Bond (sheep)
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Bond sheep are an Australian dual purpose sheep breed that was developed around 1909 near Lockhart, New South Wales by Thomas Bond when he mated Saxon-Peppin Merino ewes to stud Lincoln rams. The resulting progeny was selected on the basis that they would be more suited to the Riverina environment. Initially these sheep were known as ‘the Commercial Corriedale’.
In 1979 the name of these sheep was changed to Bond and the Bond Sheepbreeders Association was formed at Lockhart in 1984.
Bond are easy care, plain bodied sheep that produce white, long stapled, high yielding wool of about 22-28 microns with a fleece weight of about 7-8 kg. Stud rams may weigh up to 150 kg. under good conditions. High lamb percentages are common.
The breed is quite common in the south-east areas of Australia. Stud animals have been exported to China, New Zealand and Russia.
[edit] References
- Stephens, M (et al), Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Export Corporation, 2000 (4th ed), ISBN 1 74036 2160
