So, about the sheep and their fiber:
The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook (Storey Publishing; Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius) lists California Variegated Mutants (or "CVM's" for short) and Romeldales as a "critical conservation breed" after being classified as rare by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Romeldales started as a cross between Romney and Rambouillet, and then were selected further for color and fleece quality.
According to the authors, some breeders consider CVM's to be a colored strain of Romeldales while others consider CVM's to be their own distinct breed. Unlike many other breeds of sheep, their wool becomes darker and finer with age, instead of the reverse, so my older gals get to stay around a lot longer and contribute beautiful fleeces!
Breed standards for CVM/Romeldale fiber are 21-25 microns, and is described by Robson and Ekarius as "soft fibers, with fiber diameters approximately equivalent to the upper ends of the Merino and Rambouillet ranges", and is best known for "fine, soft wool of a good length for many preparation methods in an array of natural colors. Both Romeldale and CVM are rewarding and comfortable to spin."
As you can see from some of my photos above, we have a variety of colors available. Many varying greys as well as white, brown, and a dark brown/black.
Please visit my favorite links and go to the breed registry, which talks more about CVM/Romeldales and their breed standards.
The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook (Storey Publishing; Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius) lists California Variegated Mutants (or "CVM's" for short) and Romeldales as a "critical conservation breed" after being classified as rare by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Romeldales started as a cross between Romney and Rambouillet, and then were selected further for color and fleece quality.
According to the authors, some breeders consider CVM's to be a colored strain of Romeldales while others consider CVM's to be their own distinct breed. Unlike many other breeds of sheep, their wool becomes darker and finer with age, instead of the reverse, so my older gals get to stay around a lot longer and contribute beautiful fleeces!
Breed standards for CVM/Romeldale fiber are 21-25 microns, and is described by Robson and Ekarius as "soft fibers, with fiber diameters approximately equivalent to the upper ends of the Merino and Rambouillet ranges", and is best known for "fine, soft wool of a good length for many preparation methods in an array of natural colors. Both Romeldale and CVM are rewarding and comfortable to spin."
As you can see from some of my photos above, we have a variety of colors available. Many varying greys as well as white, brown, and a dark brown/black.
Please visit my favorite links and go to the breed registry, which talks more about CVM/Romeldales and their breed standards.