News

2008

It has been busy here at Wool-E Farm since the beginning of the year.

January started with shearing 29 of our 30 sheep. Although it is cold and snowy in the winter months here in southwest Michigan, by shearing the ewes before lambing, the ewes will have a less stressful time lambing, since the extra weight of the fleeces will be gone. When they have lambed, the lambs can enjoy the warmth of mom's body, by getting to lay right next to her.

February started lambing season. We had several pairs of twins and lots of singles. The lambs are busy playing "lamb tag" and finding mom for an extra snack.

March has seen most of the lambs being born. The snow has melted so there is extra areas for the lambs to roam, yet not get to far from mom. A few more lambs have yet to be born before the season is done. Our first Cotswold-Romney cross lambs will not be born until April, so we are anxiously waiting to see what the fleeces will looks like.

April plans include fencing in a new pasture, getting machinery ready for the hay season, and watching the lambs run and play while moms watch.

May The apple trees were so full of blossoms. The bees were extremely busy. We are working on first cutting of hay. Looks like we will have a good crop and will have hay for sale. The lambs are growing quickly and by the end of summer a few will be going to new homes. Fleeces are starting to grow on the lambs and we are seeing some fine crimp in them. We have several wethers who would be great lawnmowers and produce a large amount of fleece for handspinners.

June looks to be another busy month. Starting with getting first cutting of hay done, gardening, our first attendance at a fiber show in Marshall Michigan, washing fleeces, spinning and weaving.

July has been a blur so far. Hay, hay and more hay. The garden is producing potatoes, onions, peas, beans, beats and peppers. Small tomatoes are showing up and of course zucchini.

Lambs are growing and their fleeces are looking great. The pasture is still green with all the rain we had in mid June and early July.

Rovings are back from the mill and rolled into 4 oz balls, ready for spinners. Finally got the ram, Winchester sheared and his fleece is sent to the mill for worsted weight yarn. Anxiously waiting for shipment to come back.