• JUN / JUL 2021
GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW 19
North Country Cheviot surges in popularity across UK and Ireland
THE North Country Cheviot is experiencing a surge in popularity across the UK as farmers recognise the premium traits the breed conveys to a commercial flock .
The breed society has recruited around 220 new members in the past five years , taking the total to well over 600 , with all areas of England , Scotland and Wales represented .
The Northie has also seen a growth in popularity in Ireland , with flocks ranging from the Enniskillen in the north to Cork and Kerry in the south west .
Melfyn Williams , President of the North Country Cheviot Sheep Society , said the surge in the breed ’ s popularity was down to a number of issues including the mothering instincts of the ewes , the longevity of rams and ewes , and the hardiness the breed brings to a cross .
Mr Williams said : “ North Country Cheviot ewes are renowned for being excellent
North Country Cheviots grazing on the hill side
mothers and this is reflected in the quality and health of their offspring , which rarely have problems .
“ They also have a long working life . Draft ewes are sold for good prices at around five years of age and go on to produce another two or three crops of lambs .
“ Combine this with the fact that in both store and prime markets , North Country
Cheviot crosses regularly provide an uplift in price to achieve a higher-than-average price – often upwards of £ 10 extra per head – and it ’ s easy to see why the Northie ’ s popularity is on the up .”
The North Country Cheviot is the largest of the UK hill breeds and comes in two types – the Hill type and the Park type .
The Hill type was developed for its thriftiness and health , meaning it thrives in the poorest upland conditions . Although undoubtedly still a hill breed , the Park type is larger , heavier and perhaps more suited to grassy hills .
Both types make excellent crossing sires , producing sheep to meet most needs .
Mr Williams added that from a commercial point of view , he believed the North Country Cheviot offered a great deal of benefits to sheep farmers in all areas .
“ A North Country Cheviot ram will bring hardiness to a cross , enabling it to run on hard ground and still produce a saleable , profitable lamb of 40-45kgs ,” he said .
“ Running on the hill , ewes return a lambing rate of around 150 percent – 180 percent and have fewer triplets , meaning all their energy and attention can be put into caring for the lambs they produce .
“ So , from a commercial point of view , Northies really are hard to beat .”
Russells have been trading for generations and this year we celebrate 100 years of trading as a limited company . This is an exciting time and we are in the process of making plans to celebrate this later in the year .
We once again would like to thank both customers and employees for their continued support over the years .
To commemorate the centenary WE HAVE CREATED a unique special edition New Holland Tractor . This will be on display at the Yorkshire show this year and we look forward to seeing you all at the Show .