Sheep Speak
This term refers to an intact mature male sheep.
What is a ram?
This term refers to the waviness or "bends" in a wool fiber; fine wool breeds have more of these per inch.
What is crimp?
This fine wool breed originated in France and is known for its ability to adapt to arid environments and range flocks.
What is the Rambouillet?
This breed was developed at a USDA Experiment Station in Idaho from a cross between Rambouillet and Lincoln breeds.
What is the Columbia?
Unlike wool sheep, these breeds do not need to be sheared because they perform this natural process.
What is shedding?
This practice involves removing most of the tail for hygiene purposes.
What is docking?
The most technical grading system, which separates wool into 16 grades based on average fiber diameter.
What is the Micron System?
This breed’s origin is Spain, and its "C type" is specifically adapted to commercial production in the West and Southwest.
What is the Delaine Merino?
This extremely prolific breed from Finland is known for having triplets and quadruplets regularly.
What is the Finnsheep?
This hair breed is white with a distinct black head.
What is the Dorper?
Livestock that are not aggressive and are easily trained/handled are described as this.
What is docile?
This wool grading system is based on the number of hanks (560 yards) that can be spun from one pound of clean wool.
What is the Count System?
This long wool breed has no wool on its face or legs, possesses a Roman nose, and is best suited for wet climates.
What is the Border Leicester?
Its name was coined to show it "pays" for labor; "poly" means many, referring to its high productivity.
What is the Polypay?
This hair breed was developed at Piel Farm in Maine and is typically not docked.
What is the Katahdin?
This term describes a sheep born with a natural absence of horns.
What is polled?
This measurement refers to the thickness of a wool fiber, often measured in microns.
What is fineness (or fiber diameter)?
Known for its heavy, muscular frame, this long wool breed from England is considered the progenitor of most crossbred breeds.
What is the Romney?
A popular terminal sire breed with a black face and legs that are free of wool.
What is the Suffolk?
A production system where sheep are raised in flocks of 1,000 or more over enormous areas of land.
What is a range operation?
A sheep with a nose that curves in a pronounced outward fashion is said to have this.
What is a Roman nose?
This specific percentage refers to the amount of useful fiber obtained from a fleece after it is washed and impurities are removed.
What is yield?
This breed produces a fleece that is carried in heavy, distinct locks and has dark nostrils and lips.
What is the Lincoln?
Developed in the US from a cross of Cheviot and Columbia, this dual-purpose breed has semi-erect ears and no wool on its face.
What is the Montadale?
This hair breed originated in Barbados, but its foundation stock came from this continent.
What is Africa?