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5 Romney/Merrino Sheep for sale - $1,200 (Poultney, VT)
Hampshire Hollow Rd
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A Romney/Merino cross offers several practical advantages, making it a popular choice for both wool and meat production in sheep farming. This cross takes advantage of the durable, hardier frame of the Romney and the fine wool qualities of the Merino.
Wool Quality Improvements
The cross significantly reduces fibre diameter compared to pure Romney, moving from a coarse 36 µm (Romney) to around 24–28 µm in half- and three-quarter Merino crosses, producing finer, higher-value wool that is more commercially desirable.
Even first-cross progeny display unexpectedly fine wool, improving the number of uses for the fleece and making it more appealing for various textile industries.
With careful selection—retaining crossbred ewe lambs with the finest fleece—wool quality and value can be further enhanced over time.
Economic Benefits
Farmers converting Romney flocks to three-quarter Merino crosses experienced increases in annual cash flow and up to 26% higher net present value, as finer wool yielded a better price.
There is the potential for steady improvements in profitability over an 8–10 year transition, particularly if selection focuses on wool traits.
Meat and Carcass Value
Growth rates and meat quality in Romney/Merino crosses can be robust, with the crossbred lambs showing good performance in terms of carcass shape and market acceptability.
Crossbreds also benefit from hybrid vigor, maximizing lamb growth rates and robustness—important for multi-purpose flocks.