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What is Cormo?? The American Cormo is
a new scientific sheep breed. I.K. Downie of Tasmania was the driving force behind the creation of the Cormo breed.
The Cormo Breed is a one-time crossing of Tasmanian stud Corriedale rams on 1200 selected superfine Saxon Merino ewes.
This was the beginning of the development of the Cormo breed. The result -- 1/4 Lincoln, 1/4 Australian Merino,
and 1/2 Superfine Saxon Merino - is fast becoming one of the best wool producing breeds in the sheep industry today.
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The breeding selection criteria was so strict that no match was left to chance.
Mr. Downie loaded a computer with all the statistics of each animal - not an easy job in 1961 - and let the computer match
the best ewes with the highest quality rams creating a genetically superior breed. This careful match breeding
was taken in the creation of the Cormo breed. The results is the high quality Cormo breed that we see today and is available
in the US through the American Cormo Sheep Association.
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| High Quality Wool. Easy Keepers, Mothering Instincts. High muscle to bone ratio. |
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Original Selection Criteria |
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High clean fleece weight - Must have a fiber diameter 17 to 23 micron range
- Fast body growth rate
- Must
have a high rate of fertility
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Cormo selling points do not end with their wool quality. Cormo are considered to be
"easy keepers". They are somewhat smaller than many breeds and, therefore, require 40% less feed than the
larger breeds. They are also rugged animals. They thrive in the harsh climate of eastern Montana, the humidity
of the East Coast, and the wetness of the northwest. Lambing is easy and multiple births are not uncommon. In
assisted lambing situation, lamb crobs can be as high as 150% to 180%. Mothering instincts, lack of wool blindness and
a high muscle to bone ratio is also notable in the breed.
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American Cormo Sheep Association * Charlotte Carlat, Registrar * 100 E. River Road * Broadus * MT
* 59317 * Phone: 406-427-5449
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