RAMSAY FARMS: Gray Katmoget fleeces

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Gray Katmoget fleeces

Susan had asked about the bluish hue to the fleeces in my gray katmogets. I'm really loving the bluish tones that they have, and they are a good sell when I do not have enough gray fleeces to fill orders.

Tonight my dad and I collected 40 fleece samples that are going to be sent in to Texas A&M for micron testing. I did NOT do my yearlings this spring, so I'm doing them this fall. There are 11 that I collected from. Also 4 two year old ewes, 12 ram lambs and 13 ewe lambs. These are just small samples I'm keeping for myself :) And wanted to share!

PLEASE CLICK TO BIGGIFY to see any photos! I am in desperate need of a camera that will do the tiny crimp in the fleeces justice. Until then, you'll need to suffer along with me. I'd be happy to send samples to anyone who wants some to see.

Above is WhitePine Selah (gray katmoget ewe) out of Wintertime Jazz AI x Minwawe Sterling

This is the full sister to Selah, a yearling named WhitePine Sedalia (gray katmoget smirslet sokket ewe).

Sheltering Pines Nessebar is above here (smirslet gray katmoget ewe) out of ShelteringPines Starry Night and Sheltering Pines Morgan La Fey.

Above is WhitePine Neriah (gray katmoget smirslet ewe) out of Wintertime Blues AI(Jazz twin brother) and ShelteringPines Nirvana.

Above is WhitePine Lydia (gray katmoget ewe) out of Wintertime Jazz AI and WinterSky Layla AI

Above is WhitePine Faith (gray katmoget krunet sokket ewe) Wintertime Jazz AI x Minwawe Flopsy.

WhitePine Charity is my only gray katmoget ewe lamb with little blue hue to her fleece. Her sire is FirthofFifth Barish AI (F1 Timothy) x WhitePine Castle Rock (F2 Jericho). Her fleece is now just coming in with the smallest tiniest crimp out of any lambs this year! Lori Stephanson had the option to take her mother and I think she made a mistake by not taking her! Look at what she can produce!!

This is NOT a katmoget, but an F1 Orion ewe lamb out of Justalit'l Black Lambo (Bramble Dixen daughter). This is a fawn/light moorit ewe lamb with the awesome-est crimp!

My camera sucks so I had to hold the last two to the light to show you the awesome, tiny crimp!

4 comments:

susan said...: The F1 Orions boy has crimp similar to my F1 Orion Jasmine. The crimp has a slightly different curve than say my Holly lines. It has more drape I think.

I have some color coming in on my katmogets this year. Mine are all morrit based so it is a taupey color.

-Susan; September 17, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Rayna said...: Yup, you need a better camera! Sell a sheep, buy a camera! :); September 17, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Gail V said...: HI Garrett,
I don't know if you saw my blog comment that the TX lab upped their sample prices to $2 apiece-- be ready with the right check!; September 17, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Michelle said...: The last time I sent samples to Texas A&M, they specifically asked me to NOT send a check with the samples; they prefer to send an invoice and be paid afterwards.; September 17, 2009 at 11:10 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

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Gray Katmoget fleeces

4 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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