The Southdown bred
pure will produce a fast growing prime lamb in record time. Crossed on
any breed of ewe the resulting lamb will have a carcass of fine conformation
and high grade if marketed correctly. Southdowns excel if mated to ewe
lambs of any breed in a slightly smaller active lamb demanding less from
its dam.
Early literature
indicates that Southdowns were among the animals brought into the English
colonies as early as 1640. Later, documented importations where made into
the United States from 1824 to 1829 from the English flock of John Ellman.
Quality Southdown Sheep Genetics in Demand 2009-Aug-05 The entry at the premier Southdown sale at Maidstone on Saturday 1st August was described by auctioneer Alan Mummary, of Lambert and Foster, as one of the best for many years.