This unique South African white wooled mutton sheep breed is considered to be a dual purpose breed. Developed from a small
nucleus of German Merino sheep, it has adapted to most environmental conditions of
South Africa. Bred specifically to produce a slaughter lamb at an early age (35 kg
at 100 days of age) but still being able to produce good volumes (4 kg) of medium
to strong wool. Lambing percentages in excess of 150% are common and the ewes have
ample milk to raise the healthy well-grown lambs. The SA Mutton Merino is a polled
breed with the rams having mature masses of 100-110 kg (approximately 220-245 lbs)
and the ewes having mature masses of 70-80 kg (approximately 155-175 lbs).
References
Select Genes Ltd., PO Box 494, Irene 1675, Republic of South Africa.