Developed on the island of Texel off the coast of Holland in the early 1800's, the Texel is a meat sheep that produces a lean, well-muscled and high-yielding carcass.  First imported to Canada in the 1980's they are now making a significant contribution to the country's prime lamb trade through crossbreeding.
Texel rams are used frequently as terminal sires to improve meat characteristics.  The breed is very docile and easily managed and adapts well to either pasture based or feedlot systems.  They are only average in prolificacy but produce a high-yielding carcass.
Photo courtesy of Tracy Hagedorn