Targhee Sheep

The Targhee sheep is an American, dual-purpose breed raised for both wool and meat.

The breed’s history began in the early 20th century, during a time when the U.S. sheep industry focused on fine-wool breeds like Merinos and Rambouillets.

As demand for sheep that could produce both high-quality wool and good meat increased, the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, began a breeding program in 1926, using Rambouillet, Lincoln, and Corriedale bloodlines.

As a result, the Targhee sheep was developed and officially recognized in 1938. It was named after the Targhee National Forest, where the flock grazed.

In 1951, breeders met to form the U.S. Targhee Sheep Association, which was officially established later that year.

Today, Targhee sheep are valued for their high-quality wool, excellent meat production, and adaptability to Western rangelands. The U.S. Targhee Sheep Association now has members in 38 states and Canada, registering over 2,000 sheep annually.

Characteristics

Color

Targhee sheep should have white fleece only.

A small amount of color on the face, ears, feet, or lower legs is acceptable, but too much color is not. The association states that any spot should be no larger than a coin.

Horns

These sheep do not grow horns. The area where horns would be should be clean and smooth, with no hard growth on the skull.

Body

Targhee sheep have a strong and balanced body. They have a bold head with an open face, meaning there is no wool covering their eyes, which helps prevent wool blindness. Their legs are straight with heavy, strong bones, and the pasterns are also straight and sturdy, giving the sheep good support.

Also, keep in mind that an ideal Targhee sheep is thick, deep-bodied, and free from loose or folded skin.

Size

These sheep are a large-sized breed. Rams stand about 30–32 inches (76–81 cm) tall at the shoulder, while ewes stand about 28–30 inches (71–76 cm).

Lifespan

The lifespan of this breed is 10 to 12 years, if they are given proper care, including a good diet, vaccinations, regular vet checks, and parasite control.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

The growth rate of these sheep is moderate, with an average daily gain of 0.5 to 0.62 lbs (0.23 to 0.28 kg) per day from birth to 100 days of age.

When raising this type of sheep, it is important to note that growth rate depends on several factors, such as nutrition and genetics.

Weight

Mature Targhee rams weigh between 200 to 300 lbs (90 to 135 kg), while ewes are lighter, weighing 125 to 200 lbs (56 to 90 kg).

At birth, a single lamb usually weighs 8.8 to 12.1 lbs (4 to 5.5 kg). In the case of twins or multiple births, birth weight drops to 7.7 to 9.9 lbs (3.5 to 4.5 kg).

Slaughter Time

The slaughter time depends on the type of meat you want to achieve. If you prefer tender meat or lamb, the ideal time to slaughter is between 5 to 8 months of age. If you prefer mutton with a stronger flavor, then you should wait until the sheep is over 12 months old. The dressing percentage of the Targhee sheep ranges from 48% to 55%.

Temperament

These sheep have a good temperament and behavior. They are calm and easy to manage, which is why they are among the sheep breeds preferred by ranchers and small-scale farmers.

They are strong flocking animals and are usually seen in close groups. Even though they stay together, they are quiet and spend their time grazing freely. While they are aware of their surroundings, they are not overly nervous or skittish, which makes them easier to handle during herding or veterinary work.

Ewes are known for their strong mothering instincts. They bond well with their lambs and protect them without becoming aggressive.

Usage

Wool

Targhee sheep produce high-quality wool that is valued for its softness, strength, and uniformity.

Each ewe produces an average fleece of 10 to 14 lbs (4.5 to 6.3 kg) per year, while rams can produce 16 to 22 lbs (7.2 to 10 kg) of raw (grease) wool. After cleaning, this results in 5 to 6 lbs (2.3 to 2.7 kg) of clean wool for ewes and 8 to 11 lbs (3.6 to 5 kg) for rams.

The fiber diameter of Targhee wool is usually between 21 to 25 microns, with finer wool also accepted if the staple length is long enough. The staple length is 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 11 cm).

The wool has a yield of 50% to 55%, which means that about half of the raw fleece becomes clean, usable wool after processing. Good Targhee fleeces are dense, even, and uniform, with only small differences between parts of the body.

Meat

The lamb meat of this breed has a clean, slightly sweet taste when slaughtered between 5 to 8 months of age. If the lamb is also raised on pasture, the meat develops an even more natural and earthy flavor.

Targhee lamb meat is known for being tender, especially when harvested at a young age. As the animal gets older, the tenderness naturally decreases.

The balance between muscle and fat is moderate, with fat being evenly distributed and not too excessive.

