[perkhar]

Does anyone keep north country Cheviots as a pedigree breed on here? I'm interested in them what they fetch market value compared to cross breeds and the pros and con sect. Have had my eye on them for a while and would like to find out more about them cheers

[shep53]

If you go onto youtube and look at LAIRG ram sales    DINGWALL cheviot sales   LOCKERBIE  ncc sales

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Last year when my sheep were not fetching good prices at mart I contemplated running then with a ncc tup, but they were so expensive to buy. There carcases are really good, so I have heard, quite a highly desired sheep i think. Check out the ncc society and they should be able to tell you more, but I must warn you prices are not cheap.

[mowhaugh]

Which type are you interested in? The flock book is divided into park sheep (NCC) and hill sheep (NCH), I am not trying to be pernickity, just want to make sure you get the information you want.  We have hill northies and I love them. Can tell you more if they are what you are interested in.

[perkhar]

I'm after the park sheep we are situated in The western isles but still have some decent grazing that would be suitable for the park type.. I have a few non pedigree Cheviots but think that it would be nice to specialize and get the very best from the breed

[landroverroy]

 Having pedigree animals doesn't necessarily mean you will get a better price for the offspring than you would get for good quality commercials.
Ultimately it depends on what you intend to do with the offspring.
In the meat market there is no difference in taste between a pedigree and non ped animal and they all look the same on the plate. Bear in mind that 50% of what you breed will be male and you won't be able to sell them all for breeding. So in a killing market they will get the going meat price of that day.
Don't presume that because your animals have papers that your stock will achieve the same high prices in the breeding sales as those of well known breeders. It takes years of showing and getting your name  known to achieve these sorts of prices.
A good, well produced commercial animal will fetch as much or more than a poorly presented pedigree one. For example,  I recently bought 2 x 18 month pedigree hereford heifers from a breed sale for £700 each. My own home bred non pedigree cattle at that age were getting £950 and were far better animals. I kept the pedigrees for a few months and sold them on at £1000 each to someone who wanted pedigrees, and was quite happy to pay for the paperwork. But my own bred animals were still superior and only £50 less without the expense of joining the breed society and having to register them.
But - if you enjoy showing and can produce good animals, then good luck if you want to go down  the pedigree route. It takes time and attention and can be very rewarding.
 

[perkhar]

I think I'll just be keeping them very small scale along side my own crossed flock and slowly build it up not really doing it for the difference in monetary value of the animal just as a hobbie or interest I have.. I think it would be really nice to concentrate heavily on producing good pedigree stock. But like you say there is nothing wrong with cross breeds and they do indeed taste very nice all the same.. Nothing beats a hill bred mutton carcass in my opinion. Strong meat not for everyone's taste but I can't get enough of it.