What is Merino Wool? | Coes Blog By Robert Moulding Advice , Mens November 26, 2013 What is Merino Wool? Merino Wool is a type of material that comes from the Merino Sheep and is renowned for its exceptional properties. Among these properties are its fantastic softness, shine and breathability. The fibres of Merino wool are softer, finer and more sensitive than many other fabrics. Common wool types are warm, durable, water repellent and naturally insulating, when adding the additional exceptional qualities of the Merino sheep you have the recipe for a world leading wool. This high quality has made it not only made Merino wool highly praised but also highly sought after. Despite a variation in grades among Merino Wool, the diameter of the wool is consistently microscopic, ranging from 11.5 microns to roughly 24 microns. Thanks to selective breeding, the Merino Sheep is capable of producing this ultrafine wool, which is finer and of a higher quality than other types of wool. Thanks to this, Merino Wool is used to make some of the highest quality knits and is a sought after material in high end clothing.

The different types of fineness found among Merino Wool are labelled: Label Fine Wool (Also known as Extra Fine Wool) 18.6-19.5 22.6-<24 The Merino Sheep The Merino Sheep originates from Spain and its earliest flocks go back as far as the 12th century. Today however, Australia produces 80% of the world’s Merino wool whilst New Zealand is also known for their quality production of the material. Note: The Merino Sheep has been closely guarded for its superior quality. Before the 18th century the export of Merino Sheep from Spain was punishable by death. Up until 1986, Australians banned the export of all Merino Sheep. There are four different strains of Australian Merino Sheep to which the vast majority owe their ancestry. Peppin Merino Likely to be the most common type of Merino Sheep with as many as 70 percent of Australia’s Merinos being descended from the Peppin. Peppin Merino Wool is between the 20-23 microns and a stud ram may produce up to 18 kg or more of wool per year.

The Peppin sheep was primarily bred for more temperate climates however they are very adaptable, allowing them to be seen in many different areas. South Australian Merino The South Australian Merino is the largest strain of Merino in Australia, making them longer and weigh more than other types. The Merino Wool that is produced from these sheep is the thickest in diameter and is at the end range of wool types. Saxon Merino In contrast to the South Australian Merino, the Saxon Merino is the smallest of its type and produces some of the finest quality of wool. Whilst a Peppin Merino may produce up to 18 kg of wool per year, a Saxon may only produce 3 kg of extra ultrafine wool. Its fineness makes it soft to handle and is sought after for production in expensive cloths. Spanish Merino The Spanish Merino is directly descended from its origins in Spain and has spread from its home after Spain began to export their Merino sheep. Despite this, they are relatively few in number in comparison to the other breeds. Physically, they are of similar proportions to the Peppin Merino and produce super or extra fine wool.

Benefits of Wool All types of wool are fantastic insulators and they have many natural properties which make them excellent candidates for quality clothing. Wool is breathable allowing it to retain its heat making it great for the likes of coats, knitwear and socks; however the heat will not become completely trapped within the fabric so that the wearer doesn’t overheat over a moderate period of time. Wool blends well with other fabrics whether they are natural such as cashmere or synthetic, allowing for a wide range of options. Wool is water resistant which makes it stand out against a great many other natural fabrics thanks to a water-repellent outer layer. Each individual fibre can hold up to 30% of their own weight in moisture without getting damp. Benefits of Merino Wool Wool naturally has many sought after characteristics which make it an ideal material, added to the very fine nature of Merino Wool and you have a highly desirable material. This very fine fibre makes Merino wool much softer against the skin and more luxurious to wear than traditional wool types. This also has the added benefit of being well suited to clothing as Merino will not itch or irritate the skin.

As well as seeing Merino Wool among normal high end clothing, it is very popular in athletic clothing thanks to its breathability. Fibres are able to absorb the moisture away from the body so that the wearer remains dry whilst sweating from exercise or from warmth. This allows Merino Wool clothing to help regulate the temperature of the body by keeping you cool in hotter weather. Merino wool also has natural anti-microbial properties that make it odor-resistant as well as being so soft that it is often suitable for those that would normally suffer from allergic reactions. These properties as well as the hard wearing, durable and natural elasticity make Merino wool an ideal choice for children’s clothing Merino Blends Merino Wool can often be blended with cashmere, silk or polyester. These help to give the properties of other materials whilst retaining the high quality of the ultrafine Merino Wool. Popularly, many types of clothing such as knitwear, socks and base layers will be made from a Merino blend. How does Merino Wool Compare to Other Materials? Material You can read more about other materials on our Sweater Materials article.

