What is the Cheviot Sheep?
The Cheviot is a British sheep breed known for its hardiness in cold, wet and hilly terrain, and its high-quality meat and wool. Innovis breed two subtypes of Cheviots: the smaller South Country Cheviot and the larger North Country Hill (Lairg) type. Both types are carefully selected hardy sheep lines that maximise Cheviot performance on hilly terrain.
Innovis Cheviots are bred in partnership with Buccleuch Estate. We have two selection lines: a North Country Hill type bred at Southfield, our nucleus farm, and a hardier, more compact type bred at Eldinhope and Linhope, both with flocks of South Country Cheviot ewes with a recorded nucleus using DNA parentage. All three flocks are evaluated as one population with link rams used to ensure connectivity.
We believe that the only way to improve low-carbon farming performance is to measure it where you want the sheep to perform. Our Cheviot sheep flocks are run on upland/hill ground all year round to identify the ewes that thrive and produce good lambs under the challenges that go with the terrain.
Cheviot Sheep Are:
- Compact with good structure and performance records.
- Selected under pressure for proper commercial production traits.
- Able to breed efficient ewes.
- Able to produce high-quality carcase and high-quality fleeces.
- A terminal sire to add value to hill lambs in a hard environment.
Cheviot Sheep are Best If You:
- Want a very low-input, grass-based flock on high ground.
- Want a breed that will thrive on a ‘lenient grazing’ system for regenerative low-carbon farming.
- Want a performance-driven native breed that can add value.
History of the Cheviot sheep
Cheviot sheep are a well-established British sheep breed, originally from the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland on the border of Scotland. As far back as the 1300’s, Cheviots were bred for and are still popular in upland UK sheep farms. Their wool was highly prized for Harris and Border tweed and is still being used to create tweed to this day.
Over the centuries, Cheviots have made their way across the world to America, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway’s rugged landscapes. The Innovis Cheviot developed in the late 2000s is fully performance recorded and selected for important commercial traits that enable upland farmers to make better margins.
Additional Information
The Cheviot is a white, medium-sized sheep with a black nose and dense fleece. Their faces have a distinct alertness. Rams can grow horns, though many go without.
Innovis Cheviot rams for sale can be purchased directly from our regional advisors over the phone and at some of our auctions.
Their wool is dense and springy, which makes it durable, versatile, and of very good quality. It is typically blended with other wools to make the yarn stronger and you will find it used in tweed and outerwear. The density of the wool makes this British sheep breed resistant to rot and fly strike.
Innovation, Partnership and Performance
All our rams will be MOT’d, quarantine treated and supplied with full health treatment records.
We believe in our products and will work with you to help you to maximise returns from our genetics.
If you are interested in the Innovis Cheviot:
Contact us
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