Superior Wool Pays Off For Cormo Sheep Producers

Superior Wool Pays Off For Cormo Sheep Producers AG WORLD 28-1-24 Careful genetic selection resulted in the development of the "Cormo," a "dual" sheep breed that produces both high quality wool and good quality meat. The breed's super-soft Merino-type fiber is sought out by felters, hand spinners, lace and baby clothes makers. According to Dr. Elizabeth Ferraro of Apple Rose Farm at Wrightstown, New Jersey, the medium-sized breed is fast becoming one of the best wool producing breeds in the industry today. Cormos are always white and do not have horns. Adult ewes average 130 lbs. while rams and wethers average 230 lbs. Apple Rose Farm has one of the largest flocks of registered Cormos in the U.S. Ferraro says each of her 65 sheep produce 10 pounds of well-skirted fleece that sells right off the sheep (if it's clean) for $15 per pound. Cormo sheep bred for the "artist market" are usually kept covered with a "sheep coat" to protect the fleece. "These animals produce a tremendous amount of revenue. A ram can give you ten pounds of top quality fleece in addition to at least three to five pounds of high quality skirting, which is the secondary quality wool from the belly and legs," Ferraro says. "This skirting sells for $9 per pound for felting, so that one ram can bring you as much as $195 just for the fleece every year." Ferraro sells breeding stock as well, and says Cormos are popular with people raising other breeds such as meat or dairy sheep. These people often cross with Cormos to improve their fleece quality so they have a second product to sell. Cormo ewe lambs and unbred ewes sell for about $325, bred ewes for $350, and rams for $250 to $300, according to Ferraro. Cormo sheep are easy to handle, have strong flocking instincts, peaceful dispositions, and adapt well to a variety of environmental conditions. They do well in high mountain areas out west, and pastures. Cormos lamb without assistance and often produce twins. They also have a high muscle-to-bone ratio. The Cormo breed was developed in Tasmania, Australia. Carefully selected Saxon Merino ewes and Corriedale rams formed the breeding foundation. A computer system matched the highest quality rams and ewes. Requirements included high-weight, clean fleece, a fiber diameter of 17 to 23 microns, a fast body growth rate, and a high fertility rate. The first Cormos were imported into the U.S. in 1976. The Cormo Sheep Conservation Registry, Inc., is a non-profit registry for the breed and is dedicated to preserving the breed standard. The American Cormo Sheep Breeders Association is another group that exists. It follows a different standard and registers Cormo sheep with horns. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Elizabeth Ferraro, Apple Rose Farm, P.O. Box 216, Wrightstown, New Jersey 08562 (ph 609 752-0596; email: mail@applerose.com; websites: www. applerose.com, www. cormosheep.org, or www.cormosheep. com).

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