Merino Wool Knitwear Thanks to its many great qualities, Merino Wool has been a much sought after fabric for producing knitwear such as pullovers, sweaters and the like. Due to this desirability, Merino knitwear is usually more expensive than other wool’s however the softer and more luxurious feel has made it very popular with higher quality clothing. The main positives of Merino Knitwear are: Good weight to warmth ratio. Cooler than many other materials. Less pilling (when small balls gather on your sweater from fabric wear). Durable. Very Soft. If you are looking for for a Merino blend or 100% Merino knitwear you can visit the Merino Wool Pullovers page. Breeds of Livestock - Delaine Merino Sheep — Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science Breeds of Livestock - Delaine Merino Sheep Breeds of Livestock - Delaine Merino Sheep Delaine Merino History Over 95 percent of the Merinos are smooth or nearly smooth. Although, a few breeders specialize in producing "A" and "B" type Merinos.

These are commonly referred to as "heavy types". The "A" type Merino was developed in Vermont through selection and inbreeding. A heavy fleece producing sheep was developed. The Merino carries a very heavy, wrinkly hide. The wrinkle should be small since extra large wrinkles may produce an excess of low grade wool. The fleece should be very dense, even and fine. The length should be 2 inches at the shortest for one years growth. The oil or yolk in the fleece should be abundant and free-flowing. The color may very from white to straw although, straw is preferred as it is found more often in the best specimens. Rams should shear 25 pounds or more of wool and ewes from 12 to 20 pounds. In form the "A" type is often angular and has little carcass value. It is a small sheep with ewes weighing 85 to 100 pounds. These sheep need to be in the hands of the skilled breeder. They are not advocated for commercial lamb and wool production. The "B" type Merino was developed principally in Ohio. It results from breeders selecting for a heavy fleece on a sheep that has a fair mutton form.

The body is fairly free from wrinkles, but it carries heavy neck folds, a rosette or button tail and frequently wrinkles or heavy folds are found behind the shoulders and on the thighs and rear flanks. The "B" type is larger and better adapted to ordinary farm conditions than the "A" type. Ewes should weigh from 100 to 120 pounds and produce a fleece or 14 to 18 pounds. The rams range in weight from 160 to 180 pounds at maturity and produce fleece of upwards of 25 pounds. The "C" type or Delaine has become the most practical Marino on the average farm and is especially adapted to range sheep production in the Western and Southwestern states. They are found in Texas, New Mexico and California. Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York and other states have many flocks, both of purebred and grade Merinos. They are found from coast to coast, from North to South border, and from sea-level desert to mountains of 10,000 feet altitude. Delaine Merino is of medium size.

Mature ewes with full fleece average from 125 to 180 pounds. Rams are larger ranging in weight from 175 to 235 pounds. Greater size can be achieved, but is not sought after because it often leads to the production of rangy, long-legged individual with harsh, coarse, short-fibered wool. Breeders are more concerned with producing maximum weight of long, dense, fine fibered fleeces on the backs of smooth sheep of medium size compared to extreme size. The Delaine has a smooth body and is free of wrinkles. The neck is short but sometimes has a dewlap of one or two folds. Such folds in the best specimens are more like an apron and do not extend over the top of the neck. The body may be covered with small welts or corrugations which give density or compactness to the fleece. As the animal grows older they often will disappear. Breeders selecting for extremely smooth body Merinos discriminate against animals carrying "too much skin." The productive life of the Merino is much greater than any other breed. Breeders have choice ewes 10 to 12 years of age that are maintaining their high productiveness.

The long, unbroken line of breeding extending back for more than twelve hundred years of sheep bred for one specific purpose, the production of the best wool in the world, and early development under nature's law of "Survival of the Fittest" make the Merino one of the most prepotent breeds of sheep in the world. The other valuable quantities mentioned are a firmly fixed and transmitted uniformly to their offspring. The fact that a large percentage of the sheep in the world carry Merino blood means that they are the best all around breed the world has ever known. Fads, fancies, or propaganda never could have accomplished this result. Their almost universal acceptance is well merited. No other wool can compare with the wool of the Merino in its color, uniformity, strength, density, and fineness. Fleece should be from 2.5 inches to 4 inches long in one year's growth. It should be fine enough to grade from 64's in spinning count to as high as 80's. Reference: American Delaine Merino Record Association , Connie M. King, Secretary, 59419 Walters Road Jacobsburg, OH 43933.

