Fljótsdalur sheep numbers fall by a fifth in six years

Sheep numbers in Fljótsdalur have fallen by a fifth over the past six years, Morgunblaðið reports. The decline was evident at the annual sheep roundup at Melarétt, a more than century-old circular sheep pen near Skriðuklaustur, where an estimated fewer than 4,000 sheep were sorted over the weekend.

Despite the smaller flock, attendance was similar to recent years, with people of all ages helping to separate the animals. Þorvarður Ingimarsson, a farmer at Eyrarland and the roundup manager, said he was pleased with the turnout despite cool weather.

Ásgeir Jónasson, who was probably the oldest person from Fljótsdalur at the roundup, said the event had changed considerably since he first attended as a 10-year-old 75 years ago. There had been more sheep then, and the work had been more relaxed, with people taking time to talk, sing and drink from flasks. The roundup could last all day, while today the sheep arrive around midday and the work is finished two or three hours later.

The roundup went well apart from a six-wheeler overturning and being destroyed. Its driver suffered only minor injuries. Because of the weather forecast, the gathering began a day earlier than usual in the area under the Fell mountains near Snæfell. It started on Sunday, followed by a rest day on Monday while a low-pressure system passed. Conditions then improved and the herding went smoothly.

Dozens of people take part, with more herding now done using all-terrain vehicles than horses, although some participants still ride. Foreign tourists also often join the group for the final part of the journey to the farms and the sheep pen.

Farmers said the sheep arrived in good condition, despite being released later than usual because of cold weather in spring and drought in July. August grazing was evidently good after the rain arrived, Þorvarður said, and the lambs were generally in fine condition. The second roundup in Fljótsdalur will take place around the turn of the month.