Blog Posts -

IFR Hosts Shepherds From Israel

5/31/2014

International Finnsheep Registry president, Heidi Trimbur welcomed shepherds from the Golan Heights, Israel during the month of May. The photo above was taken on the Golan Heights. The exchange of ideas, cultures, common challenges and successes was beneficial to all parties. While the number of Finnsheep in Israel is fairly small, the breed does have a presence in the region. In most cases, Finnsheep are crossed with native sheep breeds to enhance production. A complete article relating to Finnsheep and sheep production in Israel is available to IFR members in the May 2014 Member E-Blast.

Spring Lambing Season In Full Swing!

4/1/2014

Spring lambing season is in full swing for many Finnsheep breeders! We continue to uncover interesting markings and patterns in the breed! Members will receive updated information in their next newsletter!
The spring 2014 newsletter has been released. There is something interesting for everyone, regardless of where your Finnsheep interests are targeted! Members continue to participate in the IFR Breed Improvement Program! Feedback regarding the program has been very positive. All participants will be receiving a BIP data collection survey by April 12th. All collected data will be added to our database and generated reports will be sent to members.
The efficiency of product product of a quality Finnsheep is unsurpassed. If you are looking for a breed capable of producing more than one high-quality product, consider IFR Finnsheep!

IFR Breed Improvement Program Update

2/17/2014

The IFR Board of Directors met February 7th for its quarterly planning session. One of the items on the agenda was the extension of the Breed Improvement Program sunset date. The Board voted to extend the date for Source stock animals enrollment by one year. As members begin to see the improvement in their flocks that can be achieved by participating in the BIP, program participation has increased. Birth weights, survivability, rate of gain, carcass and wool traits have all improved. Scrapie resistance, introduced to the breed through the BIP, has increased. This is especially important as USDA/APHIS continues to find scrapie in flocks throughout the United States.

Early Lambing Time Has Arrived

2/3/2014

Early lambing season has arrived! All IFR members can review lambing preparedness steps in their IFR Member Handbooks! Members can double check their lambing plan by logging on to the Members Only page. New to Finnsheep? Contact the IFR or any IFR representative to learn more!

Using the Five Factors of Color to Produce Reliable, Beautifully Colored Fleeces in Finnsheep

1/16/2014

Silver-Blue Finnsheep wool from a registered Finnsheep ram. By understanding the five factors that can affect fleece color, breeders can accurately predict the final fleece color in lambs. The silver-blue color shown here is the result of two specific patterns over a black base. A high-efficiency pigment producing family is necessary to maintain the rich, deep color.

IFR Prepares for its Annual Meeting!

10/29/2013

IFR members have marked their calendars for the the IFR Annual Meeting. This year's meeting will be held at the IFR offices in York, PA (U.S.A.). Members can join the meeting in person or participate via Skype. The meeting agenda is packed with informative presentations and discussion opportunities designed to continue to create awareness of the Finnsheep breed and assist owners and breeders with their Finnsheep businesses.
2013 marks a great growth year for the IFR. The organization doubled its membership from 2012 and the growth trend continues! Its outstanding member support is credited as a reason for the organizations rapid growth.
The IFR is a unique registry, providing educational materials and opportunities for its members, a professional, knowledgable board, highly respected consultants, full registration services, industry and marketplace representation and breed improvement programs. It seeks to build positive business relationships with all organizations interested in the preservation and promotion of the Finnsheep breed and the sheep industry world-wide.

The Versatile Finnsheep Offers Production, Carcass and Wool!

10/28/2013

Finnsheep are a very versatile breed! Quality Finnsheep possess a good carcass, exceptional wool and fabulous production capabilities! Finnsheep wool comes in a wide variety of colors and shades. The photo above is a deep, rich harma/gray which is highly sought after by handspinners and crafters.

Dr. Ericksson Joins the International Finnsheep Registry as a Consultant

9/23/2013

The International Finnsheep Registry welcomes Dr. Ruth Ericksson to its consultancy group! Dr. Ericksson is a U.S. citizen currently residing in Sweden. She recently assisted the IFR by reviewing the IFR Finnsheep Color, Pattern and Marking Guide.
The IFR maintains a group of consultants that generously give their time and share their expertise in their given areas in order to better enable the IFR to provide it members and the general public with education and resources that can be used to increase understanding of the Finnsheep breed and the sheep industry.

IFR Releases New Finnsheep Color, Pattern and Marking Guide!

8/16/2013

Just what color IS that sheep? IFR members now have a reference manual to use in order to better determine what factors are present that affect the visual color of Finnsheep fleece. This makes duplicating a desired color much easier than ever before! The manual was compiled by a team of IFR members, board directors, consultants and well-known geneticists. The guide is available to IFR members at no charge as part of their membership benefit package.

IFR Prepares to Release its updated Color, Pattern and Marking Guide to its Members!

8/9/2013

What color is your Finnsheep? How do you reproduce it in your flock if you want more of it? How do you remove a color or shade from your flock if you want to make some changes? These questions and more are answered in the IFR's updated Color, Pattern and Marking Guide! The guide is available at no cost to all IFR members and will be in the mail the week of August 12, 2013! Updates to the Finn Wool page will reflect the new scientific discoveries discussed in the guide!