FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shropshire and Suffolk in Full Swing at North American
By Traci Knight
LOUISVILLE, KY – November 16, 2009 – Shropshire and Suffolk sheep captured everyone’s
attention in the South Wing at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE)
early Monday morning.
Jim Percival from Xenia, Ohio explained this is an historical year for Shropshire breeders
as the 125th Anniversary for the American Shropshire Registry Association, Inc. Percival, who
serves on the 2009 Board of Directors for the American Shropshire Association, said, “The
North American International Livestock Exposition is one of the biggest shows for Shropshire
breeders.”
Shropshire sheep are white and have black legs and all black faces. They were one of the
first breeds of sheep to be slick-sheered for livestock shows. Judges want these sheep to have
wool on their heads and legs. The rest of the body should be slick-sheered. Percival explained
that most breeders enjoy Shropshire sheep because they are very easy to keep. Suffolk and
Shropshire sheep both have quality meat, but neither breed is known for their wool. They are
also good mothers.
Rachael Thompson of 5 Star J Farms, from Patoka, Indiana explained that Suffolk sheep
are known for their large frame size. Thompson said a Suffolk sheep typically has a very long
head and ears. She explained that in Suffolk classes’ judges want sheep with a lot of meat and
muscle on their body.
Thompson and Percival both stated that sheep usually require over an hour to wash and
usually two hours to dry. At livestock shows, exhibitors put blankets or sheets on their sheep to
keep them as clean as possible between washings. Then, exhibitors usually perform final
clippings on show days. At the end of the day, regardless of their differences and similarities,
judges still look for a high quality animal.
-end-