At last some rain. Still lots of grass, but this rain should certainly freshen things up, (and the worms). Spring stitching of grass in some of the fields and the broadcast of additional clover I fear will have been partly wasted due to the lack of rain in May and June (and most of July). Expensive.

 

The 8 week weights were up on last years numbers, which was not surprising baring in mind the miserably cold spring we had in 2016. We weaned as normal at 3 months and did the first heptovac at the same time.

 

Shearing in June was interesting. Wide spread fly strike everywhere we were told. With over nearly 600 animals of our own – not one had flystrike. Once again our shearers believe this to be a breed trait. I was interesting to see that Lincoln University New Zealand are trying to find if there is a gene that impacts flystrike. They don’t seem to know the Lleyn, so I mentioned our experience over here. I am not aware of any work on this in the UK. What is your experience?

 

 

All of this years shearling rams have been tested for the “MYOMAX gene” which I hope will be helpful for those selecting rams this year. (See the Availability page). For our Stock Rams we also show the new key Lleyn EBV and again the number of MYOMAX genes carried.

 

The first batch of lambs are due to go as soon as I have ensured that those that are to be kept for the 1st Draft of next years Breeding rams have been pulled out. Time as always is in short supply and a number of big singles are well north of 40kg. I need to get on with this.

 

I have been surprised how early shearling buyers have been out in size this year. For many it appears that they are making a fundamental change of breed and are also seeking to move to a close flock approach. I can’t argue with that. Any way we sold out in early July. I guess I try and find my rams as early as possible and certainly well before the sales start.