Lacaune

Sheep · Dairy · 0 live listings

Lacaunes are dairy sheep from southern France, whose milk makes Roquefort cheese. They are white, hardy and well suited to intensive milking, and in North America they are often crossed with East Friesians for sheep dairies.

At a glance

Purpose
Dairy, meat
Origin
Tarn and Aveyron, France
Mature weight
Ewes 150–200 lb
Lifespan
8–10 years
Temperament
Calm, active
Best fit
Sheep dairies
Species
Sheep
Category
Livestock
Group
Dairy
Registries
Breed association, Scrapie program tag, NSIP (genetic evaluation)
Papers
5 categories
DocilityCalm, active
HardinessHardier than Friesians
Fleece workLight fleece
Beginner fitDairy work is daily

Scales follow breed-club and veterinary consensus; individual animals vary. Listings show what each seller has on file.

The tradeoffs, honestly

Purebred Lacaunes are scarce in the US, and much stock is upgraded from imported semen. Dairy ewes need twice-daily milking and high-quality feed.

Common questions

How do Lacaunes compare with East Friesians?

Lacaunes are hardier and have higher milk solids, while East Friesians often give more volume. Many dairies cross the two for balance.

What health tests should they have?

Ask for OPP, CL and Johne's results for the flock, and check that each sheep carries official scrapie ID. Codon 171 scrapie genotype (RR is resistant) is worth asking for on breeding rams.

How can I tell a purebred Lacaune?

Ask for pedigree and percentage records. In North America many are upgraded through crosses, so the percentage of Lacaune blood is worth knowing.

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Health tests to ask for
Veterinary exam on fileScrapie genotypeOPP negativeJohne's negativeCL (caseous lymphadenitis) negativeCD&T currentDNA parentage verifiedOfficial scrapie ID recorded

Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.

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Lacaune · Everybarn