Easycare or Exlana

[beefandsleep]

I am very interested in hearing pros and cons of these two shedding breeds. Particularly from anyone who has run both.
I'm not interested in arguments for and against shedding sheep or woolly ones.
Mature ewe weight, prolificacy, maternal attributes, KO% etc

 

[Bury the Trash]

the Exlana are genetically superior.

 

[beefandsleep]

But in what way are they superior?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I have no direct experience of easycares, but I chose to try exlana for my woolshedder experiment.
Depends if you buy into the whole recording package I guess, which I do.
In my circumstances the fec recording and breeding program is a major plus for exlana.
I may be wrong but I presume exlana to be more prolific.

Exlana will be dearer to buy if you want to buy females, and possibly more difficult to source if large numbers wanted.

Should have took a pic today whilst in but my exlana ram is already 2/3 - 3/4 shed.

 

[Newby]

But in what way are they superior?

Genetically

 

[neilo]

I'd imagine there would be a massive variation across the Easycare breed, as every breeder seemingly has their own idea as to what makes an ideal sheep. Some will be good, some less so I suspect.
Exlanas have a smaller group of breeders currently, who work together, so I would expect less variation.

For me, if I was going into shedding sheep, the recording ethos of Exlanas would swing it every time. If I was looking to put a big number on, it would probably be a big mob of a Easycares (cheaper and more available) with Exlana Rams used over a proportion to produce replacements.

 

[Danllan]

Can't comment on Exlanas other than to say all I have seen look good, but unless they are born with short tales I don't see the necessity of making them shorter... As for Easycares, very pleased with ours, no lambing help needed, no foot problems, no fly problems, put on weight well enough and lamb at 1.6. That written, having bought a very good Easycare ram last Autumn, I am minded to bring in an Exlana ram this year - have just seen @neilo 's post above, that is the plan.

 

[Bury the Trash]

But in what way are they superior?

look at the impressive origin............... and the on going worm resistance work.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Excuse my ignorance but are people only buying shedders to save on the clipping or am I missing a hidden trick...

 

[Danllan]

Excuse my ignorance but are people only buying shedders to save on the clipping or am I missing a hidden trick...

The shedding goes hand in hand with other desirable traits...

 

[Northeastfarmer]

The shedding goes hand in hand with other desirable traits...

I'm listening

 

[Bury the Trash]

Excuse my ignorance but are people only buying shedders to save on the clipping or am I missing a hidden trick...

not that was not only that in the original plan of the Exlana ..

 

[Northeastfarmer]

not that was not just the original plan of the Exlana

What was?

 

[Bury the Trash]

What was?

to breed a modern productive ewe.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Excuse my ignorance but are people only buying shedders to save on the clipping or am I missing a hidden trick...

Clipping, dagging, (and so tailing if desired), getting cast (I know NeilO's wooly sheep don't get cast but most of the rest of us lose at least 1 or 2 a year ) reduced requirement for fly control.
Plus as said the rest of the functional package that goes with them.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

to breed a modern productive ewe.

So over say a mule are the only attributes wool shedding?

 

[Man_in_black]

I'm listening

Overall interaction with an extensive, hands off system. No tolerance of foot issues, lambing problems.

I know folk will say "I do that with my nreed" yes appreciated, but easys & exlana are purely originating from a commercial POV.

 

[Danllan]

I'm listening

See above, but for me its not having to go through the annual PITA of assisted lambing, economically pointless shearing, and not needing to worry about the feet or any other typical problems. As has been written before elsewhere, they are not 'no' care, but just a hell of a lot easier all round. You won't make more money per head in sales, but you will have a lot less stress and a lot more time to do other things and it is that which is key to why these breeds will keep expanding. (Plus, with Easycares anyway, there is no bullsh*t about breed-standards etc. all that matter is that the sheep is a good sheep, i.e. it breeds well, doesn't get crook or die and puts weight on well).

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Sorry to @beefandsleep for slightly highjacking his thread

Having never seen any exlanas or easycares in person (no one has any round here) looking at pictures the exlana looks a good ewe, what are the lambs like if you say use a beltex on them?

 

[beefandsleep]

Hoping to get to sheep SW in June to see some in the flesh.