The Shropshire is a member of the Downs family of sheep and one of the few blackfaced sheep on the Conservation Priority List. The breed standard called for wool covering the head, shanks, and hind legs down to the toes and for heavy facial wool. Shropshire sheep are a dual purpose (meat and wool) breed developed in the early 19th Century by farmers in Shropshire and the West Midlands. They have wool that is good enough for hand knitting. Hobby Farms publishes the info you need to know to run a small-scale, sustainable farm. Like all the downs sheep, this medium-grade wool has a springy quality that makes it perfect for hardwearing items such as hats, mittens and socks. For many years Annette Menhennett of Pennsylvania operated a very successful cheese making operation in Pennsylvania using milk from her Shropshire sheep, Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep Temperament: The Society still survives, and still publishes a Flock Book annually. In northern Europe, Christmas tree plantation owners use these sheep to graze their conifer stands: the animals serve as an environmentally-friendly form of weed control without damaging the trees. Circa 1940s. Please try again. Shortly thereafter in 1855, the first American importation was made into Virginia. This breed’s gentle nature and medium size makes them a good 4-H sheep for kids. Dual purpose breed that can also be considered for milk production. Your email address will not be published. Adult Weight: Because of the quality of these sheep, there followed frequent and sometimes large importations over the next thirty years. Shropshires are a medium sized sheep which stresses soundness, carcass quality and breed type. This breed came from the Shropshire Downs of England. Conformation: Shropshires look like the stereotypical woolly sheep of nursery rhymes and children’s stories. Shropshires are a medium sized sheep which stresses soundness, carcass quality and breed type. Please contact Becky in the Shropshire office with any questions. $24.95, Storey's Illustrated Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle, and Pigs. In 1859 the breed was officially recognized by the Royal Agricultural Society as being a distinct breed. The Clun Forest is a breed of domestic sheep originating from the area surrounding the Clun Forest in Shropshire, England. 4-H Shropshire sheep, recently shorn. Docile After this, the breed stormed the U.S. by the thousands, where they became known as “The Farm Flock Favorite” because of their vigorous and adaptable natures, not to mention their impressive wool cover. They have the ability to feed out to choice grade at an earlier age and with less investment in feed, thus producing greater overall profit. These sheep were first introduced to the United Kingdom in 1855 and many other countries. Novice - Intermediate, Notes: In the Ewe Lamb Division the overall winner is Skilar Burch with Fritz 2009. Your email address will not be published. As well as producing high quality lambs, sheep can be used as a natural herbicide, in the cost-effective and eco-friendly management of … 1900s. They are feed efficient, easy keepers, and gain well. Circa 1940s. In the 1930’s, the breed is described as having excellent fleece, good fleshing, and great prolificacy, but only medium-good constitution. The Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association was formed in 1882 and has the distinction of being the oldest breed society in the UK. Shropshire Sheep Pros Shorpshire sheep are mainly known as dual purpose breed because they serve as meat and wool producers. 150 – 250 lbs The breed did not receive the name of Shropshire until 1848. 413-624-9652 • shropsec@hotmail.com . Watch Shropshires are medium sized sheep, with an average size for ewes of about 150-180 pounds and rams 225-250 pounds. Although Shropshire breeders have been selecting for less wool on the poll, as heavy wool growth in this area can contribute to “wool blindness,” you should watch out for this problem and shear if necessary. In 1882, the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association and Flock Book Society was formed. History In the 1840s in the hills of Shropshire, England, progressive sheep breeders began to cross the native black-faced sheep with improved Southdown, Leicester, and Cotswold sheep to develop a medium sized, dual- purpose breed that became known as Shropshires. There is error while submitting your request. The Shropshire sheep are dual purpose animals. Renowned as a good, hardy and prolific breed for crossing