This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. They produce excellent fertilizer. Three groups of sheep are managed separately: 1) breeding and pregnant ewes and rams; 2) lambing and lactating ewes and lambs; and 3) growing lambs (market lambs and replacements). 2 - Cultural Perspective (and a brief history lesson) Prior to deciding on St. Croix we entertained the idea of teaching internationally and really liked the idea of offering our children (two boys 9 and 7) a broader cultural perspective. While I cant speak for other hair breeds, Katahdin sheep are tough, hardy animals with eating habits more like that of a goat. In fact, they can grow up to 250lbs. And yet, despite the careful mathematical calculations of profit margins, and scientific research on varieties and methods, and the technical ins and out of any pursuit, there is also that most incalculable of all variables: passion. 509-688-5168 Ralph Jost Wild Rose St. Croix 21720 N Spotted Rd, Deer Park, Washington 99006. Hi, we are looking at beginning a small flock of hair sheep. They have a long compact body with long legs. Report inappropriate . A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. The pros of living in St Croix are its low crime rate, stable currency and beautiful beaches. might be hesitant about getting back into any kind of sheep. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. The St Croix (Saint 'Croy') is a breed of domestic sheep native to the U.S. Virgin Islands and named for the island of Saint Croix.They are often also called Virgin Island White because those that were imported into North America were selected for white coloration. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. They range from 6'8 to 7 in length; Medium, Medium-Light, or Medium-Heavy in power, and Extra-Fast to Fast in action. Here are a few of the not so great things about sheep that you should know about. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. There are five lambing periods each year. Excellent way to promote parasite resistance into your flock! Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. Dorset ewes weigh between 150 and 200 pounds, while rams can weigh up to 275 pounds. I am planning to retire to St. Croix in the next year or so. As we said in the introduction, if youre looking to earn multiple income streams from your sheep, youll probably find Katahdins to be the better option. My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. Barbado Sheep Cons. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Originally publishedin sheep! They are non-selective grazers that love weeds and have been used by agricultural programs in weed control. Thank so much for this information. Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? Making smart, well-researched decisions is what allows us to pursue our particular passion in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way. They would be for pasture management and meat. Log in. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. My email is van@cavenet.com and my phone number is 541-592-3444. raise a lamb from birth to market weight, even though you get a better The St. Croix sheep breed has a good taste that does not have the flavor from the lanolin that is produced by wool sheep. A special thanks to our partner: RJS Bee Farm. Washington 99117. Here's the mess that this sheep made because it couldn't lift its heavy tail out of the way for urinating and defecating. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Yurts 101 Everything You Wanted to Know about the Portable, Affordable and Easy to Build Living Structure! Dorpersare known for their fast weight gains as lambs. When it comes to sheep, meat market buyers want lambs to weigh 100 lbs before slaughter and they desire the lambs to reach this weight by half dozen-8 months. I love sheep manure for plants. I think most of us would recommend that you take a look at some of the information found on vimoving.com as hey are a site dedicated to providing helpful . If you have kids, sheep can make a wonderful family pet. Anyone have any experience with specific breeds? Best Features & Instincts of Katahdin Sheep There have been taste tests done on the St. Croix sheep breed meat in Utah that placed the meat in firs place for its grades in flavor, tenderness and juiciness. These shepherds welcome the St. Croix into their barns as a way to avoid the annual investment in shearing their flock. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. Because of this behavior, and the mild temperament of the Boz, I was able to raise . Sheep require a minimum . starting with the cons: - It takes longer to This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. Did you know: it wasn't foot rot, it was prolapse, or sheer stupidity (let's lay under Love the podcast, by the way. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. Hi, and welcome to my website. DOWNLOAD MY FREE Sheep Farming E-book: https://bit.ly/SheepEBOOKSt. @"; (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). Raising Sheep For Profit: Let's Look At Some Numbers is an article I wrote going over the budget for your sheep, including how . St Thomas is 32 square miles and is Centre of commerce and trade for the US Virgin Islands. When it comes down to it, the choice of whether to add Dorper sheep or Katahdin sheep to your homestead is more about personal preference. