BIG DECISIONS - SELLING THE SHEEP

[@colmortimer1066]

Keep us posted on what you decide, and if you get into something new that you can take us along for, I am sure many of us would be interested in following the new journey. This channel had a huge shift when your dad passed, and it was able to keep going, I am sure what ever comes next could be another large shift. I wish you luck in what ever you decide.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you ☺️ it doesn’t have to be permanent but I needed to do this

[@jimxyz8150]

Take care we miss the videos .😊

[@a.mlockhart9759]

I totally love this channel I do miss your dad but you and nick are doing a great job There's away forward for you both and I agree keep posting Alan

[@trucker9462]

Jo. Don't beat yourself up over the prices. You have to remember the buyers for cross breed lambs from mules and older mules are mostly limited to butcher buyers. Have a think in regards to converting to a pure breed flock of either continentals or natives such as blur texels or easycares. This will then open up another set of buyers and prices will be 30-40% more than compared to cross breeds. In theory you'd only need 3/4 of the flock numbers to maintain the same income which would in turn reduce your time spent on sheep duties.

[@wheater5]

You and Nick have done a fabulous job in very trying times so very well done! The one thing I’ve learned in life is that to survive we must stay flexible so you’ve done the right thing. Best of luck for your next chapter!

[@karenelizabethwaters8280]

Hi Joanna and Nick, As a 5th generation Australian sheep and cattle farmer, I can totally relate to the ups and downs of raising sheep and lambs. I think you two have been doing a sterling job running the farm since the passing of John. I too have made the decision to let my sheep go due to the work attached to them… fly strike, worms and wild dogs. Once a decision is made, your head will be so much more clear. Regards, Richard.

[@pauleastham1686]

Too many of us farmers carry on with the same thing year after year ,without stopping and reevaluating what they’re doing ,as like you they spend lots of time and effort and get little reward. I admire you for having making the decision to think of something different,I hope whatever you decide works for you

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you, yeah in a way it would have been easier to keep ploughing on in the same manner but it was feeling very difficult and combined with the campsite it was feeling like too much !

[@PatrickHiggins-f4n]

I always keep farmers in my prayers .❤❤

[@JohntyNich]

My recommendation would be to put the tup in, bring the ewes in to lamb. Not to scan them. There will be plenty of grass and they should thrive. But instead of selling at market, look to butcher the lambs and sell to campers and maybe some boxes sold locally. You would need a couple of big chest freezer to keep the meat for the campers. Burgers, kebabs, steaks, chops. Campers to preorder and you get them out to demand to thaw. Only do a couple at a time while you see how the boxes go. I’d also fatten some highlands on the spare grass. There is demand especially where customers see the care taken of the stock on your channel and will pay premium prices. But that’s just me. Good luck whichever way you decide to go 👍

[@DaleFarm]

This is definitely something I would be interested in doing !!

[@majoreyeswater60]

Wishing u luck in your future ventures,whatever that may be,keep us posted

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you! Of course I will do 🩵

[@tomvalentine9985]

Well done Jo I wish other farmers the courage of their convictions when the evidence is saying you need a time out. Its no big deal you do what is right and sensible at the time.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for the lovely comment and understanding

[@fergalmoran]

The right decision for you to take and a real honest one. Best of luck in your next chapter.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you xx

[@keithdonaldson5573]

Joanna, trust your intuition; reevaluating life, and the next steps are a very important part of navigating in today’s ever-changing world. I applaud you and Nick for taking a pause. Not sure what are mule lambs? Always sending you both the best in life. ❤️🙏🏼

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for understanding- it didn’t come easily to me. I know we will still be busy with things here , but it’s definitely been hard to manage since dad has been gone

[@DaleFarm]

The mule ewes are the ewes we bought in - the breeding sheep x

[@trapperbob8812]

I thought about you yesterday for some reason hadn't seen no new videos. Selling your sheep had to be a hard decision. Good luck with what ever you decide . Things always seem to have a way of working out. Take care

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you. ☺️ yeah I had a break from Making videos but I’m back now and have things to share !!

