Origin of The Breed

The Suffolk evolved from the mating of Norfolk Horn ewes with Southdown rams in the Bury St Edmunds area of the UK.

These sheep were known as Southdown Norfolks, or locally, as “Black faces.” The first recording is in 1797 when in his “General view of agriculture in the county of Suffolk” Arthur Young stated: “These ought to be called the Suffolk breed, the mutton has superior texture, flavour, quantity and colour of gravy.”

The first classes to exhibit Suffolk Sheep were at the Suffolk Show in 1859. The first flock book was published in 1887. This contained 46 flocks ranging in size from 50 to 1,100 ewes and averaging 314 ewes. All 46 flocks were in East Anglia and 34 were in Suffolk itself. The oldest was that of E.P. & H. Frost of West Wratting, established in 1810.

Suffolks developed around the rotational system of farming in East Anglia, grazing on grass or clover in the summer. After weaning the ewes could be put on salt marshes or stubbles. Swedes, turnips or mangels were grazed in the winter in a very labour intensive system with a fresh area fenced off each day. Lambing was in February or March, outdoors in the fields with a hurdle shelter or in open yards surrounded by hurdles and straw.

The first Suffolk flock was registered in Ireland in 1891 by a west of Ireland man, Henry Strevins from Roscommon. The breeds popularity rapidly spread to every county in Ireland and today there are over 290 registered flocks. Ireland sheepbreeders were quick to recognise the superior traits of the Suffolk breed, hardiness, prolificacy, rapid growth rate, meatiness and wool quality. The Suffolk soon became one of the most popular breeds in the country. The Suffolk Sheep Society club was formed and has played an active part in the promotion of the Suffolk breed.