Author Topic: Ram lambs (Read 3207 times)

Tippytoad · « **on:** March 23, 2016, 10:35:57 pm »

Hi all, we have managed to produce 3 X gorgeous purebred (not pedigree) Texel ram lambs, we are thinking of selling as breeding stock rather than going to freezer but were wondering what sort of money we could get for them or is it more financially viable to send to the freezer? Any and all views and opinions welcome.
Many thanks

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2016, 12:12:51 am »

If theyre really nice and big it might be worth selling to the commercial boys. If you put them through a sheep sale they wont fetch a lot and if you put them through a texel sale no one will want to buy em unless theyre pedigree and registered. Your best bet would be to sell off farm to the commercial boys, as they cross them onto big sheep for a meatier lamb. Could you post some pics so we can see them? About price it is entirely up to you how much you would want for them and how much you could stretch the buyers to pay

. Hope this helps and all the best with whatever you decide.

Buttermilk · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2016, 07:07:20 am »

Unless the buyer knows the flocks your stock originates from I doubt many commercial buyers would be interested as they would not have growth records to back them up. They usually want to choose a ram from a good group as they can compare how they have grown alongside others the same age. Just having three would shout pushed with feed to many.

You may have 23 others in the same batch which you do not consider ram material in which case the above does not apply.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2016, 07:19:09 am »

As commercial farmers, we'd be very unlikely to buy a tup lamb from an unknown breeder with no track record. It's not just about how nice the tup looks, it's about the genetics he's bringing into the flock.

However, the sort of farm which might be interested in your boys might be a hill farm, that's mostly producing hill sheep but maybe keeps a Texel tup or two for a small fat - or store - lamb crop. However, if such a farmer doesn't want to buy from a regular breeder (to save money), then s/he probably just goes and selects one s/he likes from the store or fat ring.

And the same applies to a small sheepkeeper with 5-15 ewes (probably hand-reared.)

So you might find them working homes, but it's unlikely you'd get more for them than they'd fetch in the fat ring.

Just my opinion - I'm very happy to be proved wrong!

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2016, 11:19:35 am »

I agree with Sally. Those wanting a commercial type Continental ram for crossing generally want a proven track record or known health status flock. You could try advertising somewhere like Agri Trader (Wales and the Marches) in August but unlikely to make big bucks.

Womble · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2016, 12:08:19 pm »

I think this boils down to simple maths at the end of the day. Let's say a tup can serve 30+ ewes a year, and works for four years, he'll sire over 200 lambs, of which 100+ will be boys. This means that less than 1% of the males born will eventually make it as breeding rams. Life is hard for blokes!

Are you sure your boys are in the top 1%? If so, you can always test this out by showing them. However, it's as well to be realistic, as don't we all think our own children are the best?

Tippytoad · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2016, 07:33:44 pm »

Thank you everyone for your opinions and expertise. My partner and I are new to this and this is our first lambing with only 7 lambs, 3 of which are the boys, and yes, I, as they're surrogate mum, think they are gorgeous ;-) but I also no NOTHING about the sheep business and am trying to learn. I think you have all answered the question, truly it would be sensible to to send to the freezer....so my next question is......when??? I didn't castrate any of them as I wasn't on the ball quick enough (excuse the pun) so what is the latest age I can send them before the meat becomes 'tainted'.
Thank you very much for your help and advice

pharnorth · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2016, 08:01:46 pm »

Yup it is tough when they are so gorgeous but I think Womble makes the point well. My first year was last year, I did castrate them not least to save going through the shall I shan't I keep them dilemma later when clearly those who specialise in ram lambs are going to have the ones people will buy. They went to the abbatior at 7 months. A nice long summer out then away before they have to cope with the cold weather.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2016, 12:32:07 pm »

Basically you want them away before they start getting hormonal. Most breeds are seasonal breeders, though some will breed any time and some earlier than others.

However, rule of thumb, 6 months-ish, or less with Texel types, should be long enough for them to be fit but not so long they start getting jiggy.

For safety's sake, if they're still with you at 5 months, might be best to separate them from their mums.

Tippytoad · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2016, 08:07:41 pm »

This is one of my boys :-) and yes, he is gorgeous to me :-)

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2016, 08:51:02 pm »

Sweet

A commercial farmer, however, would want to see his backside & loin, not his pretty face! Lol

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2016, 09:10:12 pm »

He is a fine looking ram lamb that you have there, I love him! However like sally said it is about confirmation and not just looks, but I think with the right breeding and genetics you're halfway there.