Beltex
{{Short description|Breed of sheep}}
File:Beltex Sheep near Whygill - geograph.org.uk - 209731.jpg]]
The Beltex is a breed of heavily muscled domestic sheep.{{cite web|url=https://modernfarmer.com/2016/02/beltex-sheep-breed/|title=Meet the Beltex, an Eternally Grumpy-Looking Sheep|first=Dan|last=Nosowitz|date=February 17, 2016|publisher=Modern Farmer}} A portmanteau of Belgian and Texel, the name reflects the breed's origin as an offshoot of Texel sheep from The Netherlands. In the late 1980s, Belgian Texels were exported to the United Kingdom, and it was there that it was primarily refined into its modern form. It is primarily used in Europe as a terminal sire, meaning Beltex rams are prized for mating with ewes to produce lambs for meat.
Characteristics
The Beltex is a white faced sheep with medium length wool. It is best known for its extremely heavy muscling, especially in the hindquarters. Rams on average weigh {{convert|90|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and ewes {{convert|70|kg|lb|abbr=on}} at maturity. At the withers, rams grow to {{convert|60|cm|in|abbr=on}} and ewes {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} at maturity.
References
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External links
{{commonscat|Beltex sheep}}
- [http://www.beltex.co.uk/ The Beltex Sheep Society]
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/equsb/174022366/ Image] from Flickr
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