English Leicester
One of the oldest known British long wool breeds, the English Leicester was developed in the Midlands of England in the 1700s as a dual-purpose breed. The breed was imported to Australia in 1826.
It is a large framed breed, known for its fertility, good mothering and milking qualities. The fleece is heavy, curly, highly lustrous and soft-handling. It has a spiral-tipped staple 200-250mm long and of 32 to 38 microns. Rams are used to cross over Merino and other breeds to produce first-cross dams for prime lamb production. Numbers are limited and found mainly in the southern states.
Further information is available from:
The Secretary, English Leicester Association of Australia Inc
“Aringa”
40 Clark Road
Tynong North
VIC 3813
www.englishleicester.org.au
