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Kashmir Merino sheep Photo: placeholder pending image-fill pass

Kashmir Merino (fine-wool synthetic)

Kashmir Merino is a fine-wool synthetic sheep breed developed in Jammu and Kashmir by upgrading the local Gaddi and Bhakarwal hill sheep with imported Australian, Soviet and Rambouillet Merino genetics. It is registered with the ICAR National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) as one of the principal Indian fine-wool sheep populations, alongside Bharat Merino and Avikalin from ICAR-CSWRI Avikanagar.

Origin and distribution

The breed was developed under the J&K state sheep development programme from the 1960s onwards, with the Sheep Husbandry Department running breeding farms at Wadwan, Ratnipora and Goabal. The current breeding tract covers the temperate valleys of Kashmir, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri-Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara, Budgam and Kulgam districts. The breed is now self-sustaining and has stabilised with around 50-75 percent exotic Merino inheritance.

Morphology

Kashmir Merino animals are medium-sized with a compact, well-fleshed body. The fleece is white, dense and covers the body, head and legs up to the knee, with the typical merino "topknot" of wool on the forehead. Ears are medium and slightly horizontal. Both sexes are predominantly polled. Adult body weight averages 38-42 kg in rams and 30-35 kg in ewes.

Performance

Annual greasy fleece yield is around 1.8-2.4 kg per animal, distributed over two shearings per year, with average fibre diameter of 21-25 microns — significantly finer than indigenous Indian sheep and comparable with second-grade Australian merino. Lambing is single, with an annual lambing interval; age at first lambing is 18-24 months. Mutton from cull animals is consumed locally.

Management

Flocks are managed under a vertical transhumance system, summering on Margs and high-altitude bahks above 2,500 m and wintering in the valley floors. Stationary government and progressive private farms are stall-fed with green oat, lucerne, white clover and concentrate mixture. Pre-shearing dipping against external parasites, regular foot-bath and vaccination against PPR, sheep pox, FMD and enterotoxaemia (Small Ruminant Vaccination Schedule) (Ppr Vaccination Detailed) are the main veterinary anchors. The breed is the principal source of apparel-grade indigenous fine wool for the Kashmir textile sector.

See also: Chokla sheep, Gaddi sheep, Changthangi sheep.

Sources

  1. Kashmir Merino — NBAGR breed descriptor. ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources.
  2. Fine-wool sheep development. ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar.