By admin | August 24th, 2010
We think of our farming year beginning in October, as we prepare for breeding. We pull the sheep off pasture in mid-October. In our area, a most important consideration is Giant liver fluke. Valbazen used on our vet’s recommendation, kills the adult liver fluke. The ewes are wormed as they leave pasture, and then again, 5 to 6 weeks later. The second worming will catch flukes which were immature in mid-October. Both wormings are done before turning in the ram. read the rest of this post »
Tags: Both wormings, dairy animals, Ewe lambs, milk, the adult liver, The Dairy Calendar, The rams
By admin | August 24th, 2010
There is a vast difference between “guardian” dogs such as our Maremmas and “herding” dogs such as our Border Collies. Both do a specific job and are trained to be trusted working members of our farm operation. We are not raising show dogs or pets. Our dogs are raised and trained with livestock and bred from generations of working dogs. If you are losing livestock to predators or need herding help, please consider what these breeds can do to help you. We only breed our female when we have enough orders for pups to merit a new litter. read the rest of this post »
Tags: future pregnancy, Guardian, Herding Dogs
By admin | August 24th, 2010
WOOL – we love it. Nothing warms like wool or wears like wool. Even in the summer, wool breathes and keeps you cooler than a synthetic material. Wool is a natural fiber and a renewable resource. read the rest of this post »
Tags: Breeds, Groveland Farm, natural fiber, overcoat, sheep fiber blends, synthetic material, The Wool
By admin | August 21st, 2010
Merino sheep originated in North Africa descended from a strain of sheep developed during the reign of Claudius, from 14 to 37 A.D. They spread via the Spanish and French royal families to northern Europe. The original Merinos were a wool sheep, who sheared a very heavy, fine fleece. They were also quite small in size. read the rest of this post »
Tags: breed, fine fleece, Merino blood, Merino sheep, Polypay ram, rams, wool sheep
By admin | August 21st, 2010
Llamas have been a part of the landscape at Groveland Farm since 1988. We fell in love with these wide-eyed, woolly creatures early on, but it is only recently that our numbers have grown to the extent that we are able to offer some of them for sale. read the rest of this post »
Tags: blending, breed, brown llama, good dispositions, Groveland Farm, hand-spinning, LGD, Llamas
By admin | August 20th, 2010
Before you spend your money getting into sheep dairying, you need to spend some time in the planning stages. You will need to put your goals on paper. By doing so, you should be able to determine if this is really what you want to do. You need to ask yourself if this will be a hobby or a business. How are you going to feed them, where are you going to house them, where and how are you going to milk them? read the rest of this post »
Tags: 1.5 pounds per day, dairy sheep, milk bucket, Milk Sheep, Olivia Mills, vacuum lines
By admin | August 20th, 2010
The dairy sheep industry in the United States is in its youth, and some producers have had no experience with milking any other animals previous to entering this industry. Even producers who have milked animals before might feel a refresher course in milk quality would be helpful. read the rest of this post »
Tags: Affecting Milk Quality, Quality Sheep Milk, SCC, Sheep Milk, the milk leaves
By admin | August 18th, 2010
As the ewes come up on the stand for the first time, they should have a CMT performed to determine their status as they are entering the parlor. You might use a color coding system to identify the ewes that have a suspicious or positive CMT test. These ewes should then be monitored more frequently than the rest of the flock. Ewes with a high CMT of mastitis should be milked last to prevent spreading mastitis through the flock. Refer to the section on CMT for further information on the test. read the rest of this post »
Tags: CMT, PMO, Pre-Dipping, Pre-Milking Testing, Washing
By admin | August 18th, 2010
Sediment is not covered in the co-op’s quality standards, but it is important to be aware that it does exist, and how to avoid it. Sediment in milk is known to cause or contribute to: Off flavors and odors High Bacterial Counts Poor Keeping Quality. read the rest of this post »
Tags: DIRT, dirt particles, Milking Machines, milking parlor, quality standards, Sediment Free Milk, The Sediment
By admin | August 18th, 2010
It is important to every shepherd that his ewes have the ability to raise lambs. Keeping the udder in good condition will enhance the ewe’s genetic ability to wean high pounds of lamb. Thus, a discussion of udder health will not apply exclusively to the dairy shepherd. In the dairy particularly, however, the ewe is adding significant income to the farm, and strict attention must be paid to udder management or you run the risk of going teats up! read the rest of this post »
Tags: Dairy Ewes, Dry Treat Ewes, Ewes, ewes pre-lambing, Mastitis Drug, Shearing Time, the suspicious half, very painful
