Breed Standard & Benefits

Lonk Pamphlet from 1954
The Breed Standard in 1954, things have changed a little since then!

The Key Points to a Lonk Sheep

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Registering your Lonks

Becoming a member of the Lonk Sheep Breeder’s Association offers significant benefits for both breeders and the preservation of this historic breed.

As a member, you gain the ability to officially register your sheep, ensuring their pedigree and enhancing their value.

Registered Lonk sheep can be sold at the prestigious society sales, providing access to a wider market of enthusiasts and farmers seeking quality livestock.

By joining the association, you also contribute to the conservation of the Lonk breed, helping to protect its unique genetic heritage and support the survival of one of Britain’s oldest and hardiest native breeds.

Registration of Lonk sheep is done by an officially elected panel and is represented with the Lonk Sheep Breeder’s official ‘horn burn’:

  • Females can be registered as Lambs or Shearlings. If your females have been registered as lambs they do not need to be re-registered or re-inspected as Shearlings
  • Tups can be registered as Lambs or Shearlings. If  your tups are registered as lambs they must be re-registered & insapected again as shearlings
  • All sheep must be registered in the hands of the breeder

To get your sheep registered, contact the Secretary who will inform you of the upcoming ‘registration window’ and contact details of the Registrars.

Why keep Lonk Sheep?

Breeding Lonk sheep offers multiple benefits, making them an excellent choice for farmers, conservationists, and heritage enthusiasts.

As a hardy, native British breed, Lonks are well-suited to upland environments, contributing to sustainable land management by maintaining natural habitats and promoting biodiversity.

Their grazing helps prevent overgrowth, which can improve soil health and support a wider range of wildlife.

Lonks are also highly resilient, requiring minimal intervention, which aligns well with regenerative agricultural practices and environmental stewardship schemes, such as those encouraged by government grants for sustainable farming.

Furthermore, preserving Lonk sheep supports the conservation of a breed with centuries-old heritage, contributing to the cultural history of British livestock farming.

Breeding Lonks, therefore, not only enhances farm productivity but also aligns with eco-friendly policies and heritage preservation efforts.

The Rare Breed Supplement

If you’re looking for the a sheep to breed for the Rare Breed Supplement, Lonk sheep are an ideal choice for the Rare Breed Supplement (SP8) under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, offering farmers a valuable opportunity to support both sustainable farming and conservation.

As a hardy, native British breed classified as “at risk,” Lonks are eligible for this supplement, which provides financial incentives for maintaining rare breeds in upland environments.

Breeding Lonk sheep not only helps preserve a historic, environmentally resilient breed but also enables farmers to benefit from government grants that promote biodiversity and protect genetic heritage in farming.