The Lincoln’s traditional home was the eastern fen country, of England.
The sheep had their foundation when the economy of Great Britain was closely tied to the wool industry.
They produce the heaviest and longest stapled fleece of any other breed, with a dense, lustrous broad crimp. Consistent with the long wool (200mm) the sheep are correspondingly large.
Garvald stud’s Ian Christie said they were resistant to foot troubles, so were used as purebreds, or crossbred.
Lincolns were put through early Merinos to give a heavier frame and fleece, resulting in the Corriedale and Polwarth.
Garvald Lincolns did not get any special diet. “We have a South Suffolk stud, and we quite often run the weaners together, so they have to compete against a short wool breed,” he said.
“Five years ago we had a green summer and we had eight ewes picked out for our show team.
“Those eight ewes had 19 lambs – three sets of triplets and the rest twins - so it shows you the potential if you have your feed right.”
