Domestic Animal
What are some domestic breeds of sheep?
Domestic sheep are extremely diverse, raised for meat, wool, milk, and sometimes all three. A number of very unique and distinctive breeds of sheep have been bred for specific purposes and climates. In all cases, domestic sheep breeds are all the same species: Ovis Aries, distinct from other species of wild sheep found in some corners of the world. Read the rest of this entry »
Border Leicester
One of the old British long wool breeds, the Border Leicester was imported from England to Canada in the mid-nineteenth century and with the Oxford became the dominant breed of the early Canadian sheep breeders. It is a medium sized sheep with a thick fleece, proud stance and Roman nose. Read the rest of this entry »
The Dairy Calendar
We think of our farming year beginning in October, as we prepare for breeding. We pull the sheep off pasture in mid-October. In our area, a most important consideration is Giant liver fluke. Valbazen used on our vet’s recommendation, kills the adult liver fluke. The ewes are wormed as they leave pasture, and then again, 5 to 6 weeks later. The second worming will catch flukes which were immature in mid-October. Both wormings are done before turning in the ram. Read the rest of this entry »
GUARDIAN AND HERDING DOGS
There is a vast difference between “guardian” dogs such as our Maremmas and “herding” dogs such as our Border Collies. Both do a specific job and are trained to be trusted working members of our farm operation. We are not raising show dogs or pets. Our dogs are raised and trained with livestock and bred from generations of working dogs. If you are losing livestock to predators or need herding help, please consider what these breeds can do to help you. We only breed our female when we have enough orders for pups to merit a new litter. Read the rest of this entry »
GROVELAND’S EST A LAINE MERINO
Merino sheep originated in North Africa descended from a strain of sheep developed during the reign of Claudius, from 14 to 37 A.D. They spread via the Spanish and French royal families to northern Europe. The original Merinos were a wool sheep, who sheared a very heavy, fine fleece. They were also quite small in size. Read the rest of this entry »
Training Llama Crias
We determined very early in our experience with llamas that we would train them to be handled by humans with the least amount of stress possible for both ourselves and the llama. We live in the southeastern part of the country amongst a heavy white-tail deer population, so it is imperative that we handle our llamas on a monthly basis to vaccinate with Ivomectin or Dectomax for protection against the meningeal worm. We also weigh and body score each animal once a month and trim toenails every other month, and give yearly vaccinations, so we must handle our llamas regularly and with a minimum of stress. Read the rest of this entry »
The Showing Llamas
This article will focus on 7 main areas to consider in developing a successful show strategy. Each topic covers basic tools and ideas that are working for us as we show our llamas in at least half a dozen or more shows across Western Canada.
Why Would You Want To Show Your Llama?
There are as many reasons for showing your llamas as there are shows in which to enter. Here are some of the reasons llama breeders show: Read the rest of this entry »
Scottish Highland Cattle
From the Northwest part of the Scottish Highlands comes one of the oldest and possibly purest breeds of cattle known today. Scottish Highlands were first brought to the USA in the second half of the 19th century and are the oldest registered breed in this country. Read the rest of this entry »
Raising Cats
Introduction:
The association of man and cat goes back approximately 5,000 years. Originally found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, the origin of the domesticated cat is controversial. Early associations of man and cat are cloaked in legend and myth. Every country has references to the cat in their literature, describing the qualities of the cat in several ways. Sayings, known as cat proverbs, are common. Read the rest of this entry »
The Packgoats
“Is that a GOAT?” I hear this all the time when I’m out on the trails, as people are amazed by my method of backpacking. The truth is out; goats make great trail companions and relieve their owners of a lot of work. They enjoy the out of doors and hiking just as much as their owners do. And for those who have handicaps that make it difficult for us to enjoy the backcountry without some help, goats are able to completely remove the burden of the backpack. Read the rest of this entry »