Country of Origin: United States

Katahdin

Posted: April 19, 2021

Breed Type: Hair Breed
Country of Origin: United States
Breed Association Website: katahdins.org

Katahdin sheep are born in the USA!

The breed was originally developed in the state of Maine by Michael Piel, the breed founder. The traits he wanted were:

  • Shedding ability
  • Easy care
  • Profitability
  • Ability to have and raise MULTIPLE LAMBS
  • Parasite resistance
  • Moderate size and adaptability

Katahdin sheep are different!

Katahdin sheep have no wool!

They have hair like a dog and can grow hair in the winter and shed the hair in the summer.

Katahdin sheep are born with long tails (like all lambs do) but the Katahdin Breed Association Standards say to leave the tails long and not to “dock” (cut short) the tails.

Katahdin sheep come in a variety of colors: solids of black,or white, or red, or brown and even harlequin: black and white spots, or brown/ fawn and white spots or mottled (freckled).

Katahdin sheep have a 200% lambing ability and can often have twins, triplets and even quadruplets!


This breed presented by

Rabbit Run Farm and Castle Keep Farm
Joan Horman
5109 Cap Stine Rd
Frederick, MD 21703
(301) 473-5304

Dorset – Polled

Posted: April 16, 2021

Breed Type: Dual-Purpose Breed
Country of Origin: United states
Breed Association Website: dorsets.homestead.com

Horned Dorsets were imported into this country in 1860 to the West Coast. Horned Dorsets were the dominate type of Dorset sheep in America until the development of the Polled Dorsets in the 1950’s. Polled Dorsets were developed from a gene mutation. The polled strain has helped Dorsets become one of the most popular sheep breeds in the country today, where it has the largest white face breed registry in the country and second overall.

Dorset wool is also amazing to spin. It is a nice spongy soft fiber for mittens, socks and outer clothing.


This breed presented by

Stunkel Dorsets
Glenn Stunkel
PO Box 10
Tuscarora, MD 21790
(301) 639-7257

facebook.com/StunkelDorsets

Montadale

Posted: April 15, 2021

Breed Type: Dual-Purpose Breed
Country of Origin: United States
Breed Association Website: montadales.com

The history of the Montadale breed of sheep dates back to over half a century and is one of the most amazing success stories in modern sheep-breeding history. While other breeds have been developed in the United States, Montadales are the only breed to have been developed by private enterprise.

Much of the credit for the development of the breed goes to E.H. Mattingly, a well- known commercial lamb buyer who was obsessed with the idea of producing the ideal sheep. Early in his youth, Mattingly had been advised that if he could bring together the qualities of the big western white-faced sheep and the popular mutton characteristics of the Midwestern sheep, he would have the perfect breed.

Many breed combinations were crossed throughout the years, but it wasn’t until 1932 when he purchased the first Columbia ram to go east of the Mississippi River to cross on his Purebred Cheviot ewes that provided Mattingly proof that his mission was on target.

In order to find the most profitable combination, the sire and dam of the two parent breeds were eventually reversed, with testing being conducted for …

2023 Featured Breed: Jacob

Learn more about the Jacob breed and talk to JSBA members in the Breed Display Barn (Barn 7-8 on the map) while you are at the Festival.

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Reminder - The deadline for submitting seminar proposals for the 2024 festival is July 15, 2023.The Fiber Arts Seminar Committee invites instructors from every heritage, culture, belief system, and lifestyle to submit a teaching proposal.If you are interested in offering a seminar, class, or lecture at the 2024 Festival, please use the Online Proposal Form at sheepandwool.wufoo.com/forms/request-for-proposals-2024-fiber-arts-seminars/.#MDsheepwoolfest #mdsheepandwool #mdsheepandwoolfestival #mdsw2024 #fiberartseminars ... See MoreSee Less
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