RAMSAY FARMS: Lambing Update

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Lambing Update

Lambing started March 13th and has been sporadic. Since Shetlands are known to be seasonal lambers, they do not start cycling in the fall until it gets cooler and the days get shorter. It seems that even though I try to put them in together early, flush them, and keep them on grass, they still don't seem to start lambing for me until the last week of March and first few weeks of April. *sigh* Patience is not a virtue of mine!

So far we've had the following:

Finn ram x Shetland ewe - twins ram and ewe
Finn ram x Shetland ewe - single ram
Finn ram x Shetland-Cheviot ewe - single ram
Finn ram x BFL Mule - single ewe
BFL ram x Shetland ewe -twins ram and ewe (badgerfaces!!)
BFL ram x Shetland ewe - single ram
BFL ram x BFL ewe - twin ram and ewe
BFL ram x Shetland Mule - single ewe
Shetland ram x Shetland ewe - single ewe
Shetland ram x Shetland ewe - twins ram and ewe
Shetland ram x Shetland ewe - single ewe

I flushed the girls last fall with beet pulp and mineral and rolled oats and roasted soybeans. They were in amazing condition, with green pastures and wonderful green 2nd cutting clover/grass hay. The singles born above were quite large (8# pounds for shetlands 12# for other crosses) so they were well fed, just huge.

The last two weekends have been spent with sheepie friends. First Kelly and her husband Mike came up for a short visit (they are always short visits it seems!) and then last weekend I was down at Corinne's farm and got to see my ram M&M and the rest of her flock. Always fun to see her sheep! I couldn't believe it had been 18 months since I'd last visited her!

The next few weeks look to be like pandemonium for lambing. Naturally I have my best friend Briony's wedding this weekend I cannot miss and hope that the ewes hold off until I return. I'll be gone only about 30 hours so hope they can lamb before of after. My dad will be in charge while I'm away and I hope no mothers to be try to steal newborn lambs away from other moms like what happened to me on Monday. I swear those Shetlands are SUCH fantastic moms, that they want every baby that is born before their own.

That's the update for now. More soon (and photos too!)

2 comments:

Potosi Sheep Farm said...: Yes it is frustrating waiting for Shetlands to lamb! No matter how early I put the ram in they breed when they want. It just goes with their spunky, independent nature!; March 29, 2012 at 3:08 PM
Stevie Taylor said...: Good luck with the rest of lambing! It gets so nerve-wracking around here at kidding season that I am afraid to run to the store. Of course, most of my girls do just fine without me but I like to think I am needed :) Stevie@ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com; March 31, 2012 at 7:01 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, March 28, 2012

Lambing Update

2 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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