Coopworth sheep were imported to Australia in 1976, after being developed in New Zealand in the 1950s from a cross of Border Leicester and Romney.

Coopworths have been selected on visual criteria, wool quality, frame and carcass attributes, and measured performance, including fertility and lamb survival, growth rate to weaning, growth rate to yearling stage, leanness, growth and fleece production of 30-35 micron wool.

This selection program has produced an efficient, dual-purpose sheep ideally suited to most environments in Australia. It is easy to care for and produces high milk yields for lamb production.

Coopworths are performing well in Australia from the hot country of Riverina of NSW and Western Australia, to the wet, cold country of Victoria and Tasmania.

Breed Registries and Associations

United States

Coopworth Sheep Society of NA
25101 Chris Lane NE
Kingston, Washington 98346
(360) 297-4485
Email: rainfarm@tscnet.com

The American Coopworth Registry
82 Sproul Hill Road
Bristol, Maine 04539-3211
(207) 563-5952
Email: secty@AmericanCoopworthRegistry.org

References

Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation, 1989, 3rd Edition