Do you want better sheep and wool?
If you do, coming here was a good idea. We have an awesome breeding program for sheep. We started with Icelandic sheep, which are an amazing breed, with so many unique traits. Add to this careful observation, and selection. What this creates is a better class of sheep.
Icelandic sheep have been an isolated breed for 1100 years and are very closely related to the original wild sheep that roamed Europe. They were brought to Iceland by the first Viking settlers. Used for meat, wool, and milk, they were bred to excel in all three uses. Recent statistics show, each person in Iceland eats an average of about 55 pounds of lamb and mutton every year. This is down from the 99 pounds consumed in the mid 1980's. By contrast the average American consumes about 1 pound per year. Considering the harsh weather that the island endures, without these special sheep, the early settlers would not have survived. The sheep in Iceland are typically run on open range during the warmer months. The ranges are vast open grasslands, with little to support sheep other than the lush grass that grows there. Being isolated with these conditions, has made the rich feeds that are typically fed to cattle in North America, totally unnecessary for Icelandic sheep. The sheep that survived the early Fall snowstorms of 2012 are a testament to the strength and durability of these amazing animals. 1100 years of enduring these conditions has produced a very hearty breed of sheep.
High feed conversion is one of the recognized attributes of Icelandic sheep. There are no unthrifty sheep here. Their feed conversion rates exceed that of most other cattle. That is more pounds of meat produced vs pound of feed they eat. We maintain high standards for our breeding stock, and keep detailed records of each individuals performance. Wool quality has not been the highest priority for the breeders in Iceland for most of the last century. Don't get me wrong, the wool has been important, but has been secondary to meat production. We however, have returned wool production to a status equal to meat production, and we breed for specific wool traits. The wool produced makes for warm and comfy clothing; very useful in the northern climates. It also breathes and wicks away moisture making it cooler in the warmer climates. Besides that, wool is a natural, and recyclable fiber. It can even be composted. Additionally, wool production is very environmentally friendly compared with the "dirtier" natural fibers like cotton. The varied natural colors can be made into beautiful designs as well.
When one considers the versatility, durability, and high feed conversion of Icelandic sheep, they are the natural choice for the small holder, hand spinner, and commercial sheep farmer. Our goal is to maintain the best attributes, and fine tune the rest to meet the needs of our customers. If you have any comments, questions, or recommendations, please feel free to contact us. We love to talk sheep.