Navajochurro sheep have been part of the subsistence of three cultures in the. Navajochurro sheep into the traditional navajo american livestock breeds conservancy albc supports the navajo sheep project. For the sex column of the chart the usual abbreviations are e for ewe, and r for ram. Navajo and the churro even though the navajo had been in the southwest for centuries before the sheep came to them, they had been waiting. The fl ockbook remains open to conforming sheep that lack pedigree. Its a big book, rife with stories of people who have made a big difference in small parts of america. The elders would cry when i brought a churro sheep back to the reservation. The flock book remains open to all conforming sheep even if they lack pedigree. The churro sheep have been a mainstay of the navajo survival, and may soon return to that important role again, thanks to the diligence of some concerned people. Annie dodge wauneka, milton bluehouse and connie taylor with the assistance of conservancies such as the cs fund and american livestock breed conservancy and ganados del valle, the navajochurro sheep association was. The navajo sheep project is dedicated to preserving the rare navajo churro sheep and promoting the cultural traditions of the navajo and hispanic peoples.
The navajochurro sheep association now maintains its own registry and serves breeders across the country. In 1931, when the us government started the hoover dam project, the amount of churro sheep that the navajo were grazing was thought to be a potential silt problem for the hydroelectric generators and operation of the dam. Public and private donors provided support for space renovations, equipment and training costs ganados brochure. They concluded that the best wool for the weavers and the sheep most suitable for the high desert were the old type. The navajochurro, or churro for short, also american or navajo fourhorned is a breed of domestic sheep originating with the spanish churra sheep obtained by navajo, hopi and other native american nations around the 16th century during the spanish conquest. Sheep breeding record use this form for your breeding project many project members choose to include breeding as part of their 4h project.
Lyle mcneal formed the navajo sheep project to revitalize this breed and keep it from further depletion. Navajo sheep project to save a landrace the navajochurro sheep from extinction. The algarve churro sheep are primarily found and bred in faro, a region in portugal. Navajochurro wool and weaving united states navajo.
For one thing the navajo churro sheep are no longer on the endangered species list. When i discovered the churro sheep and realized that they correlated with the largest native american tribe, and then i learned how the navajo sheep had been mistreated, i thought, i need to do this. The navajochurro, or churro for short, is a breed of domestic sheep originating with the. In that picture, those are jacob spotted and navajochurro sheep, in the american farm area. Sheep like goats and cattle are ruminants which mean they have four compartments to their stomach. There are something like 38 rare livestock breeds in these three farm areas. The navajochurro sheep is a hardy breed, adapted to the adverse conditions found in hot, dry deserts and subzero climates. Show more i have been raising americas oldest breed of sheep the navajo churro for over eighteen years in montana. A traditional navajo sheep show with various colours of sheep. A printable, flatfile with lessons about churro sheep. Oral histories and myths had told of the coming or the second coming oral histories indicate that the navajo had once had sheep, but they had all died for some mysterious reason. The story of navajo churro sheep find these places.
The breed is renowned for its hardiness and adaptability to extremes of climate. Analysis of ganados del valle, nm hamilton college. The navajochurro has benefited from this broadbased conservation effort, and registrations rose steadily from 1986 through 1997. The navajochurro is still rare, but its survival now seems assured. Unlike wool from other breeds, wool from churro sheep is low in lanolin, so it does not. I have been raising americas oldest breed of sheep the navajo churro for over eighteen years in montana. Made of our landrace churro sheep wool, hand sheared, knit and embroidered in northern new mexico. We offer navajo churro sheep for breeding, grass fed lamb, wool, felt, skulls and pelts. Pdf navajochurro sheep and wool in the united states. Sacred sheep revive navajo tradition, for now for as long as anyone can remember, churro sheep have been central to navajo life and spirituality. The 4h sheep project is the great project for younger 4h members that want exposure to animal science projects. Multiple horns are not uncommon and should be balanced.
