially those showing Suffolk influence, but their coats are straggly and patchy and generally not sheared. The Jamaicans want to remove the wool from their sheep without sacrificing other important production traits. They are also interested in increasing lamb production. The tourism industry imports a lot of lamb, that could just as easily be produced using Jamaica's own forage resources. Many producers recognize the various advantages sheep may have over goats.
Sheep are hardier and have superior growth rates and feed conversion ratios.
The challenge is to develop a market, that currently does not exist, for domestically grown lamb. It was quite inspiring to visit a place where the interest in small ruminant production is so high. The native goat of Jamaica is a conglomeration of breeds, similar in look and background to the brush in our area and further south. Alpines and Toggenburgs were imported to the island when there was interest in dairying. Nubians were brought from England to improve meat production.