Ryeland Sheep

The Ryeland Sheep originated in Herefordshire and is one of the oldest breeds of sheep in the UK. They became known as Ryelands because they were developed in the rye growing areas or rye landsand and were used to graze over the newly emerging rye to thicken it up and increase the yield.

By the early 20th Century Ryeland sheep had almost died out. The Ryeland Society was established in 1903 to help maintain and promote the breed. Prize winning Ryelands were bred on the Berrington Hall Estate in Herefordshire in the 1950's and Ryeland Sheep were exported to Australia and New Zealand. However, by the 1970's the breed was in danger once more. This time the Rare Breed Survival Trust came to the rescue and now Ryelands have minority breed status. Today, the Ryeland Sheep is popular amongst smallholders and consistently wins prizes at agricultural shows and smallholder events. The quality of the breed is gaining increased recognition and Ryelands are now also exported across Europe.

The Ryeland Flock Book Society promotes and registers pedigree Ryeland and coloured Ryeland sheep and exhibits at many of the major Agricultural Shows throughout the UK. Events and training sessions are also held in the regions giving members an opportunity to exchange views, knowledge and experience. The Society also holds an annual Show and Sale in Ludlow. and publishes a quarterly newsletter with news, views and information.

Information on the history of the Ryeland Sheep is provided courtesy of George Yeats and is an extract from his book "History of the Ryeland Sheep Society 1903-2003", which is available to purchase from the Secretary of the Ryeland Flock Book Society.

Ryeland Sheep - Breed's Characteristics

Ryeland pedigree sheep must be white throughout.

1. Head - Medium length, masculine in rams, head with no trace of horn and face showing character, strength and constitution
2. Face - Medium length, dull white in colour, relatively free of wool, dark skins around nose, nostrils not contracted. White hair on dark skin around eye. Eye bright and clear of wool.
3. Ears - Medium size carried slightly back (not heavy nor handing down), dark colour - either brown shade with white hair (sometimes spotted with black) or covered with short white wool.
4. Neck - Strong, broad, and set on so as to give the head a bridled appearance
5. Shoulders - Smoothly and well set, no depression behind
6. Chest - Broad and fairly deep
7. Back - Straight, level from base of neck to setting of tail, which should be broad
8. Ribs - Well sprung, body well down forming a good body line
9. Legs of Mutton - Full, well let down. Good length of hindquarter from hipbone to dock.
10. Legs and feet - Dull white colour, single black spot not objected to as it is invariably a birthmark and not hereditary. Legs below knee and hocks all straight, compact feet firmly set.
11. Skin - Healthy pink colour except where otherwise stated.
12. Flesh - Even and firm handling all over
13. Carriage - Smart appearance when walking or standing. Head held high.
14. Fleece - To be good in quality, stronger in rams than in ewes, deep in staple, thickly set on skin, handling firmly, close level appearance, every part including belly and purse well covered, except where otherwise stated. Free from coarseness, kemp black, grey or rusty fibres.

Coloured Ryeland Sheep

Ryeland sheep sometimes produce coloured lambs as the result of the expression of recessive genes. These coloured Ryelands have no gene for whiteness and so, when bred together, produce coloured lambs. Fleece colours vary from palest silver through many shades of grey to black. Occasionally fawn or dark brown may occur and the body colour may be uniform or spotted or patched.

The Ryeland Flock Book Society set up a Coloured Ryeland Register in 1989, allowing members who were interested in these sheep to register them. The Coloured Ryeland Group of the RFBS was formed in 1996 to cater for the interests of Coloured Ryeland Breeders. The Group organises special events, takes a promotional stand to Agricultural Shows and provides information on stock availability. A quarterly newsletter - Coloured Ryeland News, helps to keep members up-to-date with activities and developments.

Coloured Ryeland Sheep - breed's characteristics

1. Head - Medium length, masculine in rams, head with no trace of horn and face showing character, strength and constitution
2. Face - Medium length, dull white in colour, relatively free of wool, with mealy markings around the mouth and eyes acceptable. Larger areas of white marking may be present. White "tear-drop" markings on the inner corner of the eyes must be present and may be variable in size.
3. Ears - Medium size carried slightly back (not heavy nor handing down), dark colour and may have mealy markings on the edges.
4. Neck - Strong, broad, and set on so as to give the head a bridled appearance
5. Shoulders - Smoothly and well set, no depression behind
6. Chest - Broad and fairly deep
7. Back - Straight, level from base of neck to setting on of tail, which should be broad
8. Ribs - Well sprung, body well down forming a good body line
9. Legs of Mutton - Full, well let down. Good length of hindquarter from hipbone to dock.
10. Skin - Dark.
11. Flesh - Even and firm handling all over
12. Carriage - Smart appearance when walking or standing. Head held high.
13. Fleece - To be good in quality, stronger in rams than in ewes, deep in staple, thickly set on skin, handling firmly, free from coarseness and kemp and can be any colour or combination of colours. (No colour or combination of colours to be preferable to any other). Quality to be equivalent to Bradford Count of 56's-58's or finer.