We also have a large number of sheep on the farm. There are Lonk and Gritstone ewes which are the hill sheep native to this part of the Pennines. In 1985 Annette and David began a flock of Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset sheep as they wanted to have a source of top class rams to cross with the hill sheep to produce a better lamb for the butcher.

Dorset Ewes, Wood Farm

David and Annette showing Dorset Sheep at Great Yorkshire Show.

The lambs produced by this cross are excellent but as an added bonus it was found that the female lambs from the cross are hardy enough for the Saddleworth conditions and are also a superb breeding ewe with lots of milk and are extremely good mothers. The pedigree Dorset flock was expanded and is an important part of the stock on the farm. Again all the females are descended from the original foundation ewes and only rams are purchased when new bloodlines are needed. 

Prize Winning Rams. Dorset Horn, Wood Farm 1996.

Poll Dorset Ram. 1st and Res. Champ Male. Great Yorkshire Show 1993