BACKGROUND The North of England Mule is unsurpassed as a profitable, easy care ewe. A classic example of Hybrid Vigour where the parent breed carries different dominant factors with different desirable traits. The resulting cross is superior to both parent rather than the average of them. The North of England Mule is sired by the Bluefaced Leicester, who with a 230% pure bred lambing is the most prolific native breed in the country and passes this onto its progeny. This medium sized cross-bred sheep has a Swaledale or Northumberland Type Blackface dam both known for their hardiness, superior mothering and milk quality. Crops of 180-200% are common amongst well-managed lowland flocks of North of England Mules. This is why this breed is in such demand by farmers looking for a ewe to breed and rear large crops of quality lambs in the lowlands. The final link in the chain is the specialised terminal breeds, developed for carcass quality to produce animals almost exclusively for prime lamb production. Examples of Terminal sires; Texel Suffolk Charollais Rouge de l-ouest Blue de Maine "The most popular lowland ewe in the United Kingdom"