Gulf Coast Native sheep

[1] Thousands of Gulf Coast sheep roamed free range over pastures in the South, except for regular roundups.

In an age before modern husbandry methods, these sheep adapted to the climate of the South or perished, breeding in decades of resistance to the conditions of the region.

[2] By the mid 20th century, Gulf Coast Native sheep supplied nearly all the raw wool for the Southern United States and hundreds of thousands of them were in existence.

[1] Though primarily a meat breed, Gulf Coast Natives carry a light wool that may have some hair in it, with a staple of 2.5-4 inches long.

Compared to other breeds, they are especially known for their ability to resist foot rot (Fusobacterium) and the dreaded Haemonchus contortus which are both more common in warmer climates.