 Lincoln sheep had
their foundation when the economy of Great
Britain was closely tied to the wool
industry.
They produce the heaviest and
longest stapled fleece of any other breed, with
a dense broad crimp, which is lustrous, due to
the light reflecting on the large variations on
the fibre. The wool is used for roller capping
(wrapping around the rollers in a wool scour),
and also for wigs used by the legal
profession.
Consistent with the long wool
(200mm) the sheep are correspondingly
large.
In Australia they were used
extensively in early days for crossing with the
Merino, the resulting half breed being inbred
and becoming the Corriedale. Subsequent crossing
using both Merinos and Lincolns resulted in the
Polworth, and Comebach type sheep (coming back
to the Merino) for use in colder weather
climates.
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