Pure Icelandic
There is only one breed of sheep in Iceland: The Icelandic. In fact, it is forbidden to import sheep into Iceland, making Icelandic sheep one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds of sheep. Icelandics belong to the Northern European Short-tailed group of sheep, but are larger than most breeds in the group. There is a unique strain of Icelandic sheep called Leader sheep. They are known for their intelligence and strong leading and protective behaviors. There are many stories and legends about Leader sheep.
Grazing seaside
Grazing in the foreground of a glacier
Along the fjords
Icelandic sheep are medium size, stocky, and fine boned. Either sex can be horned, polled, scurred, or even have multiple horns. Icelandic ewes are generally prolific, with most mature ewes raising twins. Ewe lambs are frequently bred to lamb at one year of age. More than 90 percent of the sheep in Iceland are registered in a national database. This facilitates the selection of superior breeding stock. Breeding occurs inside. Artificial insemination is practiced in a high percentage of flocks, though the percentage of ewes inseminated is low (around 8 percent). Despite being known for their wool, Icelandic sheep are raised mostly for meat. Lamb is abundant in Icelandic stores and restaurants.
In my element
Icelandic sheep have double-coated fleeces. The fine undercoat (thel) and coarse outer coat (tog) insulate them from the cold. The two coats can be separated or processed together (Lopi). Icelandic sheep produce 27 different fleece colors and patterns. They are sheared twice a year, in the spring and fall.
28 different colors and patterns
White is dominant.
What did the sheep cross the road? (video)
Five in a row
Watch where your step!
Sheep production in Iceland is a dichotomy. From May to September, sheep graze on communal lands. They are naturally free range and there are no significant predators to harm them. In September, the sheep are gathered into pens, sorted, and transported to their home farms. The dichotomy: Because of the harsh Icelandic weather, farmers are legally required to shelter their sheep in the winter and feed them. Hay-making is the cornerstone of Icelandic agriculture. Livestock are fed mostly balage.
Farmers at the B&B
The annual round-up of sheep is called the “Réttir.” It is a centuries-old tradition and major cultural event in the rural communities. The sheep must be rounded up on horseback (or by foot), as the land is too rugged for 4-wheelers and the sheep/lambs are reluctant to be herded by drones. It usually takes several days to find all the sheep. Not all are found. Some sheep wind up in neighboring communities.
Gathering the sheep
Collection point: corrals for the réttir
When they're not playing, dogs assist in the réttir.
In Iceland, sheep production (and other agriculture) is managed through a system of subsidies and quotas. On one hand, sheep farmers receive direct payments. On the other hand, they are limited in the number of animals they can have. The subsidies are what keeps sheep farming sustainable in Iceland.
Save the sheep!
Sheep have iconic status in Iceland. They are part of Iceland’s cultural identity. Sheep sustained the Icelandic population for many centuries, having been brought to the island in the 9th and 10th centuries by early Viking settlers. But now Icelanders eat more chicken than lamb. Like other places, Iceland’s extensive sheep raising system is under increased environmental scrutiny. Rising costs are forcing many sheep producers to liquidate their flocks. Hopefully, steps will be taken to preserve this unique and vital industry.
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