Latest Posts
When We Put Birth on Our Own Schedule
This family of three checked in for a farmstay experience at 4:00 this morning. I woke at 2:00 am, hearing the mom hard at work over the lamb cam. I laid in bed trying to half sleep and half be attentive to her noises. I struggled to stay awake. There was no need to go out to the barn until … Read More
The Perfect Lambing System for Small Flocks
There are probably as many different lambing systems as there are shepherds. Some lamb on pasture, some put laboring ewes in pens, and some shepherds choose to put their bred ewes in group pens to labor and deliver. Each farm must evaluate their own situation and what works best for them to give them the optimal outcome. Shepherds need to … Read More
Shades of Gotland Gray
Gotland wool comes in a variety of shades of gray from a pale silver to a dark charcoal. Gotland sheep produce a true gray as their fiber does not discolor due to sun exposure. Gotland lambs are born solid black. They keep this lamb fleece for 2 to 3 months when their true gray coat begins to come in underneath … Read More
Local Wool Podcast
Join Anastasia Williams from Garden Wool & Dye Company as she interviews me for the second episode of her new podcast, Local Wool. Listen while I share how Gotland sheep came to Grand View Farm and hear a historical perspective of the Gotland upbreeding program in the United States. Learn about the lovely wool characteristics of this special breed and … Read More
When to Assist Ewes at Lambing
A skilled shepherd knows when to assist ewes at lambing. Most of the time, ewes lamb completely on their own. Their bodies are created to give birth naturally without intervention. As a shepherd, you must learn to resist helping until a ewe really needs assistance. It is usually obvious when a ewe needs help with a birth. Typically, it can … Read More