RAMSAY FARMS: I hate coming home

Monday, April 21, 2008

I hate coming home

I just got home last night about midnight from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Specialty that was held in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. LOTS of stuff to talk about with that, but i'll leave it for a time when I'm in a better mood.

I also had only three ewes lamb while I was away:

Underhill Peep (musket) with UK genetic was bred to Wintertime Black Forrest the gulmoget of Meghan Namaste's. She had a gorgeously crimped musket boy and a black gulmoget boy. Both have head splashes of white.

FirthofFifth Sikkem Temi (moorit) with UK genetics gave me my first Barish offspring....a black smirslet ewe lamb. Her white looks like a collar...its cute.

FirthofFifth Rooibos (fawn) with UK genetics gave me a grey katmoget ewe lamb who has tones of brown phaeo on her sides. Its interesting its my 2nd one like this...black tongue and eyelids, black head and feet, but brown phaeo on her sides.

I was gone six days and all hell has broken loose..lots of things I need to fix, move, and such. Also since the weather has since become nice, my clients are panicking that I do their spring clean ups ASAP and i don't have my mower ready or anything like that.

I promise to post photos soon.......I need to regroup and conquer before I do much more on here.

1 comment:

Michelle said...: Sorry, I forgot you were gone to the Cardigan show. Doesn't sound like you're too happy with the results; bummer. Can't wait to see photos of the new lambs, and hear the results of your show, good or bad.; April 21, 2008 at 4:15 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

Monday, April 21, 2008

I hate coming home

1 comment:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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