The Suffolk is an English breed of sheep. The name Suffolk was first used in 1859. This breed was created in the south-east of England, in the county of Suffolk, by crossing Norfolk Horn ewes with Southdown rams. The English pedigree register, the Suffolk Sheep Society, was founded in 1886. Typical characteristics are their black head and legs and fine white wool. The breed is raised for meat production. The most important characteristic that the Suffolk ram transmits to crossbred lambs is a high growth rate, whereby the lambs reach a live weight of more than 40 kilos after only 10 to 14 weeks, meaning that they are soon ready for slaughter.
Other characteristics are a sturdy build and long, black, floppy ears. They are calm by nature. The tupping season begins as early as August, which means that lambs may be born as early as Easter. The breed has great economic importance in Britain as a provider of sires for slaughter lambs. More than half of British slaughter lambs are sired by a Suffolk ram. The most important factors in their growth rate are the length and chest diameter of the Suffolk sheep, combined with a compact and well-muscled body. This breed of sheep has no horns, but a long black face and a finely shaped muzzle, especially the ewes.
Adult Suffolk rams reach a live weight of 140 kilos, and ewes approximately 95 kilos.
In 2008 we selected an attractive type of Suffolk sheep, taking account of their appearance, type and pedigree. Most of my sheep are ARR-ARR, and we are certified free of visna-maedi virus.
It is and remains the intention of the breeding farm to breed well-fleshed Suffolks that nonetheless bear witness to the nobility of the British Suffolk breed.
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