April 14, 2013

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  A Pasture of Sheep

  At Jeff & Chris’ Place

   

   

  

  When looking at these sheep, I had a few questions for Google and learned the following facts about sheep.

   

   

  

  As of January 1, 2012, there were 5.35 million sheep in the United States.

  Sheep are produced in all 50 states. However, the highest sheep-producing states are located west of the Mississippi River, where most of the larger sheep ranches reside. The eastern part of the country supports a greater number of smaller, pasture-based operations.

  

  There are more than one billion sheep in the world.

  China has the largest sheep population in the world – 130 million.

  Australia is second with 115 million.

  There are 34.2 million sheep in New Zealand, or approximately seven sheep for every human.

   

   

  

  Sheep make a bleating sound.

  A baby lamb can identify its mother by her bleat.
  

   

   

  

  In the 15th century, Spain’s thriving wool trade financed the expeditions of its conquistadors, including the voyage Christopher Columbus made to the New World. Indeed, Columbus came from a family of wool traders.

   

   

  

  President Woodrow Wilson grazed sheep on the White House South Lawn. The wool obtained from the sheep was sold to raise money for the Red Cross during World War I. The flock included “Old Ike,” a tobacco-chewing ram.

   

   

  

  One pound of wool can make ten miles of spun yarn.

  There are 150 yards (450 feet) of wool yarn in a baseball.
  

   

   

  

  Female sheep are called ewes, baby sheep are called lambs, and male sheep are called rams. A group of sheep is called a flock.

   

   

  

  According to animal behaviorists, a group of five sheep is usually necessary for sheep to display their normal flocking behavior.

  A sheep will become highly agitated if it is separated from the rest of the flock.

   

   

  

  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
  He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
  He leads me beside the still waters.
  He restores my soul;
  He leads me in the paths of righteousness
  For His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV

   

   

  • 9:37 pm
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