This wool, though, is prized by spinners because of the crimp and lustre. The Border Leicester is one of the oldest breed of British livestock, the origins of which there are no doubt. The live weight of a mature Border Leicester ram is in the range of 140–175 kg (309–386 lb) and a mature ewe 90–120 kg (200–260 lb). The English and Blueface breeds are uncommon in North America today. [3] The head and legs should be free of wool and only covered in short white hair making it easier for shearing. Around the 1830s two distinct types of Dishley Leicesters were developing on the two sides of the border. The stable length of the fleece ranges from five to ten inches (12.5-25cm) with a numeric count of 36 to 48 which is 38.5 to 30.0 microns. A yearling ewe is around 64 kg (141 lb). Perhaps both are correct. The Culley brothers were crossing their sheep with Teeswater sheep while other farmers in different areas along the border were crossing with Cheviots. Hand-dyed in rich tones, this yarn balances crispness and drapiness perfectly.
Border Leicester Merino cross ewes produced in this way offer the greatest overall performance when breeding meat type sheep, with a well proportioned carcase, high fertility, good foraging ability and good milk production. [Sheep Breeds || Breeds of Livestock || Animal Science Home Page || Comment ]. Our 3ply Fingering Yarn is spun semi-worsted for exquisite stitch definition and softness. Lambs yield an average of 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) of wool; yearlings may yield 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) at each shearing. All rights reserved. It is not known the exact date that the first Border Leicester sheep breed was imported to America. [6] The Dishley Leicester was created and bred by Robert Bakewell (1726-1795) by crossing the old lincolnshire breed with the leicestershire type sheep. 100% Wool - Border Leicester. Unit weight. A yearling ewe is around 64 kg (141 lb). Our bulky and worsted weight yarns are available at Norwich Knits and Must Love Yarn in Shelburne and… Please mail your original copies with our email form
US 4 - 6 or 3.5 - 4mm. [7] They were a fairly common breed in the UK by the 19th century. A yearling ewe is around 64 kg (141 lb). Our Border Leicester and Romney sheep provide us with a wide range of useful, eco-friendly, handcrafted products Worsted weight, 150 yard, hand dyed Border Leicester/Romney Yarn Border Leicester and Romney Sheep produce long, lustrous wool that shimmers. We are currently looking for high resolution pictures of any of the breeds. But it is safe to assume that they arrive there in 1888 as that was when the American Leicester Breeders Association was started. Mature rams weigh from 225 to 325 pounds (102-147 kg) and ewe weights range from 175 to 275 pounds (79-124 kg). British Sheep and Wool, British Wool Marketing Board, Oak Mills, Station Rd., Clayton, Bradford. The Border Leicester breed became quite a common breed that was found in the UK in the 19th century. Though Border Leicesters in North America have been kept primarily in small purebred flocks, progressive commercial breeders in increasing numbers are realizing greater profits with the breed. However, the Leicester line is present in many of the modern breeds and it remains an excellent maternal breed for producing lambs on pasture. Good stitch definition. Texture. The live weight of a mature Border Leicester ram is in the range of 140–175 kg (309–386 lb) and a mature ewe 90–120 kg (200–260 lb). A pleasure to knit with, this yarn has lovely lustre, strength and drape. The Border Leicester is a very versatile animal, either producing commercial halfbred females as flock replacements, or butcher’s lambs. Experience our Border Leicester 3ply Sport yarn from our Animal Welfare Approved flock. NOTE: The form can also be used for Comments, Suggestions, and Corrections. Border Leicester sheep were imported to Australia in 1871, where they now have a large number of stud flocks. Head skin on the Blueface shows dark blue through white hair, distinguishing it from the Border Leicester which has pink skin. This yarn is available in a beautiful undyed white and a natural undyed gray. 6.0 sts = 1 inch Needle size. hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned. Their name derives from the fact that their birthplace is near the border of Scotland with their foundation stock being Dishley Leicester rams. In any case, the breed was firmly established in England by 1850 and Border Leicesters have now surpassed the old English Leicester in popularity in the British Isles and in other countries. The Border Leicester was later used to develop New Zealand's Border-Romney cross (Coopworth) and the Border-Corriedale (Borderdale) breeds. All Made in Yorkshire. The nose should be black and the ears should be large, upright and alert. Others argue that Cheviot blood was introduced. Lambs finish quickly due to their high growth rate and produce high quality, desirable meat. [1] It is a polled, long-wool sheep and is considered a dual-purpose breed as it is reared both for meat and for wool. Sheep with long, lustrous wool have been in Leicestershire, England since the earliest recorded history of the British Isles and are responsible for the improvement and development of other longwool breeds. English Leicesters resemble the Lincoln in appearance with a topknot of wool and ears set lower on the head than either the Blueface or Border Leicester. The fleece weight from mature females ranges from 8 to 12 pounds with a yield of 65 to 80 percent. They have been exported to other sheep-producing regions, including Australia and the United States. College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Human & Environmental Sciences, Ag Education, Communications & Leadership, Master of International Agriculture Degree Program. The first breed association was formed in 1888 in the United States[10] Currently, there are two associations: American Border Leicester Association and the North American Border Leicester Association. Average live body weight of the mature Border Leicester ewes is between 90 and 120 kg. Who's Who in U.S. Sheep Breeds(poster), American Sheep Industry Assn., Inc.; 6911 S. Yosemite St. Suite 200; Englewood, CO 80112-1414 Phone: (303) 771-3500 FAX: (303) 771-8200, Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation,1989, 3rd Edition. Both colors are used as bases for nature dyed colors. It is not known when the first Border Leicester sheep arrived in the U.S. or Canada but we do know that the 1920 census lists 767 purebred Border Leicesters in the United States. The sheep are normally shorn twice a year when the wool has reached a length of around 100 m… The Border Leicester was developed in 1767 in Northumberland, England. Border Leicester Sheep are a friendly and productive dual purpose breed. This Vermont yarn truly shines in hats, mittens, sweaters and shawls. This variation in the breed resulted in the two being nicknamed the "Bluecaps" and the "Redlegs". The Dishley Leicester became very popular with local farmers.
Many farmers preferred the hardier redlegs and around 1850 this variation of the Dishley Leicester became known as the Border Leicester. .125 lbs. The United States, Australian and New Zealand Border Leicesters very rarely sport the extreme of British flocks. And the mature ram’s average live body weight vary from 140 to 175 kg. Learn more about Border Leicester sheep. The Border Leicester’s key strengths are as follows: Hybrid vigour - producing high performance breeding ewes Poll Dorset or Southdown) to produce prime lambs, which grow rapidly to market weights and have the ideal carcase shape. All strains of Border Leicesters are known for their docility. Project initiated April, 1994 - Initial web site opened February 22, 1995. Some feel that the Culley brothers developed the Border Leicester by crossing Bakewell's improved Leicester rams with Teeswater ewes. But it is safe to assume that they arrive there in 1888 as that was when the American Leicester Breeders Association was started. Their white wool tends to be very long and by Merino standards, broad crimped, and in fineness about 32 to 38 microns, and is used for medium- to heavy-weight garments. Our sport weight Vermont-raised yarn comes in 150-yard skeins weighing approximately 52 grams. John Thompson, Animal Photography, Marylebone Mews, London W1G 8PY.