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Brecknock Hill Cheviot
EFABIS Data
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International Name |
BrecknockHill
Cheviot |
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Local Name |
BrecknockHill
Cheviot |
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Location |
Brecon Beacons.
South Wales |
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Breeding females
(year) |
34.393 approx |
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Trend of population size |
Static |
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Flock book established |
1971 |
Origin – history
The Brecknock
Hill Cheviot originated and is found in the Brecon Beacons of South
Wales.
The breed
originated in the Brecknock & Sennybridge Hills some 150 years ago.
It is descended from the original border Cheviots brought to Brecon,
by the McTurk family, out of the Scottish borders. This was a
small tan faced breed closely resembling the Welsh Mountain sheep.
Early on it was crossed with the Welsh Mountain to improve wool
quality, then very late in the 1800’s with Leicester sheep.
Breed description
The Brecknock
Hill Cheviot is a hardy and extremely adaptable breed that can fit
into lowland or upland enterprises. The sheep survive easily on the
hills and mountains of Wales, but are also suitable for utilising
the full potential of improved hill pasture. They are a small breed
and more docile than the other Cheviot sheep with the ewes weighing
60kg and the rams, 90kg. The breed comes in all sheep colours except
spotted. Rams are occasionally horned. It has a white face and legs,
with erect ears and a ruff of wool behind them. There is no wool on
the face or legs below the knee or hock.
The fleece
weight is 1.5 – 2.5 kg with some kemp. It is excellent for hand
spinning.
In the hills
rams are in demand to improve size and wool quality in native
mountain breeds. Draft ewes are ideal for further cross-breeding
and adapt well to lowland conditions, tolerating high stocking
densities. They are used for prime lamb production. Pure-bred
flocks are kept for breeding replacements, or for crossing with
other Welsh hill breeds. Under most conditions and systems this
breed economically produces meat and wool to meet today’s
requirements.
In the hills
rams are in demand to improve size and wool quality in native
mountain breeds. Draft ewes are ideal for further cross-breeding
and adapt well to lowland conditions, tolerating high stocking
densities. They are used for prime lamb production. Pure-bred
flocks are kept for breeding replacements, or for crossing with
other Welsh hill breeds. Under most conditions and systems this
breed economically produces meat and wool to meet today’s
requirements.
Ewes have a
fecundity rate of 0.90-1.20. The ewes lamb easily and have a strong
mothering instinct, producing active lambs. The mothers produce good
quality milk enabling their lambs to thrive without the requirement
for supplementary feeding.
The breed is
used for the production of both meat and wool.
The flock book was established in 1971.
Conservation activities
Insitu
Breed
improvement schemes are from both individual and breed society
initiatives.
The breed is
marketed with a sale of selected lambs to slaughter for Marks &
Spencer from September to December.
HCC (Hybru Cig
Cymru) Meat promotion Wales.
Breed
contributes to the sense of community through rural activities eg
agricultural shows markets etc
Exsitu
Cryopreservation of semen NSP 2671 doses
Contact:
The breed society is the Brecknock Hill Cheviot Sheep Society.
Secretary, Mr P Francis, 13, Lion St, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HY
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