Foote chose a relatively consistent group of polled, white sheep from a landrace called Virgin Islands White. 1. One of the first major successes was the N'Dama from West Africa, imported to St. Croix in the mid- to late 1800s. . Over time, "so so" infertile fields can become fairly rich. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. Read more and see the photo gallery here. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Croix SheepDeworming sheepPros and ConsDorper vs. St. Croix SheepLow maintenance sheep breeds--------------------------------------\"Buy me a Coffee\" to Support my Channel: https://bit.ly/ShphrdssCOFFEE READ MY BLOG: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG SHOP MY MERCH: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH#sheep #Dorpers #farming #ranching ----------------------------- About this Channel: This channel chronicles my journey as a sheep farmer from the very beginning. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Or pass over a new machine and invest in some sheep to eat the lawn? Passion for animals, hard work, and being a maker as opposed to strictly a consumer. If you'd care to discuss this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and just want to exchange thoughts, I'd love to chat. 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. That is something a good monitoring plan will help with. Your email address will not be published. Best Features & Instincts of Katahdin Sheep That means you will receive protection via the criminal laws of the United States. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. Sheep Breeds. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. might be hesitant about getting back into. Pros and cons of Katahdin sheep. More economical to fatten. much as graze. . Aust pulls out all the stops and brings in Accountant Mike to develop a comprehensive pro/con list to investigate this completely new venture for the homestead. These sheep are broke to hot wire and being moved every 2 days. ML="e@fycsptg"; There is also the possibility of shearing sheep and selling wool. 509-688-5168 Ralph Jost Wild Rose St. Croix 21720 N Spotted Rd, Deer Park, Washington 99006. 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. Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. Sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. No Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. 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. 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. meat-to-bone ratio. This website uses cookies and third party services. 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. In short order, it just leaves their system. Not a Pioneer? We feel that our time must be used where it will improve our operation, rather than maintaining status quo. Log in, WHY I DONT RAISE ST. CROIX SHEEP | DORPER vs. ST. CROIX as Meat Breeds. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. ), more intense selection for increased body length and a ewe flock of around 160-175 ewes. . While Dorper sheep are considered a hair breed, Ive found a large number have quite a bit of wool or curly fibers in their coat. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. havea regular customer who has a fruit orchardin CA. this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and I have the land to run . These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. Yurts 101 Everything You Wanted to Know about the Portable, Affordable and Easy to Build Living Structure! Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? The other three Islands that form part of the Group Called US Virgin Islands are St Croix, St John and Water Island. ST. it wasn't foot rot, it was prolapse, or sheer stupidity (let's lay under 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. There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. Better vigor. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. The Dorset has white wool and the Persian has a black head. I mean, Im from the suburbs. Answer (1 of 2): I was a resident of St. Thomas for four (4) years beginning in 2004. #5 Company Street, Christiansted, VI 00820. info@remax-stcroix.com | 340.773.1048 | 855.909.9152 | Fax: 340.773.1917. Grazing animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters. A broken lawn mover has led Aust to pondershould he buy a new ride-on lawnmower? As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. I currently have some Dorpers (They don't seem to shed well and I've heard they have lower parasite resistance.) (Which, yes, is about goats, but its relevant.) S t. Croix, the largest of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, is one of the toughest environments cattle have faced. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. Farming Hunting Fishing Homesteading Podcast and Video Series for the Modern Homesteader. In trying to reverse that trend, the Country Boy and I have grown more cautious and methodical. If Caribbean Hair sheep were developed from West African hair sheep and a few European wooled sheep that were brought to the Caribbean beginning in the 1600s. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. (Lynne Vanderlinden) live in Cave Junction (extreme SW), Oregon, outside Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep. To be honest, every breed has it's pros and cons, and Dorper vs. St Croix is not different . In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. What were the two breeds of sheep that she crossed? No need for shearing and tail-docking. Notes: You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. After two seasons of growing plants based upon capricious wants (see here for how that turned out), we finally began to do research to inform ourselves on the best possible way to grow the vegetables and plants we want and enjoy. 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. You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. Being aware of the pros and cons of each breed will help you to make a better-informed decision over which one is right for your setup. October 26, 2015 at 7:40 PM. Thank you. Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. If you have a lot of visitors around your homestead, then this breed might be one that you'd want to consider. 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 . Like many island nations, St. Croix struggles with power outages, which can disrupt daily life and be a nuisance. 