Corriedale wool ranging from 25 to 30 microns diameter. Fleece from a mature ewe will weigh with a staple length of . After cleaning, a yield of 50 to 60% of the raw fleece weight is common. Mature rams will weigh ; ewes can weigh from . This breed was developed in Australia and New Zealand by extensive breeding and culling as a cross between Merino and Lincoln sheep The goal was to develop a breed that would thrive in lower rainfall areas and supply long-staple wool. James Little was the original breeder. The name comes from a property in the
Breed known as breed traits, are inherited, and purebred animals pass such traits from generation to generation. Thus, all specimens of the same breed carry several genetic characteristics of the original foundation animal(s). In order to maintain the breed, a breeder would select those animals with the most desirable traits to achieve further maintenance and developing of such traits. At the same time, the breed would avoid animals carrying characteristics undesirable or not typical for the breed, including faults or genetic defects. The population within the same breed should consist of a sufficient number of animals to maintain the breed within