Leicester Longwool Also Known By: Bakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester, English Leicester, Improved Leicester, Leicester, New Leicester The Leicester Longwool is a sheep breed with a long and interesting history. The Bluefaced Leicester is classified as a longwool breed with a staple length of 3-6 inches, a fleece weight of 2½-4½ lbs., and a fiber diameter of 56s–60s count, or 24-28 microns. Its history is directly linked to the creation of many of the other longwool breeds. The fleece is heavy, curly, soft handling and lustrous, with a spiral-tipped staple 200-250mm in length, 32-38 micron. Mature rams weigh 200-300 pounds and ewes weigh 150-200 pounds. Related by breeding to the Leicester Longwool and Blue-Faced Leicester, it is in the middle of those breeds for softness and has beautiful luster and drape. The main colors are blue, green, purple, and vermilion. Related by breeding to the Leicester Longwool and Blue-Faced Leicester, it is in the middle of those breeds for softness and has beautiful lustre and drape. Related by breeding to the Leicester Longwool and Blue-Faced Leicester, it is in the middle of those breeds for softness and has beautiful lustre and drape. We shear every to 8 to 10 months and have one lambing a year in the Spring. (coarse wool) Leicester Long Wool: Long (English Leicester) An important foundation longwool breed. As the lamb grows, the curls opens and loses its pattern and the color generally begins to turn brownish or bluish gray, getting grayer with age. In order to familiarize the judges with this rare breed, we are offering a Judge’s Handout containing a breed description and an explanation of how Leicesters are presented Border Leicester yarn is a Longwool breed developed in the 18th century in the borderlands between England and Scotland (hence the name). Shetland Yarn and Roving (natural colors, limited quantities) We purchased our farm in 1983, added Targhee ewes and a Dorset Horn ram after some research, and had our first lambing in 1985. They were developed at Dishley Grange in Leicestershire to produce a big framed animal to supply large quantities of meat and wool to meet the demands of the workforce at the start of the Agricultural revolution. Border Leicester Yarn is a Longwool breed developed in the 18th century in the borderlands between England and Scotland (hence the name). These are raw fleeces usually sold to hand spinners. https://sheepandwool.org/essential_grid_category/leicester-longwool There are no LLSBA sanctioned shows in which Leicester Longwools are exhibited in a breed class — however, they may be shown in White Longwool and Natural Color Longwool classes. The Leicester Longwool is a medium to large polled breed with a high quality carcass, whose poll is well covered with locks of wool. Leicester Longwools can trace their heritage back over 200 years to sheep breeder and agricultural pioneer Robert Bakewell (1725 -1795). Lambing season is always an exciting and busy time on the farm. The dyed locks are hand dyed by a friend from Pennsylvania and sold in small packages of 1 ounce. ... English Leicester Longwool, and Teeswater, finding them … Border Leicester yarn is a Longwool breed developed in the 18th century in the borderlands between England and Scotland (hence the name). The fleeces are of Leicester Longwool sheep or Angora goats. Colors range from white to silver, to shades of gray, charcoal, and brown to black. Colors will vary. The breed is white and natural in color. Leicester Longwool Yarn, Roving and coordinating Curls, and. It creates high-quality semi-lustre yarns with soft hand, beautiful drape, and excellent dyeing properties. Physical Characteristics. Managing small populations of animals for genetic vigor and production is a challenge for breeders of rare breeds as well as for those with specific color goals that require closed or nearly closed populations.