Lambing in January

[aledsheep]

I'm looking to lamb a small bunch of ewes in, in January and kept in on feed until ready. Just after opinions of good breeds to use.
I'm thinking Dorsets and/or Suff X.
Or even South Downs as they seem similar to Dorsets in my head.
What does everyone think?
In Mid Wales.
Thanks

 

[neilo]

I'm looking to lamb a small bunch of ewes in, in January and kept in on feed until ready. Just after opinions of good breeds to use.
I'm thinking Dorsets and/or Suff X.
Or even South Downs as they seem similar to Dorsets in my head.
What does everyone think?
In Mid Wales.
Thanks

If you want to lamb them naturally then Suffolk or Dorset X would be ideal (but hard work).
If you are prepared to sponge them, that opens up a lot more options, pretty much anything but hill breeds and Texels really.

For an enterprise based on keeping them in and feeding well, a mule or (NZ) Suffolk x mule would be hard to beat, sponged to lamb to a growthy Charollais.

What do you run now? Might be an option to pull some older ewes out from that flock, to sponge for Jan lambing, then cull at weaning or sell as couples?

 

[aledsheep]

Forgot to say I'm planning on cidr(ing) them to lamb together

 

[yellowbelly]

Suffolk x Mule would be my choice.

Have you got a good shed? We used to lamb in January ( back when Easter springers were a good trade) and the nights are long and dark and the weather has a habit of coming sideways.

It's the most costly and labour intensive way of producing lambs but if it suits your system and you can produce the top end product, then go for it.

PS ... there's a decent Charollais tup producer in Montgomery, who I understand is having a change of venue (congratulations and good luck, btw @neilo) who will be able to rig you up with a tup or two.

 

[neilo]

Forgot to say I'm planning on cidr(ing) them to lamb together

What sheep do you run currently?

 

[delilah]

If you are looking to sell into the mainstream market, then as above. However if you interested in doing direct sales, Portlands lamb out of season (it is no coincidence that the island is off Dorset) and the taste is unsurpassed.

 

[Bury the Trash]

I'm looking to lamb a small bunch of ewes in, in January and kept in on feed until ready. Just after opinions of good breeds to use.
I'm thinking Dorsets and/or Suff X.
Or even South Downs as they seem similar to Dorsets in my head.
What does everyone think?
In Mid Wales.
Thanks

Southdown aren't aseasonal like the dorset
they aren't similar to dorsets.

Biggest downer recently has been schmallenburg its shook up even diehard early lambers.