RAMSAY FARMS: Meet the ewe - FirthofFifth Rahu

Friday, October 2, 2009

Meet the ewe - FirthofFifth Rahu

FirthofFifth Rahu - S25029 - click reg # to view pedigree

White illget ewe, 31% UK, twin born 4.14.07

AwtAa, BBB?, SSS?. Possible poll carrier ewe.

This photo above when when she was nearly a year old, and right before she lambed as a yearling.

Above here, is Rahu with her ram lamb out of UnderTheSon Arapaho from this August. (note the illget markings on legs and face)

Below is her 2008 yearling micron results:

Below is her 2009 micron report and histogram.

As she has nearly finished maturing, she has turned in to quite the looker of a ewe! Soft crimpy fleece (sorry no photo yet), correct structure, good milky mother. Her son grew and caught up to the AI lambs in size and he is a month younger. I'm really hoping for a ewe lamb out of her as she's given me two amazing ram lambs these past two years.

Rahu is also one of my top ewes for consistent, soft fleece. This fall she is being bred to Willowcroft Jamie in hopes of moorits and solid conformation.

3 comments:

Rayna said...: I <3 Rahu! :); October 2, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Gail V said...: Aww, her spotty face and knees look just like my Bluebell. Highland Hollows registered BB as ilget, but I didn't call her new daughter, Ivy's, markings that-- something Juliann wrote once made me think it was something else. . .
Anyway, pretty girl.; October 3, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Potosi Sheep Farm said...: I think I spun Rahu's fleece last year. It was so soft and easy to spin. I made baby hats out of it.; October 5, 2009 at 1:37 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

Friday, October 2, 2009

Meet the ewe - FirthofFifth Rahu

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed