A local veterinarian couple have seen their dream come true by becoming breeders of Britain’s famous Suffolk domestic sheep. Their goal is to participate in national tournaments, promote the breed and export the animals.
Clarisse Breda and José Leitão, both 28, work at the GuiaVet veterinarian clinic in Guia and have gained a reputation in the Algarve for being among the few veterinarians who also treat farm animals such as cows, pigs, sheep and goats.
For years they had been dreaming about importing a number of Suffolk sheep, a breed known for their sturdiness, friendliness and distinct black face, and to start breeding them at their farm in Algoz. However, they put their dream on hold when they realised that they did not have the ideal conditions to care for them.
After improving the “health, safety and hygiene conditions” at their farm and contacting several breeders, the couple finally decided to pursue their dream and import their first six Suffolk sheep from Northern Ireland.
Their search for a breeder started in April and lasted five months.
“At first, we thought about buying our sheep in Portugal, but most breeders own sheep with French genes, and we wanted to work with the Suffolk breed. In our country, there are just a few breeders who breed this lineage,” Clarisse told Barlavento newspaper.
But what is so special about this breed?
“I always thought Suffolk sheep were funny and interesting,” said José, while Clarisse highlights how docile and easy they are to handle, despite being robust and strong.
The couple owns six Suffolk sheep, five female and one male. The females are already pregnant and were mated with a sheep that was sold at an auction in the Scottish city of Stirling for around €43,000.
Their plan is to start competing in national tournaments in 2020 with the offspring of their Suffolk sheep, as only lambs born on national soil can compete in national competitions. They hope that they will be able to promote the breed and be “recognised as the best breeder in Portugal” so that they can then start exporting.
While Suffolk sheep are raised for their meat, José and Clarisse say that this is not their primary goal. “We want to sell their genes, not their meat.”
Original article written by Sara Alves for Barlavento newspaper.
Photos: SARA ALVES/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
