Oh dear. I was all set to tell you about the excellent set of fibre test results I’ve just got back for the Bowmont Merinos – and in particular my 6 rams I used this year. I was going to jump up and down, (metaphorically speaking), whoop excitedly and generally shout for joy because I’m doing well and moving in the right direction. BUT…… I went down to the barn at 5.45 to check on an old sheep who is feeling her age, and found one of my best rams dead. Stuck upside down in the feeding trough. Clearly he and the others had been playing about, he must have tripped just in the wrong place, turned belly up and got wedged, stuck fast. Death by suffocation followed as his head was caught on one of the strengthening bars. An almost impossible thing to achieve and sheer bl…y bad luck! Poor lad.
It’s a tragedy for me as he was half Australian and with a 15 micron fleece – one of the best I have. Aged just 2 he tupped 15 ewes this season which are about to lamb, so he will live on in that sense but I would rather have him!
If farming teaches you anything at all it is that triumph and tragedy are two sides of the same coin . I’m still very pleased with my results, but can’t quite bring myself to jump for joy this morning.
Oh,Leslie how awful!
You take your stock health so seriousy, it must be a real blow.
Wishing you an outstanding ram-lamb from one of his 15 ‘wives’.
By: LinDragon. on March 5, 2013
at 12:24 pm
I’m so sorry to hear your awful news Leslie. After spending a lovely afternoon with you on Monday and seeing what a wonderful relationship you have with your animals, this is so sad.
By: Collette Brifaut on March 6, 2013
at 12:33 am
Thanks Collette and also to all those who have expressed sympathy. I felt bad because maybe there was there something I could have done to prevent it? But the reality is no – I dont believe so. I was cheered a little by our ex neighbour who was also dropping off a dead sheep at our local hunt kennels last night when we took the ram for disposal. (Funny how many conversations round here take place over a dead animal!) Dennis said he had TWO rams last year that strangled themselves in a round bale feeder. Virtually impossible except for a contortionist but 2 of his best had managed it!
At least number 60 has left some ladies pregnant and, he has a twin brother – as yet unused. He has great wool but not such good conformation so was kept as the spare this year. Now is his big chance!!!
By: devonfinefibres on March 6, 2013
at 5:30 am
Leslie,
I know how hard you work to care for,educate and promote your flock so I feel terrible that you lost a good boy to an accident. Glad your flock is doing so well otherwise.
By: Lisa-Marie haugmoen on March 6, 2013
at 2:06 am