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History |
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The Teeswater Sheep Breeders’ Association (TSBA) was formed in 1949 with the
aim to encourage and improve the breeding of Teeswater sheep and to maintain
their purity and in particularly to establish the supremacy of Teeswater rams
for crossing with Hill sheep breeds for the production of half-bred lambs. The Teeswater sheep is native to the Teesdale area of County
Durham, and have for almost two hundred years been bred by farmers in that
area of the North. Like many of
the British Longwool Breeds, the Teeswater was subject to breed improvement
during the 19th Century, and in 1804 Teeswaters sheep were sent to
Tasmania from The Duke of Northumberland's Estate. Until the 1920's the breed
was a comparatively rare one and was not found far from its native habitat,
but now that the remarkable crossing qualities of the breed have been
consistently improved and developed, Teeswater and Teeswater half-bred
(Masham) are to be found in almost every part of the U.K. For many years, the Teeswater enjoyed
great popularity as one of the leading sires of half bred (Masham) sheep
which has formed the basis on lowland sheep flocks. Despite being challenged by
continental rams (Rouge, Bleu de Maine, Texel and Charolais) during the late
80's, the Teeswater is still the number one sire used on many horned ewes,
for example, Dalesbred, Swaledales, Rough Fells, Scottish Blackface, Exmoor
Horn, Beulah and Exmoor Horn. These crosses, commonly known as
Mashams, carry the best characteristics of the Teeswater producing good long,
well carcassed prolific ewes with great milking and mothering abilities Since joining the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 1998, we have had many enquiries from small flock owners from many parts of the country, showing that the Teeswater breed still has a future to play in sheep farming. |
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