CENTRAL REGION
Regional Contact Member – James Cartwright
Tales of the Lambing Shed
The lambing shed at three in the morning is a world of suspended time, where the only reality is the rhythmic rustle of straw and the low, comforting “churr” of an expecting ewe. For me, the constant tiredness of this busy part of the year is intoxicating and as the ewes do what they do so well (motherhood), I do marvel at new life entering the world, it never gets tiresome. With a breed of such character as ours and crossing fingers for the showring chance, there are moments for the shepherd of Jacob sheep when we have everything crossed. The arrival of a Jacob lamb is always a moment of aesthetic surprise. Unlike more uniform commercial breeds, every Jacob is a unique “patchwork” masterpiece, and as the ewe busily licks her newborn dry, the shepherd watches for the first glimpse of those tell-tale markings. This year we used CIDR’s for the first time, with great success and not surprisingly we did have a busy couple of nights when ewes seemed to be in all stages of labour at the same time. For us, it seemed to be the year of ram lambs which has happened before but there are years where ewe lambs seem to be the majority.
Happily, we have a couple of little chaps who show potential including Frank, who seems to stand well at only a few days old.
Chatting to members around the region, it appears that lambing has gone well which brings a cheer when the weather seems to drag you down. In the Meadowland flock Abbie seemed to draw the short straw with the nighttime shifts, although Hayley managing to snap a cheeky photo or two of her off to check the lambing shed in her cow dressing gown. Maybe there is an opportunity for the Jacob shop here to start to do nightwear? Thoughts on a postcard for that one.
Shows, open days and opportunities to mingle
A few dates for your diary start with the first regional open day of the year which is to be kindly hosted by Mark and Margie Rushbrooke of the Perrymill flock on Sunday 10th May (invites to follow). Mark and Margie have been members of the Society for 50 years and after visiting their farm today, it is clear we can all learn much from all their hard-earned experience and success over many years.
The early county shows of Shropshire and Staffordshire in May will be the first opportunity for many to get together and compare stories from the lambing shed, with surely a great crop of lambs between us. I would encourage members to attend at least one day at the Royal Three Counties Show at Malvern on 12-14th June, with classes this year being judged by Jackie Jones. Some top-class sheep will be on show in the ring. Again, in Malvern but at the National Sheep Association “Sheep Event” on 28th July, we will have a stand to demonstrate the attributes of the Jacob sheep with maybe a more commercial bias at this well attended event. Lastly, not to forget this year’s Central Region Show and Sale will be held at Worcester on Saturday July 25th with the show being kindly judged by Robert Locker.
Welcome to new members
I would like to extend a warm welcome to new members in the region: Arthur Hurley – Cheshire, Rebecca Howard – West Midlands, Matthew & Emily Bowen – Herefordshire, Bartholomew Terry and Anya Makin–Terry – Gloucestershire, Sarah Horton – Worcestershire, Alice Smith – Staffordshire, and Tracie Paul Russon – West Midlands.
Jobs for the month ahead
Shearing early for the shearlings and mature stock is a task that usually, and this year is no exception, sneaks up on me. Finding a shearer to get the job done can be tricky at this time of year and I am considering if I should have a go? Should I consider taking up this challenge and attend one of the many courses offered by professionals in the field? I am also considering bolusing this year. With the weather seeming to swing from endless rain to then long periods of warm and dry, mineral availability will surely be a challenge, and the right bolus in the right circumstances may just be worth considering further, watch this space.
