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Mention the role of a shepherd and many people will think of ancient times, such as shepherds "watching their flocks by night", as the historic hymn depicts. Despite the Biblical references, the life of a modern day shepherd is as important to the well-being of the flock as it was thousands of years ago. Shepherds tending their flocks have been a feature of our landscapes since around 9000 BC, according to historians. Evidence of domesticated sheep farming across Europe and Asia dates back to when the glaciers receded. After they were replaced by forests, people began to domesticate wild animals as a food source. The ancestors of today's sheep and goats were farmed as part of our staple diet. Prior to this, people had hunted wild boar, stags and deer. Even thousands of years ago, sheep dogs were used mainly to keep predators at bay, while the shepherds were tasked with protecting the livestock flocks around the early settlements. Dogs became livestock guardians for the shepherds, with archaeological evidence proving that dogs and sheep spread across the same areas as the human race grew. In some parts of the world, where wild predators were rife, the shepherds and their dogs were more physical guardians of the flock. Evolution of the shepherd Around 2,000 years ago, the shepherds' role began to change, especially in Britain, with sheep dogs becoming herding breeds, rather than guard dogs. In the UK, where there were few wild animals and large natural predators, the role of the modern shepherd continued to evolve accordingly. When the Viking raids on England began in the late 8th century AD, they brought with them the popular Herdwick sheep, a hardy breed that started out in the Lake District, where sheep farming is widely established today. As any farmer will agree, a shepherd is nothing without his sheepdog - one factor that has remained constant since shepherding began. Although an ancient way of life, it is still as relevant today as it ever was. Over the centuries, certain breeds of dog were recognised as sheep dogs throughout Europe. By the late 16th century, Queen Mary's physician, Dr Johannes Caius, had coined the phrase "shepherd's dog". He wrote a paper called "Of Englishe Dogges" in 1576, describing a breed whose small stature didn't matter. Wolves were extinct in the wild in England by the 15th century and Caius recognised this fact, describing how sheep dogs weren't "vast or big". As long as they would respond to "his master's voice", they could do their job. Shepherds would whistle, or make a hissing sound, to command the sheep dogs. The dogs herded the sheep and followed the shepherd's commands, causing the individual animals to "gather themselves together in a flock". The shepherd would follow behind, while the sheep dog would herd the flock into an enclosure or building. Modern day shepherds Today, the shepherd is usually accompanied by a border collie - the most popular breed of sheep dog, with unparalleled intelligence, endurance and instinct. A shepherd's life is not an easy one, with their average day involving long hours of work, with little respite. Town dwellers often hold a romantic view of shepherds and see them as someone who strolls the countryside, enjoying the fresh air and watching sheep and cute lambs! Of course, this isn't even close to reality, as any shepherd will tell you. Any shepherd worth his salt must have a specific set of skills. It's all about doing extremely hard work that includes physical labour, such as moving fences, handling sheep and moving 40lb bales of hay. Even seasoned and experienced shepherds say there's always something new to learn. They are continually learning new tasks and skills, or practicing a different way of doing things more efficiently. Keeping the flock safe and well As well as the tasks of making sure the sheep are fed and watered, with the necessary shelter, and good health, there are also specific tasks that can be extremely challenging. These include sheep-shearing and lambing, which has its own challenges, including giving an internal examination to ewes in labour should the need arise, in the absence of a vet. Learning to be a shepherd takes people out of their comfort zone. They need to step up to the mark, working in all kinds of adverse weather including floods, snow, sleet, ice, gales, storms, heatwaves and anything else nature can throw at them. It can be a very long day, especially during lambing in cold winter weather, or if gales and other natural forces have damaged fences and enclosures, or injured sheep. An experienced shepherd will tell you it takes a lot of time to get to know your sheep. Only when you have achieved this can you spot any small signs that something may be amiss. Shepherds need to be able to multitask, choosing their activities wisely and managing their time efficiently to keep the farm on track. Among the benefits of being a shepherd is seeing new life come into the world at lambing season, but by the same token, you must also care for sheep coming to the end of their life. Lambing can have its own challenges, especially in freezing wind chill at 3am! Are shepherds under more pressure today? Statistics from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board show there are more than 33 million sheep and lambs in the UK. The breeding flock contains around 16 million ewes, while more than 14.8 million sheep are bred for food. Farming sheep today involves additional legislation to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the flock. This is something that wasn't in existence historically. However, the legislation is something that responsible livestock farmers and animal welfare organisations have welcomed. It covers sheep rearing from the farm to transportation of live animals. Animal welfare legislation introduced by DEFRA imposes stiff penalties for any farms that break the welfare laws. In addition to animal welfare laws, sheep farmers in the UK have faced new challenges as a result of Brexit and the UK leaving the EU. A Brexit impact assessment by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board estimates the price of UK sheep meat could decrease by up to 25% in 2022, due to direct payments to farmers being cut under the terms of Brexit. With the world going through a rapid process of modernisation, we still need the expertise of the modern day shepherd as much as ever. Older ways of working, such as the important role of the sheep dog, can sit side-by-side with modern practices to ensure the continued existence of sheep farming as a viable way of life. Contact Griggs Agri for all your agricultural needs and speak to a member of our experienced agricultural team for knowledgeable and friendly assistance.Orders placed before 1pm on a weekday will be despatched the same day, Monday to Friday
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