[@keithdonaldson5573]

Whatever you decide to do, we will support you, and wish success, heart in you and Nick‘s lives. Take this opportunity, to heal, believe in your ability , not only in your intuition, but your heart, and who you are. We your internet family, are believers in both of you and Nick; find the beauty and the passion you both have for the next chapter.❤️

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Keith for your understanding and support xx

[@carolwilson2502]

You’ve made the right decision for you and Nick. A new chapter in your lives but I hope (if you decide to) you can take us all on your journey to new adventures?!!! Otherwise will miss you both and obv Bambi & co plus the highlands. You’re both lovely people so please never forget that!!! Take care and roll on 2025!!! xx

[@DaleFarm]

Hi carol, thank you. Of course I will keep sharing what we are up to ❤️

[@DaleFarm]

Yeah still got Bambi and my home bred favourites. .. x

[@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm]

Hey Y'all, It is nice to see you today. The lambs did look nice and clean. I am so happy you are taking some time to assess and evaluate the next best direction to go. I do know I have been watching your channel for about 18 months. I have seen you work hard and put so much effort into the farm and lambs. I have seen you care for the animals with love and so much care. I know your father is very proud of you and would support any direction you choose to go. I will pray for the two of you. God bless take care

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for the lovely comment , it’s definitely been a tough decision to make but I can always get more sheep again in the future if I feel it’s not working out! And I want to take the opportunity to try something else and the sheep were so time consuming

[@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm]

@@DaleFarm I do see several of the long time channels that add different animals to what they are doing and some even change over from one group of animals to another. Life is short try to do what is fun and yet profitable.

[@bobtaylor6508]

I watched this with sadness as you both have worked so hard, whatever comes next I am sure you will give it your all, good luck, looking forward to the next adventure.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you! We will find ways to keep us busy on the farm and try to have fun along the way

[@RobScarlett]

Please keep posting so we can see how you are getting on. It is good to sometimes step back and evaluate your direction. It can be too easy to be side lined by the every day. You need to do something that you enjoy. Farming frequently does not reflect the effort.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for understanding, yes I will Keep posting ❤️

[@msheep66]

Sorry to see you selling most of the sheep. I have enjoyed seeing all your sheep videos. I can understand why you have done this. I wish you every success in what you do. Colin

[@DaleFarm]

Hi Colin , I still got some sheep and lambs so I’ll see how it goes ! Thank you

[@mikeman584]

Sheep farming is one of the hardest forms of farming there is and at times for little reward. It also puts stress on relationships, health and worry/stress. I think with yours and Nicks skill sets you have a lot of options. I wish you the best of luck going forward Joanna. You also are the custodian of a rather outstanding beautiful place up in the hills there.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for the lovely supportive and understanding comment. It’s definitely been a tricky time to find a new way of being and doing since dad passed and I have tried really hard to keep everything going but there’s also felt a lot of pressure on me with the sheep particularly and we increased the numbers and then had a difficult winter and a spring and difficult lambing with a disappointing sale season, it would be maddness to blindly continue without reassessing what might work better

[@mikeman584]

Thanks for your lovely reply I think personally a years time out and possible reset is the way to go. There’s a whole wide world of options out there. Your Dad imho was a great man but his era was somewhat different to the challenges you are facing now with the weather, political instability and poor financial reward. You both have struggled but fought your way through and proved you can operate in that environment. Your Dad would be rightly proud of you but I suspect if he was alive today and the same age as yourselves he would be looking to other avenues, his was perhaps more of a golden age of farming more predictable weather patterns and more stable farm gate prices. I really wish you the best. Who knows prices etc could face a turn around but certainly farming is not the best outlook unless you are a big landowner with a farm manager and a good sized labour force etc xx

[@eddiek0507]

Hi Joanna, I have only just seen your video. Sorry to hear the bad news on your sheep prices. The hard work that you and Nick put in each year should command better financial rewards. You both deserve it, but unfortunately, the way of the world does not work like that. Whatever direction that you choose, I know that you and Nick will give it your best. Good luck for the future...👍🏻👍🏻

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you so much! It’s not been an easy conclusion but carrying on regardless is also not easy! So now can reevaluate everything and feel less pressure which can only be a good thing

[@DonnaH-yc4nq]

If all the work it took for you and Nick to raise those sheep was not profitable enough, you have made the right decision to sell them and re-group your priorities on the farm. Best of luck and best wishes for a brighter future. (PS - when is the wedding?)

