Joyce, our hostess, and her husband Mervin who was born on this property, have been so gracious in spending time telling us about the farm and sheep raising.
Until last year they had 130 sheep and some cows. With all the rain the cows were ruining the grass the sheep fed on so they made the decision to have only sheep and kept about 160 of their new born lambs to raise for breeding.
We found out that they do sell the wool but it brings in very little. So they raise mainly lamb which is sold by a cooperative they belong to. The best time to sell lamb is Easter so the rams visit the ewe's this month. They wear a kind of harness and when they mate with a ewe it leaves a mark so they know when the ewe was impregnated. The mark is changed every 3 weeks.
The gestation period is 5 months meaning lambing is in February. During that time the ewe's have sonograms to see how many lambs they are carrying. If more than one, their food is increased. The expectant mothers are placed in pens and are watched via video monitors the same as many of our children and grandchildren are today. If there is any problem, they attend the birth.
The mothers and their own babies have to be kept separate as there can be confusion and until they get attached to their own mother and nurse form her they need to be kept separate. The weight of the lamb is all important as it is strictly controlled and can't be sold as lamb if they get too heavy so if they are born in February they are ready for market for Easter at about 6 weeks old
The ewes bear for about 5 years and then are sold for usually animal food.
I know some of you who will be reading this and know it will be hard for you. I know my interest in lamb is diminished but it is complicated.
Until last year they had 130 sheep and some cows. With all the rain the cows were ruining the grass the sheep fed on so they made the decision to have only sheep and kept about 160 of their new born lambs to raise for breeding.
We found out that they do sell the wool but it brings in very little. So they raise mainly lamb which is sold by a cooperative they belong to. The best time to sell lamb is Easter so the rams visit the ewe's this month. They wear a kind of harness and when they mate with a ewe it leaves a mark so they know when the ewe was impregnated. The mark is changed every 3 weeks.
The gestation period is 5 months meaning lambing is in February. During that time the ewe's have sonograms to see how many lambs they are carrying. If more than one, their food is increased. The expectant mothers are placed in pens and are watched via video monitors the same as many of our children and grandchildren are today. If there is any problem, they attend the birth.
The mothers and their own babies have to be kept separate as there can be confusion and until they get attached to their own mother and nurse form her they need to be kept separate. The weight of the lamb is all important as it is strictly controlled and can't be sold as lamb if they get too heavy so if they are born in February they are ready for market for Easter at about 6 weeks old
The ewes bear for about 5 years and then are sold for usually animal food.
I know some of you who will be reading this and know it will be hard for you. I know my interest in lamb is diminished but it is complicated.
No comments:
Post a Comment