Phone: 740-686-2172 Photographs: Who's Who in U.S. Sheep Breeds(poster), American Sheep Industry Assn., Inc.; 6911 S. Yosemite St. Suite 200; Englewood, CO 80112-1414 Phone: (303) 771-3500 FAX: (303) 771-8200 What is merino wool? | Icebreaker Icebreaker merino wool? Merino 101 The merino is one of the world’s most ancient breeds of sheep. And one of the toughest. Very different to a regular sheep who chews grass in the lowlands, our merino live in the extremes of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Regular sheep would freeze to death up there. But the merino’s fleece is built for extremes – breathable in summer, insulating in winter, yet exceptionally soft and lightweight.

We’ve pioneered the use of merino wool in the wilderness since 1994, and now we’ve fused nature and technology to create merino layers for the outdoors, for performance sports, and for the city. How it works Nature created Icebreaker merino wool as protection against the scorching summers and freezing winters of New Zealand’s rugged Southern Alps mountain range. It’s the ultimate field test - if nature gets it wrong, the sheep dies. Humans are clever, but nature is smarter. So instead of trying to design a better fiber, we adapted merino wool into a lightweight system of all-season garments for people. In summer, the merino’s thin, light, super-breathable coat keeps him cool in temperatures that hit +35 °C (+95 °F) In winter, he grows an extra layer of wool over his base coat as protection against temperatures that plummet to -20 °C (-4 °F) How does Icebreaker merino perform?

Before You Get Wool Rich, Get Wool Smart: A Guide to Wool in All Its Forms | GQ Before You Get Wool Rich, Get Wool Smart: A Guide to Wool in All Its Forms Before You Get Wool Rich, Get Wool Smart: A Guide to Wool in All Its Forms By Email Finding, curating, and selling quality goods, while educating guys on what it is they’re actually buying, is Bureau of Trade’s mission and one they do quite well. Each week the site is bringing GQ readers thoughtfully selected items for all of life’s needs. Up today: everything you didn’t know about the world of wool. When it comes to winter apparel, we have one piece of advice: don’t be a sheep; wear one. The unknowing herds will graze over the mass market woolen offerings like... the sorts of animals who clump together for protection from predators (apologies - we donated our metaphors to charity this season). Most consumers possess a cursory knowledge of wool varieties by touch and price, but few of us actually know what we’re paying for (and if it’s worth it). Today we’re here to make you smarter, with a brief primer on all things wool. Why?

Because if we can’t add the heat ourselves, the least we can do is shed some light. With that... Know this: Wool is a general term describing the spun fibers from the hair of any number of mammals. In the US, wool typically means wool from sheep, but we’re not restricting ourselves to things that baa. Mohair, cashmere, and angora are all technically types of wool. Alpacas, goats, sheep, vicu&#xC3;&#xB1;as, llamas, rabbits, and even on are sheared to produce the fabric. And yet, since sheep produce a substantial majority of the world’s wool, it’s as good place as any to start. Sheep There are two varieties of wool produced from sheep worth talking about: Lambswool and Merino. Lambswool is what it sounds like - the wool from an adorable, unsuspecting baby lamb who probably thinks it’s bath time or he’s headed to a playdate with some chickens....and then everything gets very, very cold. Specifically, lambswool is wool taken from the first shearing of the animal, usually around seven months (after its first coat has come in).

It’s fine and soft, and requires minimal processing. Lambswool can come from any species of sheep, but merino wool is only the wool that comes from a merino sheep. Not all merino is created equal, however. If football is a game of inches, merino is a game of microns, specifically the diameter of the follicle (they have microscopes). The smaller the number, the softer and more expensive the wool. Garden variety merino wool clocks in around 23 microns (human hair is around 40 microns in diameter); fine merino around 18 microns; superfine is 16; and the king of kings, ultrafine, is anything less than 15.5 microns. The uninitiated will tell you that cashmere is the finest textile on the planet. Those who know, know that ultrafine merino is without substitute or equal. Goat Call us uninitiated: cashmere might be the finest textile on the planet. Thanks to Capra hircus laniger, the cashmere goat, we are warmer and softer than a butterfly with a fever all winter long.

Cashmere goats are raised all over central asia (Mongolias inner and outer), China, Australia, and New Zealand. Don’t let their rough-looking, vaguely hobo-esque outer coats fool you. It’s the downy, short hair close to the skin that makes for fine cashmere. Nineteen microns is where cashmere becomes cashmere. Anything more should be regurgitated and sent back. Mohair is wool that comes from the Angora goat, which is not to be confused with angora, which is wool that comes from the angora rabbit. It is coarser than cashmere (24 microns), but it wears hard, responds beautifully to dyeing, and we consider it the most underrated wool textile for menswear. We say: give us mo. Antelope See: Shahtoosh (and if you find some, we’ll buy it off you) Rabbit Angora rabbits look like Roombas made of hair, but that hair is incredible, at 11 microns in diameter (that is softer - but also more fragile than cashmere and ultrafine merino).

