Rams to help breeding programme
Royal Air Force Lyneham
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
22nd June 2009
An RAF Lyneham Hercules aircraft was tasked with the unique role of transporting two ‘4-horned Rams’ from the Isle of Man to Jersey.  The move took place as part of a normal training exercise on Saturday and was deemed a success by all involved.

Jon Horn, Lands Manager of The National Trust for Jersey spoke of the reasons behind the move: “We imported 20 ewes in January from a flock in the UK to graze an area of coastal heath on Jersey’s north coast; the idea of the scheme being to bring this area back into a favourable environmental condition.  The sheep are great because they are ideally suited to living on the vegetation found in this area and they are also very nimble, sure footed and are very capable at living on such steep slopes.

Soon after arriving, the ewes gave birth to 26 lambs – all of which were released into the coastal grazing area on May 11th.  They now roam freely in an area of about 30 hectares and have some great views over to Guernsey and France.  They are doing wonderfully well on the coast and they are grazing in areas that would have been impossible for us to manage previously with our machines so we’re very pleased.  The sheep have become very much a talking point amongst islanders and a hit with the tourists.

We needed a couple of Rams to ensure that the flock becomes sustainable.  We decided that we would like to get them from the Isle of Man since that’s the original home for this breed.  The two islands prime ministers put us in touch with the Manx national Heritage who kindly agreed to supply us with two of their 4-horned rams which were transported to the island by the RAF on Saturday.”

The principle aims of the scheme are two fold: to restore the grassland and heath land habitats through grazing and secondly, to bring this marginal land back into agricultural use.  There are also many other benefits to the scheme which include historical links with Jersey’s agricultural past, creating a more open landscape, appeal to visitors and schools, and the production of a quality meat product for the local market.

Jon Horn commented: ‘We are very excited about the prospects for this trial grazing scheme. From our point of view, it is all encompassing in that there will be an improvement in the quality of the habitats, the area will once again be used for agriculture, producing local lamb for Jersey, and there is that reconnection with Jersey’s past.”

Group Captain Mike Neville, Station Commander at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire said: “I am delighted that we have been able to support this excellent initiative, albeit that we have simply stepped in at the final phase and delivered the 2 rams to the island.  The Hercules frequently flies in this area as Jersey provides our crews with a great training platform and when we were asked whether we could assist with the move, I was only too pleased to say yes.” 

Multi-horn sheep were found in Jersey in the 9th century when their wool was used to produce the Jersey knit for the production of stockings that Jersey was very famous for.  In recent centuries, cattle, ponies and sheep would have grazed the island’s coastal fringes which would have created an open grassy landscape mixed with heather.  Changes in lifestyle and agriculture resulted in the cessation of grazing on the heaths and led to the scrubbing up of the landscape with bracken and blackthorn.  The reintroduction of these sheep will see a return of this traditional form of farming and landscape management.

The grazing effect of the sheep will lead to the restoration of the coastal heathland and grassland habitats leading to the diversification of flora and fauna.  The project will help children to learn of the island’s agricultural and cultural past and will also educate people on how grazing benefits rare habitats such as heath land.

The restoration of the grassland habitats will change the look of the landscape.  Scrub will be reduced opening up the landscape and allowing a larger area to be accessed and enjoyed by the general public.

An MOD spokesperson said: “Any costs incurred through transporting the rams have been met by the National Trust for Jersey.  The flight was used as a training flight and has provided the crew with a unique opportunity that few will experience in their RAF career.  The fact that our work has assisted with what I understand to be a great environmental initiative is a definite plus.”