farm - breed - profiles / delaine - merino_190.jpg
Photo Credit : photograph good manners Amy Schroeder
Use : The Merino is justifiably famed for its wool . Hand spinners adore the Merino ’s exceptionally fine fleece , which spins up into a soft recital that , when release into garment , extend lightweight warmheartedness without the antsy , scratchy feel of coarser wools . Quality Merino wool often fetches top dollar . Photo courtesy Amy Schroeder
account : The Merino has its roots in Spain , where from the 14th to the 19th centuries this breed with its fine , luxurious wool dominate the European wool trade . For many years , the Spanish government maintained a monopoly on the stock , refusing to allow its exportation . Finally , in 1786 the King of Spain relinquished a little mess to his cousin Louis XVI ’s estate at Rambouillet in France ( the Rambouillet breed emerged from this stock ) . After the Spanish empire strike down apart , the stock circularize to other countries , including Australia , Britain , and the U.S. Arriving soon after Australia ’s colonization , the Merino proved to be as a various and resilient breed capable of follow in this vast continent ’s wide-ranging climates and terrain . Today , the Australian Merino — the most common strain in that country — dwell of four strains : the Saxon Merino , South Australian Merino , Spanish Merino , and the Peppin Merino .
conformity : The Oklahoma State University Breeds of Livestock website divides Merinos in the United States into types A , B , and C. The little , wrinkly - hided type A Merino developed in Vermont , while the magnanimous type Bel Merino herald from Ohio , where breeders pick out for a heavier wool and mutton body type . The adaptable , suave - bodied Type C , or Delaine , Merino is the most mutual type in the United States today . intermediate - sized Delaine Merino Ewe generally count between 125 and 180 pounds , while Ram weigh in at around 175 to 235 pounding . Merino rams often romp magnificent curling horns . Each year , the Merino grows a impenetrable , finely - fibered fleece with a staple duration of 2.5 to 4 inches long . The fleece colour cast from white to cream to drinking straw - emblazon .
Special Considerations / Notes : Merinos have a extremely developed flocking instinct , which makes them good range animals and well-off for shepherds and their hotdog to herd around . The motherly ewe produce twins about half the meter and can multiply out of time of year , allowing shepherds to be more selective about when lamb occurs . These sheep are say to have longer fat lives than other sheep breeds , last and producing wool and lambs for ten years or more .
