All of these sheep pictures were taken at the Boone County Fair in Illinois and I have to say I know very little about sheep. Back in the day when we were farming our focus was on beef cattle and I had chickens, rabbits and a few pigs, but never sheep. Any information in this post comes from online research I did after the photos were taken, not from personal knowledge.
This is a Shropshire sheep, identifiable by its dark black face and ears and "wool hat" or cap covering the top of its head (poll).
Sheep must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). State requirements enforce checks and animals must have official federal Scrapie identification tags or tattoos.
This is the exhibitor display inside the livestock barn. The banner overhead identifies the farm as Pasture Vewe Acres specifying that they raise Southdowns and Corriedales. The sheep leaning over the pen rail is a Corriedale.
"Do Not Touch - Thank you!" sign is posted on the front gate to protect the animals' washed and prepped fleece before showtime, as well as to help maintain biosecurity in the barn.
This cutie is a Valais Blacknose sheep. Hailing from the Valais region of Switzerland, these sheep are popular at. county fairs. Because purebred lines were introduced fairly recently in the US through import and artificial insemination breed-up programs, seeing one in the livestock barns is a major draw for visitors. Many breeds are shy or skittish, but Valais Blacknose sheep are famous for being exceptionally friendly, calm, and approachable around farm guests.
These slick-shorn, polled (hornless) sheep with clean white faces and ears are typical of meat breeds like Dorset or Southdown. The tight, slick-shorn style highlights their muscle structure for judging while making it easier to keep them cool and clean on fresh straw bedding during hot fair days.
: All market lambs must be slick shorn (ready for the show ring) prior to weigh-in. This allows judges and official inspectors to spot skin conditions.
Protective coverings keep the sheep clean: It shields freshly shorn and washed wool from straw, bedding, dust, and manure while resting in the barn pen. and helps protect from biting insects.
5% Of this posts rewards go to Ecency. Remember to support the services you use and the communities you enjoy! . All photos are from my family albums.