Breed and raise navajo churro sheep for their unique phenotype and wool. There are two main types of sheep projects that a 4h member may choose. Almost extinct in the 1970s the breed has returned through the multicultural efforts of native, hispanic and anglo shepherds around the us. This led to the establishment of the navajo sheep project, which is. These sheep with their long staple of protective top coat and soft undercoat are well suited to extremes of climate. Some of the very best master weavers of the navajo nation are able to work on projects in the navajo churro collection that they otherwise would not be able to do. A recent book highlighting the use of purebred wools for. The have long thin body that looks filled out due to their heavy coats. Americas first domestic sheep were small, rugged churro sheep from spain. Trying to discover where this claim came from is especially puzling since it is widely known in the navajo community that there were numerous flocks who, even to this day, did not come into contact with either the navajo sheep project or the navajochurro sheep association. Keeping a record book is an important part of the project. Small scale dinner project rumination on home in northern new mexico.
In 1977, when lyle mcneal started the navajo sheep project, there were an estimated 435 churros scattered around the west. Name two books that you have read that tell stories about sheep. From this flock he has been able to reintroduce navajochurro sheep to the navajo people. For as long as anyone can remember, churro sheep have been central to.
Mission of the navajo sheep project it is the mission of the navajo sheep project to preserve and breed back navajochurro sheep so they can return to their historic place and purpose among the navajo and hispanic cultures. By 1977, the old type navajo sheep had dwindled to less than 500 head so dr. He searched out enough remaining navajochurro sheep to start a foundation flock. I started my first weaving project in 2002 and am largely self taught.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Algarve churro sheep info, farming, kidding, woolmeat. Restoring navajochurro sheep iowa state university digital. Mcneal to retrofit an intermediatelevel wool washer that used biodegradable cleaners and was energy efficient. I love the simplicity of the navajo system of weaving and am continually amazed at the beauty and complexity of pattern that can be achieved. In two horned rams they should be well spread with adequate spacing away from the cheeks and jaw. Through the efforts of individuals such as ingrid painter, dr.
It will help you set goals for the project year, record your accomplishments and help. The ncsa currently has 166 members and over 5,090 registered animals. I am now living in bozeman, montana with my flock and will continue to raise quality breeding stock and wool. Horns should not grow excessively forward or into the face causing obvious interference with the sheeps well being. Sheep is life project and that the breed was almost extinct, she said. Navajochurro sheep can survive with or without us in their minds. Small producers like ourselves have played a critical role in bringing genetic diversity back in the navajochurro sheep. Last spring, i interviewed a utah state professor at the american sheep industry conference, which was being held at a fancy scottsdale resort. An important task was the analysis of breeding records and the publication of a flockbook. Rio milagro navajo churro sheep, silver city, new mexico.
The wide variety of colors of navajochurro wool allows me to develop striking contrasts without having to dye the wool. Algarve churro sheep pictures meat and wool production. Once on the brink of extinction, the population is now rebounding with the aid of. Navajochurro sheep and wool as a traditional fiber resource furthers the. The rams have beautiful spiral horns that are set back against their head. Over the next three centuries, churro sheep and the navajo indian nation wove a life together living in harmony and in balance with nature.
When you are breeding sheep, use the chart below to keep track of the ewes bred and their offspring. But that is one of the amazing things about the breed and we love it. Navajochurro sheep breed everything you need to know. Their meat is popular for being tender and tasty with good nutritional value. Navajo shepherds cling to centuriesold tradition in a. Mcneal, antonio manzanares, maria varela, goldtooth begay, dr. The navajo churro sheep breed a medium sized breed of sheep with a medium to long woolen fleece that hangs around their body like soft fur found on a dog. They gathered a design team comprising weavers, growers, a local machinist, and dr. Foremost among these, the navajo sheep project nsp at utah. Spin dance acres is a small farm dedicated to raising a rare and wonderful breed of sheep, navajochurro.
