The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Jcrang on March 16, 2013, 06:11:02 pm

Title: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: Jcrang on March 16, 2013, 06:11:02 pm
Way back in August I posted on here as I needed to borrow a Ryeland Ram for my newly acquired girls.... Wooly Val kindly lent me a lovely chap who did his job very well and covered everything in 10 days. Well 147 days on I have just had my first lambs, so far from 3 ewes I have 4 ewe lambs and 2 ram lambs who are adorable. I know it's early days but I'm thinking about their destiny, the rams will all be castrated and will either end up in our freezer or go as wooly lawnmowers. The girls will either be sold for breeding as lambs or shearlings.

Is this a good site to advertise them for sale when they are ready? Do people want Ryelands? Having just seen some Jacob ewe lambs sell at Sedgemoor Market today for £30 when our store hogs made £85 I don't think Market will be the best place to sell them.

What do people think? Is there a demand for them?  Where should I advertise?
Obviously there is the show and sale in Ludlow but would probably prefer to sell from Farm initially.

Thanks in advance for the great advice I know will follow.
Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: ZaktheLad on March 16, 2013, 06:44:17 pm
Sedgemoor Market probably not the best place for selling Ryelands in the Saturday market, as most buyers are looking for commercial type ewes.  I have taken some Ryeland x Charollais ewes and sold them in the annual ewe lamb section and they sold very well to a nice chap who wanted them for breeding commercial types the following season.   However, Sedgemoor do hold special sheep sales for breed societies and rarer breed sales, so this might be an option for you.  There's a list of all forthcoming Sheep sales on their website.  Well done on your £85 for your store hoggs.  I would be looking to sell your lambs privately if you can.
Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: Jcrang on March 16, 2013, 09:06:37 pm
Thanks for the advice, there was a RBST sale last year but it was mid week and the few Ryelands that were there didn't make much except Mr Wear's sheep which made £300 +.  I'll keep my eyes open for speciality sales, trade was good today we sold our last 45 hogs at £85 and £81.50 and 10 of my tiny odds and sods made £49!! Only a month ago they were £25 so pleased with the prices, just wish we'd kept the 250 we sold privately from farm and put them in today but then that's farming!!

Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on March 16, 2013, 09:12:41 pm
You could let the breed society know as they act as a point of contact for people selling and wanting Ryelands.
Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: Brucklay on March 16, 2013, 10:00:14 pm
Where are the pictures - no lambs here yet so I need pictures - good luck with the rest of your lambing  :fc:
Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: Mammyshaz on March 17, 2013, 08:12:52 am
There are people who would like  rylands  :innocent:  :innocent:  ( but still looking for land ). Piccies are definitely needed  :eyelashes:
Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: Cosmo on March 17, 2013, 08:22:53 am
Where are you, I think there is a nothern sale if you are up north.
Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: Jcrang on March 17, 2013, 06:09:52 pm
I'm in Somerset and I think I'll advertise on here and on the RFBS site as and when I want them to go. I've tried zipping photos and uploading from my iPhone but can't get it to work. I'll try again later.
4 more Ryelands to go and then the 450 mules!

Thanks for the replies.
Title: Re: First ever Ryeland lambs!
Post by: mmu on March 18, 2013, 10:40:08 am
Just 450?  Gosh, you won't know what to do with yourself!