During the medieval period the wool trade was the most important one in Britain with many country towns built on the profit from the trade. With the introduction of cotton and artificial fibres the emphasis changed to meat production, particularly lamb. Sheep are hardy animals that can be left outside for much of the year. There are over 70 breeds in Britain but only a few highly productive ones now dominate and these can be divided in to upland and lowland breeds. The upland sheep are small and hardy, suited to the harsher conditions on the hills or mountains that they graze. They are often brought down in to the valleys during the winter to feed on hay and sileage made in the summer. Although there are a large number of pure breeds in recent years cross-breeding has become very popular. Most lowland ewes are hybrids the result of cross-breeding with mountain breeds. They are mated with downland rams to produce lambs that will grow fast and are bred for slaughter. At Occombe we have an organic flock of Dorset Downs a traditional native breed which is classified as at risk by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. The Dorset Downs were developed in the 19th century from crossing Southdown rams on to Hampshire and Wiltshire breeds. Polled with a white fleece and black face, the sheep produce high quality wool and their lambs are renowned for the exceptional quality of their tender meat.

The shepherd's year begins in late summer when he starts preparing his ewes for mating by ensuring that they are in good physical condition and healthy. This is the time when sheep are dipped to kill off sheep scab mite which can be a serious disease. Organophosphate chemicals have now been banned due to their adverse affects on human health but there are now concerns about the replacement synthetic pyrethroid dips and their affects on wildlife if they end up in rivers and water courses. In October the ewes are mated with a ram timed so that lambs are born when there is grass or alternative feed available. There is pressure to have lambs as early as possible to reach the market earlier and fetch a higher price. During the winter months the sheep are fed on hay, sileage and root crops such as turnips and the shepherd must watch for the development of foot rot in wet weather. In some areas sheep are housed inside over the winter. Lambing is the busiest time of year and starts in February or March. Upland ewes have one or occasionally two lambs whereas lowland ewes usually have two and sometimes three. In April lamb's tails can be docked to help prevent the catching of diseases and some male lambs are castrated. In May worms and fly attack are a threat so the shepherd will try to use clean pasture often alternating between sheep and cattle each year. If this is not possible drugs and chemicals are used to prevent problems. The sheep are shorn in June preferably in warm dry weather with an expert shearer able to shear more than 300 sheep in a day. The lambs are weaned from their mothers in July at between 12-16 weeks of age as the ewe's milk production dries up. Some of the best female lambs are selected for breeding whilst the rest are reared for their meat.