Angora’s hard to come by, especially for menswear, but it adds an element of luxury without inviting the rage of the fur police. Alpaca Alpacas are tiny little cousins of the llama, weighing between 150 and 200 pounds. Their wool is soft and we’re fairly certain they’d be down to play fetch. Muskox Qiviut is the super-warm undercoat of this arctic stalwart. You aren’t likely to find Quiviut on the rack at Banana Republic, but if you’re in Alaska, and you’re freezing your balls off, your balls can do no better than this dense, shrink-proof wool.

-Micah Fitzerman-Blue Bearing all that mind, here are Bureau of Trade’s top wool knit picks to stay warm and stylish all winter long: Oliver Spencer Wool & Cashmere Striped Sweater $169, available through Bureau of Trade Brunello Cucinelli Merlot Cashmere Sweater $595, available through Bureau of Trade Moncler V-Neck Sweater $186, available through Bureau of Trade Costume National Striped Alpaca Sweater $295, available through Bureau of Trade Nuur Lambswool Crew Neck Sweater $128, available through Bureau of Trade Read more from Bureau of Trade: Sheep 101: Sheep Breeds D-F Sheep Breeds D - F Dalesbred The Dalesbred is found in Upper Wharfdale and Central Pennines in England. The breed originated from the Swaledale and Scottish Blackface breeds. The breed shows a black face with a distinct white mark above and on each side of the muzzle. The legs are similarly colored. They have have no wool on either the face or legs. Both sexes have a round, low set of horns. Dalesbred wool is of typical carpet quality.

The fleece is curly on the outside with a dense undercoat. Dalesbred sheep are very adaptable to climatic changes and can survive in the harsh environmental conditions. Dalesbred ewes are often crossed with Teeswater rams to produce the Masham which is one of the most famous of British crossbreeds. Breed category: carpet wool, heritage Distribution: United Kingdom Go to Heritage Sheep => Damara The Damara originated from the Hamites of Eastern Asia and Egypt and moved down to the present day Namibia and Angola. For many years, the sheep were in an isolated region of Namibia and thus remained free of influence from other breeds. Damara sheep can survive in a harsh environment and under poor nutritional conditions. Research has indicated that up to 64% of the diet of the Damara sheep can consist of browsing material. This places the Damara in the same feeding category as goats. Hair is mostly short with a tendency to a fine layer of woolliness developing under the hair during winter. The sheep has a wide range of colors which are all equally acceptable and desirable. With the exception of the tail and the rear rump, there is no visible localized fat.

Breed categories: hair (meat), fat-tailed Distribution: Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada Go to Damara Sheep Breeders' Society of South Africa => Debouillet The Debouillet was developed in New Mexico in 1920 from Delaine Merino x Rambouillet crosses.The breed is best adapted to the range conditions of the southwestern United States. The Debouillet is a medium-sized sheep with white hair on the face and legs. They are hardy and gregarious and adaptable to unassisted pasture lambing. They produce a fine wool fleece with a deep, close crimp. Breed category: fine wool, rare Distribution: United States Delaine Merino (American and Delaine Merino) Several strains of Merinos evolved in the United States. The type "A" Merino was developed in Vermont through selection and inbreeding. This Merino carries a very heavy, wrinkly hide. In form, the type A is angular and has little carcass value. It is not advocated for commercial lamb and wool production. The "B" type Merino was developed principally in Ohio, a result of breeders selecting for a heavy fleece on a sheep that has a fair mutton form.

Its body is fairly free of wrinkles, but it carries heavy neck folds and frequently wrinkles or heavy folds behind the shoulders and on the thighs and rear flanks. The type B is larger and better adapted to everyday conditions than the type A. The type "C" or Delaine Merino is the most practical Merino and is especially adapted to range sheep production in the western and southwestern parts of the U.S. The Delaine Merino is of medium size. Mature ewes with full fleece average from 125 to 180 pounds. Rams are larger ranging in weight from 175 to 235 pounds. The Delaine has a smooth body and is free of wrinkles. In the U.S., over 95 percent of Merinos are smooth or nearly smooth. Breed categories: fine wool Go to American Delaine & Merino Record Association => Derbyshire Gritstone One of the oldest British sheep breeds, the Derbyshire Gritstone was originally bred by the farmers of the Peak District to survive in a harsh environment and to thrive on the poor quality grazing found on the moors.

