Latest news with #RareBreedsSurvivalTrust
The National
2 days ago
- General
- The National
Rhoda Meek: My wayward, constantly escaping bundles of woolly joy
My five rare North Ronaldsay sheep are friendly, fascinating and utterly infuriating. Given their breeding – which is primitive and partial to roaming – their preference is to be anywhere except where they are supposed to be and they have been running rings around me for months. These ovine delights are tiny, which means that they can find and escape through gaps that even the dog struggles to get through. And as if that wasn't enough, they are clever to boot. In my (albeit limited) experience, they are masters of outwitting both dogs and people. That trait is genetic, thanks to a deeply unhelpful streak called 'anti-flocking'. It does exactly what it says on the tin: when they are under pressure, they scatter. Poor Wisp didn't know if he was on his head or his heels the first time he tried to round them up. The flock of five Ronnies split into groups of two and three. He set off after the three, who promptly split into groups of one and two. He went after the two … You get the idea. When he finally did corner a couple of them, they simply stared at him and refused to move. READ MORE: 'Joy, celebration and warmth' of Palestinian art to be showcased at Edinburgh Fringe When, dog and human, rapidly running out of steam, reached a rocky area, the wee horrors hid behind the rocks, their light fleece blending in perfectly. And for a last hurrah, as the dog got close enough to be useful, they keeled over and played dead. At least they are light enough that when they do that, I can pick them up and bodily move them to where I want them. It might have been the first time that I'd hefted a Ronnie on to my shoulders, but it wouldn't be the last! North Ronaldsay sheep are one of the oldest sheep breeds in the world. Native to the Orkney island of the same name, they've been in Orkney for more than 5000 years – part of a group known as Northern European short-tailed sheep. In 1832, the islanders built a dry stone dyke around the island to keep sheep off the best grazing land. Banished to the shoreline, the breed adapted by eating seaweed. That diet makes them very different from most other sheep. Seaweed is low in copper, so they've evolved to absorb more of it from their food. This means that if you feed them things with high copper levels, they can get copper poisoning. Apparently they also don't react well to Rhododendron, but then neither do many ecologists. Despite all that, they're hardy and incredibly low-input. They lamb easily, cope well with poor weather and don't need much help. Today, they're classed as 'vulnerable' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, with fewer than 600 registered breeding females left. That's not a lot, so there are an increasing number of people keeping them in locations other than Orkney in order to ensure the future of the breed. Which is why there are now three North Ronaldsay ewes and two wedders living in Tiree. Truth be told, it was a bit of an accident. I was selling tea at the Royal Highland Show a few years ago and, as you do when you're stuck in the same spot for four days, I snuck off for a look around. I ended up in the rare breeds tent and, as a Hebridean sheep owner, I naturally struck up a conversation. When I left, I had a sneaking suspicion I'd agreed to buy some Ronnies – but it had all happened so fast … Two years later, I got a text to say they'd been born and would be ready for collection in October. I figured that, as a hardy rare breed that lived on the shore and ate fresh air, they'd be fairly easy to accommodate. Their fleeces are lovely (North Ronaldsay even has its own mill) and I was feeling optimistic. What could possibly go wrong? They were so small that all five arrived in the back of a pickup. Raised in Argyll, but from pedigree stock direct from North Ronaldsay, they came with a full backstory – and a warning. Keep activated charcoal to hand. Just in case they eat something they shouldn't. I was left wondering whether it was quite so surprising that they are small in number. Mine had grown up on sycamore, but as that's in short supply here, I decided to put them back on seaweed. My neighbour had helpfully acquired a pile of seaweed for her garden and left it on my croft, so I pressed that into service during the autumn, scattering tasty sheep nuts over the seaweed to tempt the greedy wee group. They loved it, and were soon tucking into the seaweed to the extent that I was asked to cease and desist as the pile diminished. It was during this period I began experimenting with different fields. That was when I realised that being small in stature did not mean they'd be easy to manage. Quite the opposite. Their luxurious fleeces are perfect for getting stuck. The afternoon that Lachie-up-the-road and I had to extract them from a bramble patch two fields over, I decided the shore might be worth a shot. Maybe they'd heft nicely to a seaweed-rich bit of coastline. That was in January. They hung around my bit of the shore for a while – and for a few weeks they toured but were always home for dinner about 5pm. It was not to last. Since then, they've decided the whole township is theirs. They're not just on my part of the shore – they've gone fully feral. No fence can hold them. READ MORE: Freedom Flotilla urges UK Government to 'protect' ship from Israel as it nears Gaza They've been in sheds, veg gardens and patios. They were even caught delicately nibbling primroses in a holiday let's front garden. The township WhatsApp group has been full of sightings, updates and, luckily, good humour. But patience can only stretch so far. As we come into the summer season of the crofting year, we need to keep certain ground ungrazed to qualify for subsidies. Rogue sheep, even seaweed-powered ones, are a problem. And so began the process of rounding them up and securing them. The whole thing should've had a Benny Hill soundtrack. I caught them once and put them in by the house – then left a gate open one day. Off they went. The WhatsApp updates rolled in. I caught them again, then headed to Inverness, feeling triumphant – until my phone started pinging halfway up Loch Ness-side with laughing emojis and escape updates. They've now been captured four times, and as I write this, they've spent 48 hours in a new field without escaping. It's a record. There have been half-joking suggestions of barbecues. I've more than once threatened to rehome them. But the truth is, I couldn't possibly. Partly because I like a challenge – but mostly because I respect the hell out of them. These sheep are clever. They've survived for centuries by being stubborn, scattered and suspicious. Their refusal to flock and their love of a wander are exactly what's kept them going all this time. The Ronnies and I are clearly in this for the long haul. But I'd be lying if I said I haven't considered building a wall.
Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Folly Farm's orphaned lamb and goat become inseparable
Ted, a seven-week-old Torwen lamb, and Gary, a three-month-old Golden Guernsey goat kid, have formed a special bond at Folly Farm. Gary is described as 'cheeky' and full of mischief, while Ted has 'everyone wrapped around his little hoof.' Both animals lost their mothers shortly after birth and have been hand-reared together by the farm team, who gave them round-the-clock care. Kim, farm manager, said: "We only hand rear animals when absolutely necessary, and it's taken a lot of dedication to ensure both Ted the Torwen and Gary the Golden Guernsey have the best start, but it's been totally worth it. "They've certainly stolen our hearts and are adored by our staff and guests – especially when we're able to take them out for our meet and greet sessions." Ted and Gary currently live together in the Jolly Barn at Folly Farm. The two young animals are not just adorable—they also represent important conservation work. Both Torwen sheep and Golden Guernsey goats are listed as 'at risk' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Folly Farm is the first Welsh farm park to achieve rare breeds status from the RBST, recognising its dedication to conserving rare livestock breeds. The farm features paddocks with rare breed farm animals from across the UK, with a focus on Welsh breeds like Ted. Visitors can now see Ted and Gary in the Jolly Barn, where they have become a popular attraction.
Press and Journal
13-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Do you know your Bourbon Reds from your Nankins and Minorcas?
There's a niche area of farming – away from the mainstream business of producing beef, lamb, pork, chicken and eggs – quietly doing its bid to preserve Britain's rare native livestock and equine breeds. There are sheep and cows among these, but also pigs, horses, ponies, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. In fact, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has more than 100 varieties on the 'priority' section of its 2025-26 watch list alone. They include Eriskay ponies, Tamworth pigs and Old English goats. There are dozens of poultry breeds getting the priority treatment. Chicken varieties include Andalucian, Australorp, British Faverolles, Buff Orpington, Cream Egbar, Croad Langshan, Minorca, Nankin, Scots Dumpy and Sicilian Buttercup. Bourbon Red, Crollwitzer (Pied), Harvey Speckled and Narragansett are among the turkey types. How many of these have you heard of? These fabulously-named animals are new to me. Then there's the 'at risk' category, which includes Llanwenog and Lonk sheep, Shetland and Traditional Hereford cattle, Clydesdale horses, Highland ponies, British Saddleback pigs, Bagot goats and many more. Many of these breeds would die out if it wasn't for the efforts of the RBST and a dedicated band of people throughout the UK who are committed to keeping them alive. Alice Lennox straddles both camps, having recently found her 'dream job' with RBST. She grew up surrounded by rare breeds of pigs, cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, ducks and other animals. Her mum and dad, Graham and Debbie Lennox ran Doonie's Rare Breeds Farm, in Aberdeen. For decades, Doonie's was a well-loved destination for visitors from across the north-east and beyond. It was also a working conservation farm, with RBST accreditation. But it was forced to close in August 2023 after landowner Aberdeen City Council decided to make the site part of the city's multi-million-pound energy transition zone. The Lennoxes had run Doonie's for 30 years, and it had been open since the 1970s. Now a few months into her new job as Scottish co-ordinator for RBST, Alice told me she was loving the role. She added: 'I'm spinning a lot of plates but thoroughly enjoying it. Alice won the rare breeds champion of the year title in the 2023 RBST Scotland Food and Farming Sustainability Awards. The accolade recognised her work at Doonie's from 1993 until its closure, and her decade volunteering with RBST support groups around Scotland. She is as passionate as ever about rare breeds and still gets to look after animals belonging to her friends. She's effectively the face of RBST north of the border, focused on achieving its objectives here. Her days are devoted to conserving and promoting native livestock and equine breeds as sustainable alternatives to the intensively farmed animals that have come to dominate our countryside in recent decades. Her duties also include managing events, supporting applications for funding and advising on conservation projects. Events she's at the heart of in 2025 include the RBST Scotland Conference on July 31. Asked why her work is so important, Alice said: 'Our rare native livestock and equine breeds have long served Scottish farms and communities. 'They continue to deliver important roles today and for the future too. 'Bred for local landscapes and conditions, our rare livestock breeds are ideal for high quality, nutritious and sustainable food production that also supports the natural environment. 'The equine breeds are fantastic across a range of disciplines, and the ponies are also excellent for improving natural biodiversity through conservation grazing.' Conserving the genetics of these irreplaceable breeds could also be crucial in the face of future disease outbreaks, the impacts of climate change or other as-yet-unknown challenges.' Alice Lennox, Scottish co-ordinator, RBST She added: 'There are fantastic examples of rare livestock and equine breeds at the heart of farm diversifications. 'Conserving the genetics of these irreplaceable breeds could also be crucial in the face of future disease outbreaks, the impacts of climate change or other as-yet-unknown challenges. 'These breeds are part of Scotland's identity and I look forward to exploring their future at the heart of farming and land management at the RBST Scotland Conference at Guardswell Farm, Perthshire, on July 31.' Through its 4,200 members, staff and support groups, RBST provides a network of knowledge to support and encourage those doing their bit to support native rare breeds. Native breeds play a major role in rural life in the UK. According to RBST, there are around 30,000 herds and flocks in the category contributing more than £700 million a year to local economies around Britain.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
