When you see two people with their arms folded, looking over a farm gate, seemingly
peering into the distance wasting time, don’t be fooled, as it’s work. I spent many a time
doing just that with probably the best shepherd I had the privilege of knowing and working
with. It was a special time to look at your flock, just taking a few moments to really see what
was or was not in order.

It was during one of these educational moments in my early shepherding career, that he told
me that my flock of Jacob sheep looked well, even though he thought they weren’t a “proper”
sheep (he was a top Suffolk sheep breeder), but I took it as a real compliment.
This, however, was followed by a less than complimentary comment about my shepherding
tactics.

“When you need to get your sheep in a pen are you still shaking that bucket of expensive,
unnecessary sheep feed to get them in a pen?”
“Yes, of course – it works thankyou”
“It might now, but when you expand your flock and numbers increase and so does the cost
of the bucket, you might change your mind – I’m telling you girl, you can’t shepherd properly
or efficiently without a dog”.

Needless to say, having watched the skill and ease with which his dogs worked and the
limited stress on both sheep and handler, I was converted and went dog shopping and
bought my first border collie called Jack.
Back in those days, there were grants for sheepdog training courses which were spread
over 12 months. I went every month for a lesson with other beginners both human and
canine. What an experience – the biggest lesson I learnt was don’t shout at your
dog…..save it for your husband!

That is where I met a dog handler, the trainer as it happens, who had an amazing dog called
Roy – words can’t describe his gentle style, attitude and total dedication to his handler.
In short, I set my heart on having one of his offspring which I eventually did…. a pup I called
Nell.

She worked tirelessly for me…was a handful, certainly didn’t listen to a word I said in the
early days and certainly never responded to a raised voice.
Just like the hours of quiet time looking over a farm gate, the same applied to Nell – she
needed time and a quiet voice.

But there was one time when she did surprise me and showed her authority. I decided to
mate her and saw this amazing brown and white border collie working beautifully at a
sheepdog trial, and no… I did not enter! Way beyond my skills. I contacted the owner of
said dog who happened to live in France – just my rotten luck, but I wasn’t deterred, just a
small stretch of water to cross. The dog’s owner was a tricky character, but after much
deliberation and checking Nells breed credentials, she agreed that Nell was a suitable match
for her “Jim”.

The meeting didn’t go off exactly as planned, maybe the journey to France upset Nell, but on
jumping out of the car, she met him and bit him – good start. Maybe just a language barrier!
Things settled down and eventually she relented and the deed was done. We stayed
overnight at the farm in their self-catering cottage and the next morning, “Jim” was waiting
outside the door clearly excited, Nell was also pleased to see him. A quick repeat encounter
and we were on our way home.

Ralph was one of Nell’s 6 beautiful pups who I kept and still work today. He is a fantastic
worker like his mother and looks exactly like his father – brown and white.
Nell left me very recently and doesn’t owe me a copper coin. What she taught me, rather
than what I taught her, has been a lifelong lesson in how to treat, respect and enjoy working
a sheepdog. She’s in the orchard now, sleeping under an Oak tree, keeping a watchful eye
over Ralph.

Nell – Thank you for 14 very special years, at times trying, but worth the hundreds of buckets
of expensive food you saved me.

TOUR OF BRITISH WOOL DEPOT AND SCOURING PLANT

Barley Gould

        Early in January I boldly left my sub-tropical Isle to venture to the frozen north.  Anywhere north of Watford is the north to a proper Ol’e of Wighter. I was on my way to Bradford for a tour of British Wool’s grading depot and Haworth scouring plant.  Having washed many a fleece, I felt that I knew what I would be looking at but I was amazed by the scale, and how the whole city seemed to be enveloped in the smell of wool.

First, we introduced ourselves, a mixed group of farmers, textile students and crafters from far and wide, Wales to Scotland and me from the very south.  We were warmed with coffee and a talk from the very knowledgeable Gareth Jones, Welsh no less, about how British Wool works from training shearers to testing the wool to the auctions. 

The auctions are now all on line and the catalogue is Greek to me even after a detailed explanation. It is interesting that the wool that is already in Bradford is much more saleable than that in other depots due to its close proximity to the scouring plants. The only wool that didn’t sell that day was some that was “lying in Brecon.”

We donned our warm layers and reflective jackets for our tour of the grading warehouse and walls of wool. The grading too has joined the modern age with everything barcoded. This is all part of the traceability that is being used to make “Yorkshire blankets from Yorkshire wool” and the like.

