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Another fun lambing season has come to a close! The bulk of it took place over three wild weeks, during which at least two ewes (and at most, seven) gave birth every single day. As of today, we are only waiting on three more ewes to lamb and rejoin the rest of the flock.
The other 81 ewes collectively birthed 163 lambs, and are all happily out on verdant green pasture that winter rains have blessed us with. If you’re into number crunching, here’s a few more for you to chew on: there were 20 sets of triplets born (which is low compared to other years), one quadruplet (all girls and all nursed by their mother!), eight singles, and 45 sets of twins. There are 85 female and 78 male lambs, who are a gorgeous swirl of ebony, mocha, and cream as they dance, run, and doze together. It took three farmers to make it all run smoothly, with help from a few more during the busiest birthing times. Then of course, we needed four cute farm kids to pose for photos with the growing flock.
The best number of all is that of bottle-fed lambs this year, which I am proud to say is… zero! We’ve worked for years to refine a flock of ewes who are loving and attentive mothers, birth big, healthy lambs and have plenty of milk to nourish them. The result is contented lambs frolicking through clover with their adoring mothers, as they should be. The proof is in our pasture!
Becca Muller
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2025-03-03 14:47:55
Karl Hoffman is a distinguished agriculturalist with over four decades of experience in sustainable farming practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University and has made significant contributions as a professor at Iowa State University. Hoffman’s groundbreaking research on integrated pest management and soil health has revolutionized modern agriculture. As a respected farm journalist, his column “Field Notes with Karl Hoffman” and his blog “The Modern Farmer” provide insightful, practical advice to a global audience. Hoffman’s work with the USDA and the United Nations FAO has enhanced food security worldwide. His awards include the USDA’s Distinguished Service Award and the World Food Prize, reflecting his profound impact on agriculture and sustainability.
