Corriedale (sheep)
Encyclopedia
Corriedale sheep
are a dual purpose breed, meaning they are used both in the production of wool
and meat. The Corriedale is the oldest of all the crossbred breeds, a Merino
-Lincoln
cross developed almost simultaneously in Australia
and New Zealand
and first brought to the United States
in 1914. The Corriedale is internationally farmed, in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Patagonia
(it being one of the most popular sheep breeds in Uruguay
).
The Corriedale produces bulky, high-yielding wool ranging from 31.5 to 24.5 microns diameter. Fleece from a mature ewe will weigh 10 to 17 lb (4.5 to 7.7 kg) with a staple length of 3.5 to 6 in (8.9 to 15.2 cm). After cleaning, a yield of 50 to 60% of the raw fleece weight is common. Mature rams will weigh 175 to 275 lb (79.4 to 124.7 kg), ewes can weigh from 130 to 180 lb (59 to 81.6 kg).
This breed was developed in Australia and New Zealand by extensive breeding and culling as a cross between Merino
and Lincoln
sheep. The goal was to develop a breed that would thrive in lower rainfall areas and supply long staple wool. James Little was the original breeder and the name comes from a property in the South Island
, where he conducted his work under the encouragement of NZALC superindent, William Soltau Davidson
.
The breed was developed between 1868 and 1910. As a dual purpose breed of sheep (good for meat and wool), the Corriedale breed was gradually distributed to many of the sheep-raising areas in the world. For example, the first Corriedales came to the United States
in 1914. The Corriedale was later used as one of the parents of the U.S.-developed Targhee
breed. Corriedale sheep also contribute about 50 percent of the genetics used in the Gromark
breed of sheep that were developed in Australia.
Domestic sheep
Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...
are a dual purpose breed, meaning they are used both in the production of wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
and meat. The Corriedale is the oldest of all the crossbred breeds, a Merino
Merino
The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. Merinos are regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep...
-Lincoln
Lincoln (sheep)
The Lincoln, sometimes called the Lincoln Longwool, is a breed of sheep from England. The Lincoln is the largest British sheep, developed specifically to produce the heaviest, longest and most lustrous fleece of any breed in the world. Great numbers were exported to many countries to improve the...
cross developed almost simultaneously in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and first brought to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1914. The Corriedale is internationally farmed, in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Patagonia
Patagonia
Patagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
(it being one of the most popular sheep breeds in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
).
Appearance and behaviour
Corriedale have a long life span, and are hardy and evenly balanced all over the body. Corriedales are docile, easy care mothers, with high fertility. They adapt well to a wide range of climate conditions. They are large framed and plain bodied, hornless and have a broad body. Corriedales produce a thick stapled, bulky fleece, which is popular with spinners and can be used for a range of handspun garments. Their dense fleece is medium-fine and high yielding, with good length and softness, somewhat between medium wool and long wool. Corriedale lambs produce good quality carcases and have a high pelt value.The Corriedale produces bulky, high-yielding wool ranging from 31.5 to 24.5 microns diameter. Fleece from a mature ewe will weigh 10 to 17 lb (4.5 to 7.7 kg) with a staple length of 3.5 to 6 in (8.9 to 15.2 cm). After cleaning, a yield of 50 to 60% of the raw fleece weight is common. Mature rams will weigh 175 to 275 lb (79.4 to 124.7 kg), ewes can weigh from 130 to 180 lb (59 to 81.6 kg).
History
Merino
The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. Merinos are regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep...
and Lincoln
Lincoln (sheep)
The Lincoln, sometimes called the Lincoln Longwool, is a breed of sheep from England. The Lincoln is the largest British sheep, developed specifically to produce the heaviest, longest and most lustrous fleece of any breed in the world. Great numbers were exported to many countries to improve the...
sheep. The goal was to develop a breed that would thrive in lower rainfall areas and supply long staple wool. James Little was the original breeder and the name comes from a property in the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
, where he conducted his work under the encouragement of NZALC superindent, William Soltau Davidson
William Soltau Davidson
William Soltau Davidson was the New Zealand pioneer of refrigerated shipping.-Early life:Son of Frances Pillans and bank manager David Davidson, William Davidson was born in Montreal, Canada. He attended the Edinburgh Academy, , before taking a position book keeping in Glasgow...
.
The breed was developed between 1868 and 1910. As a dual purpose breed of sheep (good for meat and wool), the Corriedale breed was gradually distributed to many of the sheep-raising areas in the world. For example, the first Corriedales came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1914. The Corriedale was later used as one of the parents of the U.S.-developed Targhee
Targhee sheep
The Targhee is a breed of domestic sheep developed in early 20th century by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Targhee sheep are a dual–purpose breed, with heavy, medium quality wool and good meat production characteristics. They are hardy, and are especially suited to the ranges of the West...
breed. Corriedale sheep also contribute about 50 percent of the genetics used in the Gromark
Gromark (sheep)
Gromark sheep are a large-framed, plain bodied dual-purpose breed of sheep that were under development in 1965 by Arthur C. Godlee at "Marengo", Tamworth, New South Wales...
breed of sheep that were developed in Australia.