RAMSAY FARMS: Lambs that make me smile and Jefferson planning

Friday, June 25, 2010

Lambs that make me smile and Jefferson planning

I love walking the pasture and seeing the lambs growing. My there are some really nice growthy lambs this year! There are always a few that really stand out and I keep finding them, no matter how hard I try to find 'all' the lambs.

I'm trying to plan my lambs and yearlings to take to the show in Jefferson this year.

This is what I have so far:

2 Mule ewe lambs
1 yearling Mule ewe with Texel lamb.

1 BFL ram lamb
2 BFL yearling white ewes
1 BFL yearling colored ewe
2 BFL aged colored ewes
2 BFL aged white ewes

2 Shetland ram lambs (I have about four I want to take!)
2 Shetland ewe lambs - I can't decide if I should take 2 white ewe lambs or a white and a gray katmoget. I would assume for 'pairs' they should be identical as can be? I have quite a few I really love this year.
2 Shetland yearling ewes. Such choices here too.
2 Shetland aged ewes.

If you notice I'm not taking any yearling Shetland rams. Their pasture is small and I must feed hay year round to them. They grow much slower than I'd like and my yearlings would be considered 'too small to compete today' if I took them to show.

Gosh I sure hope Briony plans on coming I need lots of help showing!

3 comments:

Michelle said...: I sure wish we had "aged" classes in Oregon!

And may I commend you on Barish's polite demeanor? Maybe he'll change as breeding season approaches, but he is such a mellow fellow; hard to believe he's three years old!; June 25, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Sabrina Wille Erickson said...: That's 19 sheep, Garrett.
:D; June 26, 2010 at 6:42 AM
susan said...: The judge at the Orgeon show asked my freind about her small ram lamb in the class "When was he born, or was he born yet?"

-Susan; June 26, 2010 at 8:44 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, June 25, 2010

Lambs that make me smile and Jefferson planning

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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