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you , the sheep required both of us for a lot of the work , whereas before it was dad and I, taking us both away from the campsite business which meant we would feel pretty stretched and for very little financial reward it doesn’t make sense right now

[@richardmckelvey2275]

Farming is up and down and you have to accept that some years will be awful and other year's things will be better Sheep can be very hard work and there does be losses with Sheep some lambing seasons can be dreadful if the weather is bad. You did well in your Sheep sales If your health is good there is no reason why you cant run a ramb with your remaining ewes and see what happens and unlike your other followers i think you should remain in sheep

[@malcolmdunbar3200]

I totally think you’ve made the right decision. You are an amazing presenter, I fully expect you to be on countryfile soon.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you ☺️

[@PatrickHiggins-f4n]

I wish you . And your family every success in yer farm.❤😂well done. And happy farming

[@andrewmacomber1638]

Oh Dear! I’ve been missing your videos for some reason!? Sorry to hear about the disappointing sale. I’ve heard news about farmers protests in the UK. I’m hopeful these issues aren’t affecting you too much… I do know what a challenge farming is and then prices go down on your end but prices are higher in the shops. Today is Thanksgiving holiday in the US! Peace and blessings be yours. ❤

[@DaleFarm]

Hi 👋 it’s a weird time there seems to be a lot of negativity towards farmers at the moment but hey ho, step outside and be thankful for the fresh air and a new day x

[@DaleFarm]

Happy thanksgiving

[@stephenp2980]

Hi Joanna, i thought your channel had went a bit quiet recently. You're 100% right to re-evaluate what your future may be farming if you didn't enjoy the year. I'm in a very similar situation to yourself having lost my dad at the young age of 60 just a few months after your dad passed away. An option which may work for you would be buying ewe lambs in the middle of summer when prices are at their lowest, and running them dry for a year to sell as strong breeding hoggets. If you target the right breeding sales in August/september there is good money to be made at this. Looking forward to following your journey if you decide to take us for the ride. Kind regards, from Northern Ireland

[@DaleFarm]

These are good ideas thank you. I’m sorry for the loss of your father. losing such an integral part of the farm has been huge to deal with and it’s worn me Down trying to keep everything going in difficult circumstances. Definitely a good idea to consider grazing and growing on rather then breeding. I did enjoy lambing in some respects but it was so hard and at the same time as very hectic month on the campsite , we became reliant On help with the site which is costly and also not 100 reliable which was an extra stress

[@ejharrop1416]

Totally understand and respect the decision. Your dad will understand 100% and support you on the new path where ever it may lead. Good to wait and see if the government changes or comes to their senses for all of farming. Keep the faith. Cheers

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@dennisvanderstar7861]

hey joanna again a new video of dale farm. i found it a nice video of almost 19 minutes very interesting and educational. i look forward to a new video of your farm. 😘🤠🍁🍂🇳🇱

[@DaleFarm]

Thanks for watching Dennis

[@caroledwards3465]

I've been trying my very best to support British sheep farmers, my new mattress has British wool in it ❤

[@DaleFarm]

We all appreciate support for British farming

[@terrynoland487]

Excellent video again thanks for sharing what ever you decide to do you will do great at it I have total faith in you my friend xx

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for the support

[@dermotbrowne4662]

You have to do what you think is best for you Joanne'. Best of luck in future

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you so much xx

[@ElwynPhillips]

Don’t beat yourself up up over it,yea after all the hard work it’s disappointing,DAD would say carry on,but I guess you need to put your effort into something that will bring in money,maybe expand the camp site may be,and a few more cattle easier to deal with less work,what ever you do GOOD LUCK,thinking of you both.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you elwyn, dad had some difficulties during his time. Had to stop milking , moved into other things and still managed to keep going x

[@alfwhiteside4895]

Just go for it whatever you do will be ok and good luck

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you x

[@malcolmdunbar3200]

Thanks

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you xz

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Time to refresh & look forward se totally understand the situation you had with the sheep so best of luck going forward now in whatever lays ahead & take care now 👍👍👍

[@DaleFarm]

The sheep took up a lot of my time , worry and focus and financially not bringing in very much when all costs are deducted

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for understanding

[@michaellloyd2399]

Best of luck with which ever endeavour you decide upon,

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Michael

[@robertadriver6931]

Whatever you & Nick decide is fine by me. Sometimes you just need to take a break. If you still have Bambi, please give her a little attention from me. All I know is I just don't know how long you can keep this up. Sorry the sale was so disappointing. Whatever Nick & you decide just keep well & safe.

