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Breed Standard
United Suffolk Sheep Association |
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Introduction The Suffolk animal is an efficient converter of grass, forbs and forage into quality meat and fiber. Therefore, efficiency is indicated by length and dimension of the body. This is the type of body that is robust, complimenting healthy longevity, efficient feed conversion under various conditions, and ease of care, and ease of lambing. Rams should be masculine, muscular, good sized and well proportioned. Ewes should be feminine, but dimensional and smooth (with a softer look). Both Rams and ewes should be structurally and reproductively sound and aesthetically attractive.
SUFFOLK BREED TYPE STANDARDS - POINTS Head 18 points The head should be black, hornless, free of wrinkles, and well covered with a thick, fine hair coat. The muzzle should be long, smooth and roman with a deep jaw that presents incisor teeth that meet the pad. Ears should be long and bell shaped, angling down towards the corner of the mouth. Eyes should be bright, full and well set. A good Suffolk head is not only beautiful, but also sets the stage for the rest of the animal. Neck and Shoulders 5 points The neck should be of moderate length. Shoulders should show volume, but blending and sloping smoothly from neck into barrel. This smooth flow of contour helps facilitate ease of lambing. Chest & Lower Rib 10 points The chest should be wide and deep. These dimensions should be carried back into the lower rib. Ewes should exhibit the capacity and rib to convert forages and carry multiple lambs. This adds to the constitution (health and longevity) of the animal. Back & Loin 20 points The back should have a straight spine from the base of the neck to the tail head. The ribs should be wide and well sprung at top, carrying down deep. The loin should be wide, long and thick in depth. These points represent correctness, capacity and meat qualities Rump and Twist 17 points The rump should be long, wide and level from hooks to pins. Ideally, the width of the sheep across the hooks should be equal to one third of its height at the withers. The tail head should be wide level and well set, carrying width down through stifles. It should be enhanced with a broad, deep, full twist. This area is the heaviest meat producing area of the carcass. Legs and Feet 15 points The legs should be straight and black with good heavy flat smooth bones in the shanks. Fore and rear legs set well apart. Front legs should be set under the animal and not out at sides. Pasterns should be short with toes pointing straight ahead. An animal should walk with a long smooth gait and should track as wide or wider on the hind legs as the front legs. These points accommodate a heavy, fast growing body with structural soundness and mobility and contribute to the attractiveness of the animal. Fleece, Skin and Belly 5 points The fleece should be dense, free of dark fiber and not shading into dark hair or wool. Belly should be well covered with wool. Wool should not extend below the knees and hocks. Skin should be soft and pink. These points support the uniquely striking aesthetic qualities about a Suffolk with its contrasting black hair and white wool. Reproductive Areas 10 points Yearling rams should display a minimum of 35 centimeters scrotal circumference. The testicles on rams should be of even, smooth symmetrical shape with the epididymids well defined. They are contained by a scrotum that is not split at the bottom. Ewes that are milking should have well developed udders (like a very large half of cantaloupe melon) with teats of medium length and circumference, which are well placed. Vulvas on ewes should be of good shape and point down. Ewes should exhibit large capacity especially through the reproductive areas to facilitate and carry multiple lambs. Note that all the parts listed before reproduction (no matter how good) are moot unless the ram is of good fertility and the ewe is able to conceive and feed her offspring well. TOTAL: 100 Points
Disqualifications: Small testicles (below 35 cm at 12 months of age) One testicle Parrot-mouth Hermaphrodite (animals having both male and female organs) Inguinal Hernia
Discriminate Against: (points that effect the health & function of the body) Post or straight legged Sickle hocked Flat or weak pasterns Crooked, bowed or bent legs Long Jaws (Incisor teeth extending in front of the pad) Balloon teats Pendulous udders and low capacity udders Excessive black fiber in wooled area White speckling or splotching on bellies, inside legs, or on necks or jaws Weak heart girth Wild or uncontrollable dispositions Upturned vulva Inverted eyelids Prolapsed uterus or rectum Horns Split testes Cow hocks
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