BORDER LEICESTER: ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Border Leicester Ram

The sheep of this breed are the lineal descendants of the Dishley Leicesters. They were introduced to Northumberland in 1767 by Matthew and George Culley, who were pupils of Bakewell, the English geneticist and were soon established in the north of England and southern Scotland.

The breed arrived in New Zealand in 1859, and after refrigeration was introduced in the 1880s, the Border Leicester was used as a crossing sire to produce heavyweight lambs and wether mutton.

The Border Leicester contributes high fertility and good mothering qualities to its crossbred progeny and is being used to increase fertility in the commercial Romney, Corriedale and Merino flocks. The Border Leicester has been used to develop New Zealand's Border-Romney cross (Coopworth) and the Border-Corriedale (Borderdale).

The wool is long and lustrous with individual staples easily separated and ending in a small curl. It is used for upholstery, and hand-knotted and machine-made carpet yarns.

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BREED DESCRIPTION

Border Leicester Ewes

The Border Leicester is the pre-eminent crossing sire with proven performance and unsurpassed ability to increase production and profits in commercial ewe flocks.

The Border Leicester First Cross Ewe gives:

• Paramount Hybrid Vigour
• Increased Lambing Percentage
• Greater Lamb Survival Rate
• Better Milking Ability
• Unparalleled Mothering Ability
• Easy Care Sheep
• Larger Lean Lambs
• Rapid Growth Rate
• Heavier Wool Clip
• Unsurpassed Intelligence
• Superior Activity
• Premium on Surplus Sale Ewes
• Maximum Profits

The efficiency and profitability of prime lamb production is mainly dependant on the fertility, the lambing performance, the milking and mothering ability of the prime lamb dam.

Historically the Border Leicester has made a supreme contribution to the sheep industry and economy of New Zealand as:

• A sire of superior first cross commercial flock ewes
• A sire of larger lean prime lambs with above average wool pull
• A basic sire in the development of new breeds

THE BORDER CROSS EWE IS UNSURPASSED AND HAS IT ALL

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BREED CLASSIFICATION

Border Leicester Ewes

Large, long-legged, with a pronounced Roman nose. A comparatively prolific breeder. A dual-purpose breed. Principally used for cross-breeding to improve the fertility and performance of other breeds.

Location: Stud flocks are found throughout New Zealand with the majority being found in the South Island.

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BREED COMMITTEE

• Chairperson: Mr O J  SCOTT
  
  
• No 1 District:
  G P SATTRUP Ruawaro, R D 2, Huntly 3772
  ph/fax (07) 826-6740
  email sattsg@clear.net.nz

   

• No 2 District:
  M M COPLAND No 2 R D, Ashburton 7772
  ph (03) 302-2821
  fax (03) 302-2806
  
  
• R H LEMON Lauriston, No 2 R D, Ashburton 7772
  ph (03) 302-4813
  fax (03) 302-4846
  mobile 0274 732 576
  email leylands@xtra.co.nz

• No 3 District:
  I R CAIRD, Pareora West, No 2 R D, Timaru 7972
  ph (03) 686-4879
  fax (03) 686-4978
  
  
• D B McCULLOCH 'Glen-Ayr', R D 10, Waimate 7980
  ph (03) 689-3818
  fax (03) 689-3823
  email mcculloch@ihug.co.nz
  
  

• O J SCOTT Southburn, No 2 R D, Timaru 7972
  ph (03) 686-4725
  fax (03) 686-4798
  mobile 027 228 3696
  email waveringdowns@ruralinzone.net

• No 4 District:
  A T McCALL, Charlton, No 4 R D, Gore, 9774 Southland
  ph/fax (03) 208 7607
  mobile 0274 400 290
  
  
  MRS D A LINDSAY, Awamanga, No 2 R D, Balclutha 9272
  ph  (03) 418-3053
  fax (03) 418-3052
  mobile 0274 452 553
  
  
  R NEVILL , Moa Creek, No 2 R D, Otuehura,9387 Central Otago
  ph  (03) 447-4774
  fax (03) 447 4567

   

   

• COUNCILLORS: M M Copland, O J Scott

• HON LIFE MEMBERS: H P McKerchar, J M Pirie.

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BREEDERS' CLUBS

• No 1 District:
  Chairman:

  Secretary: G P Sattrup, Ruawaro, R D 2, Huntly 3772
  ph/fax (07) 826-6740
  email sattsg@clear.net.nz

• No 2 District:
  Chairman: N G McKerchar, 213 Te Puke Road, 17 R D, Fairlie 7987
  ph (03) 685-8808
  fax (03) 685-8098
  mobile 027 223 3535
  
  

  Secretary: D B McCulloch, Glen Ayr, 10 R D, Waimate 7980
  ph (03) 689-3818
  fax (03) 689-3823
  email mcculloch@ihug.co.nz
  

• No 4 District:
  Chairman: Fred Sutherland, Black Hills, No 3 R D, 9773 Gore
  ph/fax (03) 207-2770
  mobile 027 610 2504

  Secretary: Mrs Jill Sutherland, Black Hills, No 3 R D, 9773 Gore
  ph/fax (03) 207-2770
  mobile 027 610 2504

CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF BORDER LEICESTER BREEDERS

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BUY & SELL

CLICK HERE FOR THE BORDER LEICESTER SHEEP SALES PAGE

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Last updated on 29 July, 2009