All the grading is done by hand with a bewildering large number of different grades and bins for different grades of wool. No wonder it takes years to become a skilled grader. Each graded lot is then packed into a bale that is then core tested and matched into a lot of wool with the same grades.

The core samples are then sent off to be tested; the results of the tests are what is then in the auction catalogue along with the grading information so the buyer knows how much vegetable matter and grease is in the wool and how much colour it will take if they want to dye it.   

All the wool is sold pre–scouring, and it’s the new owners who collect it and then take it to the scouring plant.

The scouring plant we went around is Haworth’s and was a drive across town. Bradford’s roads are mix of potholed tarmac and cobbles. We were shown around by a very enthusiastic manager whose pride and joy was the new biodigester. He walked us round the whole process from wool coming in to the carding and combing, again it is all barcoded so each batch is kept separate or mixed as the customer requires.

  There are only three large scouring plants left in Europe, two are in Bradford and one is in the Czech Republic, and I’m not sure that without them British Wool would be viable. And then what would we do with our wool.

This tour is organised by British Wool and is for all of its farmers and includes lunch, and while  it  might be a long way to go, it’s well worth it. 

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THE JACOB EWE – A SHEEP FOR ALL REASONS

Kay Carpenter

Wandering through a traditional British pasture or nestled among a modern-day smallholding, one breed of sheep is sure to turn heads with its dramatic appearance and historic charm – the Jacob ewe. With her striking piebald fleece, multiple horns, and ancient lineage, the Jacob sheep isn’t just a pretty face. She is versatile, hardy, and increasingly prized by farmers, hand spinners, conservationists, and even gourmet chefs. Truly, the Jacob ewe is a sheep for all reasons.

A Storied Past

The origins of the Jacob sheep are as patchworked as her fleece. Legends trace the breed back to biblical times, named for the story of Jacob in the Book of Genesis who bred spotted and speckled sheep. While the historical accuracy is debated, the breed has certainly existed in Britain for centuries. By the 18th century, Jacob sheep were considered ornamental animals, kept in the parklands of stately homes. But their beauty masked an inner resilience that modern keepers are rediscovering.

More Than Just Looks

The Jacob ewe is far more than her photogenic appeal. She is known for being a low-maintenance, hardy animal that thrives in a variety of climates and terrains. Thanks to her light frame and nimble hooves, she causes less damage to pasture than heavier breeds. Her strong maternal instincts, ease of lambing, and generally calm temperament make her a favourite among novice and experienced shepherds alike.

Sheep keeping can offer a peaceful escape from the fast pace and pressures of modern life. Time spent with the flock provides a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature. The simple, rhythmic routines of caring for sheep – walking the fields encourages mindfulness and presence in the moment. Away from screens and schedules, this quiet time outdoors allows thoughts to settle and brings a sense of balance and contentment. In many ways, tending to our Jacobs becomes as restorative for the mind as it is beneficial for the animals.

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A Valuable Breeding Asset

        Beyond her value as a purebred animal, the Jacob ewe proves herself as an excellent foundation for crossbreeding. When put to a terminal sire, she produces vigorous, fast-growing lambs ideal for meat production, making her a smart choice for those looking to combine hardiness with productivity.

Equally, the Jacob ewe has a role in pedigree-focused breeding programs. With careful selective breeding, she can produce elegant, eye-catching show worthy sheep that retain her distinctive markings and carry forward her striking presence in the show ring. Her natural grace and character shine through, giving offspring that are not only competitive but unique.

A Spinner’s Delight

Another of the ewe’s assets is her fleece. With natural black and white patches, Jacob wool offers spinners and weavers a palette of natural tones straight off the sheep’s back. The fleece is medium-fine, springy, and soft enough for garments, yet strong enough for durable goods like rugs and outerwear. For fibre artists, a Jacob fleece is a creative treasure trove.

Conservation Through Cultivation

As a heritage breed, the Jacob has faced ups and downs in population numbers, but recent years have seen a revival driven by interest in sustainable, small-scale farming and rare breed preservation. Owning Jacob ewes is not only a nod to tradition but a meaningful contribution to biodiversity. Organisations, like ourselves the Jacob Sheep Society and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in the UK, have played a key role in promoting the breed’s viability and encouraging new generations to take up the crook.

Culinary Potential

Though often kept for wool or as breeding stock, the Jacob ewe’s meat is another compelling feature. Lean, flavourful, and often described as more “gamey” than commercial lamb, Jacob meat is popular among chefs and foodies seeking ethically-raised, characterful alternatives. When raised slowly and naturally, the meat develops a depth of flavour that sets it apart in high-end markets.

