The needs of our woolly companions are more complex than we realise. They have an intelligence which is repeatedly underestimated. Don't misjudge their ability to comprehend us. The apparent senseless behaviour of sheep comes from their natural position as a prey animal and their innate flighty behaviour is fear-based, it is not necessarily mindless.  Sheep are to be valued the same as any other animal; however, humans have significant practical reasons to raise sheep. For most of us, their uses outweigh the benefits of keeping these gentle animals as simple pets. 

Sheep throughout history 

Throughout recorded history, sheep are known to be one of the earliest animal species domesticated by humans.  Estimated to be around 10 000 years ago. Sheep provided humans with textile products, clothing for warmth (their skins were also the original product utilised from the carcass for parchment as another example) and meat for consumption. The uses of wool came some 3000 years after their initial domestication. 

The mostly docile and social nature of sheep made them ideal for domestication.  Ewes and wethers are manageable in size for the average farmer to both handle and house. Depending on the breed, rams sometimes may have been somewhat more challenging to handle, as you might expect. Stubborn and strong, a butt from a frightened or protective ram would have caused injury.  Nonetheless, their relatively high and successful reproduction rates was an added advantage to the earliest farmers.  Since then, humans have continued to produce sheep to our advantage. 

Science in sheep farming 

Sheep and wool research is conducted mostly in university research institutions or independent laboratories. Research relates to areas of economics, genetics, biochemistry, nutrition, wool metrology, animal welfare and animal health.

In wool meterology, much of the scientific research is concerned specifically with wool follicles and the biology of fibres which results in wool measurements.  In turn, the results of those measurements affect sheep selection in breeding for performance and productivity gains by farmers.  Cloning technology in agricultural science means offspring have 99.8% of the genetic identity from carefully selected adult animals. The ability to control the genomes of the offspring also supports reproduction of farm animals such as sheep with a remarkably high value. 

Cloning farm animals is a highly popular new biotechnology service in the agriculture industry in many countries. 

One well known example of sheep used in genetics research is from the successful birth of Dolly the sheep in Scotland in 1996. Dolly was cloned, but not from embryonic cells like had been previously successful at that time in cows, frogs and mice, but from an adult sheep cell. The significance is that a single adult cell, which is specialised in its function, provides the DNA necessary to make an entirely new organism with approximately 200 specialised cells.   Cloning technologies are always improving, and 20 years on since Dolly, advances continue making it possible to save other vulnerable or endangered species.  

Sheep farming is no easy feat 

Sheep enterprises can be divided into specialisms of wool production, prime lamb production and breeding studs for flock replacement.  The success of any enterprise will depend mostly on the suitability of the breed selected and, of course, the husbandry skills and knowledge of the farmer.  Sheep breeds differ greatly. Understanding this is the foundation for a thriving enterprise in sheep farming.  Husbandry skills can be learned, however there are basic initial considerations for those entering or expanding any sheep farming enterprise:  

• is there enough space available for the numbers you want to run?
• is the pasture green and the ground not overly moist? 
• is grazing land cleared, free of shrub, or poisonous weeds or plants? 
  
• is there access to holding sheds and pens to protect vulnerable lambs, sick or injured animals? 
• is the land securely fenced to keep the sheep in and predators out? 
• do you have sufficient time, skills and resources needed to care for the sheep effectively? 
  
• can you financially afford the associated services such as shearing or veterinarian services?