[Jacob-list] old time stock

[linda]

Dr Lincicome and all,

I need to start this post by saying it is not an argument or disagreement in any way.  I'm 
just interested in your answer.  Email loses so much of the nuances of conversation that the 
subtleties can often be misread.  SO - please take this as just someone looking for more input 
on the subject.

The Jacob Sheep is a very diverse breed and the fact that we all have our favorites "looks" 
and traits and the associations allow us to do so can only help to maintain the diversity.  If 
we all liked the same thing, then we would lose the diversity.  I breed for what I like, I 
don't breed for any market, and I don't much care if I sell any as I keep my flock within 
manageable limits and have a large freezer.

Ok, here's my question.  This is not a hypothetical situation - this happened.  I ended up 
with 9 rams and 7 ewes.  The gender gods did not smile upon me that year.  Even if I felt that 
all these rams were worth breeding and that the conservation of the breed would be served by 
breeding them, someone was going to get left out and it would really be a ridiculous situation 
to even consider.  Now, if I don't consider "horn set, colors, spots, etc, etc. ad nauseum." 
when deciding which ones to keep, what do I consider???  How do I make my decision - just pick 
a couple randomly?  Maybe soundness - except all my sheep are sound - I did that selection a 
long time ago.  I have limited space, limited financial resources and need to stay within a 
certain flock size.  So in MY FLOCK, I have to exercise some sort of selection.  I am not 
advocating that the associations as a whole or any other breeder need select to my criteria or 
as strongly as I have to in my small flock.  So, if I don't select for specific traits, what 
do I do - just keep everything?  Run them all together - isn't that selecting for the most 
aggressive ram?

Again - I'm not arguing, don't anyone take offense!  I'm just asking for input - this is an 
interesting subject.

Linda


On Mon, 11 Dec 2000 13:59:40 -0500, Dr. David R. Lincicome wrote:
>1355 hrs/Monday 11 December 2000
>
>Amen!  Good to have someone else stand on the soap box.  I've been shouting this
>for years now, and still we have those out there who worry about the esthetics of
>horn set, colors, spots, etc, etc. ad nauseum.  When "Man Meddles with Nature"
>man is the loser.
>
>David Richard Lincicome, Ph.D.,PAS, DACAP
>Guest Scientist, U. S. Department of Agriculture
>
>
>
>SJohn21855 at aol.com wrote:
>

www.PatchworkFibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep

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