I love that photo of the ewe and lamb! I also find myself pondering whether it was taken before they started crossing merinos with British sheep to get a bigger frame. It’s funny that in the wool industry Merinos are always described as pure bred, and other breeds as Xbred, when the breeds they used to improve the small Spanish sheep are really the ones with the purest blood lines. Even Mary Grant Bruce remarks on “the small Australian sheep” compared to the big British ones, when the Linton family return home to Billabong after mucking in over in Old Blighty during “the Great War”.
You’ve sent me down another rabbit hole, Mickey (as you do frequently do).
Dear India I simply love your reply...but of course have not the slightest possible clue as to whether the ewe may have been cross-bred!!!! By the size of it....well....!!!!! That was a rabbit hole I hadn't intended sending you down! Welcome home. X
I love that photo of the ewe and lamb! I also find myself pondering whether it was taken before they started crossing merinos with British sheep to get a bigger frame. It’s funny that in the wool industry Merinos are always described as pure bred, and other breeds as Xbred, when the breeds they used to improve the small Spanish sheep are really the ones with the purest blood lines. Even Mary Grant Bruce remarks on “the small Australian sheep” compared to the big British ones, when the Linton family return home to Billabong after mucking in over in Old Blighty during “the Great War”.
You’ve sent me down another rabbit hole, Mickey (as you do frequently do).
Dear India I simply love your reply...but of course have not the slightest possible clue as to whether the ewe may have been cross-bred!!!! By the size of it....well....!!!!! That was a rabbit hole I hadn't intended sending you down! Welcome home. X