- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
Well you’re the man with Suffolk’s....we are your audience...
Christ no I ain't buying Swales or Blackies!!!
And I'm a Suffolk tup down... The wee pr*ck ran off at the weekend.
Well you’re the man with Suffolk’s....we are your audience...
Years ago I used to run a few hundred old Swale ewes with no teeth that would run again with tlc and plenty pure cane molasses. I always tupped them with Suffolk tups. Lambs were partially black coated and smaller than what you would get off lowland type ewes but still nice lambs.Can't think I've ever seen Suffolk lambs out of a Swale (or Blackie)... I'm actually quite intrigued to see what the lambs are like
But will you? Simply putting bfl over mountain ewe doesn't result in a nice event batch of mule hoggsnice batch of mule ewe lambs,
Know nowt about Swales but we run some draft Herdwicks on some very poor lowland grazing and put them to Texels...............................
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Sold some singles straight off their mothers between 39kg and 44kg.
Most of the twins went as stores - av, around £72. Kept a few females to try as breeders to see what they'll do to a Beltex.
Off the top of my head they did about 170%. Lambed outside on their own. Pulled only 2 or3 lambs.
What's not to like? Went to Cockermouth for another load a couple of weeks ago
You usually only see them when said Suffolk tup gets out by accident. Lambs are fairly crap,with stubby horns. Texel works better for a terminal sire,decent lambs.Can't think I've ever seen Suffolk lambs out of a Swale (or Blackie)... I'm actually quite intrigued to see what the lambs are like
Texel lambs out of Swales weigh like corksYou usually only see them when said Suffolk tup gets out by accident. Lambs are fairly crap,with stubby horns. Texel works for a terminal sire,decent lambs.
Gave up swales, always out or in the hedges, always said if I could get the grazing rights to the common just up the road id stick 200 swales up there and stick a Suffolk on them, keep the ewe lambs and sell the rest as stores, like I said great blocky ewes, very low maintenance to.Can't think I've ever seen Suffolk lambs out of a Swale (or Blackie)... I'm actually quite intrigued to see what the lambs are like
Just looked back, I'd said 150%, it doesn't surprise me how well yellowbellys have done they are good sheep.I seem to remember you claiming 200% though.
I would 170% is damned good going for such a breed, even with a shepherd of @yellowbelly ‘s capabilities.
If you are lambing inside and killing all the offspring then any fast growing terminal would do the job. Charollais seems a good shout.
If you want to keep ewe lambs, there are other options. A maternal Texel may work, a BFL would do ok but you won't get heavy wethers and you've got to mess about providing the rams with suitable shelter... rather predictably, I would suggest a Roussin for this job if you want to keep females (just choose your breeder carefully). It is all pros and cons, mules are well known so you will sell the female progeny but compromise on the males. Exlanas another decent shout with the added bonus you get partial shedders, hardier rams etc but how well would the wethers grade? Is there a market for the partial shedding females?
You could easily achieve 170+% lambing percentage from these ewes if they are in good condition and they are on a high plane of nutrition when they ovulate.
He would be WAY better off with welshies put to Charley. That’s how Me and most of my mates got going at school. Lamb easy and lambs will wean bigger than ewesWhat sort of prices are FM Swale ewes making in the breeding pens?
Also what liveweight would the Swale ewes be? ( thinking of deadweight value ) also what sort of price liveweight have FM ewes being making as culls this year?
Reason for asking is because a young lad that i know who is at Ag College has been given some ground by his family to graze to get him started with his own flock, problem is that he cannot have much of it untill they have done first cut in May for the family suckler herd, winter grazing not a problem, he was intending to buy FM Dorset in lamb Ewes but at current prices ( last week £160/185 head ) they dont stack up when you number crunch it.
Yes you're right, and maybe if its someone starting out would be easier to stick to terminal lambs but swales might not be the best choice of dams.But will you? Simply putting bfl over mountain ewe doesn't result in a nice event batch of mule hoggs
He would be WAY better off with welshies put to Charley. That’s how Me and most of my mates got going at school. Lamb easy and lambs will wean bigger than ewes
They should milk unless screw types. My brother saw some sold 60 pounds last week straight sheep middlish size maybe 40kgIntresting idea, what sort of money are FM ones making and what type of weight would the ewes be on average??
Would they milk well on lowland ground?
The lad is sheep mad and very keen.
As above what breed of ram would be best put with Full Mouth Swaledale ewes that will produce a decent 44/46 liveweight R grade lamb??
Ideally an easy lambing breed with get up and go as well.
Also what lambing % would be average for the above on a lowland farm?
Or is the above a total non starter?
Have been fitted up with some....they will do down your wayAs above what breed of ram would be best put with Full Mouth Swaledale ewes that will produce a decent 44/46 liveweight R grade lamb??
Ideally an easy lambing breed with get up and go as well.
Also what lambing % would be average for the above on a lowland farm?
Or is the above a total non starter?
You're too kind Sir but it turns out I liedI would 170% is damned good going for such a breed, even with a shepherd of @yellowbelly ‘s capabilities.
As I said in answer to your OP, I know nowt about the Swale trade, but for the record those Herdwicks averaged £51 last year but very similar ewes this year averaged £73.50.What sort of prices are FM Swale ewes making in the breeding pens?
Also what liveweight would the Swale ewes be?