Long-haired sheep, like the Lincoln, are thought to have descended from the white European sheep that were brought to England throughout the Roman occupation. The modern Lincoln type was developed in the 1800's, when breeders focused on creating a type that would serve the two production purposes of meat and wool. To achieve this result, breeders crossed Leicester sheep with the coarse sheep that were native to Lincolnshire. The older type, although notable in size, did not produce a carcase that yielded optimum meat quantities.
It didn't take long before breeders realised the new Lincoln's potential in cross-breeding projects, and by the end of the 19th century, Lincoln sheep were being exported to many different countries throughout the world. In fact, Lincoln bloodlines have influenced the development of breeds such as the Columbia, Polwarth, Bond and Corriedale. Lincoln sheep can help to improve the size and quality of wool in other flocks.
Lincoln sheep are the largest among the long-wool breeds. They are known for their heavy builds, rapid weight gain, adaptability and their long, wavy coarse fleece- which can be white or coloured and yield between 65-80 percent. Their fleece is primarily used for spinning (especially mohair) and weaving as the yarn is known to be strong yet silky and smooth. Interestingly, due to its strength, Lincoln wool has contributed to the production of wigs.
It is typical for mature Lincoln rams to weigh between 113-160 kilograms, while mature ewes generally weigh between 90-113 kilograms. Their meat is known to be lean and tasty. Today, Lincoln sheep are distributed throughout England, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and many other countries.
