The big he-man is still with his ladies, a decision I'm regretting as our financial situation has been made clearer to me. I expect the resulting lambs to be nice – outstanding, even, but I haven't had much success in marketing fine-fleeced, poll-carrying Shetland sheep. Oh, my fleeces sell very well, but I don't have room or hay budget to keep an ever-growing fiber flock. The predominant preference for breeding stock out here in the Northwest is bigger, horned Shetlands with longer, straighter, coarser fleeces; there are plenty of fine-fleeced, poll-carrying Shetlands available in the Midwest from which interested breeders there can choose. So unless I can sell some sheep, and not just fleeces, I will not be breeding again for the foreseeable future. Here's hoping I don't have to resort to more drastic measures.
That's it for now from . . .
7 comments:
Hard decisions, Michelle; I never realized how much I identified with my sheep until I was sheepless. Sometimes I think I'll buy a couple (when I move) and then I think...you're retirement age, you don't need MORE work! So, maybe I'll just adopt a couple; that's reasonable...right? LOL
It is a tough decision. I absolutely loved my Icelandic lambs each spring. But we are sheep-glutted here and it took me forever to find them homes. I ended up selling them much cheaper than I had hoped. I keep saying, "someday - next farm". Who knows?
Definitely hard decisions for you. Any thoughts of a new venture for the farm? Something that could piggyback on the traffic visiting the winery down the road. On the news last night they had a story on Krause's Farm. It started as a strawberry patch (2 acres) and over the years has grown, and now, wow. A b & b farm stay? Just thoughts. And for those of us who don't have the right space, how about an sponsor/adopt a sheep?? take care
All I know is that life is full of surprises, no matter how prepared you try to be. The only way to make it through is to be flexible, have faith, work hard, and never give up.
Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions, Debbie. For now I'm adding another part-time job to my many hats, and just hope I can keep all the balls in the air.
I am just reading this on Friday, Michelle... I'm so sorry, because I know you love your sheep.... and are proud of them. I know what I spent on our animals the last nine years... I can only imagine!
Have you tried craigslist? I've sold quite a few this way to folks interested in sheep, many as beginners. They need "support" such as information, how to care for & such. But they've all gone to forever homes.....here in Ohio.
Thanks, Mary Ann; I know you understand.
No, Diane, I haven't tried Craigslist. I have a friend who is the Craigslist queen, but I've heard of bad experiences that make me leery. I will look into, though. No problem in providing support; I try to do that with every buyer who wants it, anyway.
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