ST. play midwife, and those little guys get up and bounce right away. 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. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. They usually carry their heads very upright and are an active alert breed. 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. 200 helpful votes. My primary occupation is in business management. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. As we said in the introduction, if youre looking to earn multiple income streams from your sheep, youll probably find Katahdins to be the better option. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. I was also told that St Croix are more. In this article we will explore all the pros and cons of living in St Thomas. Sheep consume roughage as their primary feed. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. 503-367-8912 Caleb & Hannah . If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Hair sheep can also produce leather as a useful byproduct. Reply. We are avid fans of St. Croix Hair Sheep, and support the advancement of this excellent breed. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. You may also search using the map below. - They will eat My email is, St. Croix Sheep Save 20 days of your life you would otherwise spend plucking chickens! 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. The Squishy Monster, May 15, 2017. Raising Sheep Has Some Cons. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. I've been told that Dorper grow faster but are open to parasites. We converted to a COW! This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. Like many island nations, St. Croix struggles with power outages, which can disrupt daily life and be a nuisance. Especially in the case of erosion control and sewer and electric infrastructure. They are so much cleaner than woolies. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. I just recentky discovered your Youtube channel and now your blog. This combination of characteristics makes the breed an excellent choice for low input meat production. While weve missed out on export sales the last several years because of retaining ewes to increase flock numbers, Mexican buyers will be coming by this spring. The St. Croix sheep breed has a good taste that does not have the flavor from the lanolin that is produced by wool sheep. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Address: #1 Estate Lower Love. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. The Livestock Conservancy is Americas leading organization working to save over 150 heritage breeds from extinction. Some breeders cross with heavier hair sheep breeds My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. They have many similarities with the Corriedale sheep. The backbone of this episode, however, isnt so much about the topic itself, or the debate of Animal vs. Machine. Breeders often use less-expensive Katahdin ewes to initiate an upgrading program with registered Dorper as the final goal. We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. 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. Senepol. In colder areas, they grow a heavy winter coat of wool and hair that is shed in the spring. The breed standard calls for the St. Croix to be white. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. 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. It is becoming more and more popular not just in . 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. This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. It is small, with ewes averaging 120 pounds and rams 165 pounds. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. OT+=ML.charAt(MI.charCodeAt(j)-48); To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. 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. The list of pros and cons is certainly long as it would be for buying a house in any location. October 26, 2015 at 7:40 PM. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. 1. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. 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. The Field Guide to Fleece There is so much culture in the world and too often we miss most of it due to geographic limitations. 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. Prolific hair sheep, adapted to humid-hot climates, parasite resistant. People have tried for over a hundred years to find just the right breed to thrive in the tropical heat. In short order, it just leaves their system. just want to exchange thoughts, I'd love to chat. Passion for animals, hard work, and being a maker as opposed to strictly a consumer. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. Thinking about Fact: While it's true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy As with any young growing animal, the weight gains of a Katahdin lamb increase as the protein and digestibility of the forage increases. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. Hi Ben, we do have an update they are not here anymore! Laurel Field 8835 S Lone Elder Rd Canby, OR 97013 503-263-6376 secretary@stcroixhairsheep.org Several myths still surround hair sheep. Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. Good luck! He Akbash. They are prized for their lambing ability and their carcasses that are lean and meaty. More economical to fatten. St. Croix are a medium size sheep with ewes weighing around 125 lbs and rams weighing 165 lbs. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. . A second group was imported into . In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. I'm not saying they . 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Extract Natural Dye for Wool from Goldenrod Plants, Why Teach Classes on How to Knit, Spin, Weave or Felt, Use This Sweater Mitten Pattern to Bring New Life to Old Clothes. - I rarely have to This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. The flocking instinct of hair animals generally isnt as good as wool breeds. much as graze. naturally longer list, and remember, this is from. } Best Features & Instincts of Katahdin Sheep They also tend to be highly mobile, which means they will climb on top of anything. Unlike any other domesticated livestock cattle, goats, buffalo, you name it we created a set of conditions that put sheep at increased risk of infestation by blowflies by making its tail so heavy that it can't lift it out of the way of its elimination and then . A major con of living in St. Croix is the unreliable electricity and cell coverage. Log in, WHY I DONT RAISE ST. CROIX SHEEP | DORPER vs. ST. CROIX as Meat Breeds. 228 views. Positive benefits of St. Croix breed: Highest Parasite Resistance No Shearing (they shed naturally) Produce easily on grass . Because of differences in numbers and kinds of hair . Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? 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. Wiltshire Horn and St. Croix. