[Jacob-list] registration question

Jacobflock at aol.com Jacobflock at aol.com
Mon Mar 23 14:54:33 EDT 2009


Neal makes a point: "I think part of the reason that we do not
see more outliers is that most experienced breeders do not send them in for
registration. Perhaps we would rather cull them than get a reputation with
substandard animals."

Breeders selectively register animals and, even in the case of twins, one
might be registered, the other, not meeting the standard, is not. The
registered sheep is assumed to be a true Jacob. The offspring of registered parents
is assumed to be a true Jacob. The occasional cull lamb is the non-Jacob and
not to be registered. Cull lambs do not come from a true Jacob breed gene
pool; the definition of "breed" seems to preclude that.

When breeding to a standard as in "standardized breed", observable
differences from the "standard" are minimized. Thus the chances of getting an "out of
bounds offspring" drops to one in four, eight, sixteen as generations move
forward. The "standardized breed" becomes cookie cutter with

What is observed by the breeder, especially in the case of the neonate, is
not always the true genotype of the lamb presented for registration as a
Jacob. The picture of the lamb presented to the panel of volunteers who make
such judgements is really minimal information and failure to pass the
registration process is often catastrophic for the breeder and a very hard call for
the inspector. The task for the breeder is heavy, the task for the reviewing
volunteers is no less.

For example, the sex linked expression of the "hornless gene" which produces
the aberrant horn that is loosely anchored may look likke a four horn ewe
lamb but in reality is not - the extra long tail which should be hock length
and have sixteen vertebrae gets docked - the ticking gene will take years to
express itself - these all require breeder time, attention and allegiance
to the breed.

Neal goes on to say: "As much as we might like to ignore it, there is
variation in these type
traits and the sudden odd thing popping up is to be expected. This does not
mean it is desirable, and I do not in the least question the inspectors if
they fail such animals. Including them in the flockbook would increase the
odds that we will have more non-standard sheep in the future, which would
undermine the value of other animals in our flock."

I'm not sure a "standardized breed" would expect to have many odd things
popping out as variation is reduced through limited sire flocks and selection to
the standard. The rub is often the amount of variation to be accepted, the
value to the gene pool of the flock and breed; value is a relative term and
how we perceive value.

For example, sit on the porch and watch the sun rise; sensually appealing to
most and the subject of song and poetry. The reality is I am speeding at
about 500 miles per hour toward the sun, held in place by gravity. Same event
but not often found in song and poetry. Reality and perceived reality or as
in the song - "you can't have one without the other".

Fred Horak
St. Jude's Farm
1165 E. Lucas Rd.
Lucas, TX 75002



I am going to skip what JSBA has as policy and go right to heart of the
previous question asked by Peggy. I think part of the reason that we do not
see more outliers is that most experienced breeders do not send them in for
registration. Perhaps we would rather cull them than get a reputation with
substandard animals.

"How do these things happen in an established line of Jacobs Sheep?"

As much as we might like to ignore it, there is variation in these type
traits and the sudden odd thing popping up is to be expected. This does not
mean it is desirable, and I do not in the least question the inspectors if
they fail such animals. Including them in the flockbook would increase the
odds that we will have more non-standard sheep in the future, which would
undermine the value of other animals in our flock.

Extreme color percentage is more common as an out-lying trait, but I have
seen wool forward of the horns as well. Of the two, wool forward of the
horns is MORE LIKELY to be evidence of cross-breeding, but I would be a
little skeptical of anyone that automatically regarded this as
cross-breeding. Neither of these things is the result of a single gene that
pops out showing the "polluting effect" after many generations.

Excessive white or excessive color are the result of natural variations in
the piebald expression. In a random sampling of animals without selection
against the trait, the color range will expand and there will constantly be
more and more out-liers.

In my experience, selection for greater fineness of fleece and more wool
quantity will eventually produce some individuals with "bangs". This may
well shed off after the first year or so.

It might be better to always evaluate our sheep only as mature animals.
However, we need to remember that our goal with Jacobs is hard to achieve,
because we are seeking to keep them average within a range. Unlike Merino
where you can't get the wool too fine, or monster show Suffolks where you
can't get the ******* too big, we have to select against both extremes.
Percent color, horn set, wool fineness and weight, etc., all supposed to be
kinda in the middle.

Neal Grose


----- Original Message -----
From: "Heather Hettick" <hettick1 at yahoo.com>
To: <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] registration question



>

> I have really light ewe lamb I’m agonizing over this year. She otherwise

> looks good with nice horns, overall Jacob confirmation and she’s a blue

> eyed lilac. I doubt she has much over 10% color though.

>

> Doesn’t JSBA have an appendix registration or something like that for ewes

> who don’t quite meet the standards or has that changed?

>

> Heather Hettick

> Moonstruck Farm

> Creston, OH

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm & Fiberworks

> Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list

>


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