[Jacob-list] Primitive trait list/Unimproved

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

I recall an email from Edd in 1998 in which he proposed the Jacob appelation 
"primitive" was a positive spin on the phenotype characteristics of the Jacob 
that made them less desirable when compared to other breeds...narrow, thin 
conformation, thrifty, and perhaps more directly comparing these 
characterisitcs within or between Jacob flocks.  Perhaps a search for 
"primitive" is actually a description of "unimproved"; that is, something of 
a "landrace" type rather than "wild" characteristics.

If "primitive" is associated (at least in my head) with something between 
feral and landrace breed, might "unimproved" be easier to describe if it is 
associated with a type that is between landrace and managed?

In March I did some reading on parasite resistance and tolerance and the 
Jacob and other breeds.  This trail of reading led to the Gulf Coast 
Native...and its original parasite resistance and tolerance, frredom from 
foot rot (swamp life tolerant).  The Gulf Coast Assoc began developing a 
breed standard and spent a ot of time on phenotype issues...color, horns or 
no, etc... and departed from the genotype issues which might have been a "two 
item breed standard" (1) put a pick-up truck of worms in the pen (2) keep the 
pen marshy for six months.  Those that survive are Gulf Coast sheep; it was a 
feral or landrace breed that "survived" and provided meat and fleece.  Many 
Gulf Coasts are crossed to try to put parasite resistance in another breed... 
rather unsuccessfully.  My example is a gross over simplification but the 
point is to focus on conserving the breed's unique character.

What if the term "primitive" were to be avoided and the term "unimproved" was 
more commonly used; just a simple recognition that the Jacob has not been 
crossed as a flock management method to meet a commercial market.  Is it 
enough to say the Jacob "survives" with low or medium management inputs, that 
it has a usable fleece, has a tasty flavor, and is ideal for the small farm?  

Or are the terms "primitive" and "unimproved" in the context of the Jacob 
breed the same?

Fred Horak