Simply Sheep

[frustratedearthmother]

I learn and respect others. Boy, I hope this makes sense LOL.

Makes perfect sense!

 

[Beekissed]

Moving on.....got a couple of new sheep this weekend from an excellent farm and breeder. That farm was so clean you could have eaten off it! Literally. The fields were clean and beautifully rolling, the buildings were old, strong and well maintained and I didn't see anything unsightly at all there....it was some of the highest elevation in the state, so windy and cold but oh, the view!!!

These sheep were originally from a program for parasite resistance done by Poly Tech in conjunction with WVU and it showed. Their current breeder, a 76 yr old lady, had taken them over when her son died. I really enjoyed talking to her and will be buying from her again, Lord willing. I like the looks of her new ram and hope to get a ram lamb from her in a couple of years, possibly some ewe lambs next year.

Will get pics on Wed....was too busy today. Everyone is acting very excited up there in the pens....will be mating time soon!!!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Aren't we supposed to be eating off farms??? I can't wait to see the progression with your herd. Can't wait to see how your land management program comes along.

 

[Beekissed]

Aren't we supposed to be eating off farms??? I can't wait to see the progression with your herd. Can't wait to see how your land management program comes along.

That was the joke. Not too many farms around that I would WANT to eat off of....still poisoning the land, still poisoning their livestock to deworm them, still doing the same things year in and year out.

 

[Mini Horses]

I was happy to see that the "Food Stamps" system in the US (now called SNAP, I guess) now includes the purchase of seeds and plants for the production of food. Not sure how many on the SNAP program will take advantage of it, but at least the idea is there.

Been that way a couple years now in my area. Have seen some taking advantage of this when in the feed stores. Most were those who had always gardened anyway. But it is a definite positive, IMO, to allow this use of the program.

Nice you were able to acquire a few more sheep, B. Like all, we are waiting on the photos. I assume they are Katadhins?

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Mini, I was once at the WIC office, and asked if they would accept fresh garden produce. They had a table set up with day old bread. I was told, "No. We couldn't allow that." This summer local hospital had what looked like an old fashioned village market cart set up, where gardeners could drop off excess produce for patients to take. I was so glad to see that.

 

[Beekissed]

Nice you were able to acquire a few more sheep, B. Like all, we are waiting on the photos. I assume they are Katadhins?

Dorper/Katahdin cross but they have a good bit of the Katahdin look and temperament, so I'm not too put off. Dorper crossing is pretty common to breeders who aren't developing pure stock. These girls have JUST the right build I'm looking for, so I'm thanking God all the while!

 

[Mini Horses]

Yeah, I'm considering getting back into some Boer meat goats in 2020. Used to have a good herd back in mid 90s. So I "know" what I am looking for in stock to buy. Some of the crosses now are way below par, so I'm on the radar for farms that have what I know needs to be in the body form. Just accumulating contacts to use when kidding & sell downs get going. Fortunately I have the large dairy does, so I can cross the Boer buck onto them for sale kids. They grow very well with the rich milk those does have.

The good part is that the prices are way down from when I bought the first registered ones into VA back them. It was nothing to have to pay $3K for a buck. I bought 8 does at $1K each and danced over the good fortune! They were a steal then. Yeah, back then.

 

[Mini Horses]

This summer local hospital had what looked like an old fashioned village market cart set up, where gardeners could drop off excess produce for patients to take. I was so glad to see that.

It's a liability thing, mostly. I often give excess eggs or produce to a few families that are happy to get some assist. Mostly, older families. There are a couple on a road coming home that are grateful but would never ask. I admire his hand worked garden and he accepts my "just too many hens laying eggs"... even tho I have customers, he isn't aware. When I butcher, I sometimes find "my freezer is too full" & they will accept a roast.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

One year, I gave most of my pullet eggs to a gal who was under-employed, "because, they don't sell well". Normally, I keep all the pullet eggs for myself, and sell the larger eggs. It only takes a couple weeks for a pullet to "get the size on". But, I was able to supply that gal most of the summer.