Katahdin

The Katahdin is an American hair sheep, developed in Maine from the 1950s by Michael Piel, who imported African hair sheep and crossed them with wool breeds. The name comes from Mount Katahdin.

They shed. A Katahdin grows a coat in winter and drops it in spring without shearing, which removes the single largest recurring cost and labour item in a small flock in a country where wool often does not cover the shearer.

They are also notably parasite resistant, a trait the breed has been selected for deliberately, and they tolerate heat and humidity well.

Ewes are prolific, lamb easily and breed close to year round.

The trade is the fleece income you have given up, which for most small producers is not a real loss, and the carcass, which finishes moderate rather than large. They will not match a terminal sire cross for growth.