Sheep

Ryeland

2008 Watchlist; Category 6, Other native breeds.

The Ryeland sheep was developed in the Southern part of Herefordshire (Archenfield) on land, which originally grew a great deal of rye.  It is probably the oldest of the recognised breeds with the earliest references dating back to the twelfth century when the monks of Hereford were trading in Ryeland wool, which was known as 'Lemster ore'.  The original Ryeland was the only British sheep that could compete with the Merino in fineness of wool. It has changed in type considerably since that time, and now is a typical terminal sire breed as a result of crossing with Leicester and Southdown rams.

It still produces fine wool, although this no longer is its primary purpose, and a Coloured Section of the breed was formed in the 1990s in recognition of the demand from handspinners for naturally coloured wool.

The Ryeland is a medium-small compact sheep; the average weight of rams being 80 kg and ewes 55 kg. Its face and legs are white, and well-covered in wool. It is docile and easily managed.

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