Sheep Industry News January 2025

Celebrating the UNR’s rich agricultural history Journey of the Rafter 7

EMMA LANDE University of Nevada-Reno

W hile the Rafter 7 Merino flock peacefully grazed in a feedlot at the Fish Creek Ranch – just 12 miles south of Eureka – a coyote stealthily approached the unsuspecting flock, plotting the perfect op portunity to attack. Unbeknownst to the predator, an army of white guard dogs camouflaged within the sheep was eyeing its every move, strategically positioning to attack in defense of the flock. As the coyote closed in on its target, the encircling guard dogs swiftly subdued and dispatched it as the herd dogs hurriedly guided the sheep to safety. The Rafter 7 sheep flock – a research flock developed by the University of Nevada-Reno more than 30 years ago and now globally recognized for its fine, soft wool and flavorful meat – holds a special place beyond its role in research and is beloved by all who encounter or care for it. The flock’s sheepherders and Sheep Manager Fabrizio Cartagena equally share an unwavering devotion to its well-being. They go to great lengths to care and nurture the sheep. They have carried exhausted lambs for long distances through steep terrain to prevent fatalities, and with Carta gena, skillfully handled countless difficult births and a range of health problems and injuries, ensuring the survival of both ewes and their lambs. The Rafter 7 Merino sheep have come to reflect the profound bond between the animals and people at the heart of the Great Basin Research & Extension Center, a property of the university’s Experiment Station in Eureka, Nev. The story of the development of the Rafter 7 Merinos is an interesting one and illustrative of the university’s rich his tory of innovative contributions to the state’s agriculture and livestock industry. THE FOUNDATION: RAMBOUILLET The Rambouillet sheep was developed by the French government in the late 18th century in Rambouillet, France,

from a selection of Spain’s best Merino sheep. They were first imported to the United States in the mid-19th century and selectively bred to meet the needs of American sheep pro ducers. Today, they are predominantly raised on the Western ranges of the United States and have been regarded as the cornerstone of profitability in the sheep industry due to their many attributes. “Rambouillet sheep thrive in the harsh weather conditions of the Nevada desert,” said Scott Huber, the senior assistant director and research coordinator of the university’s Experi ment Station, who also manages the center’s operations. “They are gentle and easy to handle, and they require mini mal feed and water. Their agility also allows them to navigate the mountainous terrains to forage.” Rambouillet sheep are renowned for their high-quality wool and meat, and have strong milking maternal instincts leading to lower offspring mortality. They also breed out of season and are resistant to diseases, making them a finan cially rewarding choice for farmers. The university’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources has managed the Rafter 7 Merino sheep project since it developed the flock in 1990 – except for a brief period during which the flock was sold before being reacquired. The flock is a crossbreed of the Rambouillet sheep – a large, hardy breed that thrives in extreme climates and sparse forage conditions – and the Australian Merino, which is also reared in similar arid climates in Australia, and is renowned for its superfine, premium wool. The Rafter 7 Merino sheep project began with a partner ship among the university, the E.L. Wiegand Foundation and the Rafter 7 Ranch, located 21 miles south of Yerington, Nev., along the East Walker River. The new breed was aptly named after its initial home – the 3,000-acre Rafter 7 Ranch, which was purchased in 1988 by the Wiegand Foundation to develop the purebred Merino sheep and advance agricultural research and conservation efforts, according to Jim Carrico,

16 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org