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Lonk
EFABIS Data
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International Name |
Lonk |
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Local Name |
Lonk or Improved Haslingden |
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Location |
Pennine District of Yorkshire and Lancashire |
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Breeding females
(year) |
9.985 |
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Trend of population size |
Decrease |
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Flock book established |
1907 |
Origin – history
The Lonk is found
in the Pennine districts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. This ancient
and native hardy breed has been present on the Yorkshire and
Lancashire Pennines for centuries. One Lancashire flock has been
traced back to 1740. The breed was once farmed by monks at Whalley
and Sawley Abbey.
The name "Lonk" derives from the Lancashire word "lanky", meaning
long and thin.
Breed description
The breed is used
for the production of meat and (mainly carpet) wool.
Being a mountain sheep, this breed is extremely hardy and can live
on the poorest grazing and survive throughout the year on bleak
moors. The ewes are good mother and while a single lamb is preferred
on the hill they are frequently crossed with Texel and Suffolk rams
for production of long lambs suited to modern tastes. Crossbreds
produced with ewes of other upland breeds, such as the Dalesbred,
Swaledale, Welsh Mountain and Scottish Blackface, provide bigger
lambs and improved wool quality.
The Lonk is one of the largest native hill breeds and is white with
both sexes being horned. The head and legs have irregular black
patches with black on and around the nose and eyes, the legs are
long and basically free of wool. The fleece is trim and even from
head to skirting, white and free from kemp. Average mature ewe
weighs 45-54kg, rams 75-91kg.
Due to its geographical isolation this breed was endangered during
the 2001 FMD outbreak.The
flock book was established in 1907.
Conservation activities
Insitu
The breed incorporates a sense of community and contributes to the
local economy by helping with the maintenance of the landscape and
providing tourist attractions at local shows.
Exsitu
Cryopreservation of semen, Heritage Gene Bank 59 doses and National
Scrapie plan Semen Archive semen from 1 ram.
Contact: The
breed society is the Lonk Sheep Breeders Association.
Sec. Mrs J Shorrock ,51 Glen View Road, Burnley, Lancs. BB11 2QW.
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