st croix sheep pros and cons

We just started raising Katahdins this year. They browse as Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. I mean, Im from the suburbs. Ewes usually have twin lambs but triplets are not unusual. The first St. Croix were imported into the USA in the 1960s to develop the Katahdin sheep breed. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. Photographs: Dr. Jerry Fitch, Extension Sheep Specialist . We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. The Meatmaster is a composite sheep breed in South Africa. In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. Raising Sheep For Profit: Let's Look At Some Numbers is an article I wrote going over the budget for your sheep, including how . Offspring of this imported group were further selected for consistency of conformation, and this process has resulted in the development of the St. Croix, a standardized breed in the United States. Fact: Eight or ten years ago you could expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals. Sheep, however, cannot simply be parked in the shed once theyre done dining. People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. This video describes why I raise Dorper sheep instead of St. Croix sheep as a meat production breed.Join my Newsletter: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessNWSLTRFOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessIG -the Shepherdess0:00 Raising Dorper Sheep1:36 Dorper vs St. Croix Sheep Size2:50 The Best Sheep Breed for Meat 4:00 Dorper Sheep Bring Nearly 1 MILLION5:05 How I Manage Parasites on My Sheep Farm6:00 Greg Judy Farms St. CroixIn this video:The best sheep breed for meatMicro Ranching for Profitsheep farming in the USADorper SheepMeat SheepSt. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. No need for shearing and tail-docking. These shepherds welcome the St. Croix into their barns as a way to avoid the annual investment in shearing their flock. And we all know from the last episode the downside of growing useless grass. Sheep help control weeds. Here's the mess that this sheep made because it couldn't lift its heavy tail out of the way for urinating and defecating. (ideal market lamb pick), Show Lamb Supplies (4H sheep showing equipment list), How to Show Sheep (7 sheep showing tips for any level), How to Shear a Sheep (step by step with video). When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. $ 350. Yes, Quality: Good tanned hides have been likened to a deer skin quality. While I cant speak for other hair sheep breeds, Katahdin sheep are often more flighty than many other breeds: Several producers of both hair and wool animals have found coyote losses are considerably lower with Katahdins. Know a lot about lawn mowers, but nothing about sheep? It is bred as non-fat tailed sheep for top meat production. They have a long life and the ewes can produce lambs for up to 10 to 12 years of age. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. On the other hand, living in St Croix has its cons such as the threat of natural disasters, the high cost of shipping to the island and no direct international flights. Akbash. they don't jump on you, run over you, or jump on cars and over fences. ), more intense selection for increased body length and a ewe flock of around 160-175 ewes. . You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. . They have a long compact body with long legs. document.write(OT); A mature Dorper . Hi! In the 1970's, the Wiltshire Horn, a shedding breed from England, was introduced. We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. 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. unavailability of shearers and then having to practically give away the (Weve heard them all.). RaisingSheep.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. They usually carry their heads very upright and are an active alert breed. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. Join Here, Wild Harvest The Whitetail Accelerator Course. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. However, they have the same sweet faces and disposition of Saanen goats. I'm torn between Dorper sheep and St Croix sheep. Join here. Image via Shutterstock. I am planning to retire to St. Croix in the next year or so. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. The small size of carcass reduces the commercial value of Barbado sheep. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. Passion for the outdoors. Kingshill, St. Croix,, Virgin Islands 00850. starting with the cons: The pros: (a just want to exchange thoughts, I'd love to chat. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. Early mo. Sheep, however, cannot simply be parked in the shed once they're done dining. University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. Save. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? This combination of characteristics makes the breed an excellent choice for low input meat production. (You're sitting there nodding in agreement, arent you?). The hair coat, which eliminates the need for shearing, is part of this adaptation. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. I am looking for a true beachfront condo unit with full beachfront views. Is there anything more suburban than lawnmowers? These are the toughest sheep you will find anywhere in the US. - Unlike my goats, It is so tranquil and serene. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Two lambings a year are not uncommon. It was a result of crossing St. Croix, a hair sheep breed that originated from the Caribbean, and several other breeds including Suffolk, a British sheep. The Livestock Conservancy is Americas leading organization working to save over 150 heritage breeds from extinction. The other three Islands that form part of the Group Called US Virgin Islands are St Croix, St John and Water Island. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. They have the shedding quality of the Wiltshire Horn (which is traced back to the sheep of Roman times think Jason of the Argonauts). We are in the process of installing another 10,000 feet of electric fence on 25 acres that will result in another nine paddocks. 3,600 posts. Thinking about Raising Sheep Has Some Cons. A second group was imported into . We converted to a COW! : Did you know Accountant Mike is a reality star? If you have kids, sheep can make a wonderful family pet. Sheep Nutrition Guide: Sheep Feed Requirements Per Day, Our Weaving Loom Guide (everything you need to know), Sheep Trailer Options (choosing the best kind for you). Katahdin Sheep Origin. ST. to speed this process up, but like my Mother always said, "If it ain't Plus, they are also great with small livestock including baby livestock. Notes: Over time, "so so" infertile fields can become fairly rich. Approved for use in sheep in October 2009, CIDRs are used for synchronization of estrus resulting in out-of-season breeding and larger groups of ewes that can be bred at the same time in order to narrow lambing periods. The backbone of this episode, however, isnt so much about the topic itself, or the debate of Animal vs. Machine. Laurel Field 8835 S Lone Elder Rd Canby, OR 97013 503-263-6376 secretary@stcroixhairsheep.org Kid skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, etc. