sara | February 8, 2010
I have been asked what are the best sheep to breed for meat.
I have read that for best meat production, consider fast-growing breeds with good carcasses. Generally, medium to large breeds are good for meat.
My husband felt that downland breeds such as Texel or Suffolk are best sheep breeds for meat.
I asked my sheep farming [...]
sara | January 11, 2010
On 31st December 2009 the new electronic tagging rules for sheep came into force. This means that;
Sheep must now be electronically tagged when being identified for the first time.
If sheep are to be slaughtered wintin 12 months of age then the sheep can have a single non electronic tag.
Record keeping of individual animals must now [...]
sara | January 28, 2009
North Country Mules have the following characteristics:
Speckled heads and legs.
Long wool.
Hardy breed.
Prolific lambers.
Good mothering ability.
admin | October 4, 2007
In September bluetongue was detected in British livestock.
The signs of bluetongue in sheep are;
Eye and nasal discharges.
Drooling as a result of ulcers in the mouth.
High body temperature.
Swelling of the mouth, head and neck.
Lameness.
Tiredness.
Fever.
Haemorrhages into or under the skin.
Inflammation at the junction of the skin and the horn of the foot.
Respiratory problems – difficulty with breathing [...]
admin | October 3, 2007
In September bluetongue was detected in British livestock but what is blue tongue?
“Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña). It does not affect horses. Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main mammalian reservoir of the virus…… Bluetongue [...]
admin | September 29, 2007
The Foot And Mouth Disease that plagued the UK back in 2001 is back in the UK and with a number of FMD cases identified in the last few months it is important that everyone knows what signs to look out for.
“Foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, in particular cattle, [...]
admin | September 6, 2007
Do you have a favourite farm animal? If so which farm animal is your favourite?
Is it?
Poultry
Cattle
Sheep
Pigs
Check out the poll on the sidebar to place your vote.
If I have omitted your favourite farm animal then leave a comment and I will add it to the poll.
Cattle Pigs Poultry SheepCattle, Pigs, Poultry, Sheep
admin | August 9, 2007
Farm animals can sometimes get frightened but what is it that frightens them?
Sudden movement.
Sudden noise.
Unfamiliar people.
Loud noises.
Approaching animals from behind.
Lack of routine.
Prodding animals.
Bumping or shoving animals.
Lack of space.
Excitable human behaviour.
Farm animals need to be managed and handled with care at all times.
Animal ManagementAnimal Management
admin | August 4, 2007
The foot and mouth disease is back in the UK. It was reported yesterday that a farm in Guildford, Surrey has cattle infected with foot and mouth.
This is very worrying news for farmers like ourselves. Not only are we having to deal with ruined potato crops and the difficult harvest brought on by the recent [...]
admin | June 7, 2007
Back in January my husband and I went to film some lambs being born, which was a story in itself (Nature Waits For No Man, Not Even A Camera Man).
Watch this video clip of an assisted lambing with two lambs being born and then the ewe bonding with her lambs only minutes later.
I hope you [...]
