“La vie est belle”



“Sheep in the springtime”
(Scottish blackface)
Oil, paint, on, canvas, 50x60cm. Pierre van Dijk, 


The Scottish Blackface is one of the most common breeds in England. Currently there are about 3 million ewes in Great Britain and that is 16% of the total sheep population, which in England consists of many breeds!
The Scottish Blackface is a very strong breed, which can survive well in the rugged Scottish mountains..........

Originally this breed was mainly kept for wool, which due to its fiber length, resilience and wear resistance is extremely suitable for the carpet industry and for the original Scottish and Irish tweeds and kilts.
There are different types within the breed, named after the areas of origin:



The Perth type, a large sheep with medium to heavy wool, mainly occurs in North East Scotland, South West England and Northern Ireland.
The Lanark type, medium in length with dense, shorter wool than the Perth type. The last thirty years there has been a strong influence of the Newton Stewart type and this has led to a more uniform, hard sheep with a high milk production. This type predominates in most parts of Scotland and Ireland.
In the North of England the Northumberland Blackface occurs. A spacious sheep with soft wool that influences the breeding of different crosses.

The type of Perth, a large sheep with medium to heavy wool, is mainly found in North East Scotland, South West England and Northern Ireland. Produces the larger frame
lambs that are ideal for keeping on winter food or indoors, to end in the spring when the price of the bulbs is in the elevator. With hoggets up to a final weight of 40kg plus. A Perth ram can bring size, strength and strength to a hip group.
The Lanark type, which is dominant in a large part of Scotland and parts of Ireland, is medium in size, with shorter wool than the type of Perth. Over the past thirty years, a strong influence of the Newton Stewart type has been introduced, the integration of Lanark and Newton Stewart's bloodlines and both milking and winter hardiness have helped create a more uniform and identifiable variety.
In the north of England, the large, soft, woolen Northumberland Blackface is popular and influential in the breeding of the Northern English Mule.

kind regards, Pierre


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Online Art Market?

Winston Churchill Made Paintings

Warme Winter - Pierre