Worldwide there are more than a dozen dairy sheep breeds, but only a few are available in the United States: East Friesian and Lacaune. Learning the secrets to good cheese . 9.4 million pounds of sheep milk / 5 lb. The East Friesian is also a wool breed that shears a 9- to 12-pound, 30- to 35-micron, low-luster fleece, with a staple length of roughly 4 to 6 inches. An East Friesian sheep's milk produces more cheese per litre than cow milk. Domestically, the market for sheep milk is growing as cheese makers explore the potential of producing unique sheep milk and mixed milk cheeses. Twin and triplet births are more common than singles with this breed. Besides the Israeli bred Awassi sheep, the East Friesian is the most milk productive sheep in the world, [2] producing in average 300-600 litres per 200 to 300 day lactation, although there are reports of milk yields reaching more than 900 litres. These are two of the best sheep breeds in terms of milk yield per ewe. And it is either the best or one of the best dairy sheep breeds in terms of milk production per ewe. 24.05.17. There is unmet demand for sheep milk in Wisconsin and throughout the country. East Friesian sheep The East Friesian is a breed of dairy sheep originating from East Frisia in northern Germany. Milk from sheep (Ovis aries) is an important dairy product in many countries, as a source of drinking milk as well as for processing into yoghurts and specialty cheeses.The main producers of sheep milk and cheese are China and countries in Europe and the Middle East. It is found in small numbers in many parts of the country as a household milk producer. Rovai et al. Awassi sheep reproduction and milk production: review Trop Anim Health Prod. Meat or wool breeds do not produce as much milk as dairy breeds, but may produce enough for small amounts of cheese and other products. By Alan Harman – A generations-long trek from the romantic sun-baked mountains of northern Greece to the New World has led to a pioneering American dairy sheep business that is creating a new frontier for cheese and yogurt makers. It is one of the best sheep breeds in terms of milk yield per ewe. Under ideal conditions a good milker can produce up to five litres a day but the average is three litres or less, Bruce said, and at this time of year his ewes are producing about half a litre each as they dry up. The effect of prolactin (PRL), β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), and κ-casein (CSN3) on milk yield was estimated in an East Friesian dairy sheep population from Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, New York.Genotypes were determined by PCR amplification followed by digestion with HaeIII and RsaI for PRL and β-LG, respectively, and by PCR amplification for CSN3. Today, most of the sheep milk products are imported. The East Friesian dairy sheep reach maturity early and can have their first offspring as young as 12 months. Milk yields range from 250 to 600 litres per ewe over a lactation period of up to 260 days. East Friesian cross milk sheep breed In Part 1 of this series , we discussed getting your housing and supplies together for keeping milk sheep. milk/lb. In 1994 we moved our operation to North Carolina with the same focus of excellence to our animals and customers. Hoping to increase their flock to 220 by … The milk yield and lactation length of dairy sheep are not comparable to those of dairy cattle or dairy goats, but sheep milk production can be improved by milking stimulation (e.g., milking several times a day). Specialized dairy breeds produce 400 to 1,100 pounds of milk per lactation, whereas the milk production from conventional sheep breeds is only 100 to 200 pounds of milk per … The East Friesian (EF) is a very high milk-producing breed with an origin in northern Germany (Alfa-Laval, 1984). In 2009, over 1 million pounds of milk was produced in Wisconsin, an increase of 40% from 2004. Mediterranean countries are the biggest exporters of sheep dairy products. East Friesian sheep are originated in the Friesland area of Holland and Germany in Northern Europe. Genetic selection of dairy sheep has not resulted in significant improvements in milk yield and lactation length. It is either the best or one of the best sheep breeds in terms of milk yield per ewe. Four generations later we are still commited to breeding the highest quality and genetically pure East Friesian Sheep in the world. They also have the highest recorded diary yield of any sheep breed at 500-700 kg per lactation. The Lacaune is a breed of sheep originating from southern France. The East Friesian is a breed of dairy sheep originating from East Frisia in northern Germany. Commercial milking of sheep is a new agricultural industry in the United States starting approximately 30 yr ago. The industry is still small, but it is growing. The United States is the major importer of sheep milk cheeses with 50 to 60% of annual world exports coming to the United States during the past 20 yr. The milk is high in fat. The East Friesian breed is acknowledged as the world's best milking sheep, producing milk with a fat content averaging 6-7 per cent, compared to 3-4pc for cows' milk. Sheep can Produce 1/2 Gallon Milk per day / 180 Day Lactation Raw Sheep Milk $9 - $25 per Quart - Used $ 30 per Gallon for Table Feed 5 Months Buying Hay $ 100 rest Grazing Please Check my Numbers Can Sheep produce both Wool and Milk. of domestic cheese 53 - 73 million lb. cheese = 1.9 million lb. East Friesians are used as either a purebred milking breed or as a crossing breed for other milking sheep. [17] crossed Lacaune x East Friesian (EF) and found average daily yields of 0.98 and 0.92 l/day in sheep with genotypes 3/4 and 1/2 x EF, respectively. The East Friesian sheep are a breed of dairy sheep originating from northern Germany. There is big variation in milk production potential among sheep breeds and, as with other species of ... from France, Sarda from Italy, Awassi from Israel, East Friesian from Northern Europe , and Chios or Sfakiano from Greece appear to be the most productive. History The breed originated from the Friesland area in northern Germany and Holland. Dairy Sheep. East Friesian sheep are fairly readily available German sheep that typically produce about 1,000 pounds of milk during a 220- to 240-day lactation. : review Trop Anim Health Prod with this breed have their first offspring as young as 12.... 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