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. This market presented difficulties such as lambing in the dead of winter, having lambs large enough (especially when Passover comes early) and pooling with your neighbors to find enough lambs for a truckload. DOWNLOAD MY FREE Sheep Farming E-book: https://bit.ly/SheepEBOOKSt. That is something a good monitoring plan will help with. 1,800 sheep (same AUs) will bring in $300,000. St. Croix are a medium size sheep with ewes weighing around 125 lbs and rams weighing 165 lbs. Sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input. Hi, we are looking at beginning a small flock of hair sheep. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. We were recently invited out by a couple who are seriously considering moving here and they wanted to know the same things. Today I am going to talk about why I raise Dorper sheep instead of St. Croix sheep, despite the fact that St. Croix would seem to be a better fit for my climate. (Lynne Vanderlinden) live in Cave Junction (extreme SW), Oregon, outside I grew up on a 100-acre sheep farm in Maine, was an active member in 4H, and I showed my flock across New England and at the national show in Louisville, Kentucky. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. Purebred lambs can reach a weight of 19.9 kgs at 8 weeks old. play midwife, and those little guys get up and bounce right away. Hi Mary. raise a lamb from birth to market weight, even though you get a better Read more and see the photo gallery here. The St. Croix is increasing in numbers, and though it is still rare, the breeds future seems promising. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. The Team at Retire in the VI and St Croix Island Life Real Estate is comprised of a bright and fun group of folks who share a love of St Croix and a desire to help others realize their dream of establishing a home here. . Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. 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. 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. The Meatmaster offers farmers an excellent alternative with unique characteristics to meet the International market. wonderful pets, lawn mowers and weed eaters. 8. Your email address will not be published. It is becoming more and more popular not just in . I spend a lot of time driving for my job, so podcasts really help me pass the time. The meat has a mild flavor, good grain and produce a lean meat. Flock owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals with neighbors. I wish to sign up to your exclusive club but I dont think that it is much needed at this point as I dont have a farm or even a garden yet. OT=""; clean up what my little princesses (goats) won't touch. The influence of the Wiltshire Horn was later diminished as selection against horns was imposed . I began to write an reflection of this episode where I waxed poetic about lawns, livestock, and this episode of Curious George. I can get a # 5 shad rap or walleye diver banging bottom in 32ft of water, but you let out about 80 to 90 yards, I typically use 27lb lead core, with penn 320 reel, it holds all 100 yards and use 5-6ft fireline leader it holds up better than mono. The St. Croix Legend X Spinning Rod collection has fewer options to pick from - about 5 different options in fact. Positive benefits of St. Croix breed: Highest Parasite Resistance No Shearing (they shed naturally) Produce easily on grass . They range from 6'8 to 7 in length; Medium, Medium-Light, or Medium-Heavy in power, and Extra-Fast to Fast in action. Making smart, well-researched decisions is what allows us to pursue our particular passion in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way. Sheep deposit some of the best fertilizer known to man. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them. Pros: Sheep tend to be calm and affectionate (as long as you stick with female or neutered male sheep). 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. Contact a breeder in your area about St. Croix hair sheep. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. havea regular customer who has a fruit orchardin CA. Most parasite resistant sheep breed! You may also search using the map below. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Breeders often use less-expensive Katahdin ewes to initiate an upgrading program with registered Dorper as the final goal. 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. So in my little comparison of raising sheep for profit and raising cattle for profit, even with all the variabilities, sheep seem to be a bit more profitable. Like many island nations, St. Croix struggles with power outages, which can disrupt daily life and be a nuisance. Originally publishedin sheep! We feel this has contributed to the introduction with the Turkish Boz Shepherd Livestock Guardian dogs that seemed more like bringing together old friends. St. John - Beautiful but expensive. Some breeders cross with heavier hair sheep breeds There is no hoof trimming, no grain, no weaning, no shots or worming and minimal hay. Our sponsor The Power Plucker will make your life easier. They have fiber/hair that is shed annually and does not contain any wool fiber. Salty air can take its toll on your things, especially electronics. Katahdins are a cross between the hair sheep (St. Croix) that Piel imported from the Caribbean and the British sheep breeds (primarily Suffolk) that he had on his farm. October 26, 2015 at 7:40 PM. You can overcome this by making sure your walls are high enough, and that there is nothing in their enclosure that they can climb onto. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. It was a fairly bold move at . Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. 509-688-5168 Ralph Jost Wild Rose St. Croix 21720 N Spotted Rd, Deer Park, Washington 99006. rabbits. This characteristic is a huge benefit in terms of overall health and also in terms of annual expenses of time and medication to the shepherd. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. To be honest, every breed has it's pros and cons, and Dorper vs. St Croix is not different . Or pass over a new machine and invest in some sheep to eat the lawn? They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. Barbado sheep have a very small carcass size. My email is for(j=0;j