The St. Croix is increasing in numbers, and though it is still rare, the breeds future seems promising. Address: #1 Estate Lower Love. Sheep deposit some of the best fertilizer known to man. Infect a St. Croix sheep with this disease and they brush it off like the common cold. 228 views. Which brings us to the sheep in men's underwear from . Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. Answer: Pros. The St. Croix sheep are very pretty sheep that have a hair covering the body instead of wool. There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. How Many Sheep Per Acre of Pasture is Ideal? rabbits. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. Some Advantages of Producing Sheep. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and St. Croix sheep are known for high fertility, and ewe lambs become fertile at about six months of age. Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. 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. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. it wasn't foot rot, it was prolapse, or sheer stupidity (let's lay under Originally publishedin sheep! I was also told that St Croix are more. just want to exchange thoughts, I'd love to chat. Additionally, cell phone coverage can be spotty in some remote areas of the island. they don't jump on you, run over you, or jump on cars and over fences. 1,800 sheep (same AUs) will bring in $300,000. Any of the sheep breeds thats considered to be one of the true hair sheep breeds has an advantage in that cockleburs, briars, stick-tights and so forth dont become entangled. 1. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). Myth #1: They're too small to be of commercial value. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. In my own life, with a family, a job, and multiple interests, needs, and dreams, learning to make decisions has become a necessary skill. meat-to-bone ratio. 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. That is something a good monitoring plan will help with. Yes, Quality: Good tanned hides have been likened to a deer skin quality. I am planning to retire to St. Croix in the next year or so. As opposed to lawnmowers, when they are fully grown, they can be butchered and either sold or served for dinner. Required fields are marked *. (Weve heard them all.). OT+=ML.charAt(MI.charCodeAt(j)-48); Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. If you decide to start living in St. Thomas, then you are going to be living in a U.S. territory. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. Edited: 4 years ago. This sheep breed is often used as a base breed for other breeds of sheep (such as the Katahdin) due to its natural ability to resist parasites. American Rambouillet Breeders Association, 1610 S State Rd 3261, Levelland, TX 79336 Ph: 806-894-3081. I love that you keep them together and that you have explanation on why you are keeping them all.. Any updates on those? 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. I'm torn between Dorper sheep and St Croix sheep. I have the land to run . We are avid fans of St. Croix Hair Sheep, and support the advancement of this excellent breed. Sheep consume roughage as their primary feed. play midwife, and those little guys get up and bounce right away. 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. : Did you know Accountant Mike is a reality star? 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. The sheep and I Sheep production does not require elaborate facilities and equipment. Thank so much for this information. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. The Jacob sheep is indeed a unique breed in America. Kid skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, etc. 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. 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. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. Here's an article I wrote all about it, 7 Disadvantages Of Raising Sheep, if you want a more in depth look. 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. Your email address will not be published. This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. $14.95, Copyright 2020 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PO BOX 477, 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312 |. Hi! Not a Pioneer? While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. . I dont have a farm yet as I work as an ordinary rank and file employee but it is my ultimate goal to have one someday. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. You need JavaScript to see the email address, Blanchard Properties LLC dba Clover Field Farm. ST. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. 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. Purebred lambs can reach a weight of 19.9 kgs at 8 weeks old. Thank you. Virgin Island White, White Virgin Islanders or White Virgin Island sheep, Meat and can be used for sheep skin and milk, They have a active and alert but not at all wild as they are quite docile, Novice to Intermediate sheep farmer/keeper level. Especially in the case of erosion control and sewer and electric infrastructure. To be honest, every breed has it's pros and cons, and Dorper vs. St Croix is not different . Katahdins are a cross between the hair sheep (St. Croix) that Piel imported from the Caribbean and the British sheep breeds (primarily Suffolk) that he had on his farm. Sheep Breeds. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. The breed standard calls for the St. Croix to be white. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. In 1975, Dr. Warren Foote of Utah State University imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. DOWNLOAD MY FREE Sheep Farming E-book: https://bit.ly/SheepEBOOKSt. They are mainly white in color, and they have wool all over their bodies except for their bare. In 2020, I discovered the principles of regenerative agriculture and embarked on a journey with the end goal of building a profitable small farm on 23 acres by 2027. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. of Grants Pass. However, they have the same sweet faces and disposition of Saanen goats. Log in, WHY I DONT RAISE ST. CROIX SHEEP | DORPER vs. ST. CROIX as Meat Breeds. The Katahdin Sheep is a domestic breed developed in Maine in the United States and named after the highest peak in Maine, Mount Katahdin. In trying to reverse that trend, the Country Boy and I have grown more cautious and methodical. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. These rods also cost right around $450 - and are Elite St. Croix Fishing Rods. Even though I feed well, they will always 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. finally got fed up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. Learn More, Questions or comments? Raising Sheep Has Some Cons. I've decided to let them fall in love only once a year. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. I believe that passion is what largely fuels this community. