RAMSAY FARMS: MORE LAMBS

Sunday, March 22, 2009

MORE LAMBS

I just walked out into the barn and saw that RiverOaks Lucy had just had a little black ram with a krunet with the most amazing tight crimpy fleece I've ever laid eyes on! (THANKS BECKY!) He weighed in at 7 pounds. He is my Willowcroft Jamie lamb! I'm sorry I don't have a wonderful camera...only 3x optical zoom with 8.8 megapixel....I need a 10x optical zoom!

Isn't he a cutie?

As I was checking his gender I notice Justalit'l Black Lambo was in labor (its about time that poor girl!) and she was pushing but only one leg and the head were coming out...I scrubbed up and felt for the other front leg....it was just bent back at the knee and i quickly corrected it and out she came! A GORGEOUS MOORIT EWE LAMB! WOHOO!! As she was cleaning her off she kept pushing (standing up mind you) and out came a MOORIT RAM LAMB backwards! She was so intent on the ewe so I went in and picked him up and brought him over to the front to be cleaned. Lambo is 8 years old and no one ever knew her status if she carried moorit recessively...well she does! These lambs are out of Heights Orion! Again sorry for the fuzzy pics...i didn't want to get too close while she was bonding.

Lambo cleaning up her children, ewe on left, ram on right. (with orbs, not spots)

Ewe lamb in front, ram in the background. The ewe is a pound heavier than the ram.

Ewe is on the left, ram on the right (you can see the boys' horn buds already!)

5 comments:

penni said...: Ooooh, Garret, they are coming fast and furious now. Hurrah for all the twins -- especially the babies with the really tight crimping.; March 22, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Sharrie said...: You are really rolling now. Nice lambs!; March 22, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Kara said...: Hey I guessed Lucy, don't I get points for being close?! Congrats! Beautiful lambies! Okay now you have me wanting to go out and check the barn AGAIN.; March 22, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Sherilyn said...: Sooooooooooo cute!!! :) Sounds like you're doing a great job!; March 23, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Becky Utecht said...: Congrats on all the nice AI lambs! I was so happy to see the photos of Lucy and her ram lamb. Yes, he is a cutie. And so are all the rest. :-); March 23, 2009 at 9:17 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

Sunday, March 22, 2009

MORE LAMBS

5 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed