Île-de-France sheep

Île-de-France sheep - Paris International Agricultural Show 2011, Paris, France

The Île-de-France is a breed of sheep native to the French region of Île-de-France near Paris. It was first developed at a French veterinary college in the 1830s through crosses of Dishley Leicester and Rambouillet, and was originally known as the Dishley Merino.[1] A breed association was formed in 1933, and it was rigorously tested early on its breeding for meat characteristics and maternal qualities.[2]

Today the Île-de-France is one of the top meat breeds worldwide, and is present in South Africa, Australia and the Americas as well as in Europe. It is primarily used as a terminal sire, but is also occasionally found as a dairy breed in the United States.[2] It's a large, naturally polled breed with white fleece.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Susan Schoenian. "Sheep Breeds G - I". sheep101.info.
  2. 1 2 Ekarius, Carol (2008). Storey's Illustrated Breed Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle and Pigs. Storey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60342-036-5.
  3. ↑ "Ile-de-France". Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science.

External links

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