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Clun Forest Sheep
EFABIS Data
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International Name |
Clun Forest Sheep |
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Local Name |
Clun Forest Sheep |
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Location |
Welsh Borders |
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Breeding females
(year) |
3.191 |
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Trend of population size |
Decrease |
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Flock book established |
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Origin – history
The breed
originates from a now extinct native breed, the Long Mynd, from a
high grassland area of that name on the Shropshire / Powys border,
as well as the Shropshire, and Welsh breeds. It is adapted to upland
grazing, but lives equally happily in the down-lands of the south of
England, the hills of Wales and Scotland.
Breed description
The breed is
white without horns with a dark-brown face. The ears are fairly
short and are carried high. The legs are fairly free from wool. It
is highly resistant to disease and has a low mortality rate.
Longevity is a strong point of this breed with records showing ewes
can still be breeding at 12 years of age. The ewes are excellent
mothers, lamb easily, and have plenty of rich milk. When good
stockmanship is in place their feet are extremely sound and their
teeth long lasting. The pure-bred ram has a carcass weight of up to
29kg under a year old. When mated to any of the Down rams, the ewes
also produce early maturing lambs with excellent weight for age
results. Production of hybrid ewes is the main purpose of the breed,
and crosses with the Border Leicester and Blueface Leicester have
been used successfully for a number of years.
In recent
times crosses with continental breeds have proved to be of good
commercial value, giving offspring desirable in type for the modern
meat trade. Used for crossing with other breeds to produce good
commercial meat.
The fleece
weight is 2.5 – 3 kg and generally of a high quality. It is popular
with knitters and for making futons.
Conservation activities
Insitu
Meat sales
from the farm door.
Meat
production for local markets.
Breed
contributes to a sense of community.
Exsitu
Cryopreservation of semen, NSPstore with 1567 doses.
Contact:
The Clun Forest Sheep Breeders Society
Web site –
www.clunforestsheep.co.uk
Sec - Ms Davina Stanhope, 2 Upper Longwood, Eaton Constantine,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire,
SY5 6SB
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