Polwarth is a breed of sheep that was developed in
Victoria (Australia) during 1880. They were of one-quarter
Lincoln and three-quarters
Merino bloodlines. They are large, predominantly
polled sheep with long, soft, quite fine
wool and produce good
meat
Meat is animal flesh that is eaten as food. Humans have hunted, farmed, and scavenged animals for meat since prehistoric times. The establishment of settlements in the Neolithic Revolution allowed the domestication of animals such as chic ...
carcasses. They were developed in an attempt to extend the grazing territory of sheep because the Merino was found lacking in hardiness in this respect.
A dual-purpose (meat and wool) breed with a major emphasis on wool production.
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]
Richard Dennis, of Tarndwarncoort in south west Victoria, bred the Polwarth, first known as Dennis Comebacks. Descendants of Richards Dennis continue to grow Polwarth wool at Tarndwarncoort, maintaining the original bloodlines in a flock referred to as the "Blue Dots".
Wool
Polwarth wool is well regarded for its application in woolcraft. The longer staple length, up to 130mm, makes it easy for handspinning and felting. The wool is soft enough to wear against skin, and is known for its drape. Millspun yarns made solely of Polwarth wool are commercially available.
Polwarth sheep were developed with white wool; however, natural black, brown, grey wool flocks have expanded the popularity of Polwarth wool for craft.
Characteristics
Mature ewes weigh and mature rams weigh . Ewes are excellent prime lamb mothers, producing lambs that have good lean carcasses. The high-yielding fleeces weigh an average six to seven kilograms, with a fibre diameter of 23 to 25
microns[Preparation of Australian Wool Clips, Code of Practice 2010-2012, Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010] (58–60
s).
[
][Stephens, M (''et al.''), ''Handbook of Australian Livestock'', Australian Meat & Livestock Export Corporation, 2000 (4th ed.), ]
Economy
The Polwarth Sheepbreeders' Association of Australia was formed in 1918 and the studbook closed in 1948.
Polwarths are now raised mostly in the higher rainfall regions of south-eastern Australia that have improved pastures. Polwarths have been exported into many countries, including
South America, where they are known as ''Ideals''.
Polwarth and
Corriedale
The Corriedale is a New Zealand breed of sheep. It was bred from about 1882 in the South Island by James Little, who cross-bred Merino and Lincoln Longwool sheep. The breed was officially recognised in 1911. It has been exported to Australi ...
form the main sheep breeds on the
Falkland Islands.
[ ]
References
External links
Polwarth Sheepbreeds Association of Australia
Sheep breeds originating in Australia
Sheep breeds
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