How scarves could help to save a rare Scots sheep breed
Rebecca McLellan is trying to safeguard the future of a rare breed of sheep one scarf at a fell in love with the Castlemilk Moorit and now has her own flock of 18 on the farm where she and her husband live in Rockcliffe on the Solway was keen to look at ways to help ensure the long-term survival of the sheep, which are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) "at risk" was when she hit on the idea of learning to weave to try to encourage other potential breeders to follow her lead. She was born in Kenya and worked in London before moving to Scotland to a house which had been in her husband's family for about a century."With that came the responsibility and the stewardship for that land," she said."The reality was it had always been grazed by sheep, so we took a look at it and thought, well, there we go, that's the answer - we've got to get some sheep."After that they had to narrow it down to what type."Some native breeds in Scotland are becoming ever rarer, and I'm mad about my conservation," she said."We started to look for rare breed of sheep that were native specifically to this corner of Scotland and settled on the Castlemilk Moorit." The brown-coated, curly-horned sheep were originally bred in the 1920s by Sir John Buchanan-Jardine for his Castlemilk estate in are on the "at risk" list, with an estimated breeding population of between 900 and 1, said they were originally bred as a "park sheep"."They are an elegant-looking breed of sheep," she explained."They've got sweeping back horns, they've got neat legs and a sort of gazelle or deer-like head."So they grace the field - but they also have this practical side with the fleece."It is a soft fleece - I blend it to make it go further - but it's a soft mocha colour, it is cream at the tip down to chocolate at the base."She describes the sheep as "quite flighty" but also "quite curious"."If you do anything in the field or anywhere near them within a blink of an eye, they're all standing around in a circle, watching," she said. Rebecca turns their fleeces into tapestries, knitwear and upholstery and hopes her work can help save the breed by showing the value they can offer."We've got breeds that have developed and evolved in Scotland particularly - but across the UK - which suit the geographical nature of our landscape," she said."So you're not trying to raise a breed of sheep that isn't suited to where you are from."There's a reality that these are breeds that need to be helped to survive and not sort of forgotten in the rush to have ever more economical sheep which are good for raising just for meat." Rebecca is throwing open the doors to her workshop as part of the Spring Fling open studios event across Dumfries and Galloway between 24 and 26 will get a chance to see what she produces, how she does it and meet the rare breed the process, she hopes it might convince a few more people that the Castlemilk Moorit deserves to flourish in the years to come.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Breeder calls for public to support native sheep
A Manx Loaghtan sheep breeder has said more should to be done to protect the rare species at risk. Native to the Isle of Man, the species has been added to the urgent priority list by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). It follows a drop in numbers of the species, flocks of which can also be found in n parts of the UK and in the Channel Islands, registered with the conservation group. Ruth Meade of Red Mie Farm in the north of the island said: "They're part of our heritage and our landscape and if they go they will be gone forever." The animals previously had a brush with extinction in the 1950s when numbers had declined after the introduction of other hill breeds. While the species experienced a revival, the disbanding of one of the island's biggest farms last year has seen numbers significantly decline once more. The RBST has called for the UK's environment secretary to re-establish a ministerial native breeds roundtable, which "was designed to support strategic and co-ordinated action for native breeds". Mrs Meade has been breeding Loaghtan for 16 years with her husband and they have about 100 sheep at any one time. She said after the disbanding of a farm that bred the species last year, the island lost about 1,000 animals, representing a third of local stock. "There has been a significant drop in the numbers of Loaghtan just because of that one event," she explained. Mrs Meade said there were concerns among farmers that "there are very few young people" breeding the species. While more breeders and keepers were needed, she said the public also had an important part to play. "The public do need to support the other side of it by purchasing the products - the meat and the wool - which will enable breeders to keep them," she said. She added there should be "a government interest in preserving the breed because it is heritage, and the last native farm animal to the island". The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) said it helped to re-establish the Manx Loaghtan Breeders Association in 2024 and "continues to support its work". It said a Defa representative would be attending the group's next meeting, which takes place this month, to "understand what else can be done to support the breed". Breeders also had access to funding through the department's agricultural support schemes, which rewarded conservation and sustainable food production, "both of which the breed contributes to", the department added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Manx flock grows to more than 450 Manx sheep to get 'greater recognition' Rare Breeds Survival Trust - Watchlist Department of Environment, Food and Agricultural
