Delaine Merino

{{Short description|Breed of sheep}}

File:Biggle sheep book (Plate II) (6938109727).jpg

The Delaine Merino is a type of Merino sheep predominant in North America. It has fewer skin wrinkles than some types of Merino, but still has a fine, oily fleece that extends through the legs. They are hardy and long–lived, with an ability to thrive on the arid ranges of the Southwest United States.{{cite book |title=Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep |last=Simmons |first=Paula |author2=Carol Ekarius |year=2001 |publisher=Storey Publishing LLC |location=North Adams, MA |isbn=978-1-58017-262-2 }} This breed originated in Spain, and is raised primarily for wool production.

{{cite web|url=http://dad.fao.org/|title=Delaine Merino/United States of America|work=Breed Data Sheet|publisher=Domestic Animal Diversity Information System|accessdate=2009-09-02}}

Delaine has become a most practical Merino sheep on the average farm and is especially adapted to range sheep production in the Western and Southwestern states. They are found throughout the United States at all altitudes.{{cite web|url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/delainemerino/index.htm|work=Breeds of Livestock|title=Delaine|accessdate= 2009-04-21|publisher=Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606144150/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/delainemerino/index.htm|archivedate = 2009-06-06}} This particular breed is very common within Australia and New Zealand for wool production.