Author Topic: Which ram and how much (Read 2694 times)

MrsJ · « **on:** September 17, 2010, 05:50:19 pm »

This will be our second year. Last time, a friend let us put our ewes in with hers for tupping but we wanted to try a different breed this year. can anyone give me some idea of what the cost would be? We have six ewes, all North Country Mules. Last year we used Suffolk and Ryland rams, this year we have the possibility of Easycare, Wiltshire Horn or Charollais. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

VSS · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2010, 07:25:26 pm »

You would get cracking butchers lambs from a charollais

Nic Flan · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2010, 07:38:11 pm »

Not that I know a great deal, but went on a course and there were Wiltshire x Charollias lambs there, absolutely fantastic things to look at.

Nic

Freddiesfarm · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2010, 07:56:37 pm »

If you just want dinner out of the encounter then look at charollais, texel, hampshire down, or any other downs type.
If you want good ewe lambs for potential breeding stock then look at lleyns or zwarbles or something like that.

The name easy care is a little misleading as they still need managing but just don't need shearing. Not sure about carcass conformation from them either they always look a bit long and lean to me, but don't know too much about them other than lambing 200 of them for someone a couple of years ago and they were a nightmare but could be the environment!

MrsJ · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2010, 06:36:26 am »

So, Charollais are looking favourite - any idea how much we would pay for tupping?

Freddiesfarm · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2010, 09:31:50 am »

As for price - your guess is as good as mine! I bought my first ram (a pedigree dorset down) ten years ago for £60, also had southdowns for similar price, however my lleyn rams (bought as shearlings) are normally between £300 and 500 but they serve 200 ewes which makes them more affordable. You could always go for someone's older ram which would serve you well and manage fine with a small flock and a cosier environment than in a commercial flock.

bazzais · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2010, 02:11:21 pm »

If your buying just one ram, make sure its proven and is not a jaffa or you could be left without anything next year.

FYI - I just bought rams for the first time too this year. I went to a few markets and it felt really quite, well, alien. Partly because I didn't know what was being said by the auctioneer, what I was looking for or what the hell was going on. In the end my neighbour phoned and told me to look in the back of the local paper where I found an advert for private sale. It was such a nice experience going round to the farm and having a good look at their rams, having some great advise and feeling secure that he wasnt just in it for the money but also for the love of his animals. I bought 3 lleyn's for £550.

I wish you luck with the similar venture of looking for a nice boy to father your next lot.

Ta

Baz

MrsJ · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2010, 08:40:35 pm »

thanks Baz. We dont really have the space to keep a ram (well I guess that would have to be two rams) so we were hoping we could do what we did last year, which was to send the girls to visit, or borrow a ram to do the business. Just wanted to try a different breed.