RAMSAY FARMS: I've just come to a decision

Thursday, September 4, 2008

I've just come to a decision

After this breeding season I will NOT breed from a ram that is under 50% UK. I will never get to my 'finest' fleeced animals without going back heavily to UK stock.

I have Jazz who is 87% and 20 microns at last rib mid side. I have Barish who is 53% UK and 21.5 microns at last rib mid side. Mohican is 50% UK and will be microned this fall. My own ram lamb, Lyons is 62% UK and will also be microned this fall.

Now two of my rams i'm using this fall...>Arapaho and Barkley are 42 and 37% UK respectively...so I may change my mind on THEM (LOL) but I'm trying to only retain, keep, breed from, buy rams that are heavily UK influenced.

I've already done my calculations for the ewes being AI'ed this fall as to what percents the lambs will be. They'll range from 76.5%-56.5% so all within that limit of 50% or higher.

I still prefer my ewes to be intermediate but I think I can soften them up a lot with the right UK rams. Time will tell if what I decided to do, besides all the OTHER health factors, colors, pedigree, structure, fleece, etc etc that I have to take into contention.

Random thoughts from a random mind........

2 comments:

Kathy said...: Somet9imes, our random thoughts turn out to be great ideas...or not. ;) Kudos to you, Garrett, for determing what goals you'd like to accomplish.
At what age do you micron your animals? The reason I ask is that I have seen a few lambs have one fleece as their lamb fleece, but after a first shearing turn out to be quite different than expected. Not all lambs but even thought it's just been a few, I guess it's enough to notice. Of course, these Shetlands are notorious for changing from year to year! LOL! One ewe I've had for about three years now has two brown spots on her back where none were before - and they are skin deep, so should stay for a while IF she doesn't change again.
Must be Houdini sheep, eh? :); September 7, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Alaska Shetland Shepherd said...: Hey Garrett - welcome back! Go visit my blog too... :-); September 9, 2008 at 12:01 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

Thursday, September 4, 2008

I've just come to a decision

2 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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