RAMSAY FARMS: Fleece samples

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Fleece samples

I tried to get a few photos, but gosh is it hard on a cloudy day, without help!!

Let's see if they even turn out good enough eh? The flash made them too bright or without a flash they were way too dark but you can at least sort of see the crimp?

Rahu's mother, RYL Rachildas - 13% UK (Lightning blood) Her micron is 33 AFD, but her CV is 20 and she still feels soft, and highly improvable given her daugther is exquisite and silky soft! This year she is bred to Height Orion.

FirthofFifth Rahu - white illget - 31% UK F3 Dillon - Wintertime Black Forrest daughter. My softest ewe. i want to breed her to Wintertime Jazz but also have thought about FirthofFifth Barish or UndertheSon Arapaho.

Underhill Peep - musket - F2 Greyling/F2 Jamie - bred to Heights Orion.

Justalit'l Shasta - she is bred to Campaign Timothy - she is 25% UK and also smirslet flecket, and Ag.

WinterSky Layla AI - F1 Orion - she is a dark mioget but the cloudy skies and no flash didn't help! 67% UK will be bred to Wintertime Jazz this fall.

3 comments:

Cynthia said...: You've done a great job with this crew Garrett. Good luck with this coming season...I expect you will have some in spades!

Cynthia; November 7, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Sabrina Wille Erickson said...: Garrett,

I just realized that I have three lambs from three different ewes that rank in your best! (although Arvada came from the late Meleng. :(

Arvada (Jazz lamb)is just dynamite awesome. Every trait is top notch. Even his scurs are wide and well away from his face. He is very uniform from shoulder to britch, fabulous crimp and lovely softness.

Parker(Peep X Barish)...he is soft, soft. Like cotton in texture. His crimp drops away at the britch and his rear is not as strong as Arvy's. But his scurs keep breaking off, he has incredible wool coverage and density, and I have faith that with ewes that strengthen his minor faults, I will get terrific keepers.

And now my baby sweetpea: Silverthorne (Shasta X Jazz) She is so soft. No crimp even up front, but I've never felt anything so soft. Her conformation, like halfbrother Arvada, is flawless. And she loves me now! (the best part) I've been hand feeding her and she runs to me for treats.

BTW...I'll send you her last payment soon. I haven't forgot.

Anyway. These lambs are quite nice. It'll be exciting to see what you achieve in the future.

Take care.; November 8, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Crosswinds Farm said...: Big Daddy G Dogg,
Uhhhh, I thought you said you didn't have crimpy goodness in your flock......I'm thinkin' they look pretty darn good!; November 9, 2008 at 5:03 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

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Fleece samples

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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