About Corriedales |
Breed Origin
The Corriedale was simultaneously evolved in both Australia and New Zealand about 1874 by selectively breeding from cross bred progeny of pure Merino and Lincoln sheep. The breed was developed to meet a demand for a dual purpose animal with good meat characteristics and commercial wool production. Today with over 125 years of line breeding behind it, the Corriedale is sufficiently fixed that hybrid vigour results when it is crossed with any other recognised pure breed. Breed Identification and Description The modern Australian Corriedale is a large framed, plain bodied, polled sheep, capable of producing heavy carcases of lamb, hogget or mutton. Ideal for export and domestic markets, Corriedales produce heavy cutting bright fleeces, with good style, length and handle. Mean fibre diameter ranges from 25 to 30 microns in adult sheep to the low 20's in lambs and hoggets. Yields which vary according to environment are in the 75% range. Flocks are also in demand for hand spinning. Distribution Because it is run in a wide range of conditions the breed's popularity ranks second only to the Merino in the world at the present time. In South America alone, Corriedales account for some 70% of the sheep population, and graze from the heat of the equator to Tierra del Fuego's cold, from a wet 1500mm rainfall to a low 275mm, and from sea level to 3500 metres in the rare air of the Altiplano. Uses of the breed in Australia and Fecundity Corriedales are farmed in Australia because they give so many options in marketing. Being a dual purpose breed they can meet demands of both meat and wool markets, namely prime lamb production, wether markets (live export or slaughter), wool production, crossbred mothers and stud ram sales. Ewes are sound prime lamb mothers and with present trends their use for a self replacing flock has increased. Lamb rearing percentage of up to 140% can be achieved where this is required. Corriedale lambs are leaner than those sired by terminal breeds because their wool producing ability limits obesity. Production Characteristics Lambing exceeds 100%. Wool cut is 7kg and more per year with a yield of 75%. The animals have a long life span. |
BREED TYPE STANDARDS
CORRIEDALE BREEDER’S AIM
CORRIEDALE BREEDER’S AIM
The Corriedale Breeder’s aim is to produce a dual purpose sheep combining maximum clean fleece weight, body weight and fertility, having regard to the breed type standard.
General Appearance
General Appearance
- The Corriedale should at once give the impression of being a well-woolled and evenly balanced sheep, with a remarkably hardy constitution, the ram being of a distinctive character and bold outlook. Being a dual-purpose sheep, consideration should be given to both wool and carcase.
- The Corriedale carries a heavy, even, bright fleece of good quality with a long dense staple, pronounced crimp, soft handle and an even tip. For visual appraisal purposes, the object quality should be within the range of 50-58 spinning count and emphasis must be placed on quality.
- The characteristic of a pure Corriedale sheep is a remarkable evenness in the length, density and quality of the fleece throughout. In males, the purse should be covered with wool.
- As feeding, age, sex and health have a marked influence on the average fibre diameter of a fleece, a strict limit cannot be included in the Type Standard. However, as a guide, the mean fibre diameter of the fleece under average grazing conditions should be in the range of 25-32 microns. (Mature rams slightly broader, ewes slightly finer).
- Head: Hornless, broad, strong and well-woolled, but free from wool blindness. Black or blue spots on the ears are no defect, but black or brown spots on hair or wool are defects. The jaw and bit should be broad, teeth well formed and meet the upper pad at the front. Nostrils preferably dark. Ears thick and soft.
- Neck: Broad and strong, forming a good scrag and long enough to provide good balance
- Brisket: Carried well forward and wide.
- Back: Long, level and broad.
- Ribs: Well sprung and deep.
- Hindquarters: Deep, broad and well muscled.
- Legs: Moderate length with heavy bone and squarely set under the sheep.