May 2023
With lambing over, the last few weeks have been catching up with a backlog of fencing etc. After a slow start to spring, we now have good grass growth. It certainly looks like the cutting fields are going to provide a heavy first cut.
Lambing started a bit later this year (April 2nd to May 3rd ) with minimal lamb problems and with ample grass for the ewes. Lambing was rather strange in that we had an unusual number of rejections but the easiest and most successful fostering we have experienced. Almost anything gratefully received! The net result almost no kades. 8-week weights will be the first real sight as to how this year’s ewes are performing and an indication as to which ewes will be leaving the farm later this summer.
After 6 years of research into the heritability of worm resistance, the last 3 years of analysing serum IgA, have enabled Signet to publish EBVs that provide a guide to flock masters when acquiring new bloodstock.
We are pleased to be offering 15 grass-fed high-index shearling rams for sale again this year, 8 of which have Serum IgA EBVs in the top 10% for worm resistance. At the Lleyn Index level, 6 are top 5% and a further 8 are top 10% Index rams. Although ram inspections are not until mid-June, I would be happy to discuss these animals at any stage if that would be helpful.
We will also be offering about 170 performance-recorded shearling ewes this summer. Each year buyers start sourcing animals earlier and earlier. Last year the bulk had gone by early July. Please get in touch if you would like an early look. I will publish the links to Signet’s data shortly.