RAMSAY FARMS: Last weekend

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Last weekend

Last weekend I was in the Tomah, WI area where I found my Mac a new home (check out my dog blog: http://ebonwald.blogspot.com for the whole story).

I also picked up a pair of White-faced Black Spanish Bantams to go with my Old English Game Bantams (I have fawn silver duckwing and Silver duckwing). They are a larger than my OEGB but I'm not going to co-mingle them until this winter when the breeding season is over.

I also picked up FirthofFifth Angus, a dark emsket/light shaela gulmoget with full horns. He is not as fine as my other rams but I am happy to use him for his modified genes as well as the gulmoget genes and the full horned genes (no poll carrier like most of the gulmogets in the US)

I am gleaning a photo of him from Cynthia as I haven't had the time to take new photos!

(photo taken early spring 2009)

After visiting with Cynthia and Christopher very briefly at a truckstop in Mauston I headed due west to Sharrie Smith-Brockhaus' farm where I was to pick up ShelteringPines Pumpernickel Pogo. He is a smirslet, sokket gray katmoget ram with gorgeous wide sweeping horns. His two year old micron came back at AFD 27, SD 5.3, CV 19.7, CF of 76.1%. He'll be used selectively this fall. He is out of Underhill Thelonius Monk and Justalit'l Bedegrayne. He is AbAa, SsSs, MMM?, BBBb.

The photos below are of Pogo in full fleece this spring at Sharrie's house. I'll promise to get new photos soon!

Thank you both Cynthia and Sharrie for letting me try these boys out!

I didn't really NEED a fourth katmoget ram, but used selectively he'll be worth it!

3 comments:

Rayna said...: Awww...a Bedegrayne son! She'd be sooo proud :) He's gorgeous.; July 23, 2009 at 1:28 AM
Michelle said...: And you really don't NEED more black-based sheep! But they sure are handsome....; July 23, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Kathy said...: Garrett, It so obvious of all the strides you're making with your breeding programs. Well done! I see improvements every time you post pictures.
Good onya, mate!; July 23, 2009 at 11:25 PM

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

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Last weekend

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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