- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
F u king lambing
- Thread starter The Seeker
- Start date
2013.
paul&mandy
Member
- Location
- surrey/west sussex
Was a cracking morning, lambs everywhere, not picked up any dead from the night, last field 2 floating in the water tank.
Yes f*cking sheep
Yes f*cking sheep
so the good lifers, escape to the countryside? start your own farm type TV programmes that seem all the rage at the moment on TV, have got it all wrong about the joys of sheep farming? that one with the emmerdale actor and his few sheep for starters? oh i forgot they dont have to worry about making a living? profit from it? its just a TV programme made for the publics entertainment?
The Seeker
Member
I think this could be the last lambing or drastically cut the numbers
My dad’s Mrs said the same in the week,mind you he’s had numerous flock dispersals in the last 5 years.
Lambing’s like childbirth “The pain is soon forgotten”
Danllan
Member
- Location
- Sir Gar / Carms
I'll see that and raise you: F^CKING SHEEP!
I got rid of all my sheep when my labour went, but to be fair I missed em, so I have bought back into the job and have to say I'm glad I did. Not as many but just lambed 150 outside 1 left to go bloody good lambing. Converted the sheep sheds to stables and have 33 liveries and farm 1500 acres arable on my own with a bit of help from Dad and my kids 15, 12 and 9 and a self employed bloke at harvest for 6 weeks. and do not miss having labour just have good machinery and organise myself as best I can.
Lucky farms in a ring fence does help.
Lucky farms in a ring fence does help.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
The thing is though, the arable lads are entirely reliant on manufactured products delivered in vans and lorries, apart maybe for a few exceptions such as organic growers.
Whereas sheep, here at least, thrived on fresh air and sunshine with the clover ley based system. Wish we still had those clover leys and sheep now that inputs are through the roof.
Clover leys, sheep and cattle with a bit of rotated barley would see us requiring almost no bought inputs at all and arguably more environmentally benign with sensible stocking rates. For me this is why the vegan argument is nonsense but what do I know?
Whereas sheep, here at least, thrived on fresh air and sunshine with the clover ley based system. Wish we still had those clover leys and sheep now that inputs are through the roof.
Clover leys, sheep and cattle with a bit of rotated barley would see us requiring almost no bought inputs at all and arguably more environmentally benign with sensible stocking rates. For me this is why the vegan argument is nonsense but what do I know?
- Location
- Fife
Those arable lads best start quickly working with livestock producers to develop large scale mixed farming systems.
- Location
- somerset
l think, deep down, most farmers realise that animals, and arable, are a good mix, animals leave soil healthy for an arable crop, or rotating the two.
The problem, many arable farmers have zero desire, to look after animals. However, with effective modern electric fencing, there are opportunities, for wanabee farmers, to run stock, on those farms, in rotation, to the benefit of both.
The problem, many arable farmers have zero desire, to look after animals. However, with effective modern electric fencing, there are opportunities, for wanabee farmers, to run stock, on those farms, in rotation, to the benefit of both.
Sound like my OH that...
Hugely conscientious. But will not lamb a ewe, so I am of some use now and then...
Did they actually help get them in though....?Best thin about the sheep here is that they will all be gone back home by Easter
Had about 20 get out yesterday on a bypass just outside Hfd . 4 police cars turned up and 6 coppers . They wouldn't let me get them back in till they had closed the road to give me and the dog a 'safe working environment'
I have had a call before now as I appear to be a Farmer who knows a few of the local Police, to assist with moving stock or a spot of advice now and then!
- Location
- Hereford
They were too busy taking pics on their phones .Did they actually help get them in though....?
I have had a call before now as I appear to be a Farmer who knows a few of the local Police, to assist with moving stock or a spot of advice now and then!
Yes I get them phone calls . Just because 2 of our places are on edge of town plod thinks that any sheep out in a 10 mile radius are mine !
What is it with taking pics of everything these days...?They were too busy taking pics on their phones .
Yes I get them phone calls . Just because 2 of our places are on edge of town plod thinks that any sheep out in a 10 mile radius are mine !
Once you are on the system, your're there for life!
- Location
- Scottish Borders
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Electric fences? Spent hours strimming under those since they banned us spraying glyphosate near hedges. It all sounds good in practice but often made a PITA by some stupid rule. I suppose if it’s a prairie you can glyphosate under fences. Cattle trimmed under the fences themselves, but sheep would wait till enough grass shorted them then burst out under. Barstewards.
- Location
- somerset
our mains fencer was kicking out 8.8 joules, on our kale fence, for hfrs, they only went through it once. Seeing as it was the first time they had seen an elec fence, they are obviously quick learners. But elec fences are all about the power of the zap.
When I first started farming I bought 24 calves, weaned them etc then thought it would be a good idea to split the field with an electric fence borrowed from my daughter who keeps horses. Did a nice tidy job...let the cows out...tails up for the next 1/2 hour running around with bits of fence trailing behind them. Then realised that cattle had to be trained for a fence....educated by a giggling nearby experienced farmer who had watched it all.