Clun Forest
A clean open dark-brown face, free from speckles, top of head nicely
covered and free from dark wool. The ears are not too long, free
from speckles and carried high. The body has a strong muscular
neck, lengthy good back, deep rib, strong loin, good hock, deep and well
rounded thighs, good through heart, strong bone, standing square on its
legs. The legs are free from speckles, fairly free from wool, hock
and knee down.
Area
The Clun Forest is a genetically distinctive breed, which originates
from a high grassland area of that name on the Shropshire/Powys border,
and developed from now extinct breeds as well as the Shropshire, and
Welsh breeds, the breed can now still be found on the Welsh Borders, but
also in most lowland parts of the United Kingdom.
General Information
The Clun Forests are very adaptable living equally happily in the
downlands of the South of England or the hills of Wales and Scotland; in
the rainy areas of Britain or the arid climates of Ghana or Iran.
They are becoming increasingly popular on the Continent, particularly
the Netherlands, and in parts of North America. They are highly
resistant to disease and have a low mortality rate. The Clun ewes
when mated to any of the Down rams produce early maturing lambs with
excellent weight for age results. The pure Clun ram has a carcass
weight of 16/20kg from 12/17 weeks and up to 29kg under a year old.
The fleece is generally of a high quality, and popular with knitters and
for making futons.
Meat
The meat is generally lean, dark and flavoursome.
Wool characteristics
Average fleece weight
2/5-3kg
Staple length average
6-10 cm
Bradford count
56-58
Main uses
fine hosiery, felts, knitting wools, futons
Average Prolificacy
Shearlings
177%
Ewes 2/3 crop
179%
Main uses of the breed
Production of hybrid ewes is the main purpose of the breed, and
crosses with the Border Leicester, Colbreed and Bluefaced Leicester have
been used successful for a number of years. In recent times
crosses with continental breeds have proven to be of good commercial
value, giving offspring desirable in type for the modern meat trade.
Longevity is a strong point of this breed with
records showing ewes can still be breeding at 12 years of age. The
ewes are excellent mothers, lamb easily, and have plenty of rich milk.
When good stockmanship is in place their feet are extremely sound and
their teeth long lasting. Recent evidence indicates that the Clun
Forest has good resistance to scrapie.
Shows and Sales at
Ludlow Market, Shropshire
Ewe Sale 26th August 2005
Ram Sale 9TH September 2005;
Clun Forest Sheep
Breeders Society Details
Field Officer/Secretary:
Diana Lavers, Guifron Bank,
Beguildy, Knighton,
Powys LD7 1UD
Tel: 01547 510342 Fax:
01547 510344
Email