Welcome to spring.
Today kicks off the start to our official lambing season.
We have had some early comers already, but from today they should be arriving thick and fast.
The rams go in with the ewes 1st of April for our lambs to start arriving 1st Sept.
Like me, sheep like to know there is plenty of food ahead of them, particularly when raising their young.
So we choose to start lambing now to work in harmony with nature and give everyone the best chance of success.
Hopefully the frosts have passed and there will be a steady increasing plane of nutrition on the ground for these growing, bouncing bundles of joy to benefit from.
Mums can eat well and fully nourish their littlies.
Here at Regenerative Farms, we chose to breed the Aussie White Sheep.
Here are a few reasons why we chose that breed.
They have a leather undercarriage so no need for crutching and mulesing.
Crutching and mulesing is where wool and wool bearing skin is removed from around their bottom area that can retain faeces and urine which attract flies.
Yuck. If we can avoid that we will. And we have.
Their wool is more hair-like so fly strike hasn't been a problem
Aussie white sheep also have black hooves which is a bit tougher than a white hoof, and ideally not needing to have as much attention; trimming and foot baths etc.
They self shed. Although that means they can look like a dishevelled teenager and leave wads of hair lying around the place, we prefer that than having to get a shearer in.
They are a hardy, tough sheep. Commonly called mini cows.
Aussie whites have an excellent body composition yielding a good amount of meat with a fine texture and great taste.
All round, we have found them to be a good compliment to the regenerative farming system and we look forward to welcoming them as the month progresses.
Steph
