RAMSAY FARMS: Still Kickin'

Friday, January 15, 2010

Still Kickin'

Wow its been two weeks since my last post! Who knew?

There hasn't been much news to share. Lots of time to reflect on farm goals, cattle goals, sheep goals, life goals. What exactly do I want to be doing? If you've followed my blog for several years, you'll realize I go through 'this phase' every winter when I have a lot of time to reflect. hopefully it passes soon.

I've spent a lot of time out WITH the animals. Yes even though we've had a huge terrible cold spell for the last three weeks. I've been playing with my first litter of puppies. You can follow them on my dog blog at ebonwald.blogspot.com

I've not looked at my sheep spreadsheets, pedigrees, micron tests or ear tag #s. I've been totally devoted to the sheep. Their care. Their well being. They seem happy. I'm happy. Its always wonderful to nuzzle them or bury your face in their soft wool. I'm remembering why I have the sheep. Their fun personalities and their wool. Their easy keeping, hardiness and individual antics.

I'm going to shear two months early this year. Let's hope that March is snowless and warm (ya right...HERE?) and lambing starts March 1st here. We clean the barn this weekend and will prepare the lambing jugs so they are ready to go when the lambs come. If I don't do it now it will be last minute racing to find where I used the panels for the lambing jugs when there are wet lambs wandering the barn.

I've started seeing someone casually and this also makes me happy. Now if it would snow more, I might be able to pay my bills this month :) Other than that, live is good.....time to go snuggle with the dogs on the couch and watch my Netflix movie!

Enjoy the weekend! Wine and good company (dogs). I doesn't get much better :)

4 comments:

Michelle said...: Good to hear from you; yes, "live" is good. :-) Sounds like your life is good, too! Off to see the puppies....; January 15, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Nancy K. said...: Have a wonderful weekend!; January 16, 2010 at 9:27 AM
Alaska Shetland Shepherd said...: 'Bout time you showed back up!!

How's Snowy? Hopefully you'll save me a nice BFL ram lamb this year - I need one! LOL!; January 17, 2010 at 11:36 PM
Potosi Sheep Farm said...: I love the barn in winter because you get to know all your sheep up close. This is when their personalities really become apparent....like the ones that ram everyone at the feeder( including you) to eat first,the ones that can open a gate and get into the work area before you,and the ones that love attention.I even have a few that "talk" to me.
Just by their way of following me and looking at me they can schmooze me into anything they want. So much fun and so exciting when the lambs come.
Hope that new person in your life makes you happy too.; January 18, 2010 at 11:56 AM

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, January 15, 2010

Still Kickin'

4 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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