RAMSAY FARMS: Minwawe Dixie Cup

Friday, April 25, 2008

Minwawe Dixie Cup

Lamb races at 7am today

Snow storm at 3pm today

Well the Minwawe crew here has finally decided to gimme a lamb! The rest of them all look like they are about to pop. And they should! Its now only 27 degrees and heavily snowing! We are expected to get another foot of snow! Pity as just this week I've been mowing the lawn (spring clean up), getting fences fixed, machinery greased and ready to to into the fields and trying to start clean ups for my business, no thanks to my mower starting on fire!

I gathered the girls up around 2:30pm today when the snow started. I figured I'd rather have them INSIDE than outside in this terrible weather. It keeps getting worse out there...windier and whiter!

I went out to feed the afternoon hay and their grain mix about an hour later and there was a tiny black smirslet ewe lamb standing and trying to nurse off of her momma. WHAT THE HECK! she wasn't even acting funny today, she's such a pig at the feeders too...hmm...guess I have more to learn! I jugged her and baby Denver and they seem to be doing well!

Dixie Cup and her daughter Denver have just about the same markings! Denver and Temi's girl, Trinidad are both sired by Barish and both have the 'head band' or 'chin strap' marking on them

3 comments:

Michelle said...: When I read "Denver," I assumed a ram lamb as there is a boy in our church congregation named Denver. Have you used the name Aurora yet? It's a much more feminine-sounding city!; April 26, 2008 at 1:27 AM
Ebonwald Cardigans said...: Michelle. I also know a Denver that is a guy, but I have a strict naming system here. All babies must be named after the 1st letter of their mother. So it has to be a 'D'. All the other D names seemed quite masculine!; April 26, 2008 at 6:22 AM
Kathy said...: Garrett, you must be getting OUR weather! And we'd like it back, pluheez! LOL! We have had the driest April on record for AZ and are now in fire season! It's dry, dry, dry!
Having a blizzard? The ewes will lamb for sure! It's the law, isn't it? Just don't get stuck in a snowbank! :); April 28, 2008 at 11:52 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

Friday, April 25, 2008

Minwawe Dixie Cup

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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