Animals for Zone 0a
Additional Suitable Breeds
| Breed Name | Score* | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sheep | ||
| Icelandic Sheep | 83.3% | For farmers seeking a robust and self-sufficient flock, the Icelandic sheep breed excels with exceptional lambing ease, remarkable cold hardiness, and superior foraging ability, significantly simplify |
| Shetland Sheep | 78.9% | Shetland sheep simplify management with their exceptional lambing ease, remarkable cold hardiness, and superior foraging ability, requiring minimal intervention. Originating from the remote Shetland |
| Cattle | ||
| Highland Cattle | 83.8% | Highland cattle simplify management for farmers seeking unparalleled hardiness, exceptional foraging ability, and superior mothering instincts. Originating from the rugged Scottish Highlands, these c |
| Reindeer | ||
| Reindeer | 73.8% | Reindeer excel in challenging environments, offering farmers unparalleled hardiness and exceptional cold tolerance, making them ideal for producers seeking low-input livestock. Their remarkable feed |
How Regenerative Scores Are Calculated
The regenerative score aggregates the trait dimensions shown in each breed's radar chart (excluding climate tolerance, which is already factored into zone suitability):
- Profit Potential (2× weight)
- Management Ease
- System Resilience
- Foraging Ability
- Additional traits vary by species
Aggregation: Each trait is scored 1.0-3.0 (Limited → Typical → Exceptional). The regenerative score = (sum of weighted trait scores ÷ maximum possible) × 100. Profit Potential and System Value receive 2× weight because economic viability and ecosystem contribution are critical for supporting the transition to regenerative practices.
Click through to any breed to see its radar chart and detailed explanations for each trait dimension.