Ocm-1994
Member
- Location
- Guisborough, north yorkshire
hi all first post on here. Currently building up our Flock after taking over from my great uncle, running 150 ewes at the moment with the plan to try and build towards the 300 within the next 18 months ish. We mainly run North country Mules with a few Texel X mule kicking about (around 30), put back to Dutch texels. The ground we graze is mainly permanent pasture, some small ish paddock sized fields with some bigger flaps, and in the past have struggled to finish lambs of grass, often selling stores until last year where we finished everything on a home made cereal based ration (home grown barley) with other bits. The problem I am seeing is the mule struggling to keep condition on this rough grazing, especially after carrying lambs. which has never been reseeded but has been limed, I like to keep the ewes mineral drenched, fed concentrate in run up to lambing. The texel X seem to maintain condition better too, but the reason I am posting is to pick people's brains about the NCC. Reading all sorts, sourcing info, been to sales up north to get more info, I under stand there is generally 3 types and is the Lairg or the border that interests me. I'd just love people's opinion on the breed, if they would perhaps cope better with the rough grazing than the mules, lamb wise crossed with a texel how well can they finish, or would breeding them for the breeding market be a better route. Lambing wise, crossed to the texel have read stories of folk struggling with them mothering wise, ease of lambing etc. I understand they are a complete different sheep to the mule but it's a venture the more I look into the more the breed appeals to me. Thanks for reading any opinions well appreciated.