Meet our youngest farmers at Broom Mill Farm, West Auckland, County Durham.The next generation of the Betney family, Jack and Elodie are eager to learn and help out on the farm.
Follow Jack and Elodie as they help out around Broom Mill Farm, from feeding the Ryeland sheep, to exploring the farm and learning about its animals and crops.Helping out in the shop is also part of their daily adventures.
Follow Us on FacebookThe Ryeland is one of the oldest established British sheep breeds, renowned for its calm temperament, sturdy build, and distinctive teddy-bear-like appearance. A naturally polled (hornless) down breed, the Ryeland features a woolly face and legs, a compact blocky frame, and dense, high-quality fleece. Thanks to their gentle nature and easy handling, they are a favourite among smallholders and commercial breeders alike.
Originating in the rye-growing area of Herefordshire, England, during the 12th century, Ryelands were initially developed by monks at Leominster Abbey. The breed's exceptionally fine fleece became so prized that it was termed "Lemster Ore" and set the standard for English wool for centuries. Legend holds that Queen Elizabeth I was gifted a pair of Ryeland wool stockings and declared she would wear no other.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ryelands played a key role in developing down breeds across the globe, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. Though industrial agricultural shifts pushed the breed toward rare status by the mid-20th century, dedicated conservation efforts have brought the Ryeland back as a thriving, versatile heritage breed celebrated for both fine wool and high-quality meat.
