Upgrading software.  Geez, I hope this doesn't completely mess up the entire site!

Re-Post from June 29, 2006
Yes, I know, I know.  We have been vocally resistant to this program for years.  My opinion really hasn't changed but at least I'm smart enough to recognize the "handwriting on the wall".  I'd rather enroll on my own than have the government force it down my throat along with the rest of NAIS.  So, as of June 6, 2006, we are now fully inspected and enrolled in the SFCP.  We have had our entire breeding herd DNA tested at 3 codon levels--which has been interesting.  All that DNA stuff just fascinates me anyway.  Our latest random OPP tests came back Negative.  Had to retire the old Ford in favor of a new used Ford. Sigh. That was a good truck for a lot of years and we'll miss her.  Summer's heat has finally hit...along with the yearly plaque of Japanese beetles.  It's not looking like August is going to be a pleasant month but so far the pasture is holding up well.

Re-Post from June 29, 2006
Looks like plans are in the works for a few breedings this fall.  The eraser board has gone up in the spare room with sheep names & lines all over it.  That usually means that breeding strategies are in the works.  We are going to try and have 2mths between the CVM & BFL lambings.  Hopefully, that will keep the BFL lambs that grow SO fast from pushing the CVMs out of the creep feeder.

Re-post from June 29, 2006
Another whirlwind trip this week.  This time to Ward's Farm in Michigan to pick up a new natural colored Bluefaced ram.  We have decided to call him Smudge since his sire's name is Sooty.  We just couldn't be happier with him.  He has personality and carriage.  Great bone structure and the perfect fleece to balance our ewes.

Re-post from June 15, 2006
Just got back from a whirlwind trip to Maryland to pick up our newest Bluefaced additions.  The girls took the trip in typical "blue" fashion--all attitude.  We had to push them out of the trailer when I got back as they flatly refused to leave on their own. They are settling in now & seem cheerful and content.  I know we are glad to have them join our existing BFL group.  And now for a shameless plug of our two favorite sheep breeds....If your are considering raising sheep and want fine, crimpy wool--then take a look at the CVM breed.  If you want long stapled wool, the Bluefaced Leicester is just great all the way around.  Contact the breed associations for the breeders closest to you.  www.bflsheep.com   or   www.nationalcvmconservancy.com

Re-Post from July 11, 2006
Had to post this.  We were trying to get a good photo of one of the 2006 ewe lambs for our sheep records.  After following this little girl around for a while, she finally stood still.  Patty was calling her name so she would look toward the camera.  Here is the photo we got.  To quote Kelly Ward, the BFL registrar, "I think this photo points up the basic ovine attitude".  But you know, I'm worried.  If the sheep are giving us "razzberrries", then can the "finger" be far behind?????

Re-Post from August 23, 2006
So much for all our early breeding plans!  You just can't expect rams to work with a 107 degree heat index.  Weather folks are saying our temps should be coming down in the next couple of weeks.  Fingers crossed that happens and we can get our breeding groups set up.  At this point we are closing on 6wks behind schedule.  Definitely not what we had hoped for.  Oh well.  I'd rather have live, healthy sheep even if it puts our lambing late.

Finally, the website is back on-line.  The next time a sales support person tells me I have to take a website down to change hosting companies......well,it is very likely I am going to discuss their family tree with great eloquence...and lots of carnal verbs!  When we were trying to reload the site to a new server that wasn't configured correcttly, we ended up with our backup files corrupted.  So, the current photos on the site aren't as good as the old ones.  Hopefully, we can snap some new ones this spring.

Well, we did manage to get one BFL breeding group together.  Thanks to space issues caused by a 6yr old livestock guardian who has decided to start going over the fences, we couldn't get our other group together. (a situation that has turned into a real pain) BFL lambs should be here starting the end of February.

No CVM breedings for spring.  We planned some but thanks to space issues caused by a 6yr old livestock guardian who has decided to start going over the fences, we couldn't get our groups together. (a situation that has turned into a real pain) There's no room for sheep in the barn when you have to double pen a dog just to contain it. We are possibly looking at a fall '07 lambing for CVMs.  We've never done that before but it's under consideration.  Just have to see how things work out this coming spring.