[1] In general, Polypay sheep are noted for being a highly prolific maternal dual-purpose (meat and wool) breed.
[2][3] Dr. Clarence V. Hulet, at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, had five main goals when creating the new breed.
In 1968, Hulet performed the first cross breedings generating Finnsheep x Rambouillet (F x R) and Dorset x Targhee (D x T) lambs, which were born in 1969.
These sales incorporate traditional conformational characteristics as well as estimated breeding values (EBVs) generated through the NSIP.
In cross-breeding programs with a meat-type terminal sire, offspring exhibit hybrid vigor for traits such as growth rate and carcass quality.