st croix sheep pros and cons

About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy We have eight foot Scotch Pines that look like a girdled palm tree and have seen them strip an old dried Christmas tree of its needles. Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. 228 views. Keeping Sheep (how to prepare your farm & yourself), Best Sheep Breeds for Beginners (your options), How to Create a Business Plan for Sheep Farming, How to Buy a Lamb that Will Win! I sincerely doubt that a statistically average St. Croix ewe, bred to a St. Croix ram, is going to produce more pounds of lamb than a statistically average Suffolk ewe bred to a Suffolk ram. A major con of living in St. Croix is the unreliable electricity and cell coverage. While you can make a great profit selling meat, if you are looking for multiple income streams from your flock then the Dorper may not be the right breed for you. Love the podcast, by the way. 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. A special thanks to our partner: RJS Bee Farm. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. . 2, I usually have ewes and lambs (on the hoof or freezer-ready) they don't jump on you, run over you, or jump on cars and over fences. The St Croix sheep breed originated in the Virgin Islands and as a result it is sometimes referred to as the Virgin Island White. Aside from the obvious (they taste good), they make Additionally, cell phone coverage can be spotty in some remote areas of the island. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. to speed this process up, but like my Mother always said, "If it ain't Usually, around 150 to 155 days but most gestation is 152 days, Usually, around 150 to 240 day but most are milked for 180 days. 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. naturally longer list, and remember, this is from. Answer: Pros. Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. There are five lambing periods each year. wool. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. The influence of the Wiltshire Horn was later diminished as selection against horns was imposed . If a ewe misses a breeding, she can still lamb three times in two years. 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. They would be for pasture management and meat. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. Barbado Sheep Cons. Plans for the future include a larger lambing/working shed-currently under construction, later lambing to reduce cold weather losses (10percentdeath loss for everything combined, stillborn, drowning in water tank, mashed, runts, etc. Locals of the island refer to themselves as Crucians. Where to stay . What Needle Felting Supplies Do You Use for Sculpting? Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. The sheep tend not to deposit fat within their muscle. In fact, they can grow up to 250lbs. I've mentioned the good along with the bad here . We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. Accountant Mike and Aust battle it out: To mow or not to mow? Can anyone help me with pros and cons? May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. Despite what you may read otherwise, most sheep are not overly friendly. They browse as wonderful pets, lawn mowers and weed eaters. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. Re: Buying a house. The Squishy Monster, May 15, 2017. My primary occupation is in business management. That means you will receive protection via the criminal laws of the United States. High latitudes (up north) have a short growing season with long daylight periods and fast grass growth that is high in protein and low in fiber. rabbits. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. If you're a former "wooly" producer, you They are of a medium well sprung frame with long muscle type or pattern. I've been told that Dorper grow faster but are open to parasites. 3,600 posts. Sheep Breeds. 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. 3 years ago. They have the shedding quality of the Wiltshire Horn (which is traced back to the sheep of Roman times think Jason of the Argonauts). If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Their feet is black and have a black muzzle. St. Thomas - to many tourists, crime and dirty on the positve side - Magens Bay (ideal market lamb pick), Show Lamb Supplies (4H sheep showing equipment list), How to Show Sheep (7 sheep showing tips for any level), How to Shear a Sheep (step by step with video). Search Island-wide Listings Here! If youre grazing crop-field aftermath, their coat will pick up trash where a Katahdin wont. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. The St. Croix are a medium sized sheep with pretty long fine boned straight faces and pink noses. 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. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. Sheep naturally run from you. The St. Croix is increasing in numbers, and though it is still rare, the breeds future seems promising. Thank you. I enjoy reading your blog and watching your videos. 8. 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. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. The Dorset has white wool and the Persian has a black head. 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. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. Passion for animals, hard work, and being a maker as opposed to strictly a consumer. Laurel Field 8835 S Lone Elder Rd Canby, OR 97013 503-263-6376 secretary@stcroixhairsheep.org The Meatmaster is a composite sheep breed in South Africa. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. He buys 4-6 ground, swell. This website uses cookies and third party services. Your in-laws might want to visit for extended periods of time! If you have kids, sheep can make a wonderful family pet. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. The Meatmaster offers farmers an excellent alternative with unique characteristics to meet the International market. How Many Sheep Per Acre of Pasture is Ideal? 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. Better vigor. In colder areas, they grow a heavy winter coat of wool and hair that is shed in the spring. 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. