MOVES are afoot to unite the different types of Mule sheep in a bid to push the breed.
The five main Mule breeds of Britain are in the early stages of forming a promotional body to market all types of Mule sheep as the premier breeding female.The Mule Group aims to pool resources of the Scotch Mules, North of England Mules, Welsh Mules, Cheviot Mules and Highland Mules to relay a consistent marketing message to farmers.
All five societies will continue to operate separately, but will share the same marketing message, championing the Mule’s four key attributes: Adaptability, Unrivalled hybrid vigour, Profitability and Maternal characteristics.The Mule Group’s newly-appointed chairman and sheep breeder, Derek Hall, Lilyburn, Penicuik, said the group’s goal was to canvas commercial buyer opinions and get marketing momentum.
More than half the UK’s breeding ewes are Mules and are sired by Bluefaced Leicester rams.
From its stronghold in the North East and in Cumbria, where the pursuance of perfection has often become an all-consuming passion for generations of farming families, the addiction has spread far and wide, with Wales and Scotland now the home of many leading flocks.
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