The Cormo was developed in the earlier part of the 1960′s in Tasmania, Australia. To arrive at the current day Cormo rams of the Corriedale breed were crossed with Superfine Saxon Merinos. The name Cormo is from the names of two of the parent breeds, Corriedale and Merino. They are a polled breed.

Cormo sheep were first introduced to the United States in 1976. Both carcass and wool traits are exceptional when Cormos are crossed with existing U. S. wool sheep. The Cormo is not being promoted as a show type sheep in the U.S., but rather as one of economic value in the West. Cormo sheep produce a long stapled, high yielding fine-wool fleece with a high degree of fiber uniformity.

Selections within the Cormo breed is based on a set of four criteria which were determined to be commercially desirable characteristics. The criteria for selection are:

1. Clean fleece weight

2. Fiber diameter (17-23 micron range)

3. Moderate body growth rate, or body weight

4. High fertility