They are concentrated today around Derbyshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire, but Gritstone rams have been used widely on Welsh sheep to increase their size. Gritstones are big, strong sheep with a good weatherproof fleece, the finest of all the fleeces found in the hill breeds. Both sexes are polled (hornless). The face and legs are black and white. Breed categories: medium wool, meat, hill Distribution: United Kingdom Go to The Derbyshire Gritstone Sheepbreeders Society => Devon Closewool The Devon Closewool is a medium sized, white faced, hornless sheep with a dense white fleece of medium length and staple which contributes to its valued quality of hardiness. The wool of the Devon Closewool is ideally suited to the home spinner and also modern manufacturing processes. It should contain no black fiber, and therefore commands a premium price. The wool is close and fine with a wool count of 48-53. The fleece enables the Closewool to withstand wind and rain. The breed is primarily a grassland sheep and is very hardy.

A well established breed the Devon Closewool's original home was Exmoor but it is now spread throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and parts of Wales. Breed categories: dual-purpose, long wool Distribution: United Kingdom Go to the Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders' Society => Devon and Cornwall Longwool The Devon Longwoolled is a mutton and long-wool producing breed found in northern Devon in England. The breed is similar to the South Devon but smaller. Both sexes are polled. They were developed from Leicester Longwool crossed with Southam Nott and Bampton Nott. Their wool is very strong and is used mainly in the manufacture of rugs and carpets. Breed categories: long wool, rare Distribution: United Kingdom Dohne Merino (Dohne, El Dohne Merino) The Dohne Merino is a synthetic, dual-purpose Merino developed by the South African Department of Agriculture using Peppin-style Merino ewes and German Mutton Merino sires. The progeny were interbred and selected for high fertility, rapid lamb growth rate, and fine Merino wool under commercial rangeland conditions.

The breeding program was initiated in 1939 and the Breed Society was formed in 1966. Selection since 1970 has been done with the aid of performance and progeny testing and comprehensive production records. All recorded animals are maintained in a computerised flock recording scheme. The Dohne Merino is one of the leading woolled breeds in South Africa. Breed categories: dual-purpose, fine wool Distribution: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand Go to The Australian Dohne Breeders Association => Dormer The Dormer is a cross between Dorset Horn rams and German Merino ewes (presently known as the South African Mutton Merino). It was a direct consequence of a series of extensive slaughter lamb experiments carried out at the Elsenburg Research Station of the Department of Agriculture since 1927 over a period of more than ten years. The name Dormers is an abbreviation of the linkage Dorset-Merino. The main object with the development of the Dormer was to breed a mutton breed which could adapt to conditions in the winter rainfall area of South Africa (cold and wet) and from which suitable rams could be produced for cross breeding purposes.

The Dormer is well known for its high fertility, excellent mothering abilities, long breeding season and easy lambing. Breed category: meat Dorper (White and Blackheaded) The Dorper breed is numerically the second largest breed in South Africa. Their popularity has spread to many countries throughout the world, including the United States in 1995. The Dorper was developed in South Africa in the 1930's, through crossing of the Blackheaded Persian ewe (a native fat-tailed sheep) with the Dorset Horn (a mutton breed). The breed has a characteristic black head (Dorper) or can be all white (White Dorper). Dorpers are a well-proportioned breed with heavy muscled hindquarters. Their skin covering is a mixture of hair and wool and it will drop off without being sheared. The Dorper has a thick skin which is highly prized and protects the sheep under harsh climatic conditions. It is the most sought after sheepskin in the world. Breed categories: hair (meat) Go to Polled Dorset Association, Inc.

=> Dorset Down The Dorset Down originated in England around 1800 by mating Southdown rams with the large Hampshire Down, Berkshire and Wiltshire ewes. The Dorset Down is a solid, medium sized, dark-faced, polled sheep. It has a short, close white fleece with wool round the cheeks, between the ears, on the forehead, and down the legs. The wool is generally of high quality. The breed produces early maturing lambs and as such is an ideal terminal sire. Ewes will take a ram in most months of the year, making the breed ideal for the Christmas or early spring lamb market when prices are at a seasonal high. Carcass conformation is good with fine bone and shoulder, being well fleshed with delicately flavoured tender meat.

