Sheep Shape

It's the time of year when I start making flock decisions. I am excited with the progress we've made with our sheep, and for what's to come. Last weekend saw four ewes leave for a new home; Manda, Gabbiewe, Sugar, and Seaa headed south. Two of my ewe lambs from this year will also be going to a new pet home soon. Add in seven ram lambs to be butchered, along with Jimmer, and our flock size will be down to 16, a number I am comfortable with for winter. Fourteen ewes, one wether (Opilio) and one ram. It looks like Marshmallow will be our one sire this year, though I've been eyeing up a moorit ram lamb on another blog, but not sure that now is the time to make the jump.
I have commitments for five of the seven butcher lambs, which is a good feeling too. My main goal for this fall season is to develop a sound plan for dealing with the deer liver fluke that continues to haunt us. Fecals come back clean for all "regular" parasites, but last winter we lost three ewes to liver flukes. Worming with valbazen in the fall prior to breeding season takes care of mature liver flukes, but not all the immature ones. I've got an email into Pipestone Vet to discuss options for dealing with this problem. We had planned on being selective on how we grazed late in the season, but all the rain this summer has caused snails to be present everywhere. Even in my raised bed gardens!
We continue to make progress on the barn and are currently modifying fencing around the goat shed. Feta has turned into a big pest and escape artist. Not fun. Nora and Brie are much more mellow than she is. Nate keeps mentioning sausage. Our breeding plans for the goats look to be a boer buck with milky lines owned by Jackie Clay. Next spring will bring lambs and goat kids to the farm.
Our second crop is getting baled as I speak, Nate is in the field alone this time, while I get to stay home with napping boys. We only ordered up 80 bales, my goal is to have it for late gestation for the sheep and goats, I am so excited about having a full hay loft, it is a good feeling!
I better go and accomplish something while the tag-a-longs are slumbering. Sometimes it is much easier to get things done without help!

Tonight's Storytime Theme

There is a definite theme to story time tonight. It doesn't have to do with insects, farm animals, or llamas (the current reoccurring bedtime stories.) It has to do with a life transition occurring for a family member tomorrow. One that his mom isn't so sure she's ready for, or should be happening yet! He is more that prepared. The backpack is packed, clothes and folder labeled. We've been practicing the shoe tying.

Kohen with the newest family addition, Winnie, complements of the Carlton Animal Swap.

Kohen had another first yesterday, his first races with Papa. They traveled to Brainerd along with Chuck to watch the TransAm series race there. Of course Papa was kind enough to remind me that it's been so long since these races have come to Brainerd that the last time, I was still a teenager. Thanks Dad.

Saturday night's forecast carried a frost advisory, so mom and I spent some time harvesting tomatoes and herbs on Saturday while Nate and my dad finished putting steel on the barn roof. I also took some time to transplant some of my pepper plants. I've got to start them from seed much earlier next year. I've only gotten a handful of beautiful peppers from them so far, with many small ones still on the plants. Kohen was a great help and hauled the produce and plants to the back porch for us. Gotta love the gator! Wish us luck, and few tears tomorrow!