The Corriedale sheep was developed in New Zealand and Australia during the late 1800s' from crossing Lincoln or Leicester rams with Merino females. The development of the breed occurred in New Zealand during the time from 1880 to 1910. Similar crosses were also being done in Australia during this time.� The breed is now distributed worldwide, making up the greatest population of all sheep in South America and thrives throughout Asia, North America and South Africa. Its popularity now suggests it is the second most significant breed in the world after Merinos.

The Corriedale produces bulky, high-yielding wool ranging from 31.5 to 24.5 micron fiber diameter. The fleece from mature ewes will weigh from 10 to 17 pounds with a staple length of 3.5 to 6 inches. The yield percent of the fleece ranges from 50 to 60 percent.� Mature rams will weigh from 175 to 275 pounds, ewe weights range from 130 to 180 pounds.

The breed was first imported into the United States in 1914.� They are well adapted to farm flock situations where abundant feed is available but may also be used in range situations.

Corriedales are docile animals and easy to care for. They usually twin and are excellent mothers. The ewes rarely need help lambing and work well in a pasture lambing program or a traditional farm flock. Many Corriedales will lamb out of season. They can produce fall lambs for your show flock or out of season lambs that can take advantage of higher market prices. Rams must be separated from the ewes if you don�t want lambs at unpredictable times.

Color is recessive in Corriedales. If a colored ram is bred to a colored ewe the resulting lambs should be 100% colored.

Corriedales are a popular breed to raise because they give so many options in marketing. Being a dual purpose breed they are able to meet demands in both the meat and wool markets. Corriedale lambs are leaner than those sired by meat breeds because their wool producing ability limits obesity. Therefore you get a higher yielding, leaner cut, that is lower in cholesterol than beef.