Mule ewe

Although the day started clear and frosty, a blanket of cloud soon obscured the sun so I decided not to go out seeking otters but instead took Rosie for a walk along the river at Ailsworth. When we arrived I was greeted with the sight of a sizeable flock of penned sheep, waiting to be transported from the organic cabbage field where they'd been grazing back to the farm. They were fascinated by both of us, and we were subjected to many pairs of intent staring eyes.

These ewes are Mules, a medium sized, cross-bred sheep which is sired by a Bluefaced Leicester ram, a breed which is prolific, milky, lean fleshed and early maturing. The dam is usually a Swaledale or a Northumberland type Blackface, two breeds born and reared on the harsh northern fells and moors and noted for qualities of hardiness, thriftiness and longevity.

The hybrid vigour produced by crossing the contrasting pure breeds results in the Mule retaining the best qualities of both. The Mule ewe has an ability to produce and rear ample crops of lambs under any system including in-wintering. She will make the optimum use of food provided and will lamb with the minimum of attention to any breed of ram. Selectively bred for the specific purpose of becoming a top class mother of prime meat lambs, the Mule also produces a very useful and easily clipped fleece, good to handle and weighing well.

These ewes had purple or green patches on their backs, which confirm that they have been tupped and are in-lamb. It's hard to believe that they'll be giving birth in just a couple of months or so!