A low wool price, the threat of the wolf and the advancing bluetongue virus. Sheep flocks face numerous challenges. But help is on the way. Six flocks of sheep in Drenthe will together receive 29,000 euros from the Dinamo Fund.
The Drenthe Heath Sheep is a rare breed of sheep, with a long woolly tail and gracefully twisted horns. There are now approximately 160 of the Exloo sheep herds roaming the land near Landwinkel Exloo. Shepherd Nynke Leen and her sheepdog keep a close eye on the herd.
Because they had quite a lot coming their way last year. For example, selling the animals’ wool was certainly not a big deal. Leen: “We even have to pay for the black man’s fur to be disposed of.” In addition, there was the constant threat of a wolf attack and investments had to be made in wolf-resistant fences. Then there was the bluetongue virus, which spread through several herds. And the fact that much has become more expensive, such as hay.
The Exloo sheep herd can therefore use every cent. Although in this case it is ‘only’ 5000 euros on a budget of more than €100,000. “It is certainly welcome. You always have unforeseen circumstances that cause you to incur significant costs,” says Leen. “If there is a vaccine for bluetongue, we will have to vaccinate. And these are all additional costs that were not included in the budget last year.”
The Dinamo Fund was founded because of ‘concern about the deterioration of the living environment’. They hope to use the money to strengthen the well-being of the rare heathland sheep. The sheep graze in nature reserves in the summer and, according to the fund, would thus combat nitrogen damage and strengthen biodiversity.
Leen: “You do everything you can to keep them healthy. But as soon as one problem has been solved, the next one has already arisen. Sheep are quite defenseless animals in that regard.”
Yet Leen emphasizes that they keep the positivity alive. There are more than sixty pregnant ewes in the flock. The first lambs are expected in mid-January. “And who wouldn’t be happy about that?”