<P> Suffolk sheep are a black - faced, open - faced breed of domestic sheep raised primarily for meat . </P> <P> They are mainly raised for wool and meat production especially when crossed with the progeny of a Welsh Mountain ewe . For example, a purebred upland ewe such as a Welsh Mountain ewe, might be bred with a breeding sire Bluefaced Leicester ram . This is a Welsh Mule, one of many different types of half - bred ewes . The lamb produced when a half - bred ewe is crossed with a Suffolk ram (as well as with other terminal sire breeds such as Texel, Beltex, or Charollais) is considered ideal for meat production, since they have unusually good conformation . The lamb has the easy - care benefits of a mountain ewe, as well as the excellent growth of the Suffolk ram . The Suffolk breed is also more resistant to elf fire, a disease brought on by eating, among others, the bog asphodel . Sunlight worsens the condition, but the black head and ears of the Suffolk limit sunlight down to the otherwise exposed skin . </P> <P> Suffolk sheep are also shown in youth and adult shows . Organizations such as the FFA and 4 - H allow middle - school and high - school students to learn responsibility by showing market lambs and breeding ewes . The sheep may be purebred or commercial (crossbred). </P>

What is the difference between suffolk and hampshire sheep