The Lincoln, sometimes called the Lincoln Longwool, is a breed of

sheep Sheep or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are domesticated, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus ''Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to domesticated s ...

from England. The Lincoln is the largest British sheep, developed specifically to produce the heaviest, longest and most lustrous fleece of any breed in the world. Great numbers were exported to many countries to improve the size and wool quality of their native breeds. The versatile fleece is in great demand for spinning, weaving and many other crafts. It is now one of Britain's rarer breeds, categorized as "at risk" by the

Rare Breeds Survival Trust The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is a conservation charity whose purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of the native farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) of the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1973 by Joe Henson to pres ...

since there are fewer than 1500 registered breeding females in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

Characteristics

Mature rams weigh from , and mature ewes will range in weight from . Fleece of the Lincoln is carried in heavy locks that are often twisted into a spiral near the end. The staple length in Lincolns is among the longest of all the breeds, ranging from with a yield of 65 to 80%. Lincolns produce the heaviest and coarsest fleeces of the long-wooled sheep with ewe fleeces weighing from . The fleece has a numeric count of 36's - 46's and ranges from 41.0 to 33.5

microns The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...

''Preparation of Australian Wool Clips'', Code of Practice 2010-2012, Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010 in diameter. Although coarse and somewhat hair-like, the fleece does have considerable luster.

References

External links

U.K. Lincoln breeders association
History of Lincolnshire Sheep breeds Sheep breeds originating in England {{British livestock, R.1