Cornwall Support Group
Manx Logthan Sheep Project
The Group’s ownership of the flock began in 1989 when a member wished to give up a flock of Manx Loghtans, and was prepared to transfer them to the Group. It was considered that a worthwhile role could and should be found for primitive sheep, and that rare breeds should earn their keep. The opportunity for the Group to progress this aim came as a result of a chance meeting with National Trust wardens at an open day at a National Trust owned farm in South-West Cornwall. The National Trust, like all conservation landowners, needed grazing animals to solve its management and maintenance problems; but the local coastal sites were unattractive to most farmers with modern commercial breeds.
The Manx flock moved to Bosigran in June 1992. Before this they had various temporary homes which provided some useful lessons, which were taken into account before the final arangements. Frequent escapes on to the road, or to pasture they were not supposed to be grazing, pointed to a need for good fencing. The flock was put on rough grazing to clear ahead of cattle. This was very succesful, but the National Trust wanted the site to remain uncleared and unimproved, beyond a certain point.
Bosigran Farm near Zennor on the north coast of West Penwith, in the far west of Cornwall, has substantial areas of high biological interest, and the National Trust’s conservation objectives focus on maintaining the important coastal heathland and grassland habitats and dealing with invasive bracken, bramble and gorse scrub. The site lies on a well used section of the North Cornwall Coast Path, and the cliffs are also used by climbers.
In September 2003 the flock were on longer able to stay at Bosigern. Following the move, a selection of ewes and ewe lambs was made for retention by Group members and the remainder of the flock was sold. 10 ewes ( 5 x 2 horn and 5 x 4 horn, picked by age for as wide a genetic spread as possible ), are now with members at Higher Hill Farm, Cardinham. Technical advice and support has been offered on breeding and lambing and a suitable breeding ram was supplied in the autumn. This flock forms a basis for further breeding programmes, which together with the ewes and ewe lambs kept temporarily by other members, should enable further flocks to be provided on new sites,should the need arise.
The flock survived on a low management plan. Having lambed out on the cliffs usually unaided, the sheep were rounded up in May for shearing, castrating and general inspection, including cobalt deficiency treatment needed on the Cornish granite. In October they were brought in for culling. All wether lambs and the wool went to the farmer as payment. The Group owned the flock and collected LFA sheep quota on 26 units to cover expenses.
Over the 14 years of ownership by the Group the flock demonstrated the suitability of primitive sheep for conservation grazing and that they could survive in these conditions.
