Border Leicester

The Border Leicester is a large British longwool breed developed in the border region and long used as a crossing sire. It has a clean white face, strong frame, long ears, and a lustrous fleece with a broad, curly lock. Farmers have used Border Leicester rams to add size, milk, and fleece length to crossbred ewes, including halfbred and mule-type females in British and Australasian systems.

Management centers on maintaining sound feet, good mouths, strong toplines, and fleece that stays useful rather than weathered or kempy. The breed's large frame generally needs adequate pasture and sensible lambing nutrition, especially where ewes are expected to rear vigorous crossbred lambs. For buyers, the important question is whether a line is selected for show type, longwool fiber, maternal crossing, or commercial lamb production.

Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Brown, Gray, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Silver, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points