Conservation and Recovery of the Spanish Merino Sheep
The merino breed began to build in the Iberian Peninsula with the Romans
throughout the 1st century. In the Middle Ages, merino wool was so appreciated that
the export of livestock was protected and prohibited until the 18th century, when
some animals, due to the excellent properties of wool, were soon spread throughout
the world, improving the quality of local wool. However, in Spain the wool crisis of the
1960s changed the selection criteria of the Merino breed towards meat production,
many sheep were crossed with other breeds in search of larger animals and to the
detriment of the fineness of the money. This put at risk the continuity of the native
merino breed.
1975 by the Ministry of Agriculture and the efforts of a group of livestock families are
making it possible to maintain the Merino breed. Currently, nearly 100 farms belong
to the ACME, with herds of native breeds registered in the Herd Book of the Merino
Breed managed by the Association and which is the guarantee of origin of
Genuine Merino® wool.
Conservation and Recovery of the Spanish Merino Sheep
The merino breed began to build in the Iberian Peninsula with the Romans throughout the 1st century. In the Middle Ages, merino wool was so appreciated that the export of livestock was protected and prohibited until the 18th century, when some animals, due to the excellent properties of wool, were soon spread throughout the world, improving the quality of local wool. However, in Spain the wool crisis of the 1960s changed the selection criteria of the Merino breed towards meat production, many sheep were crossed with other breeds in search of larger animals and to the detriment of the fineness of the money. This put at risk the continuity of the native merino breed.
The creation of the National Association of Merino Livestock Breeders (ACME) in 1975 by the Ministry of Agriculture and the efforts of a group of livestock families are making it possible to maintain the Merino breed. Currently, nearly 100 farms belong to the ACME, with herds of native breeds registered in the Herd Book of the Merino Breed managed by the Association and which is the guarantee of origin of Genuine Merino® wool.
Animal Welfare
National Association of Merino Wool Breeders
(ACME) raise their herds extensively. Cattle graze
freely in the field in large plots, moving from one
plot to another to ensure access to abundant
pasture as well as clean water.
shepherds and have all the necessary veterinary
and health controls. The ACME requires all
associates participating in the Genuine Merino®
program to complete training courses to ensure
good handling and animal welfare.
Animal Welfare
All the livestock farms associated with the National Association of Merino Wool Breeders (ACME) raise their herds extensively. Cattle graze freely in the field in large plots, moving from one plot to another to ensure access to abundant pasture as well as clean water.
The herds are permanently supervised by the shepherds and have all the necessary veterinary and health controls. The ACME requires all associates participating in the Genuine Merino® program to complete training courses to ensure good handling and animal welfare.
Responsible Shearing
Shearing is an important operation and we evaluate it in detail to treat the animal in the best way and in the shortest possible time. Professional shearing methods are perfectly studied in all their movements to achieve these goals.The sheep are handled untethered or beaten and the shearing machines are kept in perfect condition to ensure a clean and satisfactory shearing. The operation is carried out in small groups of sheep, each animal is sheared in less than 2 minutes and then quickly returned to the herd.
Responsible Shearing
Shearing is an important operation and we
evaluate it in detail to treat the animal in the best
way and in the shortest possible time. Professional
shearing methods are perfectly studied in all their
movements to achieve these goals.The sheep are
handled untethered or beaten and the shearing
machines are kept in perfect condition to ensure a
clean and satisfactory shearing. The operation is
carried out in small groups of sheep, each animal is
sheared in less than 2 minutes and then quickly
returned to the herd.
The creation of the National Association of Merino Livestock Breeders (ACME) in 1975 by the Ministry of Agriculture and the efforts of a group of livestock families are making it possible to maintain the Merino breed. Currently, nearly 100 farms belong to the ACME, with herds of native breeds registered in the Herd Book of the Merino Breed managed by the Association and which is the guarantee of origin of Genuine Merino® wool.
Animal Welfare
All the livestock farms associated with the National Association of Merino Wool Breeders (ACME) raise their herds extensively. Cattle graze freely in the field in large plots, moving from one plot to another to ensure access to abundant pasture as well as clean water.
The herds are permanently supervised by the shepherds and have all the necessary veterinary and health controls. The ACME requires all associates participating in the Genuine Merino® program to complete training courses to ensure good handling and animal welfare.
Responsible Shearing
Shearing is an important operation and we evaluate it in detail to treat the animal in the best way and in the shortest possible time. Professional shearing methods are perfectly studied in all their movements to achieve these goals. The sheep are handled untethered or beaten and the shearing machines are kept in perfect condition to ensure a clean and satisfactory shearing. The operation is carried out in small groups of sheep, each animal is sheared in less than minutes and then quickly returned to the herd.
