The North Country Cheviot Sheep Society has almost doubled its membership in Northern Ireland over the past two years.

In 2020, the Society had just 33 members, but over the past two years has attracted a further 28 to its ranks as the popularity of the hardy hill breed grows across the Irish Sea.

The growth follows a similar surge in popularity of the breed across northern England and the Scottish Borders.

Collectively, Northern England and the Scottish Borders saw a 70% increase in the number of Northie rams sold between 2011 and 2020, up from 383 to 647, with the trend looking set to continue.

Long-time North Country Cheviot breeder Alistair Armstrong said the breed was gaining popularity in both the North and South of Ireland.

Alastair runs the Learn and Stragole flocks in Tempo, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and recently won the Park type gimmer category at the Northern Ireland North Country Cheviot club show and sale.

The sale, held at the Pedigree Centre, Omagh, on Friday, September 2, also saw previous record prices in Northern Ireland smashed.

A shearling ram from AJ & NAJ Robinson at Benrafton sold for 2,600gns, beating the previous record of 1,800gns, and the top selling female Northie changed hands at 3,000gns, obliterating the previous record of just 840gns.

Alistair said: “The Northie ram is being used as a terminal sire on other hill breeds and on commercial ewes to get the versatility of the Cheviot coming through.

“The North Country Cheviot ewe is growing in demand especially for the mule and half bred sheep because she’s a good first time ewe, plenty of milk, and they last.

“The Northie’s popularity is growing in Ireland because people want an easy-care sheep and North Country Cheviots fit the bill. Good mothering instincts and easy to look after, not big feed costs on them, you can finish them off grass and there’s always demand for that good female.”

The North Country Cheviot is the largest of the UK hill breeds and comes in two types – the Hill type and the Park type. 

The Hill type was developed for its thriftiness and health, meaning it thrives in the poorest upland conditions. Although undoubtedly still a hill breed, the Park type is larger, heavier and perhaps more suited to grassy hills. 

Both types make excellent crossing sires, producing sheep to meet most needs, and both are growing in popularity in north and southern Ireland.

Melfyn Williams, President of the North Country Cheviot Sheep Society, said he was delighted but not surprised by the growing popularity of the Northie across the Irish Sea.

“Northies are very thrifty sheep with tight skins, good coats, and good feet, and as a result they can thrive in types of conditions that often predominant in Northern Ireland – strong, biting winds, and heavy rainfall,” he said.

“The ewes are renowned for being excellent mothers and this is reflected in the quality and health of their offspring, which rarely have problems, and they have a long working life. Draft ewes are sold for good prices at around five years of age and go on to produce another two or three crops of lambs.

“Combine this with the fact that in both store and prime markets, North Country Cheviot crosses often provide an uplift in price to achieve a higher-than-average price – sometimes upwards of £10 extra per head – and it’s easy to see why the North Country Cheviot is growing in popularity across many upland areas.

“We’re delighted to see the breed well represented in Northern Ireland and we welcome our new members. We’re very confident that as more people become aware of the breed, the membership will continue to grow.”

To find out more about North Country Cheviots, visit www.nc-cheviot.co.uk.