Tunis sheep breed making comeback

Not everything in the sheep industry is black and white. A breed of sheep that has been in the United States since 1799 is beginning to make a come back. Tunis sheep, known as the red heads, are appearing here on Midwest farms. Tunis sheep are red color sheep with long pendulous ears and a calm disposition.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has moved the Tunis sheep breed up on their conservation priority list from "threatened" to "watch" status. According to Don Schrider, Communication Director of ALBC, "this move reflects the excellent job Tunis breeders are doing promoting this American treasure. Tunis sheep now stand as an example of a rare American breed that is successfully growing in population and earning recognition for its outstanding production characteristics." Tunis sheep were almost "wiped out" during the Civil War because they were sought after meat in the war.

According to National Tunis Secretary Judy Harris, the number of registrations has grown steadily. "In 1990 there were 605 Tunis sheep that were registered. In 2000 there were 1,070 registered. In 2005 there were over 1,250 Tunis sheep that were registered."

With the help of Tunis sheep breeders from across the country, Tunis sheep are appearing at county, state and national sheep shows all over the United States. In the past, Tunis sheep have been more prevalent in the northeast United States, according to Harris. Since moving their National Tunis Sale from the northeast to Wooster, Ohio in 2003, the National Tunis Association has seen growth in the number of Tunis breeders selling and buying Tunis sheep from Ohio westward. According to Louise Dunham, National Tunis Sheep Registry news editor, the 2005 National Tunis Sale average was $450 for ewe lambs and close to $600 for yearling ewes. "These prices are stronger than in the past but are still lower than sale prices for other purebred, meat-type sheep in the Midwest," said Dunham.

Now Tunis breeders are adding another sale in the Midwest. The Tunis Summer Spectacular show and sale was held June 16 and 17 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. There were over 30 head of Tunis rams and ewes sold at this sale. To help young sheep breeders interested in purchasing Tunis sheep, the Indiana Tunis Sheep Association sponsored a free drawing for one $50 sales voucher for a youth that purchased a Tunis at this sale. Tunis ewe lambs that were entered in the sale were eligible for the National Tunis Futurity contest. Futurity points can be earned at any show regardless if the ewe lamb is shown in an "all other breeds" class or Tunis class.

According to Tunis breeder Linda Cook of Muncie, Indiana, "The Tunis breed is becoming prevalent here in the Midwest. There are now more Tunis shows and sales." The 2006 National Tunis Show will be held in August at the Missouri State Fair. "This is the first time that the National Show will be held west of the Mississippi River," said Cook.

Cook was recently re-elected to another 3-year term as District 10 Director. The district covers the states of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. The district did have the state of Ohio in it but because of the increase in the number of Tunis breeders in Ohio, Ohio was split into its own district.

The first Tunis was imported into the United States in 1799. The first know imported pair, a gift from the Bey of Tunis, was placed with Judge Richard Peters of Belmont, Pa. Judge Peters made rams available and gave away lambs to spread the breed. The Tunis breed began with the first crop of crossbred lambs, circa late 1799. The ancestor of the Tunis is the ancient fat-tailed sheep. As the name indicates, the ancestor of the modern Tunis originated in Tunisia on the Northern coast of Africa.

During the Civil War the Tunis was used for meat in the war and nearly wiped-out. But a South Carolina importer and breeder continued breeding the sheep to 1877. A large portion of the breed attracted the attention of New England shepherds at this time--thus the strong population and support for the breed found in the New England states today. The first organized association began in 1896 that was started by several Tunis breeders in Indiana.

The Tunis is a medium-sized sheep with an extended breeding season--the rams being willing to breed anytime of the year and many of the ewes breeding out-of-season as well. This makes them valuable for hothouse lamb production. Twins are frequent and the lambs fatten rapidly. The ewes are good milkers and are hardy. The flocking instinct is highly developed. They seem to be well adapted to warm climates.

Tunis is also noted for the fine flavor of their meat. It is said that Tunis mutton tastes as good as lamb of other breeds. Many find Tunis mutton superior. Tunis lamb has a long history of being sought after for its delicate and fine flavor. In the early 1800's Tunis lambs were the most sought after in the hothouse lamb markets around Philadelphia.

For more information about the Tunis Summer Spectacular show and sale, go to www.bannersheepmagazine.com to download a sales catalog.

Date: 9/18/06

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