Shropshire sheep in Germany - a short reviewShropshire sheep in Germany - a short review

Organisation of sheep husbandry in Germany Actual stock, range of use German experience with sheep in x-mas trees Shropshires, a big factor in green marketing and direct marketing of trees New markets: Grazing sheep in fruit tree cultures and in energy crop

plantations

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Approx. 2.5 million sheep, Approx. 80,000 sheep keepers Main breeds: Merino, German blackface, Highland breed National sheep breeding association (VDL) ->umbrella org. 20 State/County sheep breeding authorities (Federal system) Each state association handles all breeds

Organisation of sheep husbandry in Germany

German Shropshire sheep pool, 65 members Functions: marketing (ram pages), exchange of experiences

Approx. 80 Pedigree flocks (at most 30 active breeders)

Approx. 500 Shropshire sheep keepers

Approx. 5000 Shropshire sheep

Common Flock size: 10 ewes, biggest flock amounts to 400 ewes

More than 90 percent use Shropies for grazing in x-mas trees Some use Shropies for landscape conservation, in fruit trees

rGerman Shropshire - actual stock, range of use

Key factors: Careful supervision Ultimate action: Selection and removing of tree nibbling sheep Mineral nutrition Change plantation to secure always fresh grass supply Diversified vegetation (hedges) Health status (deworming) ...

Risk of nibbling trees declines from spring to autumn (Older) rams outside tupping period are always risky

Range of application are small scale enterprises. Health problems: Flies (warm, moist micro climate in tree stands)

rGerman/Swiss experience with sheep in xmas trees

Diversified vegetation

rGerman/Swiss experience with sheep in xmas trees

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Shropshires, a big factor in green marketing and direct marketing of trees

Integration of sheep into marketing concept as sympathy carriers (Teddy bear effect) Sheep as Ambassadors for pollution-free production Sheep as tree selling factor especially for families and kids

Successful grazing experiments with Shropshire sheep (summer/autumn 2006) in apple trees at Research Station for fruit-growing, Lake Constance (KOB)

Two tasks: Remove of scab contaminated leaves (organic farming) Grass/Weed control

Grazing in energy crop plantations (locust and other trees)

New markets: Grazing sheep in fruit tree cultures and in energy crop plantations