"Discussion from SC chat room 092807

This is a continuation of the discussion of bloodlines with Bill Hoag. In 1994 Bill had the idea for starting the Dorpcroix breed, using purebred St Croix ewes and Dorper rams. He did very well with it and after 10 years had worked with 1000s of this cross eventually selecting the best that had a pure white hair coat and very smooth conformation for his Royal White breed. They are very nice sheep. One went Supreme Champion Ewe over all other breeds at the Houston, TX Livestock show. Bill went for length of leg and good mothering abilities of the St Croix to counteract the extreme short legs and heavy muscled Dorper and their inherit problems.

The outstanding quality of the pure-bred St Croix is their consistency of conformation. They are a “primitive breed” not allowing the so-called “improvement” of the modern european wool breeds done by cross breeding.

There are some variations within the St Croix as to height, width, depth through the heart, feed capacity, back and leg muscling. Remember the offspring of the extremes will always go back towards the middle. We have used the “body score” system (developed by two of our Ag Science Grad kids) to select our breeding stock kept in the flock. Six traits are given a score from 1 (poor) to 5 (perfect), with 3 being average. We have looked for a "complete package” with one really poor score a disqualification. Our ewe flock scores from 3+ to 4+ on all six traits. Length is judged overall and from the last rib to the hip. Length of loin is desirable to have more high-end cuts of meat. The top line from withers to hip is important for strength. A slight dip with good muscling is ok. A pronounced dip is a fault. Remember that behind the hip the croup is to be sloped for ease of lambing. Thickness over the loin and hips is important. Muscling over the hip and down the hind quarter is long and may have more volume than the short bulgy type of some breeds. St. Croix have lighter bone than compared to wool breeds but should not be spindley. St Croix have a tendency towards cow hocks. Straighter is better for soundness and room for inside leg muscle. Look for strong feet and pasterns. Depth through the heart and body is important for feed capacity and room for carrying twins or triplet lambs.

On looking back over the flocks’ pedigrees, we have kept no offspring tracing to the two ewes sent out in the second shipment from Utah State in 1992. However the ram, USU 1003, sent at that time became our premier sire. We have 12 of his daughters and a son in our program. The cross of that ram and the Gibson line gave us very consistent quality. Two lines seem to contribute height - the Spillet and the Simpson. At present we have a very tall ram, ¼ Gibson, ¼ Simpson, ½ import. He is tall with very good bone but is ½ as wide as our thicker rams. Crossed with one of our USU 1003 X Gibson ewes he produced one of the tallest, heavily muscled rams we have had. He was Champion Ram at two shows this year. It  will remain to be seen if his get will revert back towards average. A customer has a dozen ewes by the ½ import ram. We are eager to see what they produce.

It is important to know how St Croix ewes change as they  mature. Our ewe lambs are usually quite elegant with long necks and pretty heads. They grow until they are 2 ½ years of age, thickening and broadening in both body and head, expanding feed and lamb capacity.


We do not endorse the St Croix for a range sheep as they do not carry enough body fat for poor range conditions. They do eat almost anything they can reach, straining to stand on their hind legs to reach brush, leaves and vines. Here in Oregon they are useful in stopping regrowth of the wild berry vines that can take over pastures. A friend had them demolish a patch of scotch broom that is a pest plant in the area.

These are some thoughts about our experience with St Croix sheep.”​

DAISY

Daisy was born 3-10-2006. Her "official" name was Hickenbottom 5158. She passed on 2-16-2020, just shy of her 14th birthday. She had her last lamb at the age of 12 years old.

A search of Daisy's pedigree reveals that Burch 232, USU 696, USU 693 and USU 1003 are all in her lineage. Among the desirable traits listed in historical reference are longevity and good disposition. Daisy definitely had those qualities! She is missed. RIP Daisy.