Breed categories: medium wool, meat, terminal sire, rare Distribution: United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Australia East Friesian (Friesian Milk Sheep, Ostfriesisches Milchschaf) The origin of the Friesian sheep breeds is the region of Friesland extending along the North Sea coast westward from the Weser River in the northeast of Germany along the north coast of the Netherlands and south to the Schelde (Scheldt) River at the border of the Netherlands and Belgium. The German East Friesian Milk Sheep is the best known and most important of the Friesian breeds and is the breed known in the scientific literature as the "East Friesian." The East Friesian is considered to be the world's highest producing dairy sheep. They are highly specialized animals and do poorly under extensive and large flock husbandry conditions. Friesian sheep cross well with local adapted breeds. Breed categories: dairy, short-tailed Distribution: Worldwide Easy Care The guiding principle behind Easy Care is straightforward. Centuries ago, sheep didn't naturally have huge fleeces, merely a winter coat which was shed in springtime, as with most wild animals.

However, man began to breed sheep for wool because of its value. In recent times, the value of wool has fallen so dramatically that its production is uneconomic. Meat production without the overhead and extra shepherding required in wool production would be much more profitable. By using highly selective breeding to combine the rapid growth rate, lambing quality, and other strengths of his naturally wool-less pedigree Wiltshire Horn flock with the smaller, hardy Welsh Mountain and combining some of the strengths of other breeds, Iolo Owen has achieved his aim: a breed of sheep with all the qualities sought after by the modern farmer with fewer of the drawbacks. As well as being woolless, Easy Care are extremely hardy, thrive on grass and inexpensive feeds, have a superb lambing ratio (180% is the average), and produce excellent meat. Breed category: hair (meat) Est à Laine Merino (Merino de l'Est) At the end of the 18th century, Merino blood was introduced into German sheep in the borders with France, and gradually these large "meat" Merinos were kept in large numbers in the Alsace Lorraine region of France.

This strain became known as the Est à Laine, which translated means East and Wool. The Est à Laine Merino is an attractive, strong, large-framed sheep with very fine white wool. The head is long, white in color, with long, drooping ears. The sheep is naturally polled (no horns), unlike the original Merinos. The neck of the Est à Laine Merino has no folds or dewlap, making it easier to shear. Breed category: fine wool, dual-purpose Distribution: Europe, United Kingdom, North America Exmoor Horn Though ancient in origin, the Exmoor Horn, which has existed since time immemorial in the west of England, is well adapted to modern requirements. The Exmoor can be described as a dual purpose breed to keep pure on the higher moorland; in fact, they are classified as a hill breed. The Exmoor Horn is an excellent crossing ewe. The Bluefaced Leicester cross produces the Exmoor Mule which is docile and prolific in lowland areas. The Exmoor is white faced, with horns, cherry colored skin, and a white fleece of medium length and good quality.

Breed categories: hill, dual purpose Distribution: United Kingdom Faeroes Sheep (Færøerne, Foroyskur Seydur) The origins of the Faeroes breed goes back to the Old Norwegian, Icelandic, and perhaps Shetland breeds. They are not gregarious and tend to be territorial. The Faeroes will forage in small groups, spreading to cover the entire area, behaving somewhat like the Icelandic sheep. These sheep are small and well adapted to mountainous terrain. The color varies from white, grey, light red, dark red, chestnut brown, to black. However, due to the low price of wool, they are sheared primarily for the comfort of the sheep. The lambs reach a slaughter weight of 20 to 45 pounds at 5 months of age. A good ewe will weigh about 45 pounds at 6 to 7 years of age. Rams weigh from 45 to 90 pounds. Bone structure is light, but strong. These animals are seasonal breeders, with singles being most common.

Breed categories: short-tailed, primitive Finnsheep (Suomenlammas, Finnish Landrace) Finnsheep or Finnish Landrace, as they are known in their native country of Finland are considered to be several hundred years old, descending from the Mouflon that live in the wild on Sardinia and Corsica and also said to be related to other Scandinavian short-tailed sheep. First imported to the United States in 1968, the primary use of Finnsheep was the production of crossbred ewes. Finn ewes are hardy, will lamb on an accelerated lambing program, have strong maternal instincts, and are highly prolific. Lambs are noted for their high livability. In the last 20 or so years, more research work and data has been compiled in the United States involving Finnsheep and their crosses than any other breed of sheep. In more recent years, Finnsheep have become valued for their soft fleeces of medium wool.

Breed categories: medium wool, dual-purpose, short-tailed, prolific Distribution: worldwide Merino Sheep Types - Breeds of Livestock — Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science Merino Sheep Types - Breeds of Livestock Merino is a type of breed which is known for its excellent wool quality. Its origins around founded in Spain near the beginning of the 12th century. Like all sheep, the Merino is descended from the Mouflon, wild sheep. Most of the world sheep population are wool producers. The Merino was imported to Australia where the worlds highest quality of wool is produced. The Merino always had a fine quality wool, but in Australia it was refined through selective breeding. The Merino is a medium sized sheep with white legs and faces. Merino Sheep Types - Breeds of Livestock Merino Sheep Types Merino | breed of sheep | Britannica.com breed of sheep Alternative Titles: Australian Merino, Merino transhumante Similar Topics Karakul Merino, breed of fine-wool sheep originating in Spain; it was known as early as the 12th century and may have been a Moorish importation.

