First off, Spin-Off simply goofed on that list of "down breeds" - as Robin
pointed out, they picked up a list of hill breeds, saw Shetland that they
considered a "down" sheep and put that at the head of the list.
Second, this whole discussion is based on discussing "sheep breeds" only in
terms of wool. Wool, on the world market, is classed not by registered breed
but by characteristics. The main ones are:
fineness (micron or Bradford count)
crimp
staple length
condition (dirty tips, VM, weak spot, etc.)
pure wool content (% of clean wool per ton)
The various breed descriptions found in books often use some of these
classing terms in describing the wool of the breed - BUT there is more than
that. For the breed description, following also count - and differ:
size of adult ram, ewe
weight of average fleece
fertility rate
preferred climate/environment
evaluation of carcass for meat production
general hardiness
Third, let's remember that wool is there to keep the sheep feeling well and
healthy during its lifetime. Just because the "spinner" "waaaaaaaaaaaaaants"
it, doesn't mean it is good for the sheep. For anyone wishing to follow this
thread - check the example of the famed Saxony Merino in 18th century
Germany - known for its super fine wool produced in part by not feeding the
sheep well. Because of the fixation with just one characteristic of the
sheep to make more money from the wool clip, these animals very nearly
became extinct - the few remaining fertile animals being shipped to
Australia, where they have never made a comeback to their original status.
Sara von Tresckow, Fond du Lac, WI
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.woolgatherers.com Dutch Master Loom/Spinning Chairs/Vxabdck Looms
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