RAMSAY FARMS: Sponges are in!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Sponges are in!

This evening my dad assisted me in putting the sponges in the 12 ewes that I've decided to use for AI. While most of the ewes I've decided on who to use them on, I still am tossing a few up in the air. On one hand I can improve fleece. On another, depth of color or density of fleece. On yet another I can improve stucture. Some I want their line (pedigree). Others I like the fact that they are poll carriers. Since they are some of the very last straws of these boys and there is no 'green light' yet for future importations this is a serious deal.

I've decided to use at least 6 Heights Orion. The ewes that will go to him are mostly based on histograms (low SD and CV) with some higher AFDs. I'm hoping to improve fleeces with these girls first and foremost:

Justalit'l Black Lambo Aa/Aa Black F3 Holly F3 Timothy
BonoCreek Lavender Brown Aa/Aa fawn F2/F3 Jamie
FirthofFifth Rooibos Aa/Aa fawn 25% UK
RYL Rachildas Awt/Ag white illget F3 Lightning
Underhill Peep Ag/Aa musket F2 Greyling, F2 Jamie
FirthofFifth Evidence of Autumn Aa/Aa fawn F3Holly F3 Jamie

Campaign Timothy for solid (no iset) dark blacks or moorits:
Justalit'l Shasta Ag/Aa horned smirslet flecket F3 Gordon
River Oaks Eliza Awt/Aa White 18% UK

Willocroft Jamie for deep color and structure:
River Oaks Lucy Ab/Aa Grey Katmoget F3 Dillon F3 Holly
FirthofFifth Booto Ab/Aa Fawn Katmoget F1 Timothy

Greenholme Holly for the poll gene:
Justalit'l Chloe Ab/Ab fawn katmoget F2 Minder

Shirehill Minder for possible poll gene:
Underhill Ulla Aa/Aa moorit F2 Jamie

That will leave me with 7 extra straws...1 Orion, 1 Lightning, 1 Jamie, 2 Holly, 2 Timothy for a future AI.

If any of you think that a ewe might be put to a better animal, do let me know. There are other reasons than listed why I'm using a certain ram to a ewe and would welcome any discussion of them privately.

4 comments:

Rayna said...: Yay! Eliza to Timothy! Can't WAIT to see what babies she throws! I think Lucy to Jamie will be a nice cross too. Excited to see what your F1 Minder will look like after seeing mine and her daughter. Looks like a good combo though, there's always next year or the year after. Hopefully the green light will go in importing some more semen in :); October 10, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Michelle said...: Remember that Holly is also known for depth of color and no iset. My seven-year-old Holly ewe has no iset visible at any distance, and only a few stray white strands when you look very closely. Why would you put an Ag/Aa ewe with Timothy if you want solid, dark color? Wouldn't one of your Aa/Aa ewes be better there?

Have you looked at my blog lately? I'm getting a son of Juli's Octavian, and thus Roban Dillon blood, for use this breeding season! That will give me Orion, Greyling, Holly and Dillon in my tiny flock - not bad for someone who wasn't even looking for UK genetics!; October 10, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Ebonwald Cardigans said...: Hey Michelle! I needed to put both my Ag girls to solid rams in hopes of that 50% chance they'd be Aa/Aa. I wouldn't mind an Ag out of timothy or orion either, but again, hoping for Aa/Aa babies from those Ag/Aa ewes. If nothing else, I'd hope they'd carry it under the Ag! I"ll go check your blog out!; October 10, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Kathy said...: Sounds like you are well on your way to your dreams and goals, Garrett! I can hardly wait to see how this progresses...; October 10, 2008 at 10:52 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, October 10, 2008

Sponges are in!

4 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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