[@DaleFarm]

Hi Roberta. Yes we will have Bambi and the favourites that I bred at home! It’s been a really difficult few years never really chance to breathe and take a moment so I hope now I can feel a little less pressure while I reasses xx

[@FarmFreshIB]

I raise Katahdin hair sheep. The reason is work load. With a shedding sheep you cut the labor significantly. No shearing. No docking. Much more parasite resistance. Almost NO fly strike. You still have good mothers with lots of milk. Cross with the Texels and you should still have a great market lamb.

[@DaleFarm]

They sound fabulous animals ! Thank you for the suggestion

[@leonafraser6758]

Very nice bunch of lambs

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Leona x

[@markenge9348]

In 1968 my father was milking 60 holsteins and the price for milk was about $3.86 per hundred weight which was very poor. Farmers were quitting left and right. Many farmers were trying to unionize against the market by withholding their milk, dumping it on the ground. Some even stopped the milk hauling trucks threatening with guns in their hands. My father had been recently promoted from school teacher to school principal in the off farm job he had. He was very discouraged with farming and discouraged any of his three children from farming. Education was what was worshipped. Education was the answer to everything. So my father sold the farm that my great grandfather had founded in 1852 when he came to America from Switzerland. I had 2 Uncles that had adjoining farms. The one was in poor health and had no children. The other was offered the farm at a reduced price, but refused. After my father had an in earnest offer, my uncle that had previously refused the farm, stepped in with a higher price. He subsequently bought my other uncle's farm after he died. In 1970 my father was regretting his decision to sell, seeing my uncle expand the herd from 60 to 200 cows on the 3 farms. The milk price had tripled to over $10/cwt. and my uncle was getting rich. That milk price today would be like $3.86/cwt. was in 1968. But it shows that when bad prices are all you see, good prices may be just around the corner. You are wise keeping some ewes so that you have the ability to get back in the game should the market conditions become profitable. It's not easy to jump back in overnight, especially in dairy farming. If I'd have had the opportunity to buy the farm, I think diversification would have been my strategy to avoid problems when prices were bad for milk. Maybe raise a few hogs you could fatten with the milk you were dumping or raise some beef animals from the dairy cows. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

[@jamesthompson8865]

I think like all farmers who make the decision to stop or scale back their farming operations its really hard and can be painful but its your life and we only pass this way once.you have each other and live in a beautiful part of the world whatever you decide to do just be happy.

[@DaleFarm]

This is true james, I strongly felt i could Keep struggling on and on or I could try a change and see how it works out. So although if felt very sad and uncomfortable to do, at the moment i feel I had to try something

[@jamesthompson8865]

​@DaleFarm with the average age of British farmers now almost 60 its obvious the younger generations are not prepared to graft for little or no return and be treated so badly by their own government. If you have other opportunities grab them .Hopefully you can keep hold of the farm and lovely land for the future.good luck.

[@tammysarrazin-ux9tv]

i love your videos short or long i enjoy them very much.................... do what you need to do for you and Nick hugssssss

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Tammy 💙💙

[@kimnicholls2384]

Hi Jo I’m sorry about your disappointment in selling ya sheep and sheep farming in general really. You both need a break as you have been working non stop and as you say it seems like it’s for nothing Have a chance to think about what you really want to do and obv ya Camp site which seems to be doing ok Please let us know what you will be doing next Take care Chill for a bit too Love Kim x x

[@DaleFarm]

Hi Kim! I’m glad to be keeping some of the sheep and scaling things back means hopefully less demands but still the enjoyment while I figure things out !

