RAMSAY FARMS: BFL update

Sunday, January 15, 2012

BFL update

For anyone on the BFL groups or following my blog you will know that i liquidated most of my BFLs last summer after having several years of terrible lambing, awful moms, open ewes, worm issues (although no Shetlands had any worm issues) and such things. I kept two ewes back that through it all were fantastic moms, needed way less worming than the rest, stayed in good condition year round and were much easier keepers than the rest. I also had a ewe lamb that caught my eye and made sure to hang on to her. After much thoughtful decisions, scenarios and such I decided to again try for a BFL ram. An adult this time and one that I could put over the BFL ewes as well as about 20 Shetland ewes for Mules.

I LOVE MY SHETLAND MULES!

There really isn't a better cross. They have a very sought after wool clip, are easy to feed on grass hay and pasture, are worm resilient like their Shetland dams and if I play my cards right, will have a large flock of them in a few years.

I hope to slowly build my adult purebred BFL flock as well, but this time.....surely and slowly. With ewes that can adapt or be born in my environment and survive and do well. Be good mothers, milky, twin or triplet, maintain condition throughout the year, have a good wool clip, but stick to the standard weight of 2-4" and have that lovely drape to their purled locks.

I LOVE MY BFL EWES TOO!

They are extremely tolerant of me, are very inquisitive, calm and easy to halter train. I do miss having a big group of them, but this winter I left the three girls in with the Shetlands and the Shetland Mules and they are still maintaining good condition with no supplemental feeding as in years past. I am extremely please with these girls.

I have quite a few straws of BFL that I have no idea when I will use now. I had originally planned to do LAI in fall of 2011 with all 14 of my BFL ewes but after a second terrible lambing, I scratched that idea after selling most of them off. Let's hope that in the near future I can have the ability to use the straws that I am still excited to use :)

4 comments:

Nutztierarche-Stocksee said...: That´s very interesting. Don´t the shetland ewes have problems with lambing when a BFL is the father of the lamb? They are so much bigger than the shetland sheep.
Kind regards from Germany
Astrid; January 15, 2012 at 11:26 PM
Somerhill said...: When you decide to buy a ram, be sure to seek out a breeder with the same management goals as yours or you may buy in more soft genetics.
As with other commercial breeds, show flocks are often managed and selected for differently than production flocks.
Please us that you sold these poor doing sheep into the slaughter chain and not as breeding stock.; January 16, 2012 at 7:11 AM
Ebonwald Cardigans said...: Hello Astrid!

BFLs have narrow shoulders and long narrow faces, and Shetlands for their size, have overly large pelvic birthing canals which makes this cross (or even crosses with Texel and Suffolk normal) a totally stress free ordeal. The lambs from my BFL x Shetlands are around 7 or 8 pounds and the Shetland ewes (average between 75 and 85 pounds for me) have no problem carrying those lambs and giving birth to them.

Lisa- yes they went to the auction barn for slaughter. I couldn't imagine selling them to someone else to have to deal with such a nightmare as I had.; January 16, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Nutztierarche-Stocksee said...: Dear Garrett,

thank you very much for explaining. For the moment my shetland ewes are pregnant from a shetland ram. I don´t have BFL, but Wensleydale. But these breed don´t have narrow shoulders, even the pure bred Wensleydale have problems with birth. So that´s maybe no good idea.
For a few months now I´m looking for a BFL ram for some other ewes here.

It´s not easy to get one in Germany, I will have to buy in the Netherlands or UK.

Kind regards
Astrid; January 21, 2012 at 5:41 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

Sunday, January 15, 2012

BFL update

4 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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