Montadale Sheep Breed Information, History and Facts
The Montadale sheep breed is one of the youngest breeds of sheep in existence, originating in the United States as a cross between the large Columbia and compact Cheviot sheep breeds. The famous lamb buyer, E.H Mattingly, is credited with developing the breed, doing so in an effort to produce productive, beautiful sheep with a high-yield carcass. Montadale ewes have earned a reputation for their strong maternal instinct and produce plenty of milk to raise multiple lambs. Montadale lambs grow rapidly - a characteristic of this large breed, inherited from their Colombia ancestors, and Montadales are known to have lean, well muscled carcasses. Montadale sheep are average in size and feature bare legs and heads with white wool and black nostrils and hooves. The influence of their Cheviot ancestors is apparent when you look at a Montadale, but Montadale sheep are much larger with longer legs and lower-sitting ears. Montadale wool is commonly used by farmers at commercial mills - a higher value product than many of the meat breeds listed here. While they are primarily considered a meat breed, their Columbia ancestors offer the Montadale a decent quality of fleece and some shepherds treat them as a dual-purpose breed.
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Montadale Sheep Breed Information
Mature Body Weight
Ram: 200-275 pounds Ewe: 160-180 pounds Average Fiber Diameter Micron 25-30 USDA Wool Grade 50's-58's Grease Fleece Weight
7-11 pounds Staple Length 3-5 inches 
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