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SHEEP
The farm has approximately 250 ewes lambing in April/May producing lambs for sale from October through to March of the following year. The farm has traditionally run a flock of ‘mule ewes’ a cross bred derived from a Border Leicester ram on a Swaledale ewe producing a fertile, hardy, milky ewe. In order to meet the demands of a changing market the late flock now consists entirely of pedigree Lleyn ewes, a breed originating on the Lleyn peninsular in North Wales. This breed has been selected for its hardy, prolific ewes producing lean lambs entirely off grass with little concentrate feed.The flock of pedigree Lleyn ewes was started in September 2000 from a neucleus flock of 20 ewes and 1 ram bought at the annual breed sale in Ross-on-Wye Herefordshire. The flock has inceased in size by selective breeding and purchase of suitable ewes and rams until 2005. The flock is now able to sustain its own replacements - no further replacement ewes will be bought which will enable the flock to be maintained in a high health status.
It is hoped that Lleyn ewes, crossed with a Poll Dorset ram, will produce ewes for a small Early Lambing flock, which will enable the farm to produce lambs for the easter market from early grazing off the haylage leys. |