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HISTORY OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE
The fine-wooled Merino was derived from man's first efforts to improve the fiber of is flock. While several cultures have influenced today's Merino, it was the Spanish who first exploited the potential of to fine wool industry. From the fourteenth through the early nineteenth centuries, the Spanish closely controlled this valuable, "golden" resource. After a great success in early America, large scale production of MERINO fiber emigrated to Australia, South Africa and Russia. Today, again, the American and Delaine-Merino Record Association is experiencing a robust growth in flock number.
THE MERINO FLOCK
A flock of MERINO sheep presents a real opportunity to experience the joys of being a shepherd. While some of the breeders have developed a hornless, or "polled", variety; most of today's MERINO rams have magnificent curved horns which cause them to become the center of attention in any venue. The face of the MERINO ewe draws an immediate positive response from onlookers. While the old "type A", or Vermont , MERINO was a Shearer's nightmare, today's flock is primarily a much smoother-bodied "type C" animal. The MERINO is a medium-sized sheep with the rams weighing between 175 and 235 pounds and the ewes between 135 and 180 pound. A productive lifespan of ten years or more contributes to the per-animal return to the shepherd.
WHY MERINOS?
When considering MERINO, "fleece" is always the starting point. There are, however, other reasons to consider this wonderful breed. "handling a flock of MERINOS is like handling one sheep." This quote from a MERINO breeder attests to the highly developed flocking instinct of the breed. This tendency to stay together is a great advantage when moving your flock from one place to another.
The MERINO is one of the best of the sheep breeds when viewed from their ability to flourish in extremes of weather and environment. Highly successful MERINO flocks can be found from the rocky soils of New England to the lush pastures of the American mid-west to the arid outback of Australia.
Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of the MERINO is its ability to breed out of season. This trait is another reason, besides fine wool. that the animal is desired by the crossbred commercial breeder. The ability to select when you want lambing to take place is a prime consideration for the commercial breeder.
After lambing, the MERINO mother proves her worth by readily caring for her lambs. While not originally known for multiple births, today's MERINO flock experiences twins 50% of the time. Some breeders have selected the trait and have achieved even higher birth rate.
THE MERINO WOOL
The MERINO fleece sits at the top of the grading charts for fineness; it is the standard against which all others are measured. It remains the golden fleece as it commands top dollar for the breeder. A ready market exists for this fine wool, which ranges from direct sales to the hand spinner, to premium prices in graded wool pools and volume sales to wool buyers. The fineness of the fiber contributes to the woolens without the itch reputation given to fine MERINO products. The descriptive work "MERINO" is becoming a market definition for high-quality woolen articles
A quality MERINO fleece is an easy winner of championship honors and is routinely found with the "Grand Champion" ribbon at local and international fairs. "Seeing is believing" as the old saying goes, and nothing works better than having a customer experience a fleece with their own eyes and hands.
THE AMERICAN AND DELAINE-MERINO RECORD ASSOCIATION
The place to start your search for registered breed stock or for additional information about this wonderful breed is the American and Delaine-Merino Record Association (ADMRA). The Association secretary can provide breeder listings, more detailed information about the breed and the appropriate registration paper-work to begin your association with this fine breed. Our secretary is:
Connie King
59419 Walters Road
Jacobsburg, OH 43933-9731
740-686-2172
We are confident that you will find each of the breeders listed responsive to your request for additional help in deciding on the wonderful MERINO. Most breeders will want you to pay a visit to see how much joy the MERINO brings to the shepherd.
MERINO Rams, Ewes. Lambs and Fleece
Bring
Magnificence, Warmth, Joy and Peace!