"...when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be again."
-William Beebe

Florida Cracker Sheep

The Florida Cracker is one of the oldest breeds of sheep in North America. It is believed that these sheep developed from sheep that the Spanish first brought to the southeastern United States in the 1500's. These sheep developed largely through natural selection under humid semitropical range conditions in Florida. Prior to the end of open range in 1949, they were allowed to free range in the pastures, palmettos, and pineywoods. Twice a year they were rounded up for shearing and to mark lambs. In the middle of the last century, the emphasis on high input agriculture caused the sheep industry to turn to breeds of sheep which were larger in size and produced more wool and meat. This caused the numbers of Florida Cracker sheep to decline dramatically endangering its very existence. Now, with renewed interest in low-input sustainable agriculture, interest in Florida Cracker sheep is increasing once again.

Florida Cracker sheep are both active and vigorous without any tendency to be wild. They demonstrate greater resistance to internal parasites than do both wool sheep and most other hair sheep breeds. The ewes can breed back one month after lambing, and ewes can produce two lamb crops per year. Ewes usually bear twins, with some singles, frequent triplets, and occasional quadruplets; lambing rates vary from 150-200%.

Ewes can weigh 100 lbs while rams reach weights of 150 lbs. The size of the sheep depends primarily on how well it is fed. The sheep are able to handle harsh conditions and low-grade forages.With their strong parasite resistance, high lamb survivability, heat tolerance, excellent mothering instincts and good flocking, the Florida Cracker has much to offer shepherds in the U.S.

Status: See CPL

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