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A Sheep for the Future

In a world looking for sustainable, multifunctional livestock options, the Jacob ewe stands as a symbol of resilience, utility, and heritage. She bridges the gap between the past and the future – pleasing to the eye, productive in the field, and purposeful in modern agriculture. Whether you’re breeding show champions, producing premium meat, or filling your spinning basket, the Jacob ewe proves time and again that she’s more than just a sheep – she’s a sheep for all reasons.

For more information visit the Jacob Sheep Society at www.jacobsheepsociety.com

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The first day determines the lamb’s survival. Use this checklist to stay on track during the critical 24-hour window.

Hour 0 to 2: Immediate Life Support

Hour 2 to 6: The Antibody Window

Hour 6 to 12: Secondary Feedings

Hour 12 to 24: Stability and Transition

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How to Feed Colostrum Correctly

You must deliver colostrum to the lamb’s stomach as soon as possible. Most healthy lambs suckle from a bottle with a soft teat. If a lamb is too weak to suck, you must use a stomach tube.

Using a Stomach Tube

Position the lamb in a natural sitting or standing position. Between your calves is good, with you looking down on the lamb. Measure the tube from the lamb’s mouth to its last rib to ensure it reaches the stomach. Gently slide the tube over the tongue and down the throat. You will feel the tube pass easily.

If the lamb coughs or struggles violently, you likely entered the windpipe. Pull back and try again.

Once the tube is in place, attach the syringe and slowly depress the plunger.

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Temperature and Volume

Feed colostrum at body temperature. Cold liquid shocks the lamb’s system and lowers its core temperature. Aim for 50ml per kilogram of body weight in the first feeding. A 4kg lamb needs 200ml of colostrum immediately after birth.

Practical Tips from Experienced Farmers

Farmers who successfully rear dozens of orphans every year rely on simple, repeatable tricks. These methods save time and keep mortality rates low.

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Use the “Clean-finger” Rule

“Check the lamb’s mouth temperature with your ‘clean’ finger,” suggests veteran sheep farmer Mary Evans. “If the mouth feels cold, the lamb is hypothermic. Warm the lamb before you try to feed it, or the milk will just sit in the stomach.”.

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Manage Group Dynamics

Rearing orphan lambs requires patience and a strict routine. You might find yourself with a “cade” lamb because of triplets, a rejected offspring, or a sick ewe. Success depends on acting fast during the first hours of the lamb’s life.

Provide Essential Colostrum

Colostrum is the first milk a ewe produces. It contains antibodies that build the lamb’s immune system. Lambs have no natural immunity when they arrive.

Why Timing Matters

You must feed colostrum within the first six hours after birth. A lamb’s gut closes to large antibody molecules after 24 hours. Data from 2024 shows that lambs receiving adequate colostrum have a 30% higher survival rate than those who do not.

Using Substitutes

If the ewe cannot provide milk, use a high quality colostrum substitute. You can also use frozen colostrum from another ewe on your farm. Thaw frozen milk slowly in warm water. High heat destroys the vital antibodies.

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Choose the Right Milk Replacer

Once the first 24 hours pass, you need a consistent milk source. Most farmers use a commercial lamb milk replacer. These powders provide the specific fat and protein levels a growing lamb needs.

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Mixing Instructions

Follow the package instructions exactly. Too much powder causes constipation and bloat. Too little powder leads to malnutrition. Use a thermometer to ensure the milk reaches 39 degrees Celsius for bottle feeding.

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Feeding Equipment

You can use individual bottles or an automatic feeder. Bottles allow you to monitor exactly how much each lamb drinks. Automatic feeders reduce your labour but require careful cleaning to prevent bacteria growth.

Establish a Feeding Schedule

Consistency keeps lambs healthy. Sudden changes in volume or timing cause digestive upset.

Frequency and Volume

Newborns need small, frequent meals. Start with four to five feedings per day. By week two, you can reduce this to three feedings. Increase the volume of milk as the lamb grows, but never overfeed in a single sitting. Overfeeding causes abomasal bloat, which is often fatal.

Transitioning to Solids

Introduce high protein creep pellets, some fine hay and fresh water from day seven. Even if they do not eat much at first, early exposure helps their rumen develop. “The rumen starts to function effectively only when the lamb begins consuming fermentable carbohydrates,” says livestock specialist Dr. John Wright.

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Maintain a Clean Environment

Disease spreads quickly among young animals. You must keep the rearing area spotless.

Bedding and Ventilation

Use thick layers of clean straw. Damp bedding breeds bacteria and chills the lambs. Ensure good airflow in the shed without creating direct draughts. Cold draughts can lead to pneumonia.