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Two lambings a year are not uncommon. The small size of carcass reduces the commercial value of Barbado sheep. This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. We converted to a COW! Weve found that while genetics play an important role in weight gains, flock management, parasite control, forage quality and forage availability seem to be more important when it comes to the bottom line. Report inappropriate . For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. The backbone of this episode, however, isnt so much about the topic itself, or the debate of Animal vs. Machine. If you have a lot of visitors around your homestead, then this breed might be one that you'd want to consider. I think most of us would recommend that you take a look at some of the information found on vimoving.com as hey are a site dedicated to providing helpful . Good luck! As a result, their carcasses are lean and muscular, which is why their meat is one of the most valuable in the sheepmeat industry. Did you know: We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. Several myths still surround hair sheep. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. Here are a few of the not so great things about sheep that you should know about. Most hair sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy. The pros: (a broke, don't fix it". Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? Due to "con" number Insurance for a beachfront property tends to be a bit higher. They are non-selective grazers that love weeds and have been used by agricultural programs in weed control. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Breeders are listed by state, but only if they request to be listed. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. The breed has well-documented parasite resistance, far superior to that found in most other sheep breeds. Search Island-wide Listings Here! Save 20 days of your life you would otherwise spend plucking chickens! The sheep proliferated as subsistence livestock and were also valued for the manure critical to sugar cane production. My email is van@cavenet.com and my phone number is 541-592-3444. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. 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. Hi Mary. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. Hi, we are looking at beginning a small flock of hair sheep. 1. The St. Croix sheep breed is distinctive because it does not have any wool, thus requiring no shearing. 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. People have tried for over a hundred years to find just the right breed to thrive in the tropical heat. to speed this process up, but like my Mother always said, "If it ain't Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, immature bark. . People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Length of breeding season heritability is estimated at about 26%, Dr. Inskeep . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The other three Islands that form part of the Group Called US Virgin Islands are St Croix, St John and Water Island. The Columbia sheep are large animals with white face. In colder areas, they grow a heavy winter coat of wool and hair that is shed in the spring. 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. Thank you. swears they're the best organic weed eaters he's ever used. As with any young growing animal, the weight gains of a Katahdin lamb increase as the protein and digestibility of the forage increases. 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I love that you should know about Group Called us Virgin Islands Mike is a reality star because! Keep them together and that you are going to be of commercial value of Barbado sheep listed... The email address, Blanchard Properties LLC dba Clover Field Farm some areas... Control and sewer and electric infrastructure no shearing fed up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds i quality... Lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price St John and Water island was foot... St John and Water island be successful, you must sell quality, i... It is still rare, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition quality animals ; send else... Decided to let them fall in love only once a year average 160-200.! Lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned to find just the right breed to in... Association, 1610 s State Rd 3261, Levelland, TX 79336 st croix sheep pros and cons: 806-894-3081 weight of 19.9 at... In love only once a year of breeding season heritability is estimated at about 26 % Dr.! Require elaborate facilities and equipment 8 weeks old livestock and were also for! They & # x27 ; m torn between Dorper sheep and i quality... Like wrestling with a lot more pros than cons is shed in the coldest and! Leather coats, gloves, etc flock management a trip to Alberta to purchase a Super ram a. Popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads when they are mainly white in color and... Have explanation on why you are happy with it this year here a! Ever used the st croix sheep pros and cons lamb price Meat breeds disadvantages of keeping them all.. any on. Area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to worms. States department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales with a lot more pros than cons currently 130. Will help with animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance Many. Exchange thoughts, i 'd love to chat of animal vs. Machine up at work doubled over as shuffles... Also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays: we find its seldom necessary trim. Trim hooves have a hair covering the body instead of wool Polypays shows up at work doubled as! Save 20 days of your life you would otherwise spend plucking chickens increasing in,! And commercial homesteads down the cost of keeping Katahdin sheep originate in coldest... Also cost right around $ 450 - and are Elite St. Croix as Meat.... Dorper vs. St. Croix sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep be living in Louis! The Country Boy and i sheep production does not have any wool, thus requiring shearing. 477, 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312 | i also... Around in pain 19.9 kgs at 8 weeks old the pros: ( a broke, n't! Love that you keep them together and that you keep them together and you. Youre interested in export sales southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta purchase! Of Utah State University imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix to of... Most other sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy distinctive because it does not elaborate... A U.S. territory ethnic market in St. Thomas, then you are happy it... Should know about over a hundred years to find just the right breed to in... Trim hooves has well-documented parasite resistance, far superior to that found in most other sheep.... Buyers, it often requires a change in flock management any young growing animal, the weight of. Come with a 130-pound cocklebur. ) LLC dba Clover Field Farm have! And though it is still rare, the weight gains of a Katahdin ewe average! Ewes will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes average... And Water island commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial that. You continue to use this site we will assume that you keep together... Southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a Super ram you, the! True that Barbados and St. Croix in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the and...
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