Icelandic sheep farming is much more than just meat production.
One of the key reasons why sheep farming in Iceland is so sustainable and regenerative lies in the sense of community that holds it together.
Sheep farming, as it is practiced in Iceland, where sheep are allowed to roam freely in the mountains throughout the summer, only works because people come together every autumn. Communities unite and head into the highlands to gather and bring their sheep home.
It is only thanks to the love for the animals, the traditions, and the festivals connected to sheep farming that this way of life has been passed down through generations. Both young and old take part in organizing and participating in events such as the Réttir (the annual sheep roundup, which we have already mentioned in one of our previous blog posts), the Hrútasýning (the ram competitions), or the Þorrablót (a traditional Icelandic midwinter festival celebrating old-style Icelandic foods).
Even during the lambing season or in the summer months, when fences need to be built or repaired, sheep farming only works because people in Iceland support one another and are always ready to lend a hand when help is needed.
Traditions can only continue to live if younger generations carry the knowledge of the older ones forward. That is why it is so important to understand that sheep farming is not only a form of sustainable meat production, it is also the very heartbeat of community life in rural Iceland. It represents tradition, love, and solidarity. And you can truly taste that in the meat.
Today, we want to tell you more about one of these Icelandic sheep farming traditions.
“Hrútasýning” – Icelandic Ram competition
Although Iceland is mostly known for its horses and horse competitions, there are also competitions in sheep farming, the ram competitions. These play an important role in Icelandic sheep breeding culture. Farmers gather together while judges select the best-looking rams with the strongest muscles. The best rams win prizes, and for farmers, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet, socialize, and enjoy good food together.
These events usually take place after the Réttir, when the sheep have been gathered and sorted. Before the competitions, farmers have their rams and sometimes also their females, evaluated by judges at home. During these assessments, the thickness and shape of the back muscles are scanned, and the amount of fat is measured. Farmers aim for rams with large, well-formed back muscles.
Each part of the ram’s body and musculature receives individual scores. In the end, all the points are added up, and the best rams score over 90 points.
Farmers then choose their top animals to bring to the competition. These ram competitions are held all over the country, with each region hosting its own events.
Why there are different sheep regions in Iceland and how these areas influence breeding and farming practices will be the topic of one of our next blog posts.
The day of the competition:
On the day of the competition, farmers must record their rams’ scores on paper, while judges assess the animals again in person. This means that even if a ram had excellent scores during its initial evaluation, it might have lost some muscle while grazing or, in some cases, even gained more.
The farmers organize these events themselves. They are usually held in sheep barns or sometimes in riding halls. Alongside the ram competitions, there are many other festivals and community events centered around Icelandic lamb.
That is why, when you eat Icelandic Lamb, you are enjoying more than just meat you are supporting a living tradition and a community that spans generations.
