RAMSAY FARMS: BFL photos!!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

BFL photos!!

I went out with my camera and just started pointing and clicking. I only took 54 photos and came up with about 25 keepers so that's cool!

I'll try and pace myself with the camera photos. Tomorrow I"ll be having help to collect fleece samples for microns and will take individual photos of each fleece parted and of the individual animal for my records. My friend Kody is bringing his digital camera and while not super great, it will do the purpose much better than mine!!

I know you are all dying to see my sheep (cuz you're nosy like that!) so I'll help with your addiction.

A week from today is our shearing and I have friends coming from North Dakota, South Dakota and Milwaukee, Wisconsin to help! YAY!! I'm a blessed person to have any help at all!

(they have no idea what they are getting themselves in to!)

So here are two photos of my BFLs.

The whole group (including my ram Burma), and minus Prima Facie, who was at the fence begging to be scratched. Seven white ewes, three natural colored. (there is a shetland-cheviot ewe in the background too....sneaky girl).

*CLICK PHOTO TO BIGGIFY*

Below is WhitePine Kacy. Her sire is Sheltering Pines Burma (ShelteringPines Nightwatch x Beecthree Blyth) and Beechtree Kershope (Beechtree Titanium x Beechtree Kearsley). She was my only BFL lamb in 2009. She is bred to Beechtree Wycliffe, an F2 Rossiebank 840/X003.

2 comments:

*** said...: I'm wondering if you would consider doing a post on collecting fleece samples. My son is interested in doing that with his Shetlands this year, but we don't have any idea where to start. A picture tutorial would be great!; March 5, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Ebonwald Cardigans said...: I will do my best to get photos!!; March 5, 2011 at 7:36 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

Saturday, March 5, 2011

BFL photos!!

2 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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