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Its totaly reasonable . When i started to watch you you helped your Dad . Now its different . I learned alot from Farmer P about sheep and cattle . If I was going to go into farming it would be cattle . Dexters or highland .or a cross . Sheep are hard .and they ruined the wool market . So sad . You mite think about going more into cattle if you want more in the farm ?? . Just a thought . You and nick have been none stop and have done well . Take care ..

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Nancy , it’s definitely changed and we have achieved a lot the last few years but it has taken its toll on me, Especially the stress and uncertainty of buying the farm, the pressure that brings and the bad weather as well last few winters have been horrible and shocking lambing weather! I just need to slow down a bit and get back to feeling a bit lighter x

[@casto-]

Can’t argue with you for near enough getting rid of the sheep, farming is in a bit of a state at the min and I know how hard the campsite is to run! Gotta admit, it’s a bit disappointing after all the fencing work you’ve done but least it’s still there for what ever is next. If only you were closer I’d be on for making hay off the empty fields 🤪🫣

[@DaleFarm]

We still have the cattle obvs and nothing is going to change otherwise - just going to see how the next 12 months goes.

[@williamwood816]

I hope you do not quit as I follow just because of the sheep. Sheep farming always has had it's up and downs. Maybe shed lambing would work better for you. Just visited a sheep farm running 300 ewes and farming with full time jobs to boot

[@dk9628]

have you considered farm to table? finishing your livestock then selling direct to customers.

[@DaleFarm]

Yes definitely

[@DaleFarm]

A good idea

[@charlesnicholls7501]

Good luck guys. Do what makes you happy money is great but there is nothing like the real thing.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you xx

[@donnafink6262]

I image this decision, at this time, has been very difficult for you for so many reasons. It is brave of you to take this step aside to give you more time to evaluate what direction you wish to take in the future. I will be keeping you in my thoughts. Take care and as always have to remind myself.... take a breath and time. i

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Donna. Have still got some sheep and lambs which feels nice because I do enjoy having them , but less of a burden so I can enjoy it more hopefully

[@bjarnyg]

13:59 misty mood makes me feel good🙂

[@DaleFarm]

That’s nice

[@jeffweier4824]

Hi Joanna. Speaking from experience it's a very tough time when due to various circumstances an aspect of your farming operation becomes unviable to the point where you are stll working very hard but simply turning over your own money with little to no profit. This happened to us with our dairying which had been a significant part of our farming operation and profitability for decades. The government (its always government interference) took steps I won't go into detail here that effectively killed off the dairy industry for produces milking less than 200 head. It was heartbreaking to sell our herd which was carefully bred over decades and exit the dairying industry. For us this occured in the 90s. Since then all local dairy factories are long gone with many, many jobs lost. All this from left-leaning government interferance and insanity. We then diversed into producing more grain, cattle and external income like hay contracting etc. Anyway Joanna, sorry about the rant I could go into more detail but it would take too long. As always my sincere best wishes to you and Nick. Take care.

[@DaleFarm]

Hi Jeff, it’s certainly very difficult to make these decisions and let aspects of the farm go. My dad had a milking herd and he ran into some financial problems borrowing money which was invested and then it all went wrong and it caused a lot of stress and hardship ( my dad then had to go get another job to support the farm) it must have been so awful for him having his hopes and aspirations shattered like that, he didn’t talk about it much but just before Covid nick and I took our investment to build our campsite shower block and dad warned me about how things can take an unexpected turn for the worse … and they did! We had a really hard time getting through Covid but thankfully we acquired an emergency loan to help us get through. Off the back of that we have had to save to buy the farm from my sisters / in the estate settlement so it’s been highly stressful and ploughing so much time and energy into the sheep for such little reward felt soul destroying. So taking some of the pressure off maybe means I can focus on how to move forwards with the demands of the campsite which from March - end of September is full throttle and October tends to be busy with sheep sales. at least now I own the land and my home.

[@mikeandcheryl]

A big decision, but I did say several months ago at less than £100 a lamb, what is the point in even bothering. You already have the campsite and you also have the drive to do something new and diversify the farm further. There are numerous options available to you for sure. Good luck...😁

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for the understanding of the situation ❤️

[@johnsevers4611]

The price you got in the mart was a store lamb price. For time of year it was ok - probably average. Ring was full of buyers so demand was still there despite being close to end of sale. To better capitalise on the market I would suggest you finish the lambs. The grass in your fields looks a little "sheep sick". Perhaps if you ploughed one and planted a turnip mixture and fed to the lambs about now you could finish by xmas and sell on the dead market. You could probably make £50 more on each.

[@bobcurry8848]

It's a very hard job farming with what you get in return. The hours and money you have to plough into the business is very worrying and frustrating. You have to look after yourselves and decide what is best for your health and happiness. Take care xx

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for supporting, it’s been a long few years getting sorted buying the farm and learning how things are without my dad , I am needing to adjust to make life a little less stressful and the sheep Were definitely causing me a fair bit of stress ,‘I want do a good job with them But then the return is so poor which is. A shame

[@LongpondOutdoors]

Farming is all about moving forward through good or bad years. It is either in your blood or not…

[@DaleFarm]

We are still moving forward , my dad years ago had a milking herd and before that my grandad bred pedigree sheep and both is those came to and end to make way for new ventures 🩵

[@LongpondOutdoors]

⁠Good to hear. Love your videos. You and Nick have a Blessed Holiday Season ❤

[@TifJones-p8s]

Looks like Ireland are the ones getting great prices for lamb - because the Scottish lamb is no longer being shipped over by the truck load because of blue tongue so the Scottish lamb is flooding the UK market instead

[@DaleFarm]

Yeah I heard Ireland was doing good for prices!

[@AidanBreen-j5o]

Was always going to be a case of when not if , sheep are a passion and pretty sure you would have been aware they are not a particularly viable thing to do , most rely on handouts to help them with their passion but they’re closing in on that now as well so yeah unless you live n breathe the things it won’t work for you. Cattle next I suspect and rent the ground apart for some space for alpacas and pigmy goats n the like, seems to be the trend. Looking forward to see the changes as you heel, main thing is you have secured the asset so good luck.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you! Yes we have options ‘ I do love the sheep but cutting back feels like the right thing at the moment , when dad was around it was a different dynamic and even then it wasn’t easy to manage everything at peak times

[@jpeel2066]

Never good selling at the end of the market. It's pretty typical of farming in general at the moment. All a a bit disappointing. Hope things work out whatever you decide to do. All the best 🇬🇧.

[@DaleFarm]

Yeah pretty disappointed sums it up!! But onwards and upwards - been a sunny couple of days and that feels nice x

[@georgedoorley5628]

a good few around me here have gone away from lambing ewes ......they are working off farm full-time and are not there when they are needed around lambing time ........they instead run on a ewe lambs around the place all winter and do not put them in lamb .......they get no nuts just grass ....... feet trimmed the odd Saturday and dosed ......... they are then stocked tightly come may when the grass is growing well to stop them getting fat ......shorn in June and grown on till sold in the breeding sales in September . and they are replaced by ewe lambs again .........surplus summer grass is baled in silage and sold to dairy farmers ....... all done by contractor ..... they would die rather than rent out their farm , this allows them the. best of both worlds ......doing a little bit of farming and having the income of an off farm job that is generally only school hours ......not having to work day and night for very little as they would if they tried to farm full time ....... glad u got shut of the mules ......they might be good mothers and produce good crops of lambs but the lambs are that bit harder to fatten and the cull ewes are not worth a lot ...... all in all you made the right decision ......if you really miss all the hardship of lambing. you can always go back into them again ..

[@DaleFarm]

This is a really good bit of information thank you for taking the time , it’s definitely an idea to consider grazing / growing on sheep rather than breeding and the demands of it . Yeah I don’t want to rent the land , I do enjoy farming and i juus need to find the right balance. The campsite is a full on enterprise in itself and the farm needs a lot of work / upkeep which we have done a good effort to keep fencing and gateways etc worked on but lambing about finishes me off and I can’t rest until the campsite closes at the end of October

[@georgedoorley5628]

@@DaleFarm yes you cannot make half ;s of yourself ........concentrate on what makes you a return for your time ....... some around me buy in store lambs in October and feed them on till April and have no sheep for the summer months at all .....they dodge sheering and maggots altogether ........they will not start to feed the lambs till February some use nuts others feed whole fodder beets also ...... the grass in April will generally finish all but the very poorest lamb you could rent the grass off a few fields in summer for hay or silage or get a contractor to do you it for you and sell the bales .......you over there have lost the basic payment from the eu .......the basic payment keeps dry stock farms ticking over along with off farm income over here good luck with whatever you decide to do in the future ..........get away for a few days holidays you have earned it ...!