Hygiene Protocols

Wash all bottles and nipples in hot soapy water after every use. Use a disinfectant to sterilise equipment daily. 2025 industry trends indicate that farms with strict hygiene protocols see a 15% reduction in antibiotic use.

Monitor Lamb Health

Watch your lambs closely for signs of illness. A healthy lamb is alert and has a dry tail area.

Common Problems

Scours and bloat are the biggest threats. If a lamb looks hunched or refuses milk, check its temperature. A normal temperature for a lamb stays between 38.8 and 39.5 degrees Celsius.

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When to Wean

Most lambs are ready for weaning at 35 days old or when they weigh 15 kilograms. They must also eat at least 250 grams of solid pellets daily. Abrupt weaning is usually better for the lamb’s digestive transition than a gradual reduction in milk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much milk does an orphan lamb need?

A lamb typically needs 10% to 15% of its body weight in milk daily, split into several feedings.

Can I give cow milk to a lamb?

Cow milk lacks the fat content lambs require. If you must use it, add one teaspoon of vegetable oil per 500ml, but switch to lamb replacer as soon as possible.

Why is my lamb’s stomach bloated?

Bloat often occurs from drinking too much milk too quickly or from bacteria in dirty bottles.

When should lambs start eating grass?

Lambs can nibble grass within their first two weeks, but they rely on milk and pellets for growth until weaning.

How do I keep an orphan lamb warm?

Use a heat lamp or a specialised lamb jacket if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius.

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A Modern Perspective on Jacobs: The Ultimate ‘Lifestyle’ Sheep for Young Land Managers

If you’re picturing sheep-farming as a slow-paced, traditional pastime reserved for old-timers, think again. The world of small-scale agriculture is evolving rapidly, and so too are the sheep breeds best suited to modern lifestyles. Enter the Jacob sheep: a dynamic, heritage breed that is redefining what it means to manage livestock on a limited acreage. For young people with five acres and a strong internet connection, keeping Jacobs isn’t just about maintaining a few animals for the fun of it—it’s about intelligently managing a high-output, carbon-positive asset that excels where larger, commercial breeds often struggle.

The Low-Input Alpha: Resilient, Efficient, and Strategic

Jacobs are the ultimate “hack” for today’s small-scale land manager. Unlike the heavy, high-maintenance commercial hybrids that can quickly exhaust both your patience and your pockets, Jacob sheep stand out for their adaptability and resilience. They thrive on upland pastures, making them ideal for marginal land that might otherwise go underused. Their natural resistance to foot rot and common parasites means you’ll spend far less on chemical treatments, giving you more freedom to focus on thoughtful flock management and rotational grazing strategies, rather than reactive problem-solving.

The Aesthetic Return On Investment: Beyond the Commodity Market

In today’s world, the value of livestock isn’t measured solely by the price of meat or wool on a commodity market. The distinctive piebald fleece of the Jacob sheep is not just visually striking—it’s a sought-after raw material with full British wool traceability, highly prized in the artisan and craft sectors. This traceability and uniqueness allow individual producers to command a premium, both for raw fleece and finished products.

Precision Conservation: Active Guardianship of Rare Breeds

Owning a flock of Jacobs is about more than just aesthetics or profit—it’s a conscious commitment to rare breed conservation. As a custodian of this breed, you play an important role in upholding specific breed standards and avoiding the genetic bottlenecks that threaten biodiversity. This is not passive ownership; it’s an active, hands-on approach to conservation. Jacobs act as natural “lawnmowers,” maintaining delicate habitats without causing soil compaction or damage often associated with heavier animals or machinery. In this way, your management efforts directly contribute to the health of local ecosystems.

The Live-Action Audit: Strategic Land Use and Flock Benchmarking

Ready to make the most of your land and flock? Begin by surveying your property. Walk the boundaries and take careful note of “marginal” areas—those overgrown banks or patches of scrub that conventional sheep might overlook. Jacobs, with their inquisitive and athletic nature, are adept at browsing these otherwise wasted spaces. Consider mapping out a three-paddock rotation system that takes full advantage of the Jacob’s versatility, improving your soil health, and increasing your overall land productivity.

Choosing Jacob sheep is a forward-thinking, multifaceted investment—one that pays dividends not only in terms of aesthetics and profit, but also in environmental stewardship and the preservation of agricultural heritage. It’s time to leave the old stereotypes behind and embrace the new era of sheep farming, where innovation, conservation, and community walk hand in hand—right alongside your flock.