No, I didn't fall off the face of the Earth-yet. I've just gotten behind with things.
I sold all of my lambs (except the replacement ewe lambs of course.) Most were sold direct, but some through the system. I'll save that for another post though.
I took two of my biggest Shetland X Coopworth lambs to the butcher for my family and I got to compare carcasses with some of Wagners smalller purebred Coopworth lambs. (I do have pictures if anyone wants I can e-mail them, I just don't want to gross anyone out by putting them on here.) My cross lambs were quite a bit fattier (back fat and internal fat) than Wagners pure lambs (if I had taken them in a few weeks earlier they would not have been as fatty.) The carcasses were about the same size, but the pure Coopworth had a longer leg of lamb than the cross as they are taller animals. The interesting thing is even though my lambs were fatty the lamb chops were not fatty. If anything the lamb chops are actually less fatty than the pure Coopworth lambs.
Lambing will start at the end of March-the clock is ticking. I have quite a bit of spinning I want to do before lambing and I'll need to shear everyone as well.
On the fiber front, I started an Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/psalm23farm and can take Paypal now as well. (I still have my wool sale blog http://psalm23fibers.blogspot.com.)
I also am going to Greencastle, IN Fiber Event for the first time as a vendor in April. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm nervous because I may still be lambing (my mom and sister will have to take care of my sheep and goats) and excited because I have never been to Greencastle before. Now I just need to wash and dye some more wool and mohair....
I hope you have great success with your Etsy shop. You've got some really lovely rovings and yarns for sale.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI would like to see pictures of your carcasses, please. Tell me how the taste compares to pure shetland and BFL/Shetland, too.
You are going to have to come by the farm at the fiber event as I'm only 5 miles from the fairground! Would love to have your opinion of the sheep. Where are you staying? With Carol?
Good luck with your esty shop!
I better get my hinder to IN too....still so many flocks to visit.
ReplyDeleteYou have lovely yarn and fleece, good luck at your new fiber event.
Thanks! Kelly, even if you don't get to go to IN next time (two falls from now) we do AI (at a local sheep farm) you would be welcome to come and see. Gail Former usually comes and Theresa Gygi as well several other Shetland breeders. It's a lots of fun.
ReplyDelete