The
role of the Leicester Longwool today
 The
Leicester Longwool has been with us for many many years, proving
its ability to move with the times and survive where many less
hardy breeds cannot. Over this long period of time, selection,
as proved by Robert Bakewell, has shown the breed to be hardy,
long-lived and easily managed. It has survived in the North
in exposed conditions with at times little or no extra feed
and in some cases on the moorlands very little water. With the
emphasis now on farmland being managed by way of Stewardship
and other environment schemes, the traditional breeds will prove
to be able to live and thrive, rather than breeds which need
additional feeding to reach the desired finishing weights.
Taste is another aspect that the consumer is now looking for,
the traditional breeds again are able to demonstrate their ability
to compete favourably with commercial breeds.
The Leicester Longwool crosses favourably with upland sheep,
half-breed ewes not only demonstrating the inherited Leicester
traits of longevity, easy lambing and hardiness, but also those
of good mothers producing early finishing lambs at 3 –
4 months old (with good management). |
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