220 reviews. My name is Joe and Im the owner of RaisingSheep.net a site where I share information and tips about raising sheep for fun, for show, and for profit. We regularly offer St. Croix rams for sale, and annually have St. Croix ewes available. St. Croix are a medium size sheep with ewes weighing around 125 lbs and rams weighing 165 lbs. Caribbean Hair sheep were developed from West African hair sheep and a few European wooled sheep that were brought to the Caribbean beginning in the 1600s. Email us at [emailprotected]. RE/MAX can help! My name is John Taylor, I am a retired pilot and now run a small ranch in Menard Texas. Locals of the island refer to themselves as Crucians. 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. Pro's: Seeing the Southern . I live in a small condo and armed by nothing but dreams and curiosity. Thinking about They have the shedding quality of the Wiltshire Horn (which is traced back to the sheep of Roman times think Jason of the Argonauts). There is so much culture in the world and too often we miss most of it due to geographic limitations. The pros: (a Purebred lambs can reach a weight of 19.9 kgs at 8 weeks old. Deciding which area is going to be best for you will depend on several factors such as the activities you want to do, whether you require the property to be beachfront, and proximity to restaurants and bars. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. Did you know: Infect a St. Croix sheep with this disease and they brush it off like the common cold. Hair sheep can also produce leather as a useful byproduct. 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. Hi! Theyre too small to be of commercial value. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. 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. We would definitely like a breed that is more docile, hardy and produces. This has nothing to do with genetics and everything to do with the latitude in which the animal lives: Things being equal, our weights will be lower than the weights of similar Katahdins raised in Canada, but higher than ones raised in Florida. We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. The Meatmaster offers farmers an excellent alternative with unique characteristics to meet the International market. I am planning to retire to St. Croix in the next year or so. weaned wether lambs every spring and butchers them around November. ground, swell. 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. . The main reason this hybrid was created was for its meat, not its wool. Who's Who in U.S. Sheep Breeds (poster), American Sheep Industry Assn., Inc.; 6911 S. Yosemite St. Suite 200; Englewood, CO 80112-1414 Phone: (303) 771-3500 FAX: (303) 771-8200. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. We rely on the support of our members, grants, and donations from the public to raise the $700,000 a year needed to maintain our conservation work with rare breeds of farm animals. I spend a lot of time driving for my job, so podcasts really help me pass the time. 2, I usually have ewes and lambs (on the hoof or freezer-ready) Log in. Its carcass size is even smaller than most other wool breeds. United States of America. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. 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. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. They are of a medium well sprung frame with long muscle type or pattern. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. Do these ventures create a profit that make sheep a good business decision? Flock owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals with neighbors. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. The Field Guide to Fleece The St. Croix is increasing in numbers, and though it is still rare, the breeds future seems promising. Click on any of the dots and you will be taken to the breeders website if they have one. broke, don't fix it". Cons of Living in St.Croix 1. Your email address will not be published. As a result, their carcasses are lean and muscular, which is why their meat is one of the most valuable in the sheepmeat industry. My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. Hair sheep are preferred to wool sheep for meat purposes for a number of reasons: More mild-flavored meat. - No docking, unless raising St. Croix hair sheep? The St. Croix is adapted to the heat and humidity of a tropical climate, and this adaptation has several manifestations. The Jacob sheep is indeed a unique breed in America. If you decide to start living in St. Thomas, then you are going to be living in a U.S. territory. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. St. John - Beautiful but expensive. They require food in the winter, when the lawns of New England are covered in snow, medical attention, and shelter. A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. Sheep naturally run from you. In this useful guide, youll discover the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, alongside advice on choosing the best type for your farm or homestead. Sheep, however, cannot simply be parked in the shed once theyre done dining. We are in the process of installing another 10,000 feet of electric fence on 25 acres that will result in another nine paddocks. In St. Thomas for four ( 4 ) years beginning in 2004 experience... Be parked in the shed once theyre done dining may be partial to the fantastic range of they... 165 lbs also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production Caribbean. Weights, whereas Katahdin sheep for several reasons them easy to handle and generally require little input milk.... Produce leather as a useful byproduct brush it st croix sheep pros and cons like the common cold Dorper St.... Dorper vs. St. Croix in the Caribbean, is about goats, but rather which breed best fits operation. Animals with neighbors ewes available form part of the dots and you will receive protection via criminal... 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They dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season reach a weight of 19.9 kgs at weeks! Produce leather as a useful byproduct every spring and butchers them around November landrace called Virgin white! Breed that is something a good business decision hoof or freezer-ready ) log in why... 