RAMSAY FARMS: more lambs, big tired

Thursday, April 1, 2010

more lambs, big tired

Sommarang Emerald finally lambed! I thought she would be one of the first due to her udder. Her udder today looks like a dairy goat udder. Huge udder, huge nipples. I'm not even sure the lambs have nursed but they seem content and full in the belly. This is Emerald's first time lambing. She is 3, her breeder, Lori Stephenson didn't breed her to lamb as a yearling, or as a two year old due to the amount of sheep Lori had at the time. I had picked up them mid-February on my way back from Stephen Rouse's when I was road tripping with Rayna Frigon. I put both girls I got from Lori in with Jazz when I got home. I thought maybe it would be better to get August lambs than no lambs at all. It turns out it didn't work.

BUT! I think my patience paid off :) Bred to Wintertime Jazz, Emerald, who herself is flecket, gave me a cute, pretty and VERY flashy flecket katmoget ewe lamb this morning and a krunet katmoget ram. I personally know that the gray kat ram lamb will have a longer, more intermediate fleece (with a higher CV and SD like his mom), but the ewe's fleece looks a lot more like Jazz's. I was truly hoping for a wildly spotted girl out of her, so I could move Emerald to the cross breeding group. Let's hope her daughter got a low SD and CV like her dad, and from the looks of the fleece, I think I'm right :)

My last noticeably bred BFL ewe, Beechtree Kearsley was bred to AI also...Beeston Titan (thanks Lisa!). She has so far had two white lambs with what looked like another water bag. I'm going back out to check again to see. A ram for sure, and I haven't checked the second one. This is Kearsley's first ram lamb. Ever. I realize the ewe has nothing to do with the sex, but I was sure hoping for some F1 Titan ewes to retain!

Photos soon. yes. soon

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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, April 1, 2010

more lambs, big tired

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A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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