Logo and photos are the property of bide a wee farm and may not be used without permission. Navajochurro sheep association the navajo sheep project dine be iina, inc. I started as a 4h project and have developed a large flock of quality breeding ewes and rams from diverse bloodlines. Although known for their production of fine quality wool, they are primarily bred for mutton. Several flocks have developed, and the navajo sheep project has introduced cooperative breeding programs in some navajo and hispanic flocks. Although the classic period ended, many rugs are still made today. The navajochurro sheep association was founded to maintain a breed registry and ensure quality. The navajochurro sheep boasts many valuable traits. Navajo have even evolved the navajochurro genotype, a breed recognized by the american sheep industry. Raw navajochurro sheep wool good for craft projects 8 ounces of raw unprocessed wool. I have dedicated my projects to breed genetics and the return of the navajo churro sheep to the people. The navajo churro sheep project was started in september of 1997 on 80 acres of land south of bloomfield, nm, to replenish churro sheep to the navajo reservation. Navajochurro sheep carry the po lycerate gene which allows them to produce multiple horns, and both rams and ewes can be horned or polled.
Navajo sheep project targeted educational programmes. Navajochurro sheep association po box 94, ojo caliente, new mexico 97549 for more information visit the ncsa website at. Signage talks about the albc and the breeds history and status. We are proud to be active members of the navajochurro sheep association, and active promoters of this breed for their versatility and hardiness.
Navajochurro sheep may be horned or polled in either sex. Pdf navajochurro sheep have been part of the subsistence of three cultures in the southwest of the. The result of this project is history making in itself. Several flocks have developed, and the navajo sheep project has introduced. Many of those who weave raise their own navajo churro sheep flocks and process their own wool for traditional weavings. The project has placed many breeding stock with navajo families and helped. Become a part of the navajo churro sheep project by starting a flock of your own or get involved with a farm that is doing what they can to restore this heritage breed. The navajochurro sheep association ncsa was formed to preserve and promote this truly allamerican breed.
What an amazing opportunity for the rare sheep to get to know people, and vice versa. Irene bennalley feeds her dogs in the early morning outside her home in new mexico where she raises navajochurro sheep and angora goats. My 4h sheep project record book hunterdon county, nj. Searching for pasture high country news know the west. Even with all the new varieties of wool and synthetics, the navajo churro wool is still the most desired for traditional navajo weavings. The navajo churro sheep project the navajo churro sheep project was started in september of 1997 on 80 acres of land south of bloomfield, nm, to replenish churro sheep to the navajo reservation. To ask questions from navajochurro sheep breeders and just to gather information about these hardy sheep, check out the churro chat web site. To assisit the navajo and other breeders to breed back the navajochurro. Harrison joined the effort with her small navajo churro sheep herd in. Navajochurro heritage sheep tanglewood farm miniatures.
The professor is the founder of the navajo sheep project, an organization that has been instrumental in reintroducing the churro sheep to navajo families since the 1970s. The churro were the first domesticated sheep in the new world, and, by most historical accounts, were brought to the southwest by spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. This is why they can digest pasture grasses and hay. Weve all had those churros, the kind that come in a long uniform straight form, that were previously fried, frozen then reheated and theyre sitting there for hours next to the hot pretzels. And without the navajo sheep project, the churro sheep might just have been lost to the ages. These unique sheep, whose wool are used in the beautiful navajo blankets, have been slaughtered in attempts at genocide, but a new heart toward the navajo has brought their re. Shed project is raising funds for shed project on kickstarter. And without those sheep, the navajo people would have surrendered a. They are a small to medium size breed with ewes weighing form 85 to 120 pounds and rams ranging from 120 to 175 lbs. The navajo churro sheep is a heritage breed descended from sheep originally brought to america by the spanish. The churra renamed churro by american frontiersmen citation needed was first imported to north america in the 16th century and used to feed spanish armies and settlers. In addition to quality meat production, these sheep provide abundant milk and have a highly desirable dual fiber fleece.
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