The
Border Leicester is a dual purpose breed of sheep, producing both meat and
wool. Border Leicester wool falls in
long, shining locks that are popular with hand spinners. The Border Leicester also has a longer loin
and leaner meat than many sheep of its size.
The Border Leicester ewe is noted for excellent mothering abilities, high fertility, good birth weights, and high milk production with sound long lasting udders. Lambs are robust, show high growth rates, feed efficiency, and muscling. When crossed with other breeds, the offspring tend to retain these traits.
The Border Leicester is well known for its sensible temperament. The Border Leicester is a joy to exhibit. They are steady yet possess an innate presence that makes them eye catching in the pasture or in the show ring. With his good manners, the Border Leicester is an excellent choice for youth.
The Border Leicester wool has a characteristic which causes light to be reflected and gives a lovely glow or luster to the wool. Border Leicester wool has long been held in high esteem by hand spinners and fiber artisans; strong yet soft and silky to the hand.
Border Leicester wool is long and lustrous with a spinning count from 40s to 50s (30-38 microns). The ideal fleece falls in well defined “pencil” locks with purled tips ending in a small curl, usually measures 6-10 inches after a year’s growth. Border Leicester's wool is long enough that they can be sheared once a year or three times every two years. The clean head and legs makes them a easy to shear breed. Ewes average 8-12 pounds of grease wool annually. And it’s not all grease! Border Leicester fleece yields 70% wool after scouring, one of the highest of them all.
The Border Leicester ewe is noted for excellent mothering abilities, high fertility, good birth weights, and high milk production with sound long lasting udders. Lambs are robust, show high growth rates, feed efficiency, and muscling. When crossed with other breeds, the offspring tend to retain these traits.
The Border Leicester is well known for its sensible temperament. The Border Leicester is a joy to exhibit. They are steady yet possess an innate presence that makes them eye catching in the pasture or in the show ring. With his good manners, the Border Leicester is an excellent choice for youth.
The Border Leicester wool has a characteristic which causes light to be reflected and gives a lovely glow or luster to the wool. Border Leicester wool has long been held in high esteem by hand spinners and fiber artisans; strong yet soft and silky to the hand.
Border Leicester wool is long and lustrous with a spinning count from 40s to 50s (30-38 microns). The ideal fleece falls in well defined “pencil” locks with purled tips ending in a small curl, usually measures 6-10 inches after a year’s growth. Border Leicester's wool is long enough that they can be sheared once a year or three times every two years. The clean head and legs makes them a easy to shear breed. Ewes average 8-12 pounds of grease wool annually. And it’s not all grease! Border Leicester fleece yields 70% wool after scouring, one of the highest of them all.