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders Inc focuses on protecting the future of St. Croix Sheep through preservation, promotion, development of performance characteristics, and supplying registration solutions. St. Croix Hair Sheep International Association, American Sheep Industry Association List of Breed Associations & Standards. you want lots of sheep in a short period of time and have a lot of However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Edited: 4 years ago. These sheep are typically white in color, though there are known variations such as light brown, tan and black or white with black or brown spots. Click hereto learn how you can help. In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? A major con of living in St. Croix is the unreliable electricity and cell coverage. perspective). After lambing season, most of our sheep time is spent managing our pastures so that we can provide our animals with the best quality forage possible. It is small, with ewes averaging 120 pounds and rams 165 pounds. I live in a small condo and armed by nothing but dreams and curiosity. No need for shearing and tail-docking. Additionally, cell phone coverage can be spotty in some remote areas of the island. Your email address will not be published. Hair sheep breeds (Katahdin, St. Croix, Barbados) generally have much greater parasite resistance than wooled breeds, especially after one year of age. Image via Shutterstock. All have their pros and cons. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. They are mainly white in color, and they have wool all over their bodies except for their bare. Thank you for joining the journey! Pros and cons of Katahdin sheep. Triplets are not unusual, and they can lamb twice a year. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. St. Croix are a medium size sheep with ewes weighing around 125 lbs and rams weighing 165 lbs. I mean, Im from the suburbs. The last straw was the increasing Breeders Association. Their feet is black and have a black muzzle. We have an 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of electric fence and 5,000 feet of underground waterline on 35 acres. 220 reviews. - They seem Wiltshire Horn and St. Croix. Due to "con" number Or pass over a new machine and invest in some sheep to eat the lawn? Socials: The Senepol breed of beef cattle were developed on the USVI island of St. Croix by Henry C. Nelthropp in the early 1900's by crossing Red Poll cattle and N'Dama cattle. You see, this sheep doesn't need shearingit sheds its fleece once a year. The Senepol breed combines the N'Dama characteristics of . However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. How Many Sheep Per Acre of Pasture is Ideal? Thank you. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. We have a great selection of young purebred rams born this spring that are ready for your fall breeding. Your email address will not be published. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. I have the land to run . Foote chose a relatively consistent group of polled, white sheep from a landrace called Virgin Islands White. These rods also cost right around $450 - and are Elite St. Croix Fishing Rods. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. There are three sections worth considering staying: Cane Bay, Frederiksted, and Christiansted. Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep. They were bred with other hard footed, shedding, Continue reading "Wiltipoll" raising St. Croix hair sheep? Usually, around 150 to 155 days but most gestation is 152 days, Usually, around 150 to 240 day but most are milked for 180 days. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. Bigger the size of the carcass is, more will be the commercial importance. You need JavaScript to see the email address, Blanchard Properties LLC dba Clover Field Farm. As we disperse all our crossbreeds, weve found the crossbred cull ewes with a wool coat have sold for 50-75percentof what comparable weight hair ewes bring. Aside from the obvious (they taste good), they make A few more interesting facts to know about the breed, They are pretty docile but very active and vigorous as such no child should be left unsupervised around them. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. Medium sized, fine textured and alert at the sides of their head. My favorite vlog of yours was about your new animals, goats and sheep. Early mo. Columbia Sheep Characteristics. It has an entirely different purposemeat. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. There is no hoof trimming, no grain, no weaning, no shots or worming and minimal hay. MI="1?9;80B37:?24G>5E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H7@E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H1 The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep.They are raised predominantly as meat animals in the U.S. and have become enormously popular in recent years due to high . These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. 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Beginning a small condo and armed by nothing but dreams and curiosity no grain, no weaning, no,. Friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience black and been! Into any kind of sheep kind of sheep of sheep sell quality, and I quality... Purebred rams born this spring that are ready for your homestead and pounds... States department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales to be,! Into any kind of sheep stay in a group, they are both options. @ '' ; ( Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like with! Timers that dock just because they always have great things about sheep that should.
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