Animal husbandry consultant on grazing: 'Sheep have made a major contribution to evolution'

In Niedersachsen, Germany, Klaus Gerdes, a senior advisor for sheep breeding, has emphasized the crucial role sheep have played in human evolution during a recent interview with taz, die tageszeitung. Gerdes highlighted how domesticated sheep have significantly influenced human history through their contributions to clothing, maritime trade, and agricultural practices. His remarks come amid growing interest in preserving endangered sheep breeds in the region, which faces unique challenges due to economic and bureaucratic constraints. The transformation of sheep breeding over time reflects broader changes in agriculture. Unlike high-yield dairy cattle farming, which can produce up to 10,000 liters of milk per cow annually, sheep breeding has traditionally focused more on sustainability and ecological functions rather than sheer productivity. During the 1960s, many farmers shifted towards meat-producing breeds such as the Dutch Texel sheep, while native breeds were neglected. Today, however, there is a renewed emphasis on conservation, particularly in Lower Saxony, where 80 percent of registered breeding sheep belong to endangered species. The state government supports the breeding of ten threatened sheep breeds through subsidies aimed at preventing their extinction. Sheep play vital roles beyond wool production. They contribute to landscape management, dike maintenance, and coastal protection, functions essential in regions like Lower Saxony, which boasts 2,000 kilometers of river and sea dikes. For these tasks, specific breeds are required. A Texel sheep, bred primarily for meat, would struggle to survive in environments like the Lüneburger Heide, underscoring the importance of maintaining diverse genetic stock adapted to local conditions. Despite their historical significance, modern sheep farming faces hurdles. Approximately 80 percent of the 11,500 sheep farmers in Lower Saxony are hobby breeders who maintain small herds of five to ten animals. These small-scale operations have long been part of the region's tradition, often named after the areas they originate from, such as the Bentheimer Landschaf or the Ostfriesisches Milchschaf. Recently, 150 Ostfriesische Milchschafe were exported to Mongolia, where demand exists for their milk, a product not commonly processed within Germany itself. The export highlights a gap in Germany’s dairy infrastructure. There are fewer than ten farms in Lower Saxony capable of milking sheep and processing their milk into cheese and yogurt. This lack of facilities limits the ability of sheep farmers to expand their operations. Additionally, legal restrictions prevent them from purchasing milk from other farms without becoming classified as a dairy plant under EU regulations, which imposes numerous compliance requirements. These bureaucratic barriers hinder growth and diversification in the sector. Sheep farming in Lower Saxony is not driven by profit motives alone. Many breeders focus on conservation efforts, aiming to preserve traditional breeds and their associated cultural heritage. Events such as the Schafstage provide platforms for showcasing and auctioning rare and endangered breeds, fostering community engagement and awareness around sustainable livestock practices. Such initiatives help sustain interest among both professional and amateur breeders, ensuring that these animals continue to serve their ecological and cultural roles. The future of sheep farming in Lower Saxony hinges on addressing these structural issues. Without improvements in infrastructure and regulatory flexibility, the potential of sheep as multifunctional farm animals, contributing to both environmental stewardship and local economies, may remain unrealized. As Gerdes noted, the legacy of sheep in shaping human civilization continues, yet their survival today depends on adapting to contemporary agricultural realities.