RAMSAY FARMS: I'm still learning!!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I'm still learning!!

I went out to check horn buds on all the ram lambs when I brought them in for their evening feeding.

Boy was I surprised!

If what I'm feeling/seeing is true I have some exciting news for you pollie nuts!

WhitePine Parker, the musket smirslet out of Forrest and Peep is a smooth poll. At three weeks old he has ZERO horn bud and only hair where the bud should be!!!

Dito for Barish x Gracie's boy Grover.

And Rahu's boy, he's appearing to have just tiny button scurs. Time will tell

The rest of the boys are going to have fairly large horns, which is fine by me!

Where is Juliann when I need her....I wish we all lived much closer....learning would be much faster!

2 comments:

Michelle said...: Boy, if either Peyton or Arvada (ESPECIALLY Peyton) were the smooth-polled ramlings, I'd be really struggling with myself here! The only thing keeping me from doing something stupid, like buying a sheep when I need to be selling sheep, is that your older smooth-headed boy is musket, and like you, I'd like to get away from Ag in my ram. But IF someone wants to buy Braveheart at Black Sheep, and IF you still have a smooth-headed ram lamb available, we might have to work something out....; April 29, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Sabrina Wille Erickson said...: Hey Garrett,

Your micron reports look fabulous. And it's cool that you have some polled genetics going on. I still am holding out to see the rest of Barish's lambs. But Parker is tempting. I have mostly solid black (moorit recessive) ewes so a musket is appealing. Especially if he stayed polled!

Hope all is well with you there. I'm still holding out for one more ewe. I think she should go by tomorrow. She looks close.

Take care.; April 30, 2008 at 7:20 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

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

I'm still learning!!

2 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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