Est a Laine Merino Sheep

The Est à Laine Merino originates from the Alsace Lorraine region of France. It is an attractive, strong, large-framed sheep with very fine white wool. The head is long, white in colour, with long, drooping ears. The sheep is naturally polled (no horns), unlike the original Merinos. The neck of the Est à Laine Merino has no folds or dewlap, making it easier to shear.

The Est à laine Mérinos breed, in its present form, combines the most improved qualities of the hardy breeds and meat breeds: the resistance and adaptability of the first and the growth performances of the second. The ewes, because of their excellent fertility, their aptitudes for off-season breeding, their milk value and their  maternal qualities ,are suitable for use in a wide variety of production systems, all the more so because they make remarkable use of rough forage; what is more ,their lambs, which are very resistant, have a high growth rate.Mature rams weigh 120 to 130kg and mature ewes weigh 70 to 85kg.

Our Merino flock actually belongs to our youngest son, Callum. The ewes were purchased from a breeder in Norfolk in September 2009, however, to obtain an unrelated ram we will be travelling to Nancy in France where there is a breeding centre.