....The rambouillet Story
Within the next few
years the Spanish empire began to crumble and Merinos found their way
throughout the globe, mixing and mingling with various other breeds and
types. The strain assembled at Rambouillet remained unusually pure,
however, even through the tumult of the French Revolution when their
owner lost both the throne and his head. Parceled out to a handful of
dedicated caretakers, the Rambouillet Merinos not only maintained their
superior fine-wool characteristics but also developed a body size and
confirmation seldom seen outside the mutton breeds.
By the mid-1800s a few American breeders had begun importing Rambouillet rams to cross onto domestic flocks, primarily the by-then common and somewhat deteriorated Merinos. A select group of American sheepmen, however, attempted to emulate the small clique of Europeans who maintained pure Rambouillet stock.
This led to a split between the Purists and those who attempted to graft the Rambouillet name on a cross bred offering. The culmination of that rift was the 1889 meeting that produced the Rambouillet Association.
A tract in an early edition of the annual American Rambouillet Record elaborated in some detail on the concerns that brought the association into existence. Its anonymous author wrote that "most" of the early importations of Rambouillet rams into America were used to increase fleece bulk on existing Merinos and to improve their "size, vigor and constitution".
Unfortunately, he continued, this tended to reduce total fleece weight, which in the more common Merinos was often a result of excessive grease. In response, many breeders shifted selection toward "the greatest possible weight of fleece in proportion to the weight of carcass, regardless of the proportion of scoured wool to the raw material".
In short, they bred the grease back into the point where it formed "a black crust on the surface of the wool". They also sacrificed frame size in the process, returning nearer and nearer to the common Merino while retaining the Rambouillet name.
This practice was aided and abetted by the Civil War, when demand for wool soared and buyers were unable to discriminate against heavy-shrinking clips. Consequently, the Record explained, "nearly all of the pure races of the French Merino disappeared", jeopardizing not only the wool attributes that had been bred into them, but their near mutton-breed carcasses as well.
It was to preserve those dwindling numbers of pure Rambouillet that the Association was formed. It became permanent with its 1890 meeting, and soon afterward began publishing the Record.
The first issue lists Grinnell as president; L. B. Townsend of Vancouver, Washington, vice-president; L. G. Townsend of lonia, Michigan, as treasurer; and Samuel D. Pierson of lonia as secretary. By 1892, L. B. Townsend was shown to reside in lonia, Michigan, along with L. B. Townsend, so all of the group's original members were essentially Michigan men, as were the two directors who did not otherwise serve as officers.
In addition to the six officers and directors, the Association appointed a judge whose task it was to "rigidly examine every flock and reject any and all sheep or flocks regarding which there was the slightest doubt as to purity of race". The first Record includes only six flocks which survived the cut.
"Some flocks were entirely rejected and permanently excluded from record," the publication stated with finality. Sheep which qualified for registration were to be permanently identified "by means of metal ear-tags", with name and number stamped thereon.
Today, the association is located in Levelland Texas and the registry has been out-sourced to Milo, Iowa. All pertinent past records have been moved to a climate controlled building on the campus of Angelo State University in San Angelo Texas. Records dating back to 1893 are encased to preserve our history.
Easy to handle in yards, chutes and sorting facilities
Resistance to internal parasites and disease
Grazing animals needing minimal labor
This equals less input of labor and capital, less health expenses resulting in more profits!
*These results occur if under a carefully planned management program.
To assure breeders of their Rambouillet ram's performance, an annual central performance test has been continued at the Sonora Station in Sonora, Texas since 1948. This and other test stations across the U.S. show the superior genetic performance of Rambouillet stock.
By the mid-1800s a few American breeders had begun importing Rambouillet rams to cross onto domestic flocks, primarily the by-then common and somewhat deteriorated Merinos. A select group of American sheepmen, however, attempted to emulate the small clique of Europeans who maintained pure Rambouillet stock.
This led to a split between the Purists and those who attempted to graft the Rambouillet name on a cross bred offering. The culmination of that rift was the 1889 meeting that produced the Rambouillet Association.
A tract in an early edition of the annual American Rambouillet Record elaborated in some detail on the concerns that brought the association into existence. Its anonymous author wrote that "most" of the early importations of Rambouillet rams into America were used to increase fleece bulk on existing Merinos and to improve their "size, vigor and constitution".
Unfortunately, he continued, this tended to reduce total fleece weight, which in the more common Merinos was often a result of excessive grease. In response, many breeders shifted selection toward "the greatest possible weight of fleece in proportion to the weight of carcass, regardless of the proportion of scoured wool to the raw material".
