Merino
Merino is a major fine-wool sheep family that originated in the Iberian Peninsula and later spread through Europe, Australia, South Africa, the Americas, and many other sheep-raising regions. The name now covers many national strains and related breeds, but the central trait remains a dense, crimped fleece capable of producing soft wool. Merinos vary widely in body size, skin wrinkle, staple length, and balance between wool and meat.
Good Merino management begins with knowing the strain and the market. A superfine wool flock, a range flock, and a dual-purpose Merino flock may need different nutrition, shearing schedules, classing decisions, and lambing expectations. Fleece testing is essential because the word Merino alone does not tell a buyer the micron, comfort, strength, or yield of the clip. Breeders also watch skin health, fly pressure, feet, fertility, and ewe constitution, since a valuable fleece is only sustainable when the sheep carrying it stays sound under real farm conditions.
Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Brown, Gray, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Occasionally Black, Piebald, Red, Silver, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points
