What is a CVM? CVM stands for California Varigated Mutant, actually a color pattern of a Romeldale. This is the term used for a badger faced pattern.
Glen Eidman, a partner of J.K. Sexton, in the 60's discovered in his purebred Romeldale flock a multi-colored, badger faced ewe. Two years later, a twin ram with the same badger face pattern was born. When bred with the original ewe, the resulting off-spring were of the same badger markings.
Subsequent breedings and additional mutations from his Romeldale flock resulted in the California Variegated Mutant. Mr. Eidman spent the next 15 years developing these sheep. Not a single replacement ewe or ram was sold, so that only the highest quality of genetics were used to replace the nucleus.
In 1982 the CVM flock, which numbered 75, was sold. They were dispersed among a dozen different buyers throughtout California. Since then, CVMs have been kept purebred in only a few flocks, while in others, they have been crossed with other breeds. Obviously, only purebred CVMs from this orignal stock can be registered.
Our CVM sheep produce fine naturally colored fleeces and robust lambs. Our purebred CVM's DO NOT lose their color or fleece softness as they age, actually their fleeces get darker and softer with age. Annually, each sheep grows an average of 6 to 12 pounds of wool with an average yield of 65%. The fleeces have a staple length average of 3 to 6 inches with a Bradford count of 60 to 64. The wool is soft and can be worn next to the skin with a well defined crimp. This wool is truly developed for the spinners and fiber artists in mind. Our sheep are kept blanketed year round, so our fleeces are clean and ready to work with. We also have a few cross-bred ewes with very nice fleeces that are available.
