Ewes to cross with suffolk rams

[getawayforward]

Hi all, would appreciate some advice if possible. Hoping to start up a new flock of approx. 20 ewes and for sentimental purposes would prefer to use a suffolk ram. Do any maternal breeds cross particularly well with suffolk rams in terms of ease of lambing/initial post-lambing vigour/weight gain? Many thanks

 

[spin cycle]

why not suffolk ewes and buy a nz suffolk ram (for vigour ect)

 

[egbert]

where are you?
what kind of ground are we talking?
what level of management do you want to get into?

 

[getawayforward]

where are you?
what kind of ground are we talking?
what level of management do you want to get into?

Near north coast Northern Ireland, approx 20 acres decent grass/hill land. Work full-time so would intend to synchronise ewes and buy 2 rams to try and tighten up lambing time. Ideally 2 weeks of leave would cover the bulk of lambing. Plan to lamb ewes inside and put back to fields shortly thereafter.

 

[Shepherd12]

Cheviot mules. The suffolk x ewe lambs out of them would be in demand in your part of the world

 

[Guiggs]

Probably more important is the "type" of Suffolk ram you choose rather than the breed of ewe!
Lleyn seem to do well to a Suffolk I believe, although I have no personal experience..
@Nithsdale Farmer Is the forums new wave Suffolk society chairman and head of marketing..

 

[Bones]

Why not do what everyone else uses up there,, Wicklow cheviot,

 

[Nithsdale]

Cheviot, Lleyn or TexX ewes all work with Suffolk tups. Basically anything white faced

 

[Shep and dog]

Near north coast Northern Ireland, approx 20 acres decent grass/hill land. Work full-time so would intend to synchronise ewes and buy 2 rams to try and tighten up lambing time. Ideally 2 weeks of leave would cover the bulk of lambing. Plan to lamb ewes inside and put back to fields shortly thereafter.

Just because you have to ram does not mean your lambing will be in a 2 week widow it all depends on when the ewe go to the ram and if there take you would be better off with just buying one good nz Suffolk ram which will do 100 ewe easy and will be somewhat easy lambing

 

[neilo]

Just because you have to ram does not mean your lambing will be in a 2 week widow it all depends on when the ewe go to the ram and if there take you would be better off with just buying one good nz Suffolk ram which will do 100 ewe easy and will be somewhat easy lambing

The OP did mention synchronising them, so presumably sponging them and needing 1:10. That should give the vast majority lambing in a very short time.

He has 'sentimental' reasons for wanting to use a Suffolk ram, so presumably has a liking for big heads, strong bone and dopey lambs? I he is willing to move away from those 'traditional' attributes, I would suggest there are many options available to him that would do a better job. Apart from the black ('ish) head, I fail to see that a NZ Suffolk has anything much in common with what most would call a Suffolk.

 

[Hfd Cattle]

Sounds to me like it's more of a hobby. Lighter the face the better the lambing if using a Suffolk tup but Cheviot if you want a good ewe lamb but getting them fat is a bit harder. If you want to do both jobs then Texel x is the way forward .

 

[cowboysupper]

Hi all, would appreciate some advice if possible. Hoping to start up a new flock of approx. 20 ewes and for sentimental purposes would prefer to use a suffolk ram. Do any maternal breeds cross particularly well with suffolk rams in terms of ease of lambing/initial post-lambing vigour/weight gain? Many thanks

Suffolk x Texel crossed back and forth is hard to beat for terminal performance, plus you’ll have good female replacements as well. Should you choose to sell your ewe lambs as well, assuming they’re good quality, there is usually a very healthy demand.

An NZ Suffolk would be my preference over local sorts, they’re just too much hassle at lambing. No shortage of good Texels about in Northern Ireland.

 

[jamesy]

Suffolk over hill type NCC = cracking lambs!

 

[Bones]

Suffolk over hill type NCC = cracking lambs!

= hung lambs

 

[Nithsdale]

= hung lambs

= Poor management

 

[jamesy]

= hung lambs

= not in my experience

 

[getawayforward]

Many thanks for all of the above, definitely food for thought. Planning to sponge to tighten lambing period- is it be too much to expect 2 shearling tups to cover 10 ewes each or should I look for a more experienced operator?

 

[neilo]

Many thanks for all of the above, definitely food for thought. Planning to sponge to tighten lambing period- is it be too much to expect 2 shearling tups to cover 10 ewes each or should I look for a more experienced operator?

IME a shearling might cope fine, but equally he might just stand there wondering what’s going on the first time. Barring problems, he should be fertile enough and easily capable of serving 10 ewes in the time, but whether he knows to get on with the job on his first outing is the question. With synchronised ewes, he doesn’t have time to think about it for a while, the job needs doing. Some will, some won’t.

A more experienced ram, or even a shearling that’s already worked, would be a far safer bet.