RAMSAY FARMS: Yearling Shetland Ewes

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Yearling Shetland Ewes

Just a few. I have to save some of the photos for another day. Naturally when I have hep coming its lightly snowy and overcast so the photos will all be a 'gray tone' instead of their natural selves. Sigh. Story of my life.

*AS ALWAYS CLICK PHOTOS TO BIGGIFY!!*

The photos below are of the yearling group of girls. Three Shetland Mules and 25 Shetland ewes. 10 of those Shetlands are from AI, the balance are all out of F1 rams.

Below the white ewe looking away is WhitePine Ciara (WhitePine Roman AI (Orion x RYL Rachildas) x WhitePine Castle Rock (Wintertime Jazz x Justalit'l Chloe) She's a chuck and has dynamite fleece like that entire Rachildas line. Jazz of course left his stamp too making it finer!

The dark faced gray katmoget is FirthofFifth Basotho (WhitePine Eprhaim AI (Orion x Autumn) x FirthofFifth Blottir (Forrest x Boppitty) She is becoming quite tame like her momma.

The gray katmoget with the spots on her face is my F1 Jericho daughter WhitePine Nina Sky out of ShelteringPines Nirvana. She and her dynamite twin sister (in the back left of the photo) are just fantastic. Breed type, presence, etc. All these girls have lovely density and bounce to their fleeces. Amazing conformation.

A group photo of most of the girls...... I'm so pleased with my girls!

This photo shows my Smirslet Sokket Flecket Gray Katmoget ewe WhitePine Eiffel 65. She is out of Jazz and Sommarang Emerald. Huge improvement on her mother and spotted to boot.

Another group shot of the girls...looking at something. Just about every color and pattern in this bunch!

Speaking of color...This is one of two emsket yearlings that WhitePine Ephraim produced for Cynthia. They were born jet black and are an awesome bluish hue to their fleece. No Iset in them to make them 'appear' modified. I've tried for years to have one born here but JUST got shaela...and of course mioget and fawn! Ephraim produced some lovely length to the fleeces on these lambs from Cynthia and I am really excited to see how they produce next year for me.

1 comment:

Kara said...: Garrett,

Great ears! I have noticed that some of the finer Shetlands don't necessarily have the best ear set...well done to have both fine fleece and correct ears.; March 6, 2011 at 10:04 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

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Yearling Shetland Ewes

1 comment:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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