Alberta Sheep Breeders' Association

East Friesian

The East Friesian Dairy Sheep originated in the Friesland area of Holland and Germany, the same area that produced the Holstein dairy cow.  Good feeding and careful genetics over several centuries have produced a high production milk sheep that is very docile and adapts well to intensive parlour milking systems.

The East Friesian is very prolific, and a good ewe will sustain a lactation period of 220 days, producing an average of 400 litres.  Over the past 30 years, the breed has been used in crossbreeding to improve the milk yields and prolificacy of other breeds.  In Canada, it was used to develop the Rideau Arcott.

Alberta East Friesian Breeders