Where Did the Time Go?

We are finally getting around to updating our blog, thinking we missed a show or two. Little did we remember that the last time we posted was a year ago! As we prepare to leave for the Big E this Wednesday, we decided to catch up.

The Year in Review

• Following our success at the Big E in 2014, we headed to Louisville for the NAILE in November, where the bright spot was watching one of our ewes owned by Gina Bilyeu win Reserve Champion. Otherwise, we won a couple of classes, a little disappointment after doing so well in Massachusetts.
• As for our breeding season, we've cut back and only had 10 lambs, 5 rams and 5 ewes this year. We sold 2 ewe lambs before they were 6 weeks old.
• It seemed a good year to return to Maryland, where we won 5 out of the 8 classes, but alas, no champions.
  
  
  
• Memorial Day weekend brings us to Wooster and we took only one ram, Jack. He won champion ram and was the top selling ram. He was purchased by the Barney family of New Hampshire. Perhaps we'll see him at the BigE?
  

At the same time, we sent TP, one of our rams who had sired many winners to New York with the Knappenberger Family.

• Then life became very busy as our son Zac and his family moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, this summer (of course, we were delighted since Amherst is a short drive to West Springfield). We even timed a trip to stop in to see the Northeast Youth Sheep Show and expose our grandkids Lucia and Theo to the world of showing sheep.
• August rolled around and we made it to the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan. We enjoy the show mainly because of all the wonderful Michigan Sheep Breeders we have met over the years.  I love my workshops - this year 3 baskets and some alpaca spinning - and look forward to Jerry bringing the sheep for the weekend show.
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A Good Year!

Reserve Champion Ram Natural Color Wool

As much as we enjoy the sheep business, we still are hoping to sell our flock in the near future. Spread the word!

Update - 2012

Other than a quick overnight trip to Maryland to pick up a new black ewe (champion at Maryland the previous year), things have been quiet around here since fall. Lambing in January and February went well - finished by February 16! Half ewes, half rams - total of 16. We've had luck in selling too. In December, we sold sheep to people in Delaware, Ohio. We then sold more to the Taylors in Pennsylvania. We sent fleeces to Maine and one to Alaska. In Athens, Ohio, there are 2 ewes who with the help of our ram had 5 lambs. Needless to say, it's been a good year so far.

Wooster - 2012


We were happy with the National Border Leicester Sale in Wooster Memorial Day weekend. We sold four head for over $1800. And we bought a ram lamb from Tiffany Deakin (can't go home empty-handed!). The weekend was fun getting together with other border leicester breeders. On Friday evening, there was a potluck put together by the Fogles (in spite of Marilyn's shoulder injury). Saturday night was a lovely dinner at the Olde Jaol in town. People brought things for a silent auction (representing sheep or their state). We made contacts to sell fleeces along the way, so all-in-all, it was a successful trip.

Louisville, 2010

Jerry made his annual trek to the NAILE in Louisville last week along with 6 white and black sheep (including 2 yearling ewes, 1 ram lamb, and 3 ewe lambs). The natural-colored ram lamb, the first banner-winner we raised from birth (mother was the 2008 champion ewe and father was the 2009 champion ram), won reserve champion ram. Every year we learn more about how to prepare the sheep and their fleeces and we also learn how different judges look for different things! All in all, it's a great experience and fun to reconnect with friends. John Guffey is helping Jerry out in the picture above with the reserve champion.

Now it's time for shearing, which happens tomorrow. We will have a lot of fleeces (lamb, white, and natural-colored) available. Let us know if you're interested, spinners - only $5 a pound!