RAMSAY FARMS: AI weekend

Monday, October 27, 2008

AI weekend

Well I"m back from a long weekend at our AI 'camp' at Paul and Carol Wagner's farm near Manitowoc, WI (near Lake Michigan). We did close to 100 ewes in eight hours and everyone's sheep were done within the time frame for the AI to be most fertile.

Unfortuantely we were unable to AI Bono Creek Lavender Brown as she had a lot of damaged tissues around her uterus and Martin could not get through the tissues to get to the tubes to insert the semen. She will have to be bred via ground breeding.

River Oaks Eliza had the sponge come out a day early and Martin said that we shouldn't run the chance of wasting the semen as she didn't seem 'receptive' to do the AI.

So I had 10 ewes AI'ed out of 12, and there were a few changes....since the straw from Lavender was already thawing, I had to last minute swtich FirfthofFifth Booto from Jamie to Orion.

So there were six ewes bred to Heights Orion:
FirthofFifth Booto - fawn katmoget F1 Timothy (all moorit based lambs expected)
FirthofFifth Evidence of Autumn - a mioget ewe (all moorit based lambs expected)
FirthofFifth Rooibos - fawn - (all lambs will be moorit based lambs)
RYL Rachildas - white ewe (all lambs will be white or Ag grey but carry moorit)
Underhill Peep - musket - (all lambs will be moorit based)
Justalitl Black Lambo - black - (all lambs will be black based but carry moorit)

The following four rams only had one ewe bred to each:
Campaign Timothy x Justalit'l Shasta Ag grey flecket smirslet ewe (all lambs will be black or Ag grey)

Willowcroft Jamie x RiverOaks Lucy - all lambs will be black based (possibly moorit if Lucy carries it)

Shirehill Minder x Underhill Ulla - all lambs will be moorit based and either katmoget or Ag musket

Greenholme Holly x Justalit'l Chloe - all lambs will be katmoget, either black or moorit and possibly polled.

I still have 10 straws left for a future LAI, with all of the above rams but also including one straw of Heatheram Lightning and just for pure curiousity, one Drum Jings straw. I know! TWO WHITE RAMS but I may or may not use them, only time will tell if the proper ewe presents herself to be bred to either of them.

Photos of the LAI helpers and sheep will be posted probably tomorrow when I have more time and some REST! Overall it was a great learning day and was great to see all my friends and to make new ones!

1 comment:

Becky Utecht said...: Yes Lucy carries moorit, her sire is a Fawn katmoget. It's a good thing Martin advised you not to waste a straw with Eliza if she wasn't receptive to it. Looking forward to seeing your lambs.; October 27, 2008 at 8:37 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, October 27, 2008

AI weekend

1 comment:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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