RAMSAY FARMS: Sleepy BFLs and a few Shetlands....

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sleepy BFLs and a few Shetlands....

I had a couple of moments before chores to take some photos of the girls (and boys) in the pasture. It is surely drying up fast with NO rain in weeks...and coming off of a drought last two summers is not a good thing. I can't remember when its been so dry so early. Not good for rotational grazing! The pastures yet to be grazed are still lush and green, but they are not growing back after I move them off of the old ones....that makes me nervous...like a lot.

Enjoy the photos below.

Potosi Llandewwi is shown here stretched out enjoying the sun with a fellow sun fan in the form of Terah, who is Black Forest Tilly's daughter out of UnderTheSon Arapaho. Llandewwi loves the sun ...can you tell?

Cross Wind Clover is resting in the sun.

And now she is trying to sleep......

This is Lot, out of Jazz and Lavender. He is just stunning. Several people have inquired about him so wanted to show a newer photo.

Family photo of Minwawe Flopsy with her spotted katmoget ewe lamb Faith and the rear of her son Fortunatus. Several people have shown interest in both (but the girl is NFS) so wanted to show Fortunatus' rear. His fleece is way better than his sisters.

A photo of Flopsy's nice rear and tail. She is now going through the rise :)

Above is my F1 Jamie black ram lamb named Levi. Notice the lack of horns? :) The ram lamb gray katmoget WITH horns is my F1 Holly boy Caiphus. His mother Justalit'l Chloe is behind him. To their front is Rachel, an F2 Timothy girl out of Barish. She is staying too.

Underhill Peep and her musket ram lamb out of Heights Orion. He is 75% UK. and his horns are still less than an inch long at nearly three months of age.

Underhill Ulla gave me two stunning ram lambs this year out of Minder. She is going to be AI'ed again this fall.

This is Underhill Peep, a musket F2 Greyling, F2 Jamie. She's a love. Behind her is River Oaks Lucy who is linebred on Dillon. Both girls have proven their poll carrier abilities when bred to horned rams last fall via AI. I'm thinking of using both again in AI this fall.

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Who we are

Ramsay Farms is situated in the northeastern part of Ottertail County, near Perham, Minnesota. This family farm of 320 acres has been in the Ramsay family for five generations, dating back to 1892. Today our farm prides itself on our Simmental cattle, Shetland Sheep and BlueFaced Leicester sheep. We strive to breed animals that closest match the breed standards given to them, and mindful of production, health and longevity in our animals as well.

In spring of 2016, there was a purchase of 32 acres in Green County, Wisconsin to accommodate Garrett for his work in that region. The animals have for the most part been moved to that location. Both locations will work in tandem to continue educating and promoting these animals and this way of life.

From the Shetland Sheep Society

"Shetland sheep have for generations been noted for their very soft and well crimped fleece. The wool is the finest of all native breeds and shows an amazing variety of colours and patterns. There are 11 main whole colours and 30 recognised markings.

By selecting from coloured fleeces a range of naturally coloured yarn can be produced. This eliminates the need for dyeing and therefore retains the soft feel of the natural fibre and is favoured by those who prefer a totally natural approach.

Shetland wool fibres are of a simple construction witha central cortex covered by a thin scaly cuticle, and have an average diameter of about 23 microns. However there is a range from 10-20 microns for neck and shoulder wool to 25to 35 microns for britch wool. the average staple length is 3.5 inches. The amount of crimp varies, and is most important in providing the 'bounce' required for knitwear. There is a positive correlation between fineness and crimp, with wool of the finest quality being crimped at between 8 and 12 to the inch. Wool from shetland sheep is used to produce gossamer lace, the famous 'Fair Isle' knitwear, and fine tweeds. Pure bred Shetland sheep tend to shed their fleece in sprin. The growth of new fleece can cause a rise or weak point and where this is present the fleece can sometimes be plucked or 'rooed' by hand. The timing of this can be different in each sheep, however, it is worth taking the care to get it right as rooed fleece can be amongst the softest because the fibres have no harsh cut ends as occurs with a sheared fleece.

Shetland fleece can be handspun straight from the fleece or made into rolags and then woollen spun. It can also be sorsted spun by hand, used on a peg loom or handwoven. It also felts well using either dry or wet methods. When processed commercially the wool can be made into the finest lightweight worsted cloth or heavier weight, harder wearing fabrics and tweeds."

RAMSAY FARMS

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sleepy BFLs and a few Shetlands....

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A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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