Maddy, If you buy a ram, then the lambs born next year will be his daughters - so will you want to keep them
? You don't really want them breeding with him.
As a novice I found it much easier to borrow a ram then send him home when his work is done. Or send your girls on a 6 week holiday to join a ram elsewhere. Af ter a couple of years you may then want to get your own ram when you know a bit more about handling them
- and he will not be related to your lovely flock of Ryeland ewes. Good luck whatever you decide