All CVM's are Romeldales but all Romeldales are not CVM's--*What can I possibly
    mean by this?  CVM stands for California Variegated Mutant and is a color pattern in
    the Romeldale breed, which was created by A.T. Spencer when he bought several
    New Zealand Romney rams in 1915. He used these Romneys to increase the staple
    length and improve carcass quality of his Rambouillet ewes. After many generations
    the Romeldale breed was established. Glen Eidman came into the picture years later
    when white Romeldales produced a few unexpected colored "mutants" . Eidman built
    his flock from these colored sheep and the California Variegated Mutant Sheep was
    born. Eidman spent 15 years developing the breed, then they were dispersed in
    several sales to farms in western states.

    *A CVM must have the badger markings, which are stripes from the muzzle to the
    eyes, and/or dark legs and underbelly. They can come in dark gray, black, brown and
    moorit.
    *Solid colored Romeldales do not have the badger markings and can come in most
    any color: black, white, and moorit.
    *CVM/Romeldales are very gentle and easy-to-care for breed. The rams are not
    overly aggressive or harmful to fences and barns. Ewes are wonderful mothers and
    produce ample amounts of milk.
    *If you are looking for wool to blend, consider this fine wool for blends with your
    alpaca, angora, llama, and kid mohair.
CVM Sheep

    ~About our flock of CVM sheep~

    Our flock has been established for 7 years, we have tried different bloodlines
    of the CVM/Romeldale breed.  We have met many breeders across the
    nation, and made some very dear friends as well. We found some of our
    purchases to be excellent, others, sadly were (or should of been) other's
    culls.  One lambing season can speak volumes, and each year we learn more
    and more about this breed, what it is hiding in it's genetic make up can
    astound you.

    We believe in purebred sheep but not inbred sheep, the trick we have found
    to getting bigger, parasite resistant, and extremely hardy sheep is to not use
    lines that have family trees with one or two branches.   Think, instead:  how
    can I get the most genetically diverse flock that has all the traits I am looking
    for?  Since such a large portion of our farm income comes from wool sales,
    we do breed with wool in mind.  Bigger fleeces equal bigger profits.  A sound,
    healthy animal is going to produce a sound, healthy fleece.  What you put in is
    what you get out.

    Thank you for considering the CVM sheep for your flock.  They are an
    excellent starter breed and are available in a rainbow of colors.  

    **My best piece of advice for this or any fine wool breed: if you are not
    purchasing or sewing your own sheep covers, plan on making a lot of felt or
    throwing away the wool, no matter what your feeding program is.  The
    handspinning market is very particular about getting CLEAN fleeces, so it is
    worth the extra effort. **