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1727
Contribution of hair sheep to small ruminant profitability
Hair sheep numbers in the United States have increased dramatically in the past twenty years as documented by breed registry data. Characteristics promoted by hair sheep producers include: moderate or small framed, easy care, parasite resistant, twinning, productivity in extensive systems, aseasonalbreeders and adapted to heat and humidity. These descriptors suggest that hair sheep have the potential to add to the profitability of small ruminant production in the USA.
Two hair sheep breeds rank among the top six breeds for numbers of sheep registered in the USA from 2002-2015 (Table 1 for 2003-2015). The increase in hair sheep registrations occurred while the vast majority of wool sheep registries experienced declines of 25-75% in their registration numbers from 1990 to 2015.
Research results from three research stations will be discussed since they document productivity of hair sheep and hair sheep crosses. These stations include USDA ARS Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska, USDA ARS Small Farm Research Center in Arkansas and Texas A&M Agrilife ResearchCenter in San Angelo, Texas. Data from these stations and other university studies find that the weights of weaned and finished hair sheep lambs are well suited to markets and regions of the country that reward the non-traditional or light lamb market.
In the Nebraska and Arkansas production systems, hair sheep genetics produced 150-200 percent lamb crops in forage-based systems compared to annual NASS reports of 110 percent for the United States. In west Texas, research results indicate that lamb markets differentially impact hair sheep (Dorper) and wool sheep (Rambouillet) producers based on corn prices and weather (Sheep and Goat Research Journal, In Press). During drought years, Dorpers wean significantly more lambs. When corn prices are high, Dorpers bring premium prices for the light lamb, non-traditional markets. When corn prices are low, wool feeder lambs bring premium prices.
A significant percentage of the hair sheep operations, using breed association membership, are located in regions of the country where sheep numbers have traditionally been low, especially the Southeastern region.. It is suggested that lack of shearers, decreased quality and quantify of wool, resistance to parasites (documented by Virginia Tech, LSU, USDA Booneville amongst others) and adapted to heat and humidity help with popularity of these breeds in this region.
Keywords: sheep, hair, breed registry