The Whitefaced Dartmoor Sheep Association

The Whitefaced Dartmoor
A brief description
Whiteface Dartmoors are a native breed of sheep to Dartmoor. Their home is in the heart of the National Park at Widecome. As a breed they have fallen out of favour, they are not considered prolific or profitable enough for modern commercial farming, and, with the decline in wool prices in the last two or more decades, their high quality fleece has reaped no realistic reward. Consequently the numbers of breeding flockshas declined to the extent that Whiteface Dartmoors are now a DEFRA listed rare breed.

With the changes in agriculture on Dartmoor through Environmental Sensitive Area legislation and CAP reforms in 2005 there is scope for the revival of the breed. There are characteristics in the sheep which will meet the 'new' farming and environmental management needs.

Finding new blood lines is becoming a problem. Increasing WFD numbers and flocks will give breeding options (increase the gene pool).
As well as using the whiteface to produce excellent cross bred commercial ewes. The use of terminal sires such as the Suffolk on either pure or crossbred ewes produces a very attractive finished lamb. Ideal for the modern market, being lean and well muscled.

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