Been through a few ''business partners '' i think
Anyone milking sheep south west ?
- Thread starter andybk
- Start date
Yes, the chap that owns that place used to have a deer farm near Tiverton, about 20 miles from me. Deer and genetics from that herd went to NZ and helped get him where he is now. Personally I don't see the point of milking red hinds; just because you can do it doesn't mean its desirable but a bit like the Italian sheep maker if it makes financial sense to you then somebody will give it a go. However the calves will either be killed or bottle fed which I feel doesn't allow the grown deer to have the same natural behavioural patterns which is what makes them so easy to farm. I try to keep the deer manageable but not really domesticated, having said that with a good handling system I can get any group in within about 20 mins. We weighed and wormed 134 new arrivals last week in about 2 and a half hours and that was their first time through the system. When we were doing AI we did 54 hinds in 90 minutes but a bit like you sheep men, try doing your jobs with a crappy system and it all becomes hard work and not enjoyable. when it stops being fun it's time to stop.
gone up the hill
Member
- Location
- Devon
gone up the hill
Member
- Location
- Devon
Farm near me @crofteress milks hundreds of ewes, cannot get anywhere near enough ewe milk for demand.
They take the lambs off, feed milk powder for a couple of weeks then switch over to cows milk, they either sell them weaned or as bottle lambs, weaned ones will make anything from £26 to £46 head and the small bottle ones anything from £10 to £40 head depending on time of year,
They cross a large % of the flock with Texel lambs, very good lambs ( and so are the pure lambs ) and put on weight very fast and very much worth finishing if you know what you are doing and have the right system.
- Location
- Fife
Take a day off Davey. I'm not condoning it, just stating the options.
I've reared plenty of bottle lambs, including 100 ram lambs from a dairy. I'd happily do so again.
I think such lambs could be a really useful genetic resource for an accelerated lambing flock. Ideally I'd be looking for autumn born dairy x poll Dorset ewe lambs.
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Is that just a greenhouse polytunnel?
- Location
- Fife
ollie989898
Member
There are three herds I think within the Somerset/Dorset area.
If the cheese making people are the ones I think I have bought their cheese before at farmers markets and it is excellent.
If the cheese making people are the ones I think I have bought their cheese before at farmers markets and it is excellent.
Good plan Stan! I had them wedged in a log store this year after I had to convert my previous years shed into a bloody stable.
- Location
- Fife
- Location
- Fife
- Location
- Mendips Somerset
message me if you have spare milk to sell thanks
The Brown’s family are milking 400 head in Aldbourne, Wiltshire. Look on www.shellswooddairy.co.uk for contacts