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Named after the highest mountain peak of the area, Katahdin sheep was first developed in Maine, USA back in the 1950s. Though heat tolerant, the sheep can be raised in many parts of North America. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. uncommonly resistant to foot rot, prolapse, and parasites. St. Croix were first brought to the Caribbean via West Africa. Foote chose a relatively consistent group of polled, white sheep from a landrace called Virgin Islands White. I'm torn between Dorper sheep and St Croix sheep. this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. No As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. While many breeders enjoy the production of wool, others view annual shearing as a costly expense. 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. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. The breed standard calls for the St. Croix to be white. it wasn't foot rot, it was prolapse, or sheer stupidity (let's lay under 2, I usually have ewes and lambs (on the hoof or freezer-ready) Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. They have a long compact body with long legs. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. If you're a former "wooly" producer, you Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? 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. Anyone have any experience with specific breeds? St. Croix rams offer an impressive and exotic looking mane of long white hair around their shoulders and chests, giving them a strong and imperial presence. St. Thomas - to many tourists, crime and dirty on the positve side - Magens Bay Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. #5 Company Street, Christiansted, VI 00820. info@remax-stcroix.com | 340.773.1048 | 855.909.9152 | Fax: 340.773.1917. American Rambouillet Breeders Association, 1610 S State Rd 3261, Levelland, TX 79336 Ph: 806-894-3081. Fact: Eight or ten years ago you could expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals. might be hesitant about getting back into. Our sponsor The Power Plucker will make your life easier. You need JavaScript to see the email address, Blanchard Properties LLC dba Clover Field Farm. Do the numbers add up in favor of sheep?Find out on Part 1 of this FIRST serialized episode of Homesteady! Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Length of breeding season heritability is estimated at about 26%, Dr. Inskeep . These rods also cost right around $450 - and are Elite St. Croix Fishing Rods. In the sheep arena there are 3 hair breeds that are both well developed and well known in the USA: the Dorper Sheep, the Kathadin sheep, and the St. Croix sheep. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. They still dont take a huge amount of time to reach it, but it is something to be aware of if you are looking for fast production. The capital, Charlotte Amalie is located on St Thomas. Here are a few of the not so great things about sheep that you should know about. Do these ventures create a profit that make sheep a good business decision? As STT Resident said the folks on the moving forum can give opinions/pros/cons on the different locations but you can also find plenty of those here for vacationers. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Kingshill, St. Croix,, Virgin Islands 00850. You may be surprised to learn it's easy to train sheep. Is there anything more suburban than lawnmowers? Thank you. By John Kirchhoff For many people, mentioning hair sheep evokes either I wouldnt have anything else or a No way would I have them response. Pioneers get 10% off beekeeping equipment. In my own life, with a family, a job, and multiple interests, needs, and dreams, learning to make decisions has become a necessary skill. We also sell breeding stock locally. My email is Your email address will not be published. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? Myth #1: They're too small to be of commercial value. wonderful pets, lawn mowers and weed eaters. They produce excellent fertilizer. My favorite vlog of yours was about your new animals, goats and sheep. The Meatmaster offers farmers an excellent alternative with unique characteristics to meet the International market. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. We feel this has contributed to the introduction with the Turkish Boz Shepherd Livestock Guardian dogs that seemed more like bringing together old friends. @"; Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. St Thomas is 32 square miles and is Centre of commerce and trade for the US Virgin Islands. Image via Shutterstock. might be hesitant about getting back into any kind of sheep. Brandon says. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. Your in-laws might want to visit for extended periods of time! They are mainly white in color, and they have wool all over their bodies except for their bare. We feel that our time must be used where it will improve our operation, rather than maintaining status quo. I We are in the process of installing another 10,000 feet of electric fence on 25 acres that will result in another nine paddocks. 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. It is bred as non-fat tailed sheep for top meat production. 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. They are non-selective grazers that love weeds and have been used by agricultural programs in weed control. They have a mild Roman nose profile with a finer boned facial structure. 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. 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. 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. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. DOWNLOAD MY FREE Sheep Farming E-book: https://bit.ly/SheepEBOOKSt. The breed has well-documented parasite resistance, far superior to that found in most other sheep breeds. These shepherds welcome the St. Croix into their barns as a way to avoid the annual investment in shearing their flock. 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. The ewes can breed up to twice a year and have an abundance of good quality milk high in butter fat content. In 1975, Dr. Warren Foote of Utah State University imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. The main questions to ask yourself to determine the answer are: Katahdin sheep come in multiple color varieties, whereas Dorper sheep are white and black. Required fields are marked *, Get access to the entire library, Pioneer's only discounts, and live aftershow chats! Insurance for a beachfront property tends to be a bit higher. If Bowdridge can figure out the genetic marker that allows St. Croix to be immune from this parasite, he could help the entire sheep population of America. 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). The St. Croix is a North American sheep breed that's part of the Caribbean Hair sheep family. