Ryeland Sheep

We started breeding Ryeland sheep in 2006 and now successfully run a small flock at Oak Tree Farm. Our aim and goal was quite simply to breed a traditional British sheep producing high quality Ryeland lamb meat, which is both succulent and great tasting, but using traditional low input methods.

We selected the Ryeland breed for a wide variety of reasons as follows. They are noted for their placid temperament and are therefore easily managed and handled. The mothering instincts of the breed are excellent. They are suitable for organic farming as they do well on grass alone without the need for supplemental pellet feed. The lambs are smaller than cross bred high productivity breeds. Whilst slower growing, our lambs do have vigorous growth, reaching 45kg in six months on their mothers' milk and grass alone. They are very adaptable to most conditions and do well even on poor grazing. They also seem to be virtually immune to foot-rot, which is a great bonus.

The Ryeland breed is a compact, white faced breed being one of the oldest British breeds of sheep dating back some 800 years ago. They have been renowned for more than six centuries, since the time when the monks of Leominster bred sheep in the rye growing areas for the dual purpose of meat from the lambs and the production of a fine woollen fleece ideal for hand spinning. Until recently they were classified as a rare breed, but thanks to the dedicated breeders and awareness brought about by the Rare Breed Survival Trust, there are now sufficient numbers in Britain for it to be classified as a 'minority' breed.

Our Ram is Roston Figgy, who was the reserve champion in his class in the rare breed section at the Cheshire County Show. We purchased him from the Roston Ryeland flock in 2007. Our rams are put to the ewes on November the 5th each year and we can usually guarantee our lambing to start on the 1st of April. Our lambs are born in warm, straw-filled sheds and graze with their mothers on green pastures throughout the summer. We are extremely pleased with Figgy, who has quickly become a family favourite. He has produced multiple twin lambs in 2008, which were really fantastic prime lambs at six months. Our Ryeland pure bred lamb has a wonderful flavour and is extremely succulent - just like lamb used to be.

Please call us to discuss any information on the availability of 2009 breeding stock or lamb meat orders.