[@dianebills5433]

Your Dad would have not wanted to be miserable. Do what is best for you and your relationship.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Diane xx

[@allan4054]

Some nice looking lambs there. Mint sauce 😋

[@DaleFarm]

Thanks

[@farmerslife2612]

Hi girl that was a great video of your sheep 🐑 girl and keep up the good work with them girl and your looking so pretty girl ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you x

[@farmerslife2612]

No problem hun xx

[@richardmckelvey2275]

Put the ramb out to your remaining ewes and hope for a better lambing in 2025 most people i know have gone out of sheep and sucklers over here due tò poor returns.. you have many options on your farm so no need to worry

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you Richard x

[@Dennismelnychuk]

What was the weights and price?

[@richardlewis5391]

Very good lambs

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you

[@FendtK]

O welcome 🙏 back beautiful blonde lady 😅and nick still in his shorts I bet kind regards from South Ireland 🇮🇪 viewer

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you 🤩

[@FendtK]

@DaleFarm the sheep game 🎮 is hard and no money in it good lady u and nick will find something better than sheep omg we used have 300 sheep 20year ago on our farm now there 55 breeding ones there to much work for little return from them u nick will find something better good 👍 lady wish 🤞 uses well in future

[@a.mlockhart9759]

I thought ages ago it would be good to take a brake from sheep after the lambs died Grow hay etc and sell it

[@DaleFarm]

Always good to explore options

[@a.mlockhart9759]

​@DaleFarm am I not right In thinking a while back both you and nick had pigs sure your dad and nick dug there house out I know there's something you both can put your hand to pigs chicken and horses seems to be worth looking at ofcourse you'll have a few plans but please keep posting even if it sorting walks fences reseading etc we love the channel

[@davidmcgough6462]

I so hated the way Rachel Reeves shafted the Farmers in the Budget she now has Hindsight on & You've put such a lot of effort & time in Joanna & Nick for the Sheep Farming & It's soul-destroying when the Prices should have been a lot more. You've got to devote time for yourself Joanna because of the relentless treadmill of farming/campsite you've got - You need to feel that the time & effort you invest is rewarded in the end and not feel so empty & upset & angry. I so love Dale Farm & Hope you take the pause to reevaluate what is RIGHT FOR YOU Love & Best Wishes to you Joanna & Nick David xx

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for the lovely caring response David , xxx

[@JamesUsher-c4m]

Your sounding down Jo. TC.

[@DaleFarm]

It’s felt like a difficult time to be honest , thanks

[@noelgalagher2712]

Put ram with 16 late lambing keep smaller lambs too

[@DaleFarm]

☺️☺️

[@grahamstubbs4962]

Such a shame not to get the price you were looking for the lambs. I guess the market is strongly seasonal, so Easter and Eid are probably the big upward movements. Someone should sit down and come up with a properly decent lamb Christmas dinner. Any chefs around? 🙂

[@DaleFarm]

Thankyou Graham , there’s so lamb factors which influence the outcome of lambing being a good year or not. It felt like an uphill battle and I have to put my energy into the areas of the business which will do better

[@kerryjlynch1]

My heart goes out to you. In my opinion, you & Nick work too hard for too little compensation. Although I have a friend who says she loves her work so much she'd do it for no pay, that's extremely rare. You deserve more happiness & your talents are such that there are all sorts of things you can do that won't grind you down.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you. We still have plenty to go at here with the campsite , the land, the cattle and some other projects we may wish to pursue here so freeing myself from the sheep is really a good thing , and I still have some sheep which is nice because I do enjoy them x

[@DaleFarm]

And thank you for understanding

[@ultrasteve9031]