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Hi! Fourteen years ago my wife got into the sheep business when she purchased three registered Katahdin ewes, a ram, and later, three Romanov ewes. 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. Breeders Association. The hair coat, which eliminates the need for shearing, is part of this adaptation. 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. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Today, due to the work of Piel and other Katahdin breeders, Katahdin sheep are known as being hardy, low-maintenance sheep that adapt easily to a variety of conditions. Today, there are several landrace populations within this breed family in the Caribbean. available for sale. Better vigor. To learn more you can read our completeadvertising policy. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. 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. Thinking about A biography of my early adulthood could be called The Consequences of the Poorly Thought Out Choices.. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. Love the podcast, by the way. 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. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. Sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input. Sheep deposit some of the best fertilizer known to man. The sheep tend not to deposit fat within their muscle. Photographs: Dr. Jerry Fitch, Extension Sheep Specialist . (Weve heard them all.). They like large groups of lambs on each farm, prefer solid colors, registered and must be enrolled in the scrapie program. you want to do it for looks. Log in. ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP. The sheep proliferated as subsistence livestock and were also valued for the manure critical to sugar cane production. All have their pros and cons. van@cavenet.com and my phone We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. https://dorpersheep.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Mid-America-Dorper-Sale-Report-1.pdf?fs=e&s=cl. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). To be honest, every breed has it's pros and cons, and Dorper vs. St Croix is not different . There are three sections worth considering staying: Cane Bay, Frederiksted, and Christiansted. The Jacob sheep is indeed a unique breed in America. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. Re: Buying a house. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. Which brings me to the first reason I do not enhance St. Croix sheep. $ 350. . Their browsing ability makes them useful for land management, including mowing grass in orchards and the control of invasive pest plants. Ewes usually have twin lambs but triplets are not unusual. Sheep, however, cannot simply be parked in the shed once theyre done dining. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. Required fields are marked *. . The St. Croix are a medium sized sheep with pretty long fine boned straight faces and pink noses. Laurel Field 8835 S Lone Elder Rd Canby, OR 97013 503-263-6376 secretary@stcroixhairsheep.org When it comes to sheep, meat market buyers want lambs to weigh 100 lbs before slaughter and they want the lambs to reach this weight by 6-8 months. Most parasite resistant sheep breed! The St Croix (Saint 'Croy') is a breed of domestic sheep native to the U.S. Virgin Islands and named for the island of Saint Croix.They are often also called Virgin Island White because those that were imported into North America were selected for white coloration. Raising Sheep For Profit: Let's Look At Some Numbers is an article I wrote going over the budget for your sheep, including how . raise a lamb from birth to market weight, even though you get a better This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them. But the Columbia sheep are much larger than the Corriedale sheep. Aside from the obvious (they taste good), they make Podcast update on that coming soon! Know a lot about lawn mowers, but nothing about sheep? This is due to their strong flocking character and instincts as they respond well to guard dogs and can live harmoniously with them all year around. - They breed like You see, this sheep doesn't need shearingit sheds its fleece once a year. the rain gutter and lamb). Sheep can help the quality of your lawns. Salty air can take its toll on your things, especially electronics. No need for shearing and tail-docking. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? Both males and females are horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns. Their feet is black and have a black muzzle. Contact a breeder in your area about St. Croix hair sheep. This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. We would definitely like a breed that is more docile, hardy and produces. and I have. Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. A special thanks to our partner: RJS Bee Farm. 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. Have you posted your Bee interview you talked about on this podcast? Thank you. Here are my pros and cons (in no particular order). For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. This versatile breed of sheep is also used for cheese and milk production on some farms. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. starting with the cons: The pros: (a 2 - Cultural Perspective (and a brief history lesson) Prior to deciding on St. Croix we entertained the idea of teaching internationally and really liked the idea of offering our children (two boys 9 and 7) a broader cultural perspective. Pros: Sheep tend to be calm and affectionate (as long as you stick with female or neutered male sheep). In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. (Lynne Vanderlinden) live in Cave Junction (extreme SW), Oregon, outside And we all know from the last episode the downside of growing useless grass. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. 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. How Many Sheep Per Acre of Pasture is Ideal? No scurs, either. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. Green Pastures Farm St. Croix-sired ewe lambs are raised solely on forage. The St. Croix sheep breed is distinctive because it does not have any wool, thus requiring no shearing. to speed this process up, but like my Mother always said, "If it ain't However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Answer (1 of 2): I was a resident of St. Thomas for four (4) years beginning in 2004. 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. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. Your email address will not be published. Cost - Sheep aren't cheap. The meat has a mild flavor, good grain and produce a lean meat. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds.

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