Our Sheep
Our sheep not only provide us with income from the sale of their delicious meat, they help in the fight against climate change. The sheep play a critical role in our sustainable farming system. We have two British breeds on the farm. Jo runs a small flock of rare breed Portland sheep. Portland sheep almost disappeared after the last flock left Portland in 1920. They are small, pretty sheep, thrifty and hardy and have a single lamb. Their fleece is soft and creamy, much desired by hand spinners. With the help of the Rare Breed Survival Trust and the Portland Sheep Breeders Group the Portland breed has survived. Although still a rare breed, there are now about 170 flocks all over Britain.
Archie runs a commercial flock of Poll Dorset sheep and Dorset Horn Sheep. Dorsets are a lovely big sheep producing excellent meat. They usually have two or three lambs. The sheep graze our diverse pastures, thriving on the variety of grasses and legumes. The grass sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, where it is stored as carbohydrates in the plant. The sheep move on as the grass is grazed down, the grass grows again, more carbon sequestered.
The fleece grown by a sheep is 50% carbon by weight. Synthetic fabrics are made from petroleum derivatives. So sheep are the real climate change activists, not those protesting draped in fossil fuel clothing.
Our Creator gave humans these beautiful sheep as a wonderful gift, so says Jo. Sheep provide us with perfect protein to grow and thrive, and wool to keep us warm. It is our responsibility to take the best possible care of these animals in thanks for this gift.
