TexX ewes - which Tup to use?

[Nithsdale]

Finally got into these lambs. 150 in the batch, 35 drawn ready. Lighter than I was expecting and fewer ready - I had hoped (because I have crept these, and am later taking the first draw) for 45-50 ready. 38kg (ish) upwards. It seems poor, compared to last year, but the ewes have had no grass since lambing and are now running out of water... I don't think this is a year to draw many comparisons

They look well and are healthy enough. Should come on well if/when rain arrives.

Just need the Defender back from the garage and I can get them away

 

[Sheepfog]

Finally got into these lambs. 150 in the batch, 35 drawn ready. Lighter than I was expecting and fewer ready - I had hoped (because I have crept these, and am later taking the first draw) for 45-50 ready. 38kg (ish) upwards. It seems poor, compared to last year, but the ewes have had no grass since lambing and are now running out of water... I don't think this is a year to draw many comparisons

They look well and are healthy enough. Should come on well if/when rain arrives.

Just need the Defender back from the garage and I can get them away
View attachment 691636

Lambs are lighter down here too this year, cold spring defo held them back. At least the price is holding up!

 

[Nithsdale]

Lambs are lighter down here too this year, cold spring defo held them back. At least the price is holding up!

I've not looked prices, but I'm hoping still around £80 for them?

 

[Sheepfog]

I've not looked prices, but I'm hoping still around £80 for them?

Trade seems to have been £2.10-£2.20/Kg last couple of weeks. Your lambs being creep fed should make more as buyers know they'll kill out better.

 

[aangus]

Trade seems to have been £2.10-£2.20/Kg last couple of weeks. Your lambs being creep fed should make more as buyers know they'll kill out better.

More like £1.80/kg after todays markets

 

[Bill dog]

Finally got into these lambs. 150 in the batch, 35 drawn ready. Lighter than I was expecting and fewer ready - I had hoped (because I have crept these, and am later taking the first draw) for 45-50 ready. 38kg (ish) upwards. It seems poor, compared to last year, but the ewes have had no grass since lambing and are now running out of water... I don't think this is a year to draw many comparisons

They look well and are healthy enough. Should come on well if/when rain arrives.

Just need the Defender back from the garage and I can get them away
View attachment 691636

You’re needing to join the lamb group( Farmstock) . Then you just phone your local fields man, and McWilliams will pick them up. No stress if your pick up is broke!
My draw this morning were
Vivers bound , and your a damn sight closer to them than us !
Rain next week !

 

[Nithsdale]

You’re needing to join the lamb group( Farmstock) . Then you just phone your local fields man, and McWilliams will pick them up. No stress if your pick up is broke!
My draw this morning were
Vivers bound , and your a damn sight closer to them than us !
Rain next week !

There's an extra charge for less than 50 lambs on a load... My lambs go to Vivers and McWilliam is the usual haulier.

The LR should be back this week, it'll be next week before they are killed at this rate so job should be fine. (They might also put on another gram or 2 by then )

 

[Bill dog]

Ah got it , they use my pens here as a collection site, so the lorry is generally full ! I thought they were scotbeef bound as usual, but no , off to Vivers !

 

[Nithsdale]

I don't use Farmstock (I see their directors are a list of who's who from around Thornhill ), but I'm weel kent' at Vivers
Been working with them 10+ years.

I think McWilliam do all their work, I certainly cant think I've ever seen any other lorries in there. They are a good bunch.

 

[Bill dog]

I like using them, no bulls**t, good service. And no having to brown nose the masses of buyers at ayr mart, all 3 of them !

 

[Nithsdale]

I like using them, no bullpoo, good service. And no having to brown nose the masses of buyers at ayr mart, all 3 of them !

Exact same problem at both CD and Dumfries. I envy those with healthy fat ring sales

 

[pat kcotnit]

Does Vivers not use EUROP grid/scale? Speaking to someone who sent lambs there and they were graded 1-3.

 

[Nithsdale]

Does Vivers not use EUROP grid/scale? Speaking to someone who sent lambs there and they were graded 1-3.

That's right, no EUROP grid - just 1-3. 1 is in spec, 2 is fat and 3 lean.

 

[Nithsdale]

Land Rover is back, and the first lambs left last Thursday. Slightly annoyed as I've not heard how they have done (killed Friday), but it's got to the point the letter will come soon...

Not much really been happening. Did a days shearing Blackies for a neighbour. Fetching bales in, cutting thistles/nettles and dodging about. Had 2 struck lambs today though so they will be in tomorrow for pour on.

If you all remember I bought a Rancher gripper at their liquidation sale... needed a few bits to make it complete. Well, I got a rope clamcleat a while back and some heavy rope. Measured up the treat plate I needed for the floor, but had never gone any farther. I stumbled across a seller on eBay selling offcuts of 5mm aluminium check plate... almost the exact size I need got one bought. It came today so finally got it all put together ready to use!

I don't really have a race to use it in, but I'm hoping to can rig something up for dagging and bolusing the ewe lambs before they go up to the windfarm for the winter, and also cleaning any fat lambs tails.

 

[Plain steer]

How did your first lambs come back like.?

 

[Nithsdale]

19.8kg @ 404p making £80.

All graded as 1.

 

[NZDan]

Not farming related...

But I had mentioned in another thread I was going up Ben Nevis on the 19th.

Just stuck to the tourist route (had wanted to do the North route up the CMD but decided against it with snow still capping the top).

Several small stops on the way up to take in views/get a breather and have a drink - took us 3.5hrs. 45mins stopped for lunch, pictures, whisky... and then 2 hours ish to get back down. If I had been myself I would have gotten down much quicker but one friend was feeling it on his knees so we slowed up for him.

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Looks a bit different to when I scan on the side of it!!!!!

 

[Nithsdale]

Been raining most days for the past fortnight. The grass has fair jumped and the plsce is looking well again. Shouod be no fear getting a decent 2nd cut of silage. Theres also decent foggage for lambs to go onto now. Everything inbye has been weaned, still have the hill groups to sort out.
Had another 50 lambs away this week... avg. weight 20kg and £80 but market reports suggest a bounce in trade so I might have been better live.


Had my gimmers in this afternoon for their Cevac Enzootic vaccine and first Bravoxin10 injection and a quick spray of Dysect. Really pleased with them, possibly one of the best groups I've had.

 

[Wishful Thinker]

19.8kg @ 404p making £80.

All graded as 1.

Was a 1 not disappointing considering you crept them?

 

[bobajob]

1is the best grade where nithy sells his lambs! Why vivers are different from everyone else I don’t know!