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. All things being equal 300 cows will bring in $150,000 a year. : Did you know Accountant Mike is a reality star? The disadvantages of sheep are lack of knowledgeable help, predation, fencing, need for observation and management skills on the part of the shepherd and your resources may not match up with the needs of your sheep. Even though I feed well, they will always 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. Is there any way to contact him? Keeping Boer Goats: 5 Biggest Disadvantages, 4 Best Places with Sheep for Sale in Missouri, They are easy to breed and commonly give birth to multiple lambs, They arent great for milk or wool production, They dont require shearing, tail docking, or crutching, Lambs take a little longer than some breeds to reach market weight. Hi Ben, we do have an update they are not here anymore! Our sponsor The Power Plucker will make your life easier. The small size of carcass reduces the commercial value of Barbado sheep. ST. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). 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. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. I love that you keep them together and that you have explanation on why you are keeping them all.. Any updates on those? Breeders Association. We use it alot on the croix. meat-to-bone ratio. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. The St. Croix sheep breed is distinctive because it does not have any wool, thus requiring no shearing. van@cavenet.com and my phone Early mo. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Fine Wool Characteristics, Advantages of Fine Wool Breeds, Disadvantages of Fine Wool Breeds and more. In trying to reverse that trend, the Country Boy and I have grown more cautious and methodical. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. Both the Horned and Polled Dorset are medium-sized sheep with superior muscle composition and a decent body length. 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. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. Hair sheep are preferred to wool sheep for meat purposes for a number of reasons: More mild-flavored meat. The first St. Croix were imported into the USA in the 1960s to develop the Katahdin sheep breed. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Your First Family Milk Cow MASTER CLASS Part 1. People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. 503-367-8912 Caleb & Hannah . For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. 200 helpful votes. The breed is believed to be descended from African . Sheep require a minimum . My email is van@cavenet.com and my phone number is 541-592-3444. Cons of Living in St.Croix 1. Photographs: Dr. Jerry Fitch, Extension Sheep Specialist . They have a long compact body with long legs. Deciding which area is going to be best for you will depend on several factors such as the activities you want to do, whether you require the property to be beachfront, and proximity to restaurants and bars. At lower latitudes (down south), summer daylight periods are shorter, the temperature higher, grass growth is slower and is lower in protein and higher fiber. We were recently invited out by a couple who are seriously considering moving here and they wanted to know the same things. All have their pros and cons. Like many island nations, St. Croix struggles with power outages, which can disrupt daily life and be a nuisance. We just started raising Katahdins this year. Have you ever thought about the wayslawnmowers are dangerous? ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. 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 sheep are a hair sheep breed which means they grow a fine coat of hair in the autumn to winter months rather wool and it is shed each spring time. After being on island for over a year, I thought it was about time to compile a list of both the pros and cons of living on St. Croix. starting with the cons: The pros: (a - They will eat 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. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. might be hesitant about getting back into any kind of sheep. The breed standard calls for the St. Croix to be white. A second group was imported into . Most parasite resistant sheep breed! Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. It is small, with ewes averaging 120 pounds and rams 165 pounds. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. The St. Croix sheep are very pretty sheep that have a hair covering the body instead of wool. On the other hand, living in St Croix has its cons such as the threat of natural disasters, the high cost of shipping to the island and no direct international flights. Positive benefits of St. Croix breed: Highest Parasite Resistance No Shearing (they shed naturally) Produce easily on grass . I was also told that St Croix are more. On the Island of St. Croix, they come in shades of brown, white and black. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. Three groups of sheep are managed separately: 1) breeding and pregnant ewes and rams; 2) lambing and lactating ewes and lambs; and 3) growing lambs (market lambs and replacements). To learn more about St Croix sheep or to find a breeder near you, visit the St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders website. Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. (Lynne Vanderlinden) live in Cave Junction (extreme SW), Oregon, outside Do these ventures create a profit that make sheep a good business decision? . As mentioned earlier, the Katahdin breed has served us well. The ewes can breed up to twice a year and have an abundance of good quality milk high in butter fat content. If you decide to start living in St. Thomas, then you are going to be living in a U.S. territory. Answer (1 of 2): I was a resident of St. Thomas for four (4) years beginning in 2004. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. Here are a few of the not so great things about sheep that you should know about. More on that subject later. Noise - Loud bleating, cud chewing, and even just digesting may well be audible from inside your home if your sheep are right outside. My email is Passion for the outdoors. St. Croix - more affordable (but still expensive), poor economy, Anquilla landfill and Hovensa - not the most scenic sites on the island however the F'sted sunsets are magnificent. Is there anything more suburban than lawnmowers? I say this because unlike some other breeds mentioned, this breed only becomes hostile when challenged (if trained properly.) 