RAMSAY FARMS: water in barn

Saturday, January 24, 2009

water in barn

so my dad informed me yesterday that BOTH lines coming in from the well, into the barn were froze...........and that there was no water for the animals IN the barn, or the cows outside.

So I took 5 gallon pails full of snow and brought in for the sheep, which they appreciated and brought some for the ducks/geese too.

this morning my dad calls to tell me he went into the barn and there was 2-3 inches of water/ice throughout the entire barn as he had left one of the faucets open all night and the line thawed in the meantime.

*sigh*

AND I wanted to clean the barn OUT to prepare for lambing.....it'll be here before you know it! So now my DAD is going to go buy ice melt so we can get the ice out and cleaned.

its always something

*UGH!!!!!*

6 comments:

Kim Nikolai said...: Oh, I feel for you guys. It will be a tough job for sure to clean up. Take care of yourselves and keep warm!

Good luck!; January 24, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Unknown said...: All I gotta say is that really sucks. I carry out HOT water every morning & evening for the sheep & goats....they love it!! My water line was never frozen....thank goodness. Hope all gets better for you:); January 24, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Sharrie said...: Water lines can be a real headache. I hope your clean up goes well. Frozen water lines can cause problems that no one can imagine would happen.
Good luck!; January 24, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Rayna said...: Ours is froze too :(; January 24, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Becky Utecht said...: Oh man, what a bummer Garrett! Good luck getting the ice out and getting ready the barn for lambing. Let's hope for an early spring this year.; January 24, 2009 at 10:43 PM
solstice kennels said...: Blessed be to farmers! A job I appreciate but never want. We lived on a little farm in NC from the time I was 11-15 and it made me love and appreciate farms but know it isn't in my nature to be a farmer.; January 25, 2009 at 1:04 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

Saturday, January 24, 2009

water in barn

6 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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