When starting a sheep enterprise, it is most critical where the initial sheep are obtained. At this time, it is very difficult to obtain sufficient numbers of several of the preferred breeds and types. Dorset or Dorset-type ewes particularly are in demand, as are Dorset-Finn crosses and Polypays, which are part Dorset and part Finn. Rambouillet ewes have been brought in from Texas and other western states and bred to Dorset or Dorset X Finn rams to produce crossbred ewes for modern sheep systems and are available in limited quantities. Some beginning producers simply have started with whatever sheep are available and established a breeding program to create the preferred genotypes by proper ram selection and careful culling.

SheepLinks

• Starting or Expanding Your SheepFlock - University of Minnesota Extension
• Thinking of Raising Sheep? - Ohio State University
• SheepFact Sheets - North Dakota State University
• SheepNet - University of Illinois
• SheepPage - Montana State University
• SheepPocket Guide – University of North Dakota Extension
• SheepProduction - University of Saskatchewan, Canada
• Economic and Management Considerations for SheepProduction – University of Minnesota
• SheepProfits - Alberta Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development, Canada
• SheepPublications - University of Nebraska Extension Service
• SheepResource Directory - University of Minnesota Extension
• SheepResources for Producers - University of Minnesota Extension
• SheepProduction and Management: Housing your Flock (PDF: 1.15 MB / 8 pages) - University of Wisconsin
• SheepProducts: Wool and Meat (PDF: 115 KB / 8 pages) - University of Wisconsin
• Handling and Marketing Wool - University of Maine
• Sustainable SheepProduction - ATTRA

SheepAssociations and Other Resources

• American SheepIndustry Association
• American Wool Council
• Mid-State Wool Growers Cooperative Association
• Montana SheepInstitute
• Cornell SheepProgram – Cornell University
• U.S. SheepBreeders On-Line Directory
• American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

MDA Contact

Meg Moynihan
Minnesota Farm Opportunities
651-201-6616
Ag Marketing & Development Division