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It’s time for lambing photos! It was another busy season, although the ladies kept things reasonably steady this year. Most days had nine or ten ewes giving birth, with the busiest day having 23. Some years things are a bit more hectic! Anyway, in between busy days I managed to get the camera out.
The first of Dad’s ewes to lamb had twin girls.
This one’s at the wrong end for milk.
This was Poppy’s first lambing season, although of course we found her in this very shed. She enjoyed the pet lambs most of all.
Those twins.
Outside, Primrose’s lambs were growing fast. This is Gavin.
Gavin and Gabby.
Tilly.
Penny.
A young ewe and her first lamb.
The lamb was a bit lethargic and the ewe didn’t lick it very much, so I thought Poppy would like to help. She got straight to work!
The wee lamb was a bit perkier after Poppy’s help and went on to be just fine.
A very helpful girl.
The first pet lamb of the year was Spot, a lamb that was so dumb he didn’t realise his very attentive mum wanted to feed him. We showed him where the milk was a few times but he just didn’t get it – he loved the bottle, though!
I called him Spot because it’s funny to me that a sheep has a stereotypical name for a dog, but also because he has a big, tan spot on his back.
The lambs kept coming throughout March…
We collected more pet lambs along the way… this is Valerie.
And here’s a handful more under the heat lamp. It’s a very popular spot. The tiny white-faced one is Minnie’s lamb, Ginnie, who was similar to Spot and couldn’t understand that she needed to drink from mum, and the big, brown Suffolk is Bella.
Wee Petal, the youngest pet lamb. She’s only a day old here.
Poppy loved those lambs!
I went to photograph some of the other young babies in the shed…
…And when I returned to the heat lamp, Greta, Lily’s ewe lamb, had claimed the top spot.
Out with Gabby again.
Feebee and Sybil grazing while Fern and Frances pose for me.
Poppy the sheep being silly.
Frances being sensible.
And that’s it for March. Onto April…
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2024-07-05 17:29:00
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.
