BORDER LEICESTER SHEEP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

BORDER LEICESTER SHEEP

There are now over 500 registered •flocks of pure Border Leicester sheep in Australia, a breed which is fulfilling an important part in the production of lamb for our increasing export trade. Breeding the carcase of the ideal Smithfield type demands careful thought in the selection of the class of sheep used, and a large percentage of growers find that a thick, well-fleshed, heavy-woolled Border Leicester ram mated with the Merino ewe is especially valuable for the purpose of obtaining the first-cross ewe. The progeny of this ewe and the short-woolled ram not only matures quickly, but also provides the weight, shape, and quality so keenly, sought by London butchers. Although invariably a penning of the British breeds of sheep either for show purposes or for auction is dominated by the Border Leicester breed, public demand for these useful sheep is continuously equal to the offering. Some years back Borders were too long in the leg and neck, and without much wool. These faults have been corrected, and the breed in Australia today is compact, low set, and well woollcd. and ideally suited to the hot districts of this country. Without the long-woolled breeds, sucji as the Border Leicester, for mating with the Merino ewe, the value of the Down sheep as sires of first-grade lamb and mutton would be seriously reduced.