RAMSAY FARMS: Meet the ewe - Black Forest Tilly

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Meet the ewe - Black Forest Tilly

Black Forest Tilly - S27171

Black Gulmoget, 44% UK, twin born 4-6-08

AtAa, BBB?, SSS?

Below is Tilly, shown a few weeks after being shorn (and with her ewe lamb cropped out of the photo). She is just a yearling, so has a bit of growing up to do. She is exquisitely refined, while still being around 70 pounds at last weigh in (2 weeks ago). I like everything about this girl structure wise and I think she has breed type (at least what I think is breed type). She has just a slight amount of side dusting which is what I prefer (less, not more).

Below is Tilly freshly shorn with her day old baby girl Terah. If you biggify you might be able to see her lovely crimp as a lamb. She micron tested wonderfully as well, thanks to her momma :)

I've decided after all to breed Tilly to AI this fall. I'm leaning towards Heights Orion and hoping for moorit gulmoget ewe lambs. Wait. I wished for that this year and got a black ewe lamb ;) Fingers crossed......

Her histogram for this year has yet to be delivered to my mail box. It will be put here once I receive them and can scan them in. Here is her 2008 lamb micron.

She DID come down nicely this year. AFD 22.8, SD 5.7, CV 25.1, CF 87.4%

4 comments:

Donna said...: Okay Garrett...are you holding out on me? I would be totally interested in a DARK gul ewe!!!!! Any way to be put on a waiting list or what??; October 6, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Donna said...: Me again...Tilly is EXACTLY what I'm looking for!!! She is exquisite! Just beautiful....; October 6, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Kara said...: If Tilly has a ram lamb with Orion, I'd be interested. I really am drawn to the Orion rams from this year.; October 7, 2009 at 6:02 AM
Donna said...: Are you keeping her offspring?
OK...lets put it this way....could there be a ewe available....if she has twins??? :-) Iam VERY interested in this breeding and/or Redbud!!; October 7, 2009 at 4:46 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

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Meet the ewe - Black Forest Tilly

4 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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