This year’s Borris Ewe Breeders Show takes place on Thursday, August 11 at the local Borris mart.
The annual event showcases the Borris Ewe, a cross between the Cheviot ewe and Suffolk ram and this year is the show’s 53rd anniversary.
The Borris Ewe is well known for its hardiness and maternal traits, according to organisers of the show. The Suffolk/cheviot cross has brought extra growth, shape and prolificacy according to local breeder and Chairman of the association Maurice O’Donoghue.
Sheep from last year’s sale.
“The hardiness comes from the Suffolk breed as well as the mountain characteristics of the cheviot. The high maternal traits are acquired from the Cheviot breed.”
Sellers from the south east will bring their best Borris hogget ewes and ewe lambs to the show, with ewe lambs sale starting at 10.30 and hogget ewes starting at 12.30.
Last year’s sale saw ewe lambs’s selling for €80-120, and hogget ewes selling for €150-190. According to organisers, there will be approximately 1,500 hogget ewes and 800 ewe lambs on offer on the day.
