The Polypay sheep breed was created in the 1960s.
Dr. C. V. Hulet created five main goals for the new breed. [1]
The original breeding stock were taken from the Finnsheep for their high prolificacy, early puberty and short gestation, Dorset for their superior mothering ability, carcass quality, early puberty and long breeding season, Targhee for their large body size, long breeding season and quality fleeces, and Rambouilet for their adaptability, hardiness, productivity and quality fleeces.
In 1968, the first cross breeding was performed. In 1970, the resulting bred sheep were produced. The Polypay name was created in 1975 from poly, meaning multiple, and pay, meaning return on investment. The American Polypay Sheep Association was formed in 1980.
There are seven areas the Polypay is judged on. Each category is assigned a maximum number of points, totaling to 100.
15 Points
A medium sized sheep, symmetrical in outline, alert in appearance and free of excessive wrinkles on neck and body. Rams should be distinctively masculine and ewes should be strong but feminine. The head should be free of horns (loose scurs permitted in rams) with an open white face (poll covering desirable). Ears should be medium length and evenly covered with white hair or short wool. Eyes should be clear and bright. The incisor teeth must touch the dental pad. Neck should be medium in length and smooth from head to shoulders.
15 Points
Weight of Mature Polypay's in Breeding Condition *
Rams 240 - 300 pounds Ewes 150 - 200 pounds
Height (measured to shoulders) *
Length (measured from the base of the neck to the base of dock)* Minimum length should be the height + 10%
15 Points
Back: Strong and level
Shoulders: Should blend in smoothly with body and top line. Shoulder blades should be smoothly attached.
Capacity: Chest should be moderate in depth and width with a trim brisket. Spring of ribs and body depth should be sufficient to provide enough feed capacity for adult sheep to maintain condition on course roughages or pasture alone.
15 Points
Loin: long, wide and thick, with thickness resulting from muscle not fat.
Rump: Wide at dock, full, deep twist and moderately level between hip and base of dock.
Leg: Thick and plump.
10 Points
Legs: Front and rear legs should be well placed under the corners of the body. Bone size should be ample as judged by the circumference below the knees. Hocks should be at an angle that allows free and easy movement. Hocks should not be too straight (post legged) or too crooked (sickle hocked) the pasterns should be strong and relatively straight.
Feet: Toes should be relatively close together.
15 Points
Ram should have two well-developed testicles. Yearling rams and older should have scrotal circumference of 36 centimeters minimum.
Ewes should have a pliable, strongly attached udder, with 2 medium sized teats, and ample udder capacity. Yearling ewes should show evidence of having lambed. All 15 points should be deducted if there is no evidence of a yearling ewe having lambed.
15 Points
Description: Dense, average staple length with uniform fiber quality from shoulder to thigh and carrying with uniformity to underline with heavy yield of clean wool.
Length: Average length
Uniformity of Grade: A spin count of 54 to 62. No extreme britchiness or extreme coarseness of wool.
Condition: Fibers well grown, free from breaks and strong throughout length. Yolk white or cream, not in excess, nor dry or discolored. Fleece free from matting or coning, free of burrs, leaves and trash.
