RAMSAY FARMS: Bred Ewes

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Bred Ewes

It was so nice out today I had to take some photos of the "ladies in waiting". Not everyone was as excited for photos as others were ;)

left to right (front row) RYL Rachildas, Sheltering Pines Snow Cloud (are you paying attention Suzanne?!) Underhill Peep. Back row is Wintersky Layla, BonoCreek Lavender Brown, FirthofFifth Evidence of Autumn, Justalit'l Black Lambo, Justalit'l Chloe, River Oaks Eliza. I think I got everyone!

The moorit in front is Underhill Ulla, who is bred to Shirehill Minder, Justalit'l Black Lambo is bred to Heights Orion, the mioget is WinterSky Layla (F1 Orion) bred to Wintertime Jazz (F1 Jericho) and the gulmoget is FirthofFifth Taika who is bred to FirthofFifth Barish (F1 Timothy)

Hmm..let's see...Layla, Chloe, Peep (with the neck that is still rooing), the Smirslet is Sheltering Pines Fleur de Lis who is bred to Jazz, and then Ulla and Eliza again.

Clockwise from top left, Justalit'l Shasta who is bred to Campaign Timothy, RYL Rachildas who is bred to Heights Orion, Minwawe Sterling (Sedalia's mom.....this photo was for Rich LOL) who is bred to Jazz again and WhitePine Twix who is out of the mioget FirthofFifth Don Telmo Bourbon and Love-E-Ewe Cleo. She is bred to Jazz also.

Here's my shaela girl WhitePine Skor who was also out of Bourbon and the late FirthofFifth Assam Meleng who was also shaela. Meleng was my softest ewe that I lost to bloat this past summer. Skor is just as soft and I think an improvement on her mom. She was bred to Barish in hopes of a polled boy that is modifed!

FirthofFifth Booto (F1 Timothy and Barish's twin sister). Booto is bred to Heights Orion. Lambs will be 76.5% UK. She's the one who pushes ME out of the way when I bring in the hay,but then try to pet her and she runs away. What a flirt.

4 comments:

Crosswinds Farm said...: I am trying to remember when you put breeding groups together...'cause my ewes look a whole lot bigger than your girls...maybe I should be worried..; February 8, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Ebonwald Cardigans said...: that was BEFORE I fed them. If you saw them from the back end they look huge and massive. 23 ewes are eating an 850 pound round bale every 9 days!; February 8, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Kathy said...: I can't wait to see the lambs! (We didn't breed this year due to surgeries for the DH and trips to NZ to visit the first granddaughter! Of course, Skit's fit to be tied!); February 9, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Alaska Shetland Shepherd said...: I see her I see her!! CLOSEUP PLEASE!! LOL! Took me long enough, eh???; February 28, 2009 at 12:45 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

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Bred Ewes

4 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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