Since posting about our lambing strategy it has been a very busy September up to two days ago when we marked all our new lamb arrivals. From 114 Border Leicester ewes we marked 160 lambs, 80 ewes and 80 rams. There are still a couple of ewes yet to lamb.
It is an outstanding result - lambing percentage of 140% as predicted and our best season yet.
The 49 Merino ewes produced 33 lambs, 17 rams and 16 first cross ewes. About half a dozen yet to lamb so we will get about 80% which is not too bad. Others in our area have fared less well this year. We probably ensured the Border Leicesters had the better paddocks, greater protection and more hands-on attention. Certainly the alpacas Zing and Zeno and the Foxlights helped.
The Borders are out on the crop to get as good a start as possible. The flock rams to be sold November 14th (is it really that soon?) are on the other crop and will get a spell on the lucerne prior to moving to Logancrest for a month of pre sale acclimatisation. They will get ELMS vitamin licks and as much oats and clover as they can eat.
We averaged 74kg per ram last year and we should better that this year as they are growing fast as you can see below.
Lots to organise before the sale and we hope to equal or better last year's success.
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