Sheep Farming

 

Sheep farms are primarily run in southern Greenland. There are approximately 50 registered sheep farmers. More than half of the farms are in the district of Narsaq. The rest is primarily found in the districts of Nanortalik and Qaqortoq. The sheep farms are mainly run by single families.

 

Sheep farming has developed from extensive to intensive production. Over the years, heavy investments in the development of the infrastructure of the sheep farming district have been made. Modern buildings have been constructed, and the production of roughage has been increased in order to ensure supplies during the hard winters.

 

Figure 1

Sheep Farmers by Farm Size

Source: The Department for Fishing, Catching, and Agriculture

 

By the end of 2007, three farms had less than 100 ewes. The smaller farms make up a constant share of the total number of farms. The large farms with more than 500 ewes have become increasingly important, see Figure 1 and Table 16.

 

The Home Rule Government of Greenland / The Government of Greenland offers grants to sellers and establishment support. The Home Rule Government of Greenland has subsidised the operations of the slaughterhouses since 2004. In a report from 2004 on necessary agricultural political initiatives, it is estimated that profitability can be obtained if 25-26.000 lambs are slaughtered per year. The production of lamb has increased but declined somewhat in 2008. The lamb is first of all sold on the domestic market. The total production of lamb appears in Figure 2 and Table 17.

 

Figure 2

Production of Lamb

Source: The Department for Fishing, Catching, and Agriculture

 

Link

Read more about sheep farming at www.nunalerineq.gl.