Lacaune Sheep

The Lacaune sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from France. It was originated from the near area of Lacaune in southern France. And it was named for it’s origin place.

It is mainly a dairy sheep breed, and most widely used as dairying sheep breed in France. And it is the predominant breed of sheep used for Roquefort cheese production in France.

Currently there are about 800000 ewes available in France. And the breed is used as a milking sheep for a very long time. Although until recently, milking was not the dominant feature of the breed.

Average milk production of these animals was only about 70 liters per ewe per annum (during the human milking period and excluding the lamb suckling period). Remarkably, the milk production had quadrupled to 280 liters per annum by the 1990s.

Today the Lacaune sheep is one of the world’s high milk producing sheep breeds. And this was the result of a large-scale, rigorous selection program organized by a French government agency.

The program included artificial insemination of several million ewes over the years. And a vast array of government support for recording the performance of the progeny on many farms with respect to the milk yield and other outcomes.

And improved knowledge about animal management and nutrition for sheep milk production; and the willingness of many farmers to participate in the program and take advantage of what was being learned. Read some more information about this French milk sheep breed below.

Lacaune Sheep Characteristics

The Lacaune sheep are medium sized animal with white body coloration. They have short, fine double coat of white fleece, the undercoat sheds out in summer months.

They have relatively small hooves, which help them navigating the stony ground. They have elongated head and an arched profile. Both rams and ewes are usually polled, that means they have no horns.

As a medium sized animal, average live body weight of the mature Lacaune ewes is around 70 kg. And the mature rams on average weight around 100 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.

Uses

The Lacaune sheep is a milk sheep breed. And it is raised mainly for milk production in it’s native area.

Special Notes

The Lacaune sheep are very strong and hardy animals, as compared to other sheep breeds. They are well adapted to the harsh conditions of their native area.

They are also well suited to the rocky terrain. They are able to tolerate extreme seasonal variations in temperature, which is most common to their native area. They are excellent grazer and can adapt themselves easily to a variety of range conditions.

The Lacaune sheep are mainly used for milk production. They are ideally suited to the modern dairy operations. The ewes generally have good udder health and disease resistance.

These animals are very docile in terms of temperament, and it’s pretty easy to care for them. However, review full breed profile of the Lacaune sheep in the following chart.

Breed Name	Lacaune
Other Name	None
Breed Purpose	Mainly milk
Special Notes	Very hardy and strong animals, well adapted to the harsh conditions of their native area, well adapted to the rocky terrain, able to tolerate extreme seasonal variations in temperature, excellent grazer, can adapt themselves to a variety of range conditions, ideally suited to the modern dairy operations, ewes usually have good udder health and disease resistance, very docile, easy to care
Breed Size	Medium
Weight	Between 70 and 100 kg
Horns	No
Climate Tolerance	Native climates
Color	White
Rarity	Common
Country/Place of Origin	France

Lacaune Sheep Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Lacaune sheep breed:

History and Origin of Lacaune Sheep

The Lacaune sheep breed is believed to have originated in the Lacaune region of southern France. This breed was initially bred for its milk, which is used in the production of Roquefort cheese. The breed’s population grew during the 19th century, and it became widespread in the early 20th century.

Appearance of Lacaune Sheep

Lacaune sheep are medium-sized animals, with an average weight of 65 to 75 kg for rams and 50 to 60 kg for ewes. They have white wool, and their face and legs are usually black. Lacaune sheep have long ears, and their tail is short and thin.

Milk Production

Lacaune sheep are primarily known for their high milk production, and they are one of the most productive milk breeds in the world.

The average milk production of a Lacaune ewe is around 500 to 800 liters per lactation, with some ewes producing up to 1000 liters of milk. Lacaune milk has a high fat and protein content, making it ideal for cheese production.

Cheese Production

Lacaune sheep milk is used to produce Roquefort cheese, which is one of the most famous cheeses in the world. Roquefort cheese is a blue cheese that is aged in limestone caves, and it has a distinct flavor and aroma.

The production of Roquefort cheese is tightly regulated, and only milk from Lacaune sheep that are raised in a specific region of France can be used to produce this cheese.

Climate Tolerance

Lacaune sheep are well-suited to a wide range of climates, and they can tolerate both hot and cold weather. They are particularly well-suited to the Mediterranean climate of the Lacaune region, which has hot summers and mild winters.

Temperament

Lacaune sheep are docile animals, and they are known for their calm and gentle temperament. They are easy to handle, making them a popular choice for small-scale and hobby farmers.

Breeding

Lacaune sheep are bred primarily for their milk production, and they are usually bred using artificial insemination. This allows farmers to select the best rams for breeding, and it helps to maintain the high milk production levels of the breed.

Health Issues

Like all sheep breeds, Lacaune sheep are susceptible to a range of health issues, including foot rot, parasites, and mastitis. However, with proper care and management, these issues can be prevented or managed effectively and you can keep your animals healthy.