SCENARIO TWO: A sheep farmer has a flock of Wensleydale sheep. To win a
prize at the local farming show, he wants to have sheep with
very long wool. Some time ago, he took the ewes (female
sheep) and rams and allowed them to breed. He allowed the
new lambs to grow and then kept the ones with the longest
wool and allowed them to breed. It took him 8 years to
produce a sheep with wool long enough to win a prize.
1. What is a male sheep called?
2. Why is this farmer's method an example of selective breeding?
3. Why did it take the farmer so long to win a prize?
4. Think about the weather conditions where you live. Write a list of characteristics that
sheep should have if they were farmed in your area.