Breed Origins

In 1826 English Leicesters were one of the first pure breeds to be imported into Australia. A native of the Midland Counties of England, the Leicester Longwool, as it is known there, has been used to improve many other breeds of sheep. They were very much in demand to produce a meaty carcase and a heavy fleece ideally suited to the needs of the new colony.

The breed was developed in England during the late 1700's by Robert Bakewell who was the foremost exponent of modern animal breeding techniques in the selection of livestock. He developed the Leicester Longwool, as we know it today, from the old Leicester sheep which was coarsely boned and slow growing. This new style animal gained weight more quickly and produced less waste when slaughtered.

English Leicester x Merino Ewes