Some of the most common and preferred lamb cuts from this breed include legs, chops, shoulders, and racks. It is also used for ground lamb, stew meat, and roasts.

Despite these qualities, Targhee meat is not widely known in high-end restaurants, unlike meat from more commercial breeds like Dorset or Dorper.

Raising

Feeding

When raising these sheep, it’s important to give them a healthy and balanced diet. Most of their food should come from good-quality grass or pasture. They like to graze and can eat fresh grass, hay, and other plants.

In winter or dry seasons, when there is not enough grass, you can give them hay or silage. You can also add grains like corn, oats, or barley to help them grow faster or gain weight.

Make sure they always have clean, fresh water to drink. You can also give them mineral blocks or salt licks to help them get the vitamins and minerals they need.

Lambs, pregnant ewes, and nursing mothers may need extra feed to stay strong and healthy. Try not to give them too many kitchen scraps or low-quality feed, as this can make them sick.

Shearing

Targhee sheep usually need to be shorn once a year. Their wool grows long and thick, so one shearing is enough to keep them healthy and comfortable.

The best time to shear is in late spring, around April to June. This is a good time because the weather is getting warmer, and the sheep don’t need their heavy fleece anymore.

Shearing in spring also helps keep the wool clean during summer and stops the sheep from getting too hot. It also gives them enough time to grow new wool before winter comes.

In some warmer places or in special situations, like showing the sheep, people might shear twice a year, but most farmers only do it once.

Environment

You can raise them in an extensive grazing system with large open pastures, in semi-intensive systems where they can graze most of the day but need only basic housing for shelter, and last but not least, on a smaller homestead, as long as you give them space to move.

Climate

These sheep do really well in cool to cold climates, like those in the western United States, where they were originally developed. They’re well-suited for high elevations, open ranges, and rough grazing lands, but you can also raise them in temperate areas with proper shelter and pasture management.

Shelter

Targhee sheep are strong animals and can live well in cold, windy, and rough weather. They were made for life on the western U.S. rangelands, so they are used to tough conditions. But they still need basic shelter to stay comfortable during bad weather like heavy rain, snow, or very hot days.

To keep them safe, it’s a good idea to use electric fencing. This helps to keep predators out and also stop the sheep from getting out.

How many sheep per acre?

The number of Targhee sheep you can raise per acre depends on the quality of your pasture, the weather, and how much grass is available. In general, you can raise about 2 to 4 sheep per acre if the pasture is green and healthy. If your land is dry or the grass does not grow well, you may only be able to keep 1 or 2 sheep per acre.

It’s important to make sure the sheep have enough grass to eat. If the grass runs out, you will need to give them hay or other feed. If you want to raise more sheep, you can try rotational grazing.

Breeding

Targhee sheep breed during the fall months, so you can start breeding them from September to November, when the days begin to get shorter. After a five-month pregnancy, you can expect lambs to be born between January and April.

If you’re planning to breed ewes, they can start at around 7 to 9 months old, but it’s better to wait until they reach 60 to 70% of their adult weight. This helps make sure they are strong and healthy enough for pregnancy. Rams can begin breeding at 6 or 7 months, but they usually do best when they’re 8 to 12 months old.

Most Targhee ewes give birth to 1, 2, or even 3 lambs at a time. Twins are the most common, but triplets can happen, too. The usual number of lambs is about 1.5 to 2 per ewe.

Targhee ewes are known for being good mothers, so you probably won’t have many problems during birth. Most ewes give birth naturally and difficult lambing is rare, as long as the ewe is healthy and the lamb isn’t too large.

Health Issues

Like all sheep, Targhee sheep can have some health problems if they are not properly cared for. One common issue is internal parasites like worms, which can cause weight loss and weakness. Foot rot and hoof problems may also happen, especially in wet or muddy areas. You need to check and trim their hooves regularly.

They can also get respiratory infections, pinkeye, or mastitis in ewes. Flystrike can happen in warm weather if their wool gets dirty and attracts flies.

To keep them healthy, it’s important to give them clean water, good food, vaccinations, and regular deworming. A clean and dry living area also helps prevent many diseases.

Advantages

• Dual-purpose breed
• Hardy and adaptable
• Strong flocking instinct
• Good high lambing rate
• High-quality wool and meat
• Calm temperament
• Efficient grazers

Disadvantages

• Need yearly shearing
• Slower growth rate than other meat-focused breeeds
• Limited availability
• Seasonal breeders
• Not well-known in commercial meat markets