THE HISTORY OF THE ST. CROIX SHEEP BREED

The St. Croix Sheep breed has a rich and layered history spanning continents since the early 16th century.

Originating first from West Africa and then the Caribbean island of St. Croix, these sheep were prized for their adaptability, hardiness, and resistance to parasites, which made them popular among farmers in warm and tropical climates. While still considered rare, you can find breeders of these beautiful animals across the world.

EARLY HISTORY

Hair Sheep from West Africa were first introduced into the Caribbean in the 1500’s most likely transported on slave ships for meat and grazing purposes. From this introduction, different breeds of hair sheep developed accounting for less than 2 million head throughout the Caribbean region. It is believed they descended from hair sheep from West Africa but some believe it is also the result of crossing the Wiltshire Horn with the native Criollo.

Mr. Arturo Christensen, one of the largest breeders on the Island, started Henry Shuester and his brother raising these sheep as teenagers where they first started selecting for the white polled traits. The rest of the islands’ major breeders soon followed suit.

THE BREED IS ESTABLISHED

The St. Croix Hair Sheep – also known as the “Virgin Island White”- were first brought into the United States by Michael Peil of Maine who imported 2 ewes and 1 ram in 1957. A second importation of 22 ewes and 3 rams by Dr. Warren Foote in 1975 was taken to Utah State University and it is from this second importation that the St. Croix breed was established in the United States. Small flocks were then established in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and California in addition to Utah for research purposes at Universities, and from these base flocks the St. Croix breed has spread in popularity and can now be found in all areas of the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and the Philippines.

THE REGISTRY IS FORMED

The St. Croix registry was established in 1983 by Mrs. Helen Simpson and with the help of Mr. Cole Evans, a Utah State University Researcher and under the supervision if the St. Croix Sheep Breeders Association, Inc., predecessor to the St. Croix Hair Sheep International Association.

THE BREED IS SELECTED

In 1997, Mr. Charlie Bedinger was hired by Ag World Exports to take a selection team from the Philippines to select and buy 2000 sheep of various breeds. Part of this order was 300-400 St. Croix Sheep. This number was not available in the United States. Mr. Bedinger traveled to the Island of St. Croix and, thanks to Dr. Robert Godfrey of the University of the Virgin Islands, Henry Shuester, Commisioner of Agriculture on St. Croix and Mr. Arturo Christensen, was able to select 311 St. Croix for the team from the Philippines to review at his farm. These three breeders had all but a few of the St. Croix Sheep on the island. Only 209 were shipped back to the United States to Mr. Bedinger’s farm. The Philippine selection team chose 163 and the rest were purchased by Mr. Bedinger from the export company.

Soon after that the borders of the US were closed to imports because of a tick that the live animals might be carrying. Mr. Cole Evans made a few trips to the Island to gather eggs and semen following this time period in an effort to widen the gene pool. Prior to hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, there were many more breeders and sheep on the island.

TODAY’S ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP

Hair sheep comprise approximately ten percent of the world sheep population and are primarily located in tropical Africa, the Caribbean, South America, India and Asia. Caribbean hair sheep such as the St. Croix, are prolific and breed throughout the year and thus are of interest to the U.S. sheep industry. Currently the St. Croix are still a rare breed in the United States but more and more are registered each year because of their steadily gaining popularity with the sheep’s prepotency, proven parasite resistance, prolificacy and ease of management.

Over the years, producers have worked diligently to preserve and enhance the characteristics of St. Croix Hair Sheep, solidifying their positive reputation.

While they are considered a rare heritage breed, they are highly valued for their lean meat, disease resistance, excellent maternal instincts, docile temperaments, and their ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions.

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