1. Foote chose a relatively consistent group of polled, white sheep from a landrace called Virgin Islands White. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. Pros and cons of Katahdin sheep. available for sale. 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. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. Having raised them since 1999, here's my honest evaluation of the St. Croix breed - Breeders often use less-expensive Katahdin ewes to initiate an upgrading program with registered Dorper as the final goal. Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. I believe that passion is what largely fuels this community. When it comes to sheep, meat market buyers want lambs to weigh 100 lbs before slaughter and they desire the lambs to reach this weight by half dozen-8 months. ML="e@fycsptg"; The main reason this hybrid was created was for its meat, not its wool. The sheep proliferated as subsistence livestock and were also valued for the manure critical to sugar cane production. I'm not saying they . They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. Notes: Over time, Caribbean Hair sheep became well adapted to the heat and humidity of their environment. Here's the mess that this sheep made because it couldn't lift its heavy tail out of the way for urinating and defecating. Fact: Eight or ten years ago you could expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals. We regularly offer St. Croix rams for sale, and annually have St. Croix ewes available. I've decided to let them fall in love only once a year. Sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input. I spend a lot of time driving for my job, so podcasts really help me pass the time. Sheep production does not require elaborate facilities and equipment. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. Did you know: Decision-making is an art and a science. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. It is so tranquil and serene. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. As opposed to lawnmowers, when they are fully grown, they can be butchered and either sold or served for dinner. The backbone of this episode, however, isnt so much about the topic itself, or the debate of Animal vs. Machine. They usually carry their heads very upright and are an active alert breed. The sheep and I One of the first major successes was the N'Dama from West Africa, imported to St. Croix in the mid- to late 1800s. The breed standard calls for the St. Croix to be white. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Akbash. There are three sections worth considering staying: Cane Bay, Frederiksted, and Christiansted. The St. Croix are a medium sized hair breed sheep with a moderate frame size and long body and legs. The Teeswater sheep breed is a hardy sheep breed that can withstand most climatic and environmental conditions. These rods also cost right around $450 - and are Elite St. Croix Fishing Rods. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. Kingshill, St. Croix,, Virgin Islands 00850. this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. Barbado sheep have a very small carcass size. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. Contrary to the benefits of Barbado sheep, it has more disadvantages. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Pros and Cons, https://dorpersheep.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Mid-America-Dorper-Sale-Report-1.pdf?fs=e&s=cl. Passion for eating whole, fresh food. P.S. 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. 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. Image via Shutterstock. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. They require food in the winter, when the lawns of New England are covered in snow, medical attention, and shelter. Thank you for joining the journey! If Some breeders cross with heavier hair sheep breeds This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. 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. This combination of characteristics makes the breed an excellent choice for low input meat production. St. Croix were first brought to the Caribbean via West Africa. The St. Croix sheep breed has a good taste that does not have the flavor from the lanolin that is produced by wool sheep. Fact: While it's true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. Im sorry I cannot help you. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. , here's my honest evaluation of the St. Croix breed - Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Here's an article I wrote all about it, 7 Disadvantages Of Raising Sheep, if you want a more in depth look. 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. The St. Croix is adapted to the heat and humidity of a tropical climate, and this adaptation has several manifestations. Not a Pioneer? They are mainly white in color, and they have wool all over their bodies except for their bare. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. 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. The pros: (a . finally got fed up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds. If They are non-selective grazers that love weeds and have been used by agricultural programs in weed control. Brandon says. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. 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. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. They are extremely aggressive foragers towards brush . Length of breeding season heritability is estimated at about 26%, Dr. Inskeep . Save. (You're sitting there nodding in agreement, arent you?). uncommonly resistant to foot rot, prolapse, and parasites. Hi, we are looking at beginning a small flock of hair sheep. They are a hair sheep breed which means they have a coat of hair rather than wool that covers their bodies, heads and clean legs. We also sell breeding stock locally. MI="1?9;80B37:?24G>5E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H7@E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H1 Jeff Lovelock Net Worth, Mandarin Oriental, New York Breakfast Menu, High Falls Gorge Vs Ausable Chasm, Criminal Minds Unsubs That Got Away, Articles S