General sheep thread

wrangler wrote: »

Maggots are vicious this time of the year

Think this year has been particularly bad for them. Started mid May, which is earliest I’ve seen them and their still around. Was talking to a easycare man, who said it’s first time ever his seen his sheep struck.

Anyone know what the minimum stocking rate for sheep is ? Have a friend asked me, what’s the minimum amount per acre, without loosing the single farm payment, etc ? I don’t know the answer !!!

Anyone any experience of using the Stanley engineering sheep races? Looking at buying one and I suppose the decision will be made at the ploughing when everything can be seen together

Lambman wrote: »

Many of u guys change rams? Bought 2 more texel a lamb and hogget and a 4year old Lanark. Got rid off a crossing Leicester a charollais and a texel. Going till lamb main flock 2 weeks later and horned ewes a month later.

Got rid of the Suffolk,the 2 lleyn,an old texal and old charollais bought another belclare and 4 blue texals from the north

Lambman wrote: »

Many of u guys change rams? Bought 2 more texel a lamb and hogget and a 4year old Lanark. Got rid off a crossing Leicester a charollais and a texel. Going till lamb main flock 2 weeks later and horned ewes a month later.

Whats the 4yr old lanark like?

Ard mc I'll send u a pic when I get a chanve... First year using one he and the strongest off the old horned ewes will be going back till the hill after tupping till scanning time. Going by this year is a been better off with one last year as wasn't happen at all with the way the mule ram lambs sold got a good few nice replacements but won't need any next year so Lanark and probably charollais going with the horned ewes this year.

Lambman wrote: »

See a lot of blue texel about this year... what's the craic with them aren't they just a a blue beltex? See a lot off black lambs making big money this year aswell whatever that's about.

They started as texels

Same traits then as any texel?

RobinBanks wrote: »

Would there be any issue spreading 10-10-20 on field while lambs are grazing

Never had any problem here anyway with 18 6 12

orm0nd wrote: »

spreading deadline has passed

It never ceases to amaze me the number of guys that have no problem with that little fact

RobinBanks wrote: »

I wasn’t aware of deadline. Does it apply to all fertilizer? Say potash for example.

No just nitrogen and phosphorous, sorry I thought you would have been aware

wrangler wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me the number of guys that have no problem with that little fact

I was away for a few hours today quite a distance from home but through relatives I'd know a lot of farmers in the area. Contractor flat out with 2 large vacuum tanks spreading near a town. Nice smell off it as well.

Just to put a bit of context to conversation. I reseeded a field just when weather broke. Contractor put seed in but didn’t spread fert. I still have the fert and the field is in good order to travel with tractor so I thought now would be a good time to spread it. I have lambs on this field grazing presently hence why I asked if ok to spread while they are on it. I went and bought potash after wranglers reply anyway. I will use 10-10-20 next summer

wrangler wrote: »

slurry closing date is 15th october

my head is gone as well as most of the rest of me

When buying sheep (ewes) privately what kind of things should you ask and lookout for? I know age and lambing history are probaly the obvious ones along with checking mouths and underneath.