It was particularly well adapted to semiarid climates and to nomadic pasturing. The breed has become prominent in many countries worldwide. Merino ram. © James Marshall Merinos vary considerably in size, conformation, and extent of skin folds, but the prevailing trend in breeding is to develop sheep of medium size, with fair mutton conformation and a minimum of skin folds. The colour of their faces and legs is white. Although they have a considerable growth of wool on their faces, it is seldom extensive enough to cause wool blindness. The fine wool fibres of Merino fleeces are beautifully crimped. Through selective mating and crossing with other breeds, the Merino has served extensively as foundation stock in the creation of many useful breeds and strains of sheep. See also livestock farming: sheep . Learn More in these related articles: livestock farming raising of animals for use or for pleasure. In this article, the discussion of livestock includes both beef and dairy cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses, buffalo, and camels; the raising of birds commercially for meat or eggs (i.e., chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and...

sheep ruminant (cud-chewing) mammal of the genus Ovis. The sheep is usually stockier than its relative the goat; its horns, when present, are more divergent; it has scent glands in its face and hind feet; and the males lack the beards of goats. Sheep usually have short tails. In all wild species of... in livestock farming: Breeds The original fine-wool breed was the Merino, developed in Spain from stock native to that country before the Christian era. Though medieval Spain sought to preserve a monopoly on the Merino, the sheep gradually spread to France, Italy, and the rest of Europe. Today the Merino is prominent in Australia, the United States, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, France, and Germany; the breed is... 1 Reference found in Britannica Articles Assorted Reference Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind.

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Close Date Published: April 04, 2008 URL: Access Date: January 03, 2017 Share Sheep 101: Kinds of Sheep Photo courtesy of Hilde Buer Counting sheep Sheep breeds It is difficult to know how many breeds of sheep there are in the world, as only developed countries usually maintain breed registries. However, it is believed that there are more breeds of sheep than breeds of any other livestock species, with the exception of poultry. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are more than 1000 distinct sheep breeds. There are more than 50 breeds in the United States alone. Sheep come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors, and there are many ways to classify them: according to their primary purpose (meat, milk, or wool), the type of coat they have or fibers they grow (fine, medium, long or carpet wool; or hair), the color of their faces (black, white, red, or moddled), and/or by specific physical or production characteristics. Fine wool sheep Fine wool sheep produce wool fibers with a very small fiber diameter, usually 20 microns or less.

Fine wool sheep account for more than 50 percent of the world's sheep population. Found throughout Australia, South Africa, South America, and the Western United States, most sheep of this type are Merino or trace their ancestry to the Merino. The Rambouillet, related to the Merino, is the most common breed of sheep in the U.S., especially the western states where the majority of sheep in the U.S. can still be found. Fine wool sheep are best adapted to arid and semi-arid regions. They are known for their longevity and strong flocking instinct. Long wool sheep Long wool sheep produce long-stapled wool with a large fiber diameter, usually greater than 30 microns. Long wool sheep are best adapted to cool, high rainfall areas with abundant forage. They are commonly raised in England, Scotland, New Zealand, and the Falkland Islands. In the U.S., the fleeces from the long wool breeds are popular among niche marketers and hand spinners. Popular long wool breeds include Border Leicester, Coopworth, Cotswold, Leicester Longwool, Lincoln, and Romney.

Medium wool meat sheep Meat or "mutton-type" sheep produce wool, mostly medium (or long), but are raised more for their meat qualities. Medium wool sheep account for about 15 percent of the world's sheep population. The most popular meat breeds in the U.S. are Dorset, Hampshire, Shropshire, Southdown, and Suffolk. Carpet wool sheep The coarsest grade of wool (usually over 38 microns) is used in the manufacture of carpets. Carpet wool breeds are usually double-coated, with a coarse long outer coat for protection against the elements. They are generally adapted to extreme environments. Carpet wool breeds found in the U.S. include Icelandic, Karakul, Navajo Churro, and Scottish Blackface. Hair Sheep Some breeds lack wool and are covered with hair instead, like their wild ancestors. Some hair sheep have pure hair coats, whereas others have coats that contain a mixture of hair and wool fibers that shed naturally. Hair sheep are found mostly in Africa and the Caribbean, but are also raised in temperate climates, such as the U.S. and Canada.

