Suffolk (sheep) 4289531 219842828 2008-06-17T02:57:24Z Steven Walling 1957748 change image [[Image:7 month old Suffolk Ram Lamb.JPG|thumb|250px|A 7-month old Suffolk ram]] '''Suffolk''' are a black-faced, open-faced breed of [[domestic sheep]] raised primarily for meat. ==Uses== They are primarily raised for [[livestock|meat production]] especially when crossed with the progeny of a mountain ewe. For example, a [[Welsh Mountain sheep|Welsh Mountain]] ewe might be bred with a [[Bluefaced Leicester]] ram. This would give a Welsh [[mule (sheep)|Mule]]. The lambs of a Welsh Mountain Ewe crossed with a Suffolk (as well as with other Terminal Sire breeds such as [[Texel (sheep)|Texel]], [[Beltex]] or [[Charollais (sheep)|Charollais]]) is considered ideal for meat production since they have unusually good dispositions. The Suffolk breed is also more resistant to [[elf fire]], a disease brought on by eating, among others, the [[Narthecium ossifragum|bog asphodel]]. Sunlight worsen the condition but the black head and ears of the suffolk limit sunlight down to the otherwise exposed skin. Suffolk sheep are also shown in youth and adult shows. Organizations like [[FFA]] and [[4-H]] allow middle school and high school students to learn responsibility by showing market lambs and breeding ewes. The sheep may be pure breed of commercial(cross-breed).<ref>George B. B. Mitchell, 'Non-parasitic skin diseases of sheep' In Pract., Vol. 10, Issue 2, 69-73, March 1, 1988 </ref> ==Origin== [[Image:Suffolk sheep at county fair.jpg|thumb|Suffolks at a U.S. fair. Suffolks from show lines look markedly different from traditional production-type animals.]] Suffolks were originally developed in [[England]] as the result of crossing [[Southdown (sheep)|Southdown]] rams on [[Norfolk Horn]]ed ewes. The product of this cross was an improvement over both parent breeds. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commonscat|Suffolk sheep}} *[http://u-s-s-a.org/ United Suffolk Sheep Association] *[http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/suffolk/ Oklahoma State University - Suffolk] *[http://www.mtsuffolksheep.org/ Montana Suffolk Sheep Breeders Association] *[http://www.englische-suffolkschafe.de/ German webside about suffolk sheep.] *[http://www.suffolksheep.org/ English website about Suffolk Sheep] [[Category:sheep]] {{sheep-stub}} [[fr:Suffolk (race ovine)]] [[gl:Suffolk (ovella)]] [[nl:Suffolk (schaap)]] [[sv:Suffolk (fÄrras)]]