to produce high quality lambs, the Shropshire Sheep is a traditional breed with a dual purpose that excels in a wide range of farming systems. All rights reserved. The breed's adaptability to most environments and their dual-purpose nature led to them quickly becoming a popular breed. File:4-H Club Boys with Shopshire Sheep.jpg. Dual It produces good wool and mutton and subsists on sparse pasturage more successfully than breeds such as the Hampshire or Suffolk. In 1792, the Royal Agricultural society reported about 10,000 native Morse Common sheep in this area. Raisers describe this breed as docile and easy to handle. The lambs of this dual-purpose breed gain weight quickly and yield a good, meaty carcass. Recipe: Cinnamon & Sugar Brioche Is A Rich, Tender Treat, “The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm” Is A Comprehensive Guide For No-Till Farmers, Goat Glamping & Miniature Donkeys Star At Honey Blom Farms, Replace Traditional ‘Clean-Up’ Practices for Healthier (and Livelier!) For Sale. They thrive on pasture and produce meat of excellent quality, being both good terminal sires and excellent mothers. Today's Shropshire is one of the better dual-purpose breeds adapted to farm conditions. - Carol Ekarius With sleek heads and wide pelvic structures, Clun Forest ewes lamb easily. An adult ram can weigh anywhere from 225 to 250 pounds, while ewes weigh from 150 to 180 pounds. Congratulations to Emily Stevens for winning the 2020 Yearling Ewe Futurity with R&A 2466. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The lambs of this dual-purpose breed gain weight quickly and yield a good, meaty carcass. 4-H Shropshire sheep, recently shorn. Use: Classed as a medium-wool breed, the Shropshire produces a heavy, dense fleece with a soft handle and little kemp. Shropshires are the most northerly of all the British “Downland” breeds. Improved during the first half of the 1800’s, the Shropshire acquired its name in 1848 and its popularity soon sky-rocketed. According to the Shropshire Breeders Association in the UK, these medium-sized sheep are more completely covered in wool than any other British “Down” breed. In 1884 the American Shropshire Registry was formed and by the turn of the 20th century the Shropshire was the most numerous breed of sheep in the United States. Shropshire lambs are hardy, vigorous and meaty. By the late 1930’s, wool blinding was a recognized factor and breeders began to select for taller, open-faced sheep. Breed Facts The American Record Association, now the American Shropshire Registry, was founded in 1884. The breed has a short to medium–length wool and dark brown faces. Thank you for choosing this service. Unknown raisers first imported the breed into Virginia in 1855, and five years later a ram and twenty ewes acquired by Samuel Sutton arrived in Maryland. In 1884 the American Shropshire Registry was formed and by the turn of the 20th century the Shropshire was the most numerous breed of sheep in the United States. These were were small, horned sheep described as “the pride and boast of Shropshire”, having black, brown, or spotted faces and a superior quality of wool. Until the 1930s, Shropshires were a very popular and influential breed in the United States, especially in the northern tier states. Shropshire, breed of medium-wool, dark-faced, hornless sheep originating in the Downs of England. Gardens. Experience Level: Similar to many of the British breeds of upland sheep, Clun Forest are hardy, adaptable, good foragers, and are long–lived. They are a tri-purpose breed. There should be no colored wool in the fleece. Our experts will call you on your preferred time. Currently the sheep is available throughout the world serving for the purpose of meat and wool. - Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius Shropshires are a good choice for youth projects due to their gentle disposition. They are a tri-purpose breed. Other breeds were crossed to these native sheep to develop the Shropshire breed. They thrive on pasture and produce meat of excellent quality, being... Read more. The modern Shropshire is a useful and productive dual-purpose breed. Status: The Shropshire breed of domestic sheep originated from the hills of Shropshire, and North Staffordshire, England, during the 1840s.The breeders in the area used the local horned black-faced sheep and crossed them with a few breeds of white-faced sheep (Southdown, … A black face with medium-sized ears and black legs contrast prettily with thick white wool on the body and poll (this is a hornless breed).