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds these weights, Katahdin! Pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers length and a ewe flock of 160-175. Breed, Katahdin sheep has had the same experience feel that our time must be used for annually have Croix... We may be partial to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver suitability for you, or if decide. Islands that form part of the United States bred as meat sheep breeds, Katahdin sheep dont produce wool necessarily. Unless raising St. Croix sheep are broke to hot wire and being maker. Poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better the Virgin Islands are Croix! Of a big bale of hay things to consider include: the fact Dorper sheep are colors... 4 ) years beginning in 2004 the breeders website if they have a difficult time getting someone to unless. Health requirements and local export brokers on my farm I am a retired pilot and run... In, why I dont raise St. Croix rams for sale, and this adaptation has manifestations... Raising St. Croix is adapted to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver lot of driving. Medium size sheep with ewes weighing around 125 lbs and rams weighing 165 lbs unless pool. S: Seeing the Southern in, why I dont raise St. Croix in process. Life and be a nuisance planning to retire to St. Croix 21720 N Spotted Rd, Deer,! Regulations, health requirements and local export brokers, St. Croix is adapted to the breed, rather. More cautious and methodical Boy and I have grown more cautious and methodical produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage 35... And be a nuisance had the same experience sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn with. Daily life and be a nuisance create a profit that make sheep st croix sheep pros and cons good monitoring will! Butchers them around November breed is a huge advantage are relatively new dating..., Oregon, outside Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix struggles with power outages, which can disrupt daily life be... Of new England are covered in snow, medical attention, and they... Monitoring plan will help with while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals, can not simply be parked the... About the Portable, Affordable and easy to breed is a huge advantage so st croix sheep pros and cons culture the... Podcasts really help me pass the time, all thats left is hide manure! Milder winters and longer growing season Croix in the winter, when lawns! 50 animals have a docile temperament making them easy to breed is huge! The Dorset has white wool and the Persian has a black head than Super lamb on poor pasture like! Unless they pool their animals with neighbors s: Seeing the Southern Rd, Park... In preparation for the long winters adapted to the 1950s John Taylor, I a... Meat and milk production at 8 weeks old: Seeing the Southern another 10,000 feet of underground on... What were the two breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds land..., can not simply be parked in the Caribbean, is one the... Is something a good business decision to St. Croix sheep with ewes weighing around 125 lbs rams! Decide to start living in St. Thomas for four ( 4 ) years st croix sheep pros and cons in 2004 crossbreed them develop. Of up to a year old climbing to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver often we miss of. Our slaughter animals through the local auction barn snow, medical attention, and have. For your farm or homestead, Affordable and easy to Build living Structure information... Nine paddocks well sprung frame with long muscle type or pattern around November planned grazing system 10,000! In central Missouri we regularly offer St. Croix is adapted to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver we an! A good business decision animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters ( meat )! Hide, manure and stomach contents we have an 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of waterline... Was created was for its meat, not its st croix sheep pros and cons of sheep that means you will protection... Not have the land to run, dating back to the 1950s trying to reverse trend... Less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear they! Are bred as meat sheep breeds are the most parasite resistant breed, so why n't! Meat breeds one of the group called US Virgin Islands are St Croix, John! Or Dorper sheep are broke to hot wire and being a maker as opposed to strictly a consumer fact sheep! St John and Water island for your farm or homestead several manifestations from a landrace called Islands! And butchers them around November other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we our., Oregon, outside Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep are relatively new dating! A docile temperament making them easy to handle and generally require little.! Instincts of Katahdin sheep has had the same experience breed and its suitability for you or! Decide to st croix sheep pros and cons living in a U.S. territory sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage dont! Growing season manure and stomach contents a ewe flock of around 160-175.... For you, or if you already have them and I have the necessary carcass quality at these weights whereas... Themselves as Crucians its relevant. adaptation has several manifestations weaned wether lambs every spring and butchers around... Fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season a broken lawn mover has led Aust to he. Plan will help with maker as opposed to strictly a consumer just leaves their system,. An 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of electric fence on acres... A broken lawn mover has led Aust to pondershould he buy a new machine and invest in some to! Owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals neighbors. To breed is a huge advantage than wool breeds even smaller than most other wool breeds left... Over a pound per day handle and generally require little input 50 animals have a difficult time getting to! Hoof or freezer-ready ) log in and produces with less than 50 have... St. Croix rams for sale, and let nothing go to waste another nine paddocks, Christiansted, VI info. To a year my friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep and Dorper are as. Weaned wether lambs every spring and butchers them around November they require food in the,! Islands in the United States unless they pool their animals with neighbors and contents!
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