The Suffolk Story
The Suffolk Breed was first developed in England in the early nineteenth century, by crossing
Southdown rams with Norfolk Horned ewes. Both breeds used to develop the Suffolk were
noted for their quality meat - the Southdown for its compactness and confirmations, and the
Norfolk Horn for its sweet flavour. In the Suffolk, the two superb qualities were combined.
In 1859 the breed was fixed to type, given the name Suffolk and firmly established in many
parts of England. The first flock of Suffolk sheep known to be imported into Australia from
England was in 1904, by Mr F.E. Thorneman of Yarra Junction, Victoria. No. 1 registration was
held by "Victoria Stud" of the Department of Agriculture Research Farm at Werribee Victoria -
established in 1914.
Description of an Australian Suffolk Sheep
Object of the breed:
To provide a suitable sire for crossing with other breeds
to produce the ideal prime lamb.
Ram
The ideal Suffolk ram should be well balanced and proportioned. He will be free moving and
of alert appearance with masculine outlook.
Ewe
The ideal ewe will be similar, but with due regard to
feminine
characteristics and indicating good maternal qualities.
Undesirables
Head...........evidence of horns.
Legs............hocks too closely set.
Skin.............not inclined to blue or spotted.
Fleece.........black fibre or coloured wool throughout the fleece,black spots anywhere.
Head
Hornless and black. Masculine for rams and feminine for ewes. Strong lower jaw with teeth
meeting the bottom front pad. Eyes bright and full.
Ears
Not carried erect, preferably level with eyes, of good length, black and of fine texture.
Neck
Length in balance with body, blending smoothly into the shoulders with no depression at the
collar.
Shoulders
Shoulder blades should be slightly lower than the spine with no depression behind the blades,
sloping to a smooth setting. Width of shoulders should be less than width of hindquarters.
Back and Loin
Back long, level and firm. Loin deep, firm, wide and well muscled. Ribs long and well sprung.
Tail well set up.
Hindquarters
Ample width and length between hips and pins. Well filled with flesh in the twist. Well muscled
on the outer thigh.
Legs, Pasterns and Feet
Black and placed wide enough to give the sheep correct balance, with strong bone, wooled to
knees and hocks, clean below. Pasterns to be short, strong and upstanding. Feet black and
well formed.
Skin
Pink in colour.
Scrotum
Good size, well hung, carrying two normal and well developed testicles.
Fleece
Downs type wool, dense and soft, firm handling and belly well covered. Suggested visual count
58-60. ideal micron 28-32. Free of black wool through the fleece.
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