Ryeland sheep originally come from Herefordshire, England and are one of the oldest British breeds. The title ‘Ryeland' is derived from areas of rye that these sheep used to graze on. Early on, Ryeland sheep were recognised for their ability to produce fine wool from poor feed. However, environmental trends and market demands led to a shift whereby Ryelands became a quality meat breed. Interestingly, it was Ryeland bloodlines that introduced the poll gene to the Dorset, helping to contribute to the creation of the Poll Dorset breed.
Ryeland sheep are a traditional English breed that are widely recognised for the quality of the meat they produce. Consequently, they are often bred as prime lamb sires. In fact, their meat is popular in the restaurant industry and in rare breed butchers. Ryeland sheep can perform well on good grass - often there is no necesseity for additional feed. This makes them ideal candidates in the organic lamb market.
Other common traits in Ryland sheep include high fertility, rapid growth rates, early maturity and foot rot resistance. They are an ideal selection for crosses with maiden or Merino ewes. Ryelands are generally more popular with small holders. Ryeland sheep in Australia have proven to be good mothers who exhibit easy lambing at rates of 150 percent to 200 percent.
The quality and texture of their wool renders it suitable for hand spinners and weavers. It is thick set on the skin, handles firmly and is free from coarseness and grey or rusty fibres. The staple length is typically between 8 and 10 centimeters, measuring at 25 to 28 microns, with average weights of 2 to 3 kilograms. Due to the existence of recessive genes, sometimes coloured offspring are produced that exhibit coats either silver, grey or black in colour.
Ryeland sheep first arrived in Australia in 1919 and today, the Rare Breeds Trust of Australia considers them an endangered breed. They were first imported by the New South Wales Department of Agriculture. Ryeland sheep have played a huge role in the Australian wool industry and constitute one of the nine heritage breeds that founded the Australian sheep and wool industry. Although the first stock arrived in 1919, it is quite possible that Ryeland bloodlines existed in the country in other breeds, such as Anglo Merinos.
