Lincoln Longwool

The Lincoln Longwool is one of the oldest established breeds of sheep developed specifically to produce heavy, long and lustrous fleeces and later as an important dual purpose breed producing a large carcass for meat.

The "old" Lincoln (early breed type) was first identified in the 1700's while Robert Bakewell, a famous livestock breeder, was creating his "new" Leicester sheep. Later, Lincolnshire breeders used the new Leicester rams on coarse-wool Lincoln ewes to begin the development of the "improved" Lincoln. The improved Lincoln combined more quality meat with a higher quality of wool than the old Lincoln breed. In the 1800’s thousands of Lincoln were exported around the world and used to improve several breeds in body size and wool quality. At that time the Lincoln Longwool was also essential to the worsted spinning industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, the versatile Lincoln fleece is popular for spinning, weaving and many other crafts. Lincoln wool is sought after by mohair blending spinners as well because its own luster compliments mohair so well. Blending Lincoln with other fibers adds tensile strength and considerable luster.

Mature rams weigh from 250 to 350 pounds and mature ewes will range from 200 to 250 pounds. Fleece of the Lincoln forms heavy locks that are often twisted into a spiral near the end. The staple length is among the longest of all the breeds, ranging from 8 to 15 inches. Lincolns produce the heaviest and coarsest fleeces of the longwool sheep. Fleece weight can range from 12 to 20 pounds and micron diameter from 33 to 41.

The Lincoln Longwool made a significant global impact on sheep breeding and genetics but today is globally rare and its future uncertain. By the 1920s the number of Lincolns had greatly decreased and by the 1970s the number of flocks had declined. The breed is now classified as ‘at risk’ by the Rare Breed Survival Trust. Lincoln Longwool breeders play an important role in the survival of this wonderful breed.