Targhee Sheep Breed – Everything You Need to Know

The Targhee sheep breed is a relatively new breed of sheep that was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture their Agricultural Research Service.
They are a medium to large dual-purpose breed that have a good temperament, good quality of meat and wool. They are hardy and are ideal for ranges such as those of Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana.

TARGHEE SHEEP QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW
The Targhee sheep breed was specifically developed to be strong, hardy and have a good quality of wool and meat.
Country of Origin:	United States of America
Other Names:	None
Breed Size:	Medium to large
Main Purpose:	Wool but can also be used for meat
Can be used for	Breed, **LSC, Meat, Wool
Temperament:	Docile and easy to handle
Ideal Climate:	Heat, Cold, Most climates
Conservation Status:	Not listed by the *ALC Status/Rarity: Common
Health Issues?	No known health issues
Good Starter Sheep?	Novice to intermediate sheep farmers/keepers
Sheep Associations:	U. S. Targhee Sheep Association and the Canadian Wool Growers Associations
Sheep Clubs:	Please refer to the U. S. Targhee Sheep Association members/breeders directory
Note: ALC stands for American Livestock Conservancy * LSC stands for Landscape Management – the animal is used for controlling various vegetation growth

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Targhee sheep breed is a medium to large sized sheep breed. They have a heavy coat that has no folds or wrinkles. They have a wool free face and legs. They do have some wool on their heads that reaches to just between their eyes. They are a sturdy well built with a long compact body.

Color(s):

White or light brown

SHEEP ⇒	EWE	RAM
Breed Weight:	56 to 90 kgs	90 to 135 kgs
Breed Height:	Unclear – they are a medium to large breed	Unclear – they are a medium to large breed
Hair:	They have a good staple length of compact wool.	They have a good staple length of compact wool.
Ears:	Small to medium sized pointed ears that are alert	Small to medium sized pointed ears that are alert
Horns:	No horns	No horns
Matures at age:	10 weeks/15 months or 15 years	10 weeks to 15 months
Puberty Age:	5 to 12 months	5 to 7 months
Breeding Age:	18 months	1 year
Breeding Traits:	1 Breeding cycle per year	Cover 5 to 10 Ewes in 1 season

EWE BREEDING & MILKING INFORMATION
The ewes breed once a year and mostly produce enough milk to wean their lambs. They have strong maternal instincts and a good lambing percentage.
Breeding Period/cycle:	Usually lasts 24 to 36 hours
Estrous cycle:	Ave. 17 days/13 to 19 days
Gestation Period:	Usually, around 150 to 155 days but most gestation is 152 days
No. Lambs/Litter:	1 to 2 (twins)
Lactation Period:	Usually, around 150 to 240 day but most are milked for 180 days
Milking From:	4 to 6 weeks after lambing
Milk Quality:	Good
Milk Ideal for:	Lambs
You may Also Like:	10 Best Sheep Breeds for Milk

SHEEP MEAT PRODUCTION INFORMATION

They were bred primarily for their wool, but their good meat quality actually makes them a good dual-purpose breed. They have a good meat to bone ratio and dress out well.

Meat Production:

Yes, Quality: Good

SHEEP ⇒	LAMB	HOGGET/MUTTON
Approx. Maturity Weight:	58 kgs	79 Kgs

SHEEP WOOL PRODUCTION INFORMATION

The Targhee sheep was bred primarily for its wool production quality. They have a fleece that is uniform, with a high crimp and it is fine and dense. It has good elasticity and loft and is very soft.

Wool Production?

Yes, Medium quality with a spinning count of 58s to 64s

Wool is used to Produce:

Knitted garments, clothes, blankets, etc.

SHEEP ⇒	EWE	RAM
Age they Produce from:	6 to 8 months	6 to 8 months
Approx. Length:	7.5 cm to 11 cm	7.5 cm to 11 cm
Microns:	21 to 25	21 to 25
Approx. Quantity:	4.5 to 6.3 kgs a year	4.5 to 6.3 kgs a year

SHEEP SKIN PRODUCTION INFORMATION

They are not primarily bred for their sheep skin production. Although their skin is or has at some time been used for the production of some form of sheep skin product such as chamois, etc.

Skin Production?

N/A

Skin is used to Produce:

Kid skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, etc.
Chamois cloths, leather goods such as seats, shoes and other garments and leather materials such as furniture, etc.

SHEEP ⇒	EWE	RAM
Age they Produce from:	3 to 10 months for Kid skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather	3 to 10 months for Kid skin 1 to 2 years old for Normal leather

GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT THE ROMNEY SHEEP
A few more interesting facts to know about the breed
Child-Friendly?	Children should not be left unattended around livestock
Landscape Management?	They are good for clearing the land as they are great foragers and grazers that enjoy being out on the range
Where to buy them?	Please refer to the U. S. Targhee Sheep Association members/breeders directory
General Information:	The Targhee sheep breed gets its name from the Targhee forest where a large flock spends its summer grazing. The forest itself was named for the chief of the Bannock Indians who lived there in the 1860’s. They are one of the youngest of the American developed breeds of sheep.

HISTORY

The Targhee Sheep breed was developed in 1926 at the Dubois, Idaho experimental station.
The sheep was developed due to a high demand for a western range sheep breed that had a good quality of meat and wool yield.

The actual development program began in early 1900 where the breed was developed from crosses of Corriedale, Licoln and Rambouillet sheep breeds. In 1966 the flock book for these sheep were closed with meant that only the off-spring from the registered new breed of Targhee sheep could be registered.

The U.S. Targhee Sheep Association was formed in Dubois, Idaho in September 1951.

The Targhee sheep breed are easy to keep, they are long lived with an excellent fleece and carcass. They can withstand most harsh climates and are excellent for the range.