RAMSAY FARMS: Fleeces

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Fleeces

I've always been told its a good idea to have some wine while skirting fleeces and talking on the phone to friends! So thanks to JoAnne Beashau of Beaszak Cardigans for the Green Apple Riesling and for the chat on the phone! Also Barb P, Wanda and MissE for the conversations too! I got most of the sold fleeces skirted/monkey picked and ready for shipping. I also got around to doing my OWN fleeces I wanted to keep and having them sent in to Wooly Knob Fiber Mill for roving. Just in time too as the fleeces on the girls will need to come off soon. I'm hoping to purchase sheep suits finally for my crimpier fleeces (man do they ever suck in the VM!) and buy their mineral for the year with it. Thank goodness for the 2nd selling point of Shetlands and BFLs!

This photo is of a ewe, FirthofFith Sikkem Temi that I sold last summer. She was a beautiful moorit with a pretty breed type. She had a moonspot on her shoulder and you can see it in the photo above.

Her half sister WhitePine Twix (on the mother's side) has a small moonspot on her hip that I noticed too while I was skirting her fleece for her new owner!

My white ewe RYL Rachildas. Her lambs are always am improvement on her but I love her bigger crimp! This fleece is also sold.

Beechtree Kershope's lamb fleece. GORGEOUS locks and luster! Of course its already sold! :)

5 comments:

Somerhill said...: Garrett, have you seen the BFL ornaments that were on the wine glasses for the BFL National Show at Rhinebeck? If not, email me and I will take a picture for you.
Lisa; February 26, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Laura said...: Pretty fleeces.I really like Rachidas's fleece.; February 26, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Juliann said...: Nice!; February 27, 2009 at 7:56 AM
Claire MW said...: I am learning about skirting for this year's shearing (my first ever) and wondered about the thingy that you have that fleece laid out on. Is that just hardware cloth attached to a wood frame? What size is it? How did you attach the hardware cloth? Would you do anything different if you had to make another one? Is that enough questions for you for now? :-) Thanks!; February 27, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Michelle said...: Congratulations on your sales! I still have two fleeces from last year to pick, and two fresh ones from my ram and wether now. I need to find a new solution for a skirting table, as Rick used the horse panel I had used for a gate....; March 25, 2009 at 6:28 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

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Fleeces

5 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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