With 95% of all Herdwick sheep found in Cumbria, the breed is intrinsically tied to the Lake District. However, the Herdwick faces significant threats and could vanish from its fells and farms. Over the past century, two-thirds of farms with Herdwick flocks have disappeared. Additionally, in 2001, nearly a third of the Herdwick population was lost due to disease control measures during a foot-and-mouth outbreak.
To prevent the breed's extinction, various initiatives by the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association (HSBA) have focused on collecting and storing semen and embryos. With the support of FiPL funding, the HSBA is now establishing a definitive gene bank. This crucial collection of genetic material will be managed by the HSBA, ensuring that the Herdwick breed can be preserved and potentially revived in the future.
To build this gene bank, animals from the most important bloodlines of hefted Herdwick flocks are carefully chosen. The selection process involves:
The Herdwick sheep, evolved over centuries to thrive in the harsh terrain of the Lake District's high fells, are not just a breed but a cultural icon. Their farming is central to the region’s cultural heritage, recognised by the World Heritage Site inscription. As the gene pool shrinks due to declining numbers, it is crucial to conserve these important bloodlines now to maintain the breed's distinctive character and resilience for future generations.