Hair sheep account for about 10 percent of the world's sheep population and are the fastest growing segment of the American sheep industry. In fact, the Katahdin, an American breed of hair sheep, now leads all US sheep breeds in registration numbers and transfers. Interest in hair sheep is also developing in Australia, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Fat-tailed sheep Fat tailed or fat-rumped sheep are so-named because they can store large amounts of fat in the tail and region of the rump. Fat-tailed sheep are found mostly in the extreme environments in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. They grow wool, but are raised primarily for meat or milk production. Fat-tailed sheep comprise 25 percent of the world's sheep population. The only fat-tailed sheep in the U.S. is the Karakul. The fat-tail was bred out of the Tunis. The Awassi, a fat-tail sheep from the Middle East was recently introduced to the U.S. via semen and embryos. Short or rat-tailed breeds Short or rat-tailed breeds originate primarily from Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Their tails are thin and free of wool and do not need docked. They tend to be prolific.

Examples of these breeds include Finn Sheep, Romanov, East Friesian, Shetland, Icelandic, and Soay. Prolific breeds Some sheep breeds are known for their prolificacy or high birth rates. Some were found to be naturally prolific whereas selection has resulted in the high prolificacy of others. The first prolific breed identified was the Finn Sheep. The Romanov was the next breed identified as being highly fertile. The Booroola Merino is the most recently discovered prolific breed. However, it differs from the Finn and Romanov, in that its prolificacy is due to a single gene. In prolific breeds, litter size usually exceeds 2.5 lambs per birth. Primitive breeds Primitive breeds have developed with minimal human selection pressure. They typically possess considerable genetic variation between members, but share characteristics indicative of a breed. A primitive breed will typically retain survival characteristics that favor production (and survival) with minimal human inputs. Consistency among the products produced by the breed is somewhat lacking, but they are an important source of genetic variation that may not exist anywhere else. Many primitive breeds live in isolated mountain regions or on islands. Like some species of wildlife, many are endangered. Fortunately conservation efforts are underway to preserve these important genetic resources.

Some producers niche market the meat from primitive breeds. Types of Wool - Unique Wool Ideas Mar 9, 2011 Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Clothing labels often say things like "Merino wool" or "Alpaca", but what do these terms really mean? "Wool" actually encompasses natural fibers from many animals, not just from sheep. Some of the most ones which you'll often see on apparel tags are Merino, Alpaca, Mohair, Angora, Cashmere, and Camel Hair. Other less common wools are harder to find and often very expensive. Here's what's in the name: Most Popular Camel Hair As you would expect, it's made from a camel. The undercoat of a camel is extremely soft and fine, making it a good choice for clothing. Camel hair provides the best insulation of all the wools so it's usually used for coats. However, it's relatively weak and can become worn easily. Qiviut This taupe-grey colored fiber comes from the Alaskan domesticated musk ox and is as soft as cashmere. While it weighs the same as sheep's wool, it's eight times warmer. You'll see it used in sweaters, scarves, gloves, and hats.

Vicuna The most expensive of all specialty wools, vicuna sells for anywhere from $1,300 to $3,000 per yard. However, if you're lucky enough to afford it, you'll experience the softest and finest of fabrics. As the Peruvian government has strict guidelines on harvesting and exporting vicuna, it's also one of the rarest. Merino Merino sheep, known for having softer coats than others, are the source of this soft and popular wool. It draws or "wicks" moisture away from the skin on one end of the fiber and repels outside moisture on the other. Alpaca Supplied by the alpaca , this fine silky fabric is warmer than sheep wool. Look for it in sweaters, coats, gloves, scarves and sometimes in upholstery. Mohair This lustrous fiber is made from the hair of the Angora goat. Like merino, mohair fibers are moisture-wicking and good insulators, but they have more sheen which makes fabric made from them more attractive. It's also wears better than sheep's wool. Llama The llama produces a fiber which is naturally glistening.

Although they're related to alpacas, llamas have fibers that are coarser and weaker. But they do give good warmth without being too heavy. Angora Made from the hair of the Angora rabbit, this heat-retaining fiber is ideal for thermal clothing. As it's lightweight as well as soft, it's very comfortable to wear. Cashmere. Like mohair, cashmere comes from the hair of a goat, the Kashmir goat. Soft to the touch so it's a pleasure to wear, it's also are extremely adept at keeping you warm. Cashmere is the most common type of fine wool used in clothing Cashgora. This hybrid wool comes from a crossbreed of a Cashmere buck and an Angora doe. You'll find it finer than mohair but less so than cashmere. To see how we test products at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, please go to

Question: A merino is a type of what?
Answer: Sheep