Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Volume 1 Number 4 April, 1960 Article 6

1-1-1960

Famous breeds. 4. The Border Leicester

J A. Mallett

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Recommended Citation Mallett, J A. (1960) "Famous sheep breeds. 4. The Border Leicester," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 1 : No. 4 , Article 6. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol1/iss4/6

This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Messrs. C. E. and A. J. McGlew's Champion Border Leicester ram at the 1959 Perth Royal Show

The Champion Border Leicester ewe at the 1959 Perth Royal Show. This was also ex­ hibited by Messrs. C. R. and A. J. McGlew ol "Seaton Ross," Beverley

Journal of Agriculture Vol 1 No 4 1960 ^ramoud S^heep d5reedd

4.-The Border Leicester

by

J. A. MALLETT

ALTHOUGH the Society of Border Leicester Sheep Breeders was formed only 62 years ago and the first volume of the Border Leicester Flock Book appeared in 1899, surprisingly little authentic information is available concerning the origin of the breed. It is generally accepted today that the From 1869 to 1872 and 1875 to 1881 there Border Leicester originated from a cross were classes for both Leicesters and Border between the Improved English Leicester Leicesters but after 1881 the classes were and the Cheviot. This belief is strength­ for Border Leicesters only. ened by the fact that the Border Leicester head is free from to a point behind the ears—a characteristic found in no CROSSBREEDING other British breed except the Cheviot. The chief value of the Border Leicester When Robert Bakewell of Dishley is for crossbreeding with other types of Grange, Leicestershire inaugurated his sheep. In Scotland, the rams are crossed revolutionary stock improvement tech­ with and Cheviot ewes niques from about 1755 onward, the results to give "Greyface" and "Halfbred" progeny. he obtained were so dramatically success­ Greyface and Halfbred ewes are mated ful that many progressive breeders went with Down rams to produce a good type to Dishley Grange as pupils. of butcher's lamb in the same manner Among them were Charles and Robert that we use the ewe progeny of Border Colling—who later became famous for Leicester— crosses to mate with their work in developing the Downs rams for the export lamb market. breed of —and George and Matthew The Border Leicester being a thickly- Culley. Both pairs of brothers took back fleshed and easily-fattened animal, trans­ Dishley Leicester sheep to their homes in mits these desirable qualities to its the north of England where they estab­ progeny, which, in the case of the hill lished studs. sheep matings, produces an animal with They sold rams and ewes to breeders mutton of better quality than that of its on both sides of the English-Scottish sire and in greater quantity than that of border and many of the Border flock- its dam. owners also purchased stock or hired rams Although it ranks among the largest of from Bakewell and members of the Dishley the longwool breeds, the Border Leicester, Society. by reason of its comparatively small head Records of the Highland and Agricul­ and fine bone, may be safely crossed with tural Society show that up to the year 1868 the small mountain ewes without causing classes were provided for Leicesters only. lambing troubles. 305

Journal of Agriculture Vol 1 No 4 1960 Pig. 1. — Crossbred Border Leicester x Merino ewes at the Avondale Research Station. Such ewes are well suited to the production of high qual­ ity export lambs after mating with Southdown rams

LOCAL POPULARITY Wether lambs from the Border Leicester In Western Australia, the handsome x Merino matings sell well on the local Border Leicester ram is highly regarded. market or may be carried over to Numerically, the Border Leicester ranks produce good crossbred fleeces if the second only to the Romney Marsh among season is not suitable for them to be the longwool breeds. Mated to selected "finished" as sucker lambs. Merino ewes it produces excellent cross­ The excellent milking qualities of the bred progeny. The crossbred ewes from first-cross Border Leicester-Merino ewes Border Leicester x Merino matings are par­ make them particularly suitable for use in ticularly popular among export lamb pro­ the northern and eastern portions of the ducers for mating with Southdown or lamb-raising areas where seasons tend to rams to produce shapely lambs be short. Their lambs are noted for high for the overseas market. growth rates.

Pig. 2.—Lambs resulting from the mating of Border Leices­ ter x Merino crossbred ewes with Southdown rams

Journal of Agriculture Vol 1 No 4 1960 Attempts are being made in Australia Neck.—Tapering nicely from the head, and elsewhere to "fix" the Border Leicester- and strongly set in at the shoulders. Merino cross and inaugurate a new breed, Shoulders.—Wide, with plenty of heart in a similar manner to that by which the room. Corriedale was evolved from a Lincoln- Chest.—Broad, deep and well formed. Merino cross. Back.—Straight, level and broad. Ribs.—Well sprung in a fine circular POINTS arch, more attractive for width than for depth. Head.—Medium sized; smooth crown; wide in forehead. Full and even down the Hindquarters.—The loin should be wide face to a slightly roman nose perfectly free and firm, and the quarters long and deep. from wool and covered with pure white, Legs.—Squarely set under; strong; with soft hair; occasionally a black spot will clean, flat bones, covered with perfectly appear. white hair, and quite free from wool. Face.—Strong jaw and clean cut. Nos­ Skin.—Pink, and mellow to the touch. trils wide and dark. Fleece.—Border Leicester wool has a staple eight to nine inches in length with Eyes.—Full and prominent, but mild and five to seven crimps to the inch, bold- placid, with a quiet, gentle expression. stapled and ranking as a "First Demi- Ears.—Lively; mobile; medium sized and Lustre." The spinning quality is 44/46 semi-erect; white inside and out; black and the wool is used for fine serges, coat­ spots sometimes appear with age. ings and dress fabrics.

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Journal of Agriculture Vol 1 No 4 1960