Half Bred Ewe Lambs
26 May 2026
Interest in half breds soars – Queen of sheep
Averages rise at ANM groups Caithness sale of Scotch HB Ewe lambs (624) averaged £256.65 (+£65.66 on the year) to £355 from Overton, MidClyth. St. Boswells.
Neil Hamilton, Earlside Farm, Hawick
We have used Border Leicester Rams on our North Country Cheviot ewes for many years, to produce Scotch Half-Bred lambs, selling the ewe lambs at St Boswells market at the breeding sale in September.
This has proved to be very successful for us and we are fortunate to have many repeat buyers who continue to support us by purchasing our Half-Bred ewe lambs, one farm started buying from us in 1967, almost 60 years ago which is an incredible record to hold and shows the amazing traits the half-bred can bring to your breeding flock.
They are known for their hardiness, good lambing percentages, and suitability for both lowland and upland environments, Scotch Half-breds are valued for their good conformation, wool quality, and ability to produce both quality ewe lambs and prime wether lambs, as a first cross, they exhibit hybrid vigour, making them adaptable to various farming systems.
The Half-Bred ewe produces the heaviest, earliest and best quality lamb on the market in my opinion and can’t understand why they have become less fashionable in recent years, They are known as the “Queen of ewes” and are popular for crossing with other breeds, especially the Suffolk, to produce Suffolk Half-bred lambs. , making them adaptable to various farming systems with the ewe herself holding her value in the cull ring, she is very easily sold in the extremely high trade there has been in the cull market at present.
Another asset with increasing wool values she produces a heavy fleece which beats all other breeds, and can withstand the cold harsh winters in any environment.
Half-Bred Gimmers at St Boswells, in 2024 averaged £258.52 for 567, with a top price of £315 per head.
Price Overview
Half-Bred ewe lambs, averaged £166.30 for 522, with a top price of £200 per head
04/09/2025 – Principal sale of Breeding and Store sheep at St Boswells Market.
(393) Half Bred Ewe Lambs. Averaged £220 (+£54)
1st Stobshiel Mains £230
2nd Earlside Whitehill £300
3rd Over Whitlaw £141
Other leading prices: £270 Earlside Whitehill, £230 Stobshiel Mains
C&D Longtown Tue 26th
Ruthin Farmers Wed 3th sept
H & H StBoswells Thurs 4th