Aussiedown sheep are an
Australian
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 ...
that was developed in the early 1990s using
Southdown and
Texel genetics. The resulting progeny have a maximum of 75% Southdown and Texel ancestry. They are mainly used as prime lamb sires, by crossing them over purebred or crossbred ewes.
[Sheep breed compendium, Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010]
Aussiedown sheep are easy care, clean faced, plain bodied sheep that produce a white, downs type wool with a fibre diameter of 28 to 33
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] with a
staple length of 60 to 90 mm and a fleece weight of about . Stud rams may weigh up to under good conditions and ewes about . High lambing percentages are common.
This breed is mostly found in the south-east areas of Australia, in
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
and
Victoria
Victoria most commonly refers to:
* Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia
* Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada
* Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory
* Victoria, Seychelle ...
.
References
External links
Aussiedown
Sheep breeds originating in Australia
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