Once A Shepherd Always A Shepherd
WEN-MAR FARM·THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020· Wendell and I were both raised on farms. Wendell’s parents raised sheep and had approximately 225 head of Western ewes out of Texas and 25 head of Hampshire ewes. He helped his dad with the sheep and showed sheep in 4-H growing up and at other shows and fairs. We had sheep for the first 20 years of our marriage and our daughters showed sheep at county fairs and shows. Once the girls were out of 4-H and with us both working off of the farm, the sheep were eventually sold. Now, we are at a place in our lives where we are able to raise sheep again. We chose the dual-purpose Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) breed of sheep. It has many wonderful qualities (not necessarily in this order): First: The BFL is a handsome sheep, stately in appearance. Second: Their wool is a wonderfully soft, a great spinning fiber, and great to blend with other fibers. Third: The BFL has a long meat type carcass. Many breeders are now using the rams to improve their herds. Fourth: Shearing is not as much of a wrestling production. The BFL has clean neck, belly and legs which makes it easier to shear. Shearing can be done on a stand. Fifth: They are friendly. Sixth: To raise quality animals that would be dual-purpose breed and benefit others. Raising sheep can get in your blood: “ONCE A SHEPHERD ALWAYS A SHEPHERD”. |