This fiber comes from the United States.

Targhee is not a rare breed, but I love its bouncy, springy texture and fine hand, and so like to provide it to other handspinners.

Targhee is one of the United States' youngest breeds, having been developed in the 20th century. The Western sheep industry in 1900 was based primarily on Merinos and Rambouillets. With the evolution of the sheep industry from being primarily wool-producing to meat and fiber, a more well-rounded sheep was desired. Starting in 1926 at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho as well as various private ranches, the breed was  developed from selective breeding of Rambouillet, Columbia, Lincoln and Corriedale crosses.

The result of this crossbreeding program was the Targhee breed, which derives its name from the Targhee National Forest on which the experiment station's flock grazes in the summer. The forest was named for a chief of the Bannock Indians who had lived in the area in the 1860's.

The Targhee is a dual-purpose sheep with good meat type and a heavy fleece of high quality wool. They are especially popular in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, where their ¾ fine wool and ¼ long wool breeding is favored by western ranchers.

Targhee fleece has a micron measurement of 25-21 and a spinning count of 64-58. The staple length of the fleece will be 3-5" (7.5-11 cm).

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Listing: Not Applicable. For more information, please see: http://139.78.104.1/breeds/sheep/targhee/

Also note the Targhee Combed Top in the Combed Top Spinning Fibers Section here: http://www.spirit-trail.net/store.php?crn=301