THE countdown has begun to the North of England Mule Sheep Association’s (NEMSA) much anticipated high profile annual autumn show and sale season.
Almost 1,000 NEMSA members will be busy preparing their Mule ewe lambs and shearling gimmers for the 2018 highlights, staged at auction marts across the North throughout September and October each year.
Last year, total sales figures hit 246,000 head, the highest for some time, and while numbers are not expected to be quite as high this year – a direct result of an extremely harsh winter and wet spring, producing unforgiving lambing conditions for all – well in excess 200,000 ewe lambs are expected to come to market.
The Mule not only remains Britain’s most prolific sheep breed in terms of numbers, but also the country’s most popular commercial sheep.
Many dyed-in-the-wool North of England Mule aficionados from the length and breadth of the country continue to flock to the annual NEMSA showcases year on year, among them long distance travellers from Devon and Cornwall, as well as East Anglia, the Midlands, Wales and beyond.
NEMSA chairman Kevin Wilson, who farms at Blubberhouses, near Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, said: “Only sheep bearing the NEMSA tag can be sold through our official sales, giving buyers confidence in the quality and reputation of the stock they are purchasing.
“We look forward to welcoming both regular and potential new buyers again this year.”
He added: “They are primarily seeking to source North of England Mules for breeding purposes.
“They thrive and do well in all types of conditions, are easy to manage and farm, good to handle, and are superb breeders, easy lambing and produce plenty of milk.
“The Mule is also widely regarded as the ideal commercial crossing ewe. Many breeders cross Mules with recognised commercial rams, with their progeny increasingly finding their way into retail butchers and hospitality sector outlets.”
Among the 2018 NEMSA sale dates are: Kirkby Stephen, Friday, September 14; Middleton-in-Teesdale, Wednesday, September 19; Barnard Castle, Thursday, September 20, and Friday, September 28, St John’s Chapel.
NEMSA boasts almost 1,000 members across the core breeding heartlands from the English/Scottish border down to Derbyshire, making the organisation the largest sheep breed association in the country.
