RAMSAY FARMS: Goals

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Goals

As I sit and watch the pregnant ewes...with the little lambs kicking from time to time and making their moms totally uncomfortable, short of breath and walking funny, I wonder things. A lot of things.

Did I make the right breeding choice for 'so and so'?

What if she has twin rams?

What if something happens and I'm not here?

Should I breed her again or move her out?

And when the lambs come I think many things:

why couldn't there be more girls? or a different color? I hope this one turns out!

And then I worry about the moms. Did they get enough nutrients? Are they growing fast enough? Too fast? Will I have enough pasture for everyone if its a drought?

Do I keep the girls that didn't work for me and use them in a crossbreeding program or do I sell them to others who might be just looking for that particular animal?

So many decisions, that I know we all must make. Some of us this is a hobby, to others its a way of life. Some keep the sheep for pets, some for fiber, some for income, some for meat. We all have different decisions and solutions for every scenario. I just need to make the ones I feel best suit me.

Wow where did this post come from?!!! Rambling thoughts from a cluttered mind......

3 comments:

Rayna said...: You took all the words out of my brain....Same thoughts that been goin through my head :); April 3, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Terri D. said...: Hey Garrett -- thanks for the ramblings... I have had the same thoughts also...probably fairly typical for most of us!; April 3, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Juliann said...: Hi Garrett, hey everybody thinks this way. The way I see it, if a particular pairing doesn't work out, we can send the mistakes to market and try again next year. There will be disappointments, but that makes the successes so much more valuable.
I know some people really value predictability in their shetlands, but I think the experimentation and playing around with the genetics is half the fun!; April 4, 2008 at 4:58 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

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Goals

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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