The Panamanian sheep is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the United States. It was bred in the 1990s in Idaho by private sheep farmers.
The breed was named after the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, where it was shown early in its history.
In fact, it is one of two recognized breeds of sheep that have been bred in the United States by private sheep breeders.
The Panamanian sheep breed comes from the crossing of Lincoln sheep and Rambouillet sheep. After about five years of crossbreeding, the rams and ewes were mated to form a breed.
James Laidlaw developed this breed, who was a Scottish immigrant to the area.
James Laidlaw was looking for a big sheep better suited to the range than merino, which was most common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1951 a breed registry was formed, but it was inactive and it is unclear if most Panama hats present today were uncrossed.
The only remaining herd considered pure is kept at the University of Idaho. Learn more about this breed below.
Characteristics of the Panamanian Sheep
Panamanian sheep are large animals with thick, heavy wool. Their fleece is of medium quality and tends to be long.
Their body color is usually white. Rams and sheep have a natural voice or are polled.
The average live weight of medium-sized adult Panamanian sheep ranges from 113 to 127 kg. And the body weight of a sexually mature sheep ranges from 82 to 95 kg. Photos and information from the University of Idaho and Wikipedia.
Advantages
Panama sheep are dual purpose animals. They are kept both for meat production and for wool production.
Special Notes
Panama sheep are very hardy and strong animals. They are particularly known for their resistance to the harsh conditions north of the Rockies.
They are well adapted to pastures with good feeding conditions. Today, the breed is bred for both meat and wool production.
But in fact, they are highly valued for the production of wool. However, check out the full profile of the Panamanian sheep breed in the following table.
| Breed name | Panama |
| another name | everything |
| Purpose of the breed | Dual purpose. meat and wool |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong animals, known for their endurance in the harsh conditions of the Northern Rocky Mountains, well adapted to grazing with good feeding conditions, suitable for meat and wool production, but particularly valued for wool production . |
| Breed size | big |
| The weight | The weight of a ram is 113-127 kg, and the weight of a sexually mature sheep is 82-95 kg. |
| horns | Not |
| climatic tolerance | native climate |
| Color | White |
| scarcity | general |
| Country/place of origin | UNITED STATES |
