The Borris Ewe Breeders’ Association is set to hold its 59th annual show and sale next Saturday (August 13) at Borris Mart in Co. Carlow.

The sale of ewe lambs will start at 11:00a.m and will be closely followed by the sale of ewe hoggets at 1:00p.m. The sale of the two and three-year-old ewes will commence directly after this.

The show and sale will encompass over 2,000 sheep, and includes:

  • 1,250 hoggets;
  • 700 ewe lambs; and
  • 100 two and three-year-old ewes.

Two further sales will be held later in August and in early September.

‘Backbone of many Irish sheep flocks’

Speaking to AgriLand ahead of the show and sale, Maurice O’Donoghue, the chairperson of the association, said: “The Borris ewe, which is a cross of a Suffolk and Cheviot, is renowned for its mothering abilities and it has formed the backbone of many Irish sheep flocks down through the years.

“They are popular [the speckled-faced ewes] and we have seen buyers come from all parts of the country – such as Co. Cork and Co. Sligo – in the last few years to source these type of ewes.

“A combination of Suffolk and Cheviot genetics gives the Borris ewe, and her progeny, extra growth, shape and prolificacy. When crossed with a terminal ram, such as a Texel, Charollais or even Suffolk, she’ll produce an ideal factory or butcher lamb carcass.”