Farm Diary - Summer

• The sheep are clipped (sheared) in June:- The wool grows vigorously at this time, making it easier to clip – and the sheep are relieved of their woolly coat ready for the warmer weather. The wool is rolled and packed before being sent away for processing.
• Calving will still be taking place in June
• Dosing, drenching, footbaths and dipping are carried out as needed to prevent problems, such as worms and flystrike. Many farms now use ‘pour-ons’ instead of dipping sheep which is easier to manage.
• Sileage and Hay is cut in the summer months and baled and wrapped to provide feeding for the animals over the winter months. Hay is baled and stored inside to keep it nice and dry, and the sileage is wrapped in plastic or stored in the sileage pit.
• The first fat lamb sales (lamb for meat production) are held in June and continue through the year. Most of our female lambs are pedigree registered and sold on to other breeders for their flocks, and some are retained in our flock to replace females that we may have lost.