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THURSDAY’S SPECIAL-Once-Over

 

 Apologies, in advance for the length of this post.

Probably giving something the ‘once over’

means the same world wide.

During my lifetime the main thing I have

given the once over are sheep….

probably people also…but I will

stick to sheep on this post.

For example, a cursory look at these sheep tells me

they are fairly fine woolled animals,

which means their new born lambs

would not be as physically strong as

that of a coarser woolled sheep

and may readily die if born in cold weather.

Their lambs would also likely be smaller,

not attract he highest price at sale.

Finally, as they are only 4-6 weeks ‘off shears’

(since being shorn)

it will be nearly twelve months before

they are ready to shear again and a

further month before wool is tested,

sold and money in my pocket.

That is how long it would take for any return

on my investment if I were to buy them.

I suspect they are somewhere between

two and four years old.

Two year olds…young but lower lambing percentage.

Older sheep equals higher lambing percentage.

However, the older they are the less production

a buyer could expect as they commence losing

their teeth at 4-5 years and will eventually starve.

Well, that is my assessment of this flock

after giving them the ‘once over’.

~~~~~

Thursday’s Special: Once-Over

11 thoughts on “THURSDAY’S SPECIAL-Once-Over”

    • In broad acre farm the life span of a sheep is only about 7 years tops production wise. After about 5 years their wool production can decline significantly because of the loss of teeth. Once they reach 4 years their mouths are checked each year and any sign of losing teeth and the sheep/ewe is on its way to the sale yards. As for the meat/wool issue….the fine woolled sheep are bred for their wool which is made into finer garments next to one’s skin or suits…men’s and women’s. A finer woolled sheep has, comparatively little meat on it. Coarser woolled sheep are breed for meat. They grow more wool, which is made into carpets and external apparel. Comparing meat and wool sheep is a bit like comparing the bodies of a marathon runner and a weight lifter 🙂

      And while sheep MAY BE turned into dog food, you are more likely to find lamb or mutton on your supermarket shelf. A roast leg of mutton has a beautiful flavour if there are some leftovers for the next day. When working in New South Wales I would often see farmers pick out the worst looking sheep in the pen for the shearers to eat. Not once did I hear a complaint, or grumbled about the flavour of our meals.

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