In short, they bred the grease back into the point where it formed "a black crust on the surface of the wool". They also sacrificed frame size in the process, returning nearer and nearer to the common Merino while retaining the Rambouillet name.
This practice was aided and abetted by the Civil War, when demand for wool soared and buyers were unable to discriminate against heavy-shrinking clips. Consequently, the Record explained, "nearly all of the pure races of the French Merino disappeared", jeopardizing not only the wool attributes that had been bred into them, but their near mutton-breed carcasses as well.
It was to preserve those dwindling numbers of pure Rambouillet that the Association was formed. It became permanent with its 1890 meeting, and soon afterward began publishing the Record.
The first issue lists Grinnell as president; L. B. Townsend of Vancouver, Washington, vice-president; L. G. Townsend of lonia, Michigan, as treasurer; and Samuel D. Pierson of lonia as secretary. By 1892, L. B. Townsend was shown to reside in lonia, Michigan, along with L. B. Townsend, so all of the group's original members were essentially Michigan men, as were the two directors who did not otherwise serve as officers.
In addition to the six officers and directors, the Association appointed a judge whose task it was to "rigidly examine every flock and reject any and all sheep or flocks regarding which there was the slightest doubt as to purity of race". The first Record includes only six flocks which survived the cut.
"Some flocks were entirely rejected and permanently excluded from record," the publication stated with finality. Sheep which qualified for registration were to be permanently identified "by means of metal ear-tags", with name and number stamped thereon.
Today, the association is located in Levelland Texas and the registry has been out-sourced to Milo, Iowa. All pertinent past records have been moved to a climate controlled building on the campus of Angelo State University in San Angelo Texas. Records dating back to 1893 are encased to preserve our history.
Wool
The Rambouillet is known for its superior, long staple, dense, fine wool. But, what does this mean to the producer? A light-shrinking staple of three inches or better results in greater thread length hence more thread produced per pound of wool. Fine wool means the threads are thinner and finer, again resulting in a higher thread count. Put the two together and an ewe's wool produces a premium price on the market. The average ewe will shear about ten pounds or more of wool each year. This wool is used in finer, worsted fabrics and choice scarves.HORNS versus POLLS
Some breeders just prefer Horned rams over Polled rams. No matter what purpose the ram is used for, there is no difference in performance on tests - in the show ring, or in the flock.REASONS FOR RAISING RAMBOUILLET SHEEP
- Big, hardy and vigorous
- Great adaptability to hot and cold climates and a variety of forage conditions
- Will travel long distances to forage
- Good gains on grass
- Excellent foundation on a crossbreeding program
- Ewes are prolific, good milkers with strong maternal instinct Excellent wool production Superior out-of-season breeders suitable for an accelerated lambing program
- Known as the "Dual Purpose" breed with excellent fleece and weight gains
- Ewes have less lambing difficulties with less death of offspring and ewe as a result
EASE OF CARE
Well developed flocking instinct to band together in open areasEasy to handle in yards, chutes and sorting facilities
Resistance to internal parasites and disease
Grazing animals needing minimal labor
This equals less input of labor and capital, less health expenses resulting in more profits!
JUST THE FACTS
- Mature rams weigh about 250-300 lbs.
- Mature ewes weigh about 200-275 lbs.
- Lifespan can be upwards of 10-12 years*.
- The average ewe will have 1-2 lambs per birth*
- The average ewe may lamb more than once per year*
- Mature ewe fleece will weigh 8 to 18 lbs. with a yield of 35-55%
*These results occur if under a carefully planned management program.
VERSATILITY OF THE RAMBOUILLET
- Meat
- Wool
- Breeding
- Youth Projects
- Showing
To assure breeders of their Rambouillet ram's performance, an annual central performance test has been continued at the Sonora Station in Sonora, Texas since 1948. This and other test stations across the U.S. show the superior genetic performance of Rambouillet stock.
WHY CHOOSE THE RAMBOUILLET?
Rambouillets are raised successfully in a range of climate conditions from the scarce brush area of Texas to the extreme cold winters of Wisconsin. Breeders are also realizing the possibilities of raising the Rambouillet in diverse international environments such as Mexico, India and Canada. The ability of the Rambouillet to produce both meat and wool of high quality, with little feed and at a wide range of temperatures, are the key factors to maximizing breeders' profits per acre. In this era of technology push, the producer must learn to minimize costs by increasing efficiency. The Rambouillet can attain this goal. For many years, the Rambouillet has been known as the profit "cornerstone" of the U.S. sheep industry.