In my Gotland flock I have been concentrating on improving the overall conformation, structure and carcass traits of the Gotland breed while also maintaining and improving fleece quality. I am working towards breeding Gotlands that have strong, wide, level tops with good muscle that extends into their rump and lower leg all underneath the soft, silky, shiny and curly fleece that Gotlands are known for. My Gotland ewes are prolific, lamb easily, milk like crazy, are great mothers, have very few health issues and virtually no hoof problems. My Gotland lambs should be vigorous at birth, fast growing, good topped, good muscled and correct with beautiful fleeces. My Gotlands have a wide range of fleece colors from very light almost white through all the shades of medium gray to almost black. My fleece customers love the range of colors.
High Hill Gotland lambs are usually born in April and weaned by the end of June. Lambs are generally ready to head to their new homes in July. Any lambs not kept or sold as breeding stock are sold as freezer lambs or market lambs from September through the first week of October. They are marketed between 5 and 6 months of age and generally weigh 100 to 115 pounds. Hanging carcass weights at this time have been averaging 55 to 62 pounds. All freezer lambs or market lambs are shorn before selling.
I believe that Gotland sheep can and should be profitable and can be a true dual or even triple purpose breed with the ability to produce meat, fiber and/or pelts in a timely and efficient manner. In order to be profitable Gotlands need to not only grow those beautiful soft, shiny, curly fleeces but they also need to have a good structured body with some muscling underneath their fleece. They should reach marketable weights in a reasonable amount of time. That is the kind of Gotlands I am working towards developing. I am happy with the improvements I have made in my flock in the last 9 years and am excited about future improvements and the future of the Gotland breed!
