Broken mouth scotch mules

Estate fencing.

Member
Livestock Farmer
I kept a load of theaves back in 2018 because they weren’t worth much. It comprised of 250 ncm, 50 scotch mules and 100 welsh. I have been going through the ewes this morning and over half (26) of the scotch mules are broken (some have no teeth at all), 10 ncm where and no welsh. So the question is do I just have a bad bunch or are they just bad in the mouth in general? I can’t believe how bad they are only having 3 crops of lambs out of them.
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
Plenty of buggered bags as well. But that over all the flocks. I just can believe how many are broke after 3 crops, bloody annoying because I just bought 50 replacement scotch mules for a fair lot of money! 😭


The depreciation is scary when you figure out how many years you get out of them.

Flock reduction as part of Castle Douglas gimmer sale yesterday, 2-3 crop ewes made £140-£160 🤦🏻‍♂️ made Dumfries' first draw ewe lambs at £126 (average) look bloody cheap on Friday.
 

Agrivator

Member
Blackface ewes generally have poorer mouths than Swaledale ewes, and that might explain why Scotch Mules have poorer mouths that N of E Mules.

I don't know how Mules out of Northumberland Blackfaces compare. Or Cheviot Mules!!!!!
 

Top Tip.

Member
Location
highland
Is it not a problem of BFL crosses in general, rather than ‘Scotch mules’ particularly?
I’ve heard plenty of similar reports about other BFL crosses, from North Country mules, Welsh mules and Aberfields….
I do know that checking the mouths of bfl tups is an interesting experience, I honestly don’t know how these breeders have the front to present them for sale. Atrocious doesn’t do them justice.
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
Blackface ewes generally have poorer mouths than Swaledale ewes, and that might explain why Scotch Mules have poorer mouths that N of E Mules.

I don't know how Mules out of Northumberland Blackfaces compare. Or Cheviot Mules!!!!!
My Cheviot mules seem too be lasting as good as my NoE mules do. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ve still got some old girls from the first bunch I ever bought, just weaned there 7th crop and still got a full set of teeth. Bit of Cheviot gut on them now but still holding condition better than a NoE of similar age or younger does. Then you get a Hogg or shearling that just wastes away or similar. 😒😒
 

unlacedgecko

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Fife
Yet another reason why I won't have BFL blood on the farm.
I do know that checking the mouths of bfl tups is an interesting experience, I honestly don’t know how these breeders have the front to present them for sale. Atrocious doesn’t do them justice.


I remember Lesley's presentation at last year's sheep breeders round table where she spoke of some mules in the headage days being fitted with dentures.
 

unlacedgecko

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Fife
My Cheviot mules seem too be lasting as good as my NoE mules do. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ve still got some old girls from the first bunch I ever bought, just weaned there 7th crop and still got a full set of teeth. Bit of Cheviot gut on them now but still holding condition better than a NoE of similar age or younger does. Then you get a Hogg or shearling that just wastes away or similar. 😒😒
What's Cheviot gut?
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
Yet another reason why I won't have BFL blood on the farm.

tumblr_m82p7m2FWi1qm5fq8.gif
 

Estate fencing.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Is it not a problem of BFL crosses in general, rather than ‘Scotch mules’ particularly?
I’ve heard plenty of similar reports about other BFL crosses, from North Country mules, Welsh mules and Aberfields….
I had a bunch of welsh mules once that all went broke by 5 crop, I do find my ncm a pretty good on the whole.
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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