NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
February 10, 2000
The furry noses exploring the straw in North Dakota State University research pens may be the future face of the sheep industry.
Lambs being born now are the first offspring of a cross between NDSU's traditional Hampshire and Columbia breeding lines and two breeds of "hair sheep," so named because they grow and shed a coat of hair rather than wool, which must be sheared.
Research with the sheep is intended to help North Dakota sheep producers stay competitive in a changing sheep market. "The entire sheep industry has changed," notes Roger Haugen, a sheep specialist at NDSU. "Fifteen years ago, a third of sheep producers' revenue came from wool. Today it often costs producers more to have their sheep sheared than they'll receive from the wool."
That change was prompted by the elimination of federal subsidies for wool. Today, producers have shifted their focus from producing wool to producing meat, Haugen says. They are looking for a way to cut costs and integrate sheep production with other farm enterprises such as cattle or crops.
Hair sheep such as the Katahdin and Wiltshire Horn breeds being studied at NDSU may be a partial solution. NDSU purchased three rams from a Florida producer earlier this year -- one of each breed and a crossbred.
The rams, as well as ewes and lambs, will be on display at the KFYR Radio Agri-International Stock and Trade Show in Bismarck, Monday, Feb. 14, to Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Katahdin sheep are hardy, adaptable, low-maintenance sheep that are resistant to parasites and have good potential for out-of-season lambing. The breed was developed in Maine. Wiltshire Horn sheep originated in England and are known for their ability to do well in hot and cold conditions and to produce vigorous lambs. They are resistant to external parasites and foot rot.
"An objective of our study is to see if we could profitably breed hair sheep with the commercial ewes in the state," Haugen says. Available information suggests that both breeds of sheep are smaller and grow more slowly than traditional breeds. "Those could be our biggest challenges," Haugen admits.
Previous research suggests that three generations of crossbreeding may be required to transfer the no-wool characteristic to conventional sheep breeds. The NDSU researchers will test that premise. They hope that crossbreeding will emphasize the profitable traits of all the breeds involved.
Although researchers won't be able to make firm recommendations for three to four years, the results look promising so far. Ewes in the research project are yielding a lamb crop of 200 to 300 percent. Lambs are vigorous and hardy.
"The ability of lambs to get up and get eating with out much help will be a big plus for producers looking for low-labor sheep programs that compliment other farm and ranch enterprises," Haugen says. "The overall low-maintenance nature of these sheep should fit well with research that shows sheep may be our most effective and profitable option for controlling leafy spurge."
Leafy spurge is a weed that infests more than a million acres of rangeland in the state. Cattle won't eat the weed and herbicides are seldom cost effective for control.
Another niche market for crossbreds involving the new breeds may be out-of-season lambing. The reproductive cycles of most sheep are triggered by changes in day length. That's why most sheep lamb in the spring. A healthy consumer market will demand lamb all year long. Producers that can serve that market could demand a premium.
In the research project, Haugen and NDSU shepherd Wes Limesand are studying management of the animals. Other researchers from NDSU's animal and range science department include:
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Source: Roger Haugen 701) 231-9629
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629