Lamb
The most prevalent sheep breeds in the Canadian lamb industry, based on recent trends up to October 2023, are Suffolk, Dorset, and Rideau Arcott. These breeds, particularly in Ontario, are known for their high registration numbers and are frequently used in genetic evaluation programs, according to Ontario.ca.
In British Columbia, the most prevalent sheep bred for the lamb industry are also Suffolks, Dorsets, and Arcotts, according to the BC SPCA.
- Suffolk sheep are known for their rapid growth, good muscular development, and excellent meat-producing qualities.
- Dorsets are popular for their strong maternal traits and instincts, are noted for very good milk production and low lamb mortality rates
- Rideau Arcotts are a prolific all-Canadian breed, known for their ability to give birth to multiple lambs, and were developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada specifically for our domestic markets and their ability to thrive in our widely varying climatic zones.
From outside our borders, breeds such as Southdowns, Hampshires, Cheviots, and Texels are also bred and raised for lamb here. Additionally, the BC Purebred Sheep Breeders Association lists East Friesian Dairy Sheep as significant, particularly for improving lambing percentages in other breeds – an example of favourable cross-breeding to purpose.
Recently smaller numbers of Hair Sheep breeds like Dorpers, Katahdins, and Royal Whites have been introduced for niche meat markets according to the BC Ministry of Agriculture.
More information about lamb production and processing can be had in the education component of our monthly general LMSPA meetings and this a focus for development in the Members Only section of our website.
If you are a lamb producer, buyer, processor or marketplace in BC, we’d love to hear from you and help share your knowledge and expertise – please contact us with your commentary and ideas! We are proud to already include in our membership some excellent lamb breeders, producers and growers.