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Other breeds at Black Pines Sheep:
The Cotswold, an ancient longwool breed, has been traced back to flocks that grazed the Cotswold Hills during the Roman occupation. Their long lustrous wool with a Bradford Count of 38-48 contributed greatly to the wealth of the region, as well as the country. A 12 months growth of fleece will measure 10-12 inches and weigh 11-13 pounds. The translucent fiber dyes well, giving brilliant jewel tones and is prized by spinners and crafts people. The Cotswold is a solid built sheep with a leg on each corner. Adult rams weigh from 175-250 pounds and ewes 140-175 pounds. The Cotswold is hardy, consistent and docile, making them easy to raise and handle. Cotswolds have made their home at Black Pines, since 1987 and became the breed of choice in our Wensleydale and Teeswater upgrading programs. Black Pines is a member of the American Cotswold Registry Association.
The CVM originated during the 1960's from a multicolored ewe and a similarly marked ram lamb born into a flock of purebred white Romeldales, owned by Glen Eidman and A. T. Spencer, Through subsequent breedings of these animals and further mutants from the Romeldale flock, the CVM breed was developed. Fleece colors, shades and patterns vary widely. These include light and dark greys, black, brown, moorit, with spotted, reverse badger, as well as the typical badger faced pattern of the original CVM. There is a feeling among some CVM breeders, that only the multicolored badger-faced pattern should be considered a CVM. All other colors and patterns are colored Romeldales. The fleece should be bright, uniform and dense with a long fine staple and incredible elasticity. Annual yield should be about 8 pounds with a spinning count of 60's to 62's and an annual average staple length of 4-6 inches. Wool should have a well-defined crimp from base to tip, be pliable to the touch and free from kemp and objectionable fibers. The breed is polled with a face, usually free of wool and covered with soft hair. Wool may sometimes be found on the forehead. Eyes should be large, clear and alert with ears medium in size. The body is sturdy and well boned with a long straight back. Neck and shoulders should be mostly free of skin folds. Legs are strong and medium in length with strong upright pasterns. Hooves should be black with the exception of the brown and moorits, which may be shades of red or brown. Rams should appear masculine and ewes feminine and refined. Both should move well with a free and easy walk. CVM/Romeldales joined the Black Pines flock in 1988 with a full range of colors and patterns and many direct descendants from the Eidman's Kansas flock. Our CVM flock continues to be registered with NCWGA.
The Karakul, an Asian broad tailed type sheep, was introduced to the U. S. between 1908 and 1929 in an attempt to establish a lucrative fur industry. The breed was named for Karakul, a village in the former emirate of Bokhara, West Turkestan. It may be the oldest breed of domestic sheep. The fleece, in a wide variety of colors, is medium dense, long stapled (8-12 inches in twelve months growth), usually considered carpet wool, but often grading as high as 3/8th, showing good luster, long open crimp falling naturally into numerous locks and may have a fine shorter undercoat mixed with a coarser outer. With their long, strong, lustrous and multicolored fiber, Karakul fleeces are an excellent choice for anything needing a durable hard wearing fiber, such as rugs, tapestries and saddle blankets.
In recent years, the Karakul has been recognized for its lean carcass with excellent flavor and texture and is eagerly sought by the ethnic market. The Karakuls, our first breed of sheep, arrived in 1985. Since then, our replacements have been selected for size, rapid growth, graceful carriage and lustrous open fleeces, as well as other desirable traits. The Karakuls at Black Pines are registered with the American Karakul Sheep Registry. Though, we have added many breeds since, the intelligent hardy Karakul has its own special place at Black Pines and in our heart.
The Lincoln Longwool is an impressive, multipurpose, heavily built sheep with a gentle disposition. The breed originated in Lincolnshire, England and was known for its strong lustrous wool and large flavorful carcass. The Lincoln was exported to many parts of the world and used extensively in creating new wool and multi-purpose breeds of sheep. Mature rams should weigh 275-350 and ewes 175-250. Lincoln wool, with its long lustrous locks and a grade no finer than 46's, is highly prized by spinners and craft people. It is unparalleled for dying, always producing true brilliant colors. In addition to being a great spinning fiber, it is unexcelled for doll wigs, toys and Santa beards. Lincolns have been raised at Black Pines, since 1981. Their calm disposition, affectionate nature and bossy ways have endeared them to us both. Black Pines is a member of the National Lincoln Sheep Breeders Association.
The Delaine or Type "C" Merino, considered a dual-purpose sheep, was developed from the Spanish Merino. The wool may be any color and white markings are frequently present in colored animals. It should cover the entire wool-bearing surfaces of the body and be uniform in length, crimp, fineness, elasticity and strength over the entire body. The spinning count should be no lower than 64's with a well defined regular crimp. Staple length for 12 months growth should not be less than 2 3/4 inches, unstretched. Annual fleece weight for a mature ram should be 20 pounds or more and mature ewes 12 or more pounds.The rams may be polled or horned with a smooth body. Folds under the neck are acceptable. Mature ewes should weigh 125-189 pounds and mature rams 175-235 pounds. Our Merinos are Texas Delaines and have been selected for exceptional staple length, luster and soft handle. |
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Links: American Karakul Sheep Registry National Lincoln Sheep Breeders Association NCWGA |