I'd have been disappointed with those prices too. Your lambs are better and worth more than that. Perhaps you could consider putting a reserve on them next time. I reckon i'd want £120 '/head. Also, consider taking them home and fattening them. By the time they are fat, the market usually goes up as well, so it pays for corn and extra keep. Whatever you decide, never be afraid of making changes to suit you better and market conditions. Your dad would agree too i'm sure

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you, yeah maybe I should have brought them back I was upset after because the prices were a shock and everything happened so fast. We had put so much time / effort getting ready for the sale ( we did 3 trips to the market and back with lambs that morning ) cos our trailer is small. We Should have maybe only Taken a few lambs and Done more sales… but I don’t know if that would work better 🤷

[@ultrasteve9031]

@@DaleFarmwe just don’t know the end price till the hammer falls, so it’s good to have a plan b if things don’t go as hoped. Like other farmers I’ve had bad days and good days at the market, but I’ve found that fattening some if not all pays better, and keeping less sheep can mean you have the time to change how to manage them. Looking at the graph in the back of the guardian shows when prices are better, and timing for selling can be adjusted Good luck

[@ThomasOtoole-t1y]

It would be nice to have 30 or 40 ewes lamming around 1st April 2025 😮

[@georgedoorley5628]

no ......more trouble than they will make

[@peterobinson5465]

i think it would be much better to find a local butcher who would buy your lambs rather taking them to market .Even if you dont breed the lambs yourself buy them really young bring them on yourself then sell them to a local butcher or maybe do the same with beef .Bring a lot of young beef in and bring them on then sell them to the slaughter house or a local butcher .The government are doing everything they can to kill the British farmer off with all the rubbish they have brought in .Including the cloud seeding and weather manipulation that has given us constant rain since last autumn and the taxes etc

[@DaleFarm]

Yeah I agree with you, the market doesn’t seem to be working out ! Thanks for the ideas , it’s good we have different options to explore

[@DaleFarm]

I agree the government does not want farmers

[@peterobinson5465]

@@DaleFarm It is totally wrong .Britain could easily be self sustaining and should be ,the meat etc that come from other countries is often crap compared with what is produced in this country and our farmers work bloody hard for hardly any reward it really upsets me .

[@PennyDouglas-yb7tg]

All best from notts

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you x

[@TifJones-p8s]

Well done Joanna you made your decision - sheep farming is not profitable at the moment, no money in the wool in fact that costs to deal with, drenches etc have just gone up in price and lamb prices are not great - I remember clearly Cammy saying his Accountant said just do youtube and your merch the sheep are costing you money

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you !! Yeah costs going up all the Time and it feels hard to make money !

[@TifJones-p8s]

@@DaleFarm it's not to say never again but not right now - you have your pet sheep still and that is enough right now

[@kentholsopple1639]

As always, your honesty and authenticity are appreciated and your long time viewers only want you to succeed whatever you do. But I will give you two words of inspiration if you are thinking about your KZbin channel: Highland Cattle Anytime you show them even for a second, I smile.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you so much for the kind and supportive words, I will be showing the cows in the next video so that’s good you enjoy them !

[@andyjoyce878]

It’s a pity the views aren’t worth money 🎉you would be coining in ££s😊good luck for the future 🎉

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you andy! I’m sure it will all work out for the best

[@ThomasOtoole-t1y]

@DaleFarm 90 pounds equal 108.15euro great price your lucky it was not in euro 😄

[@jaytree6378]

Sorry to hear that the sheep have been more pain than gain for you. I really like mules but i wonder if they are too commercial for your farm. No harm in letting the pastures rest while you take a moment without the endless problems the sheep bring. I think you probably have been fighting fire since the sudden loss of your dad.😢 It is a shame you are left feeling dissapointed. But i expect that will wear off as you enjoy not having to hay feed through the winter. I do hope you breed your home bred lot though.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you for the comment and for your understanding! It’s definitely been a hard 3 years since dad died and the time Prior to that was Covid which was also stressful for our business and lives ! So it’s been 5 hard years and I am so very worn down!! I just need to pause and reassess and re group. Maybe I will get a different breed yes , it will be an adventure

[@jg5520]

I do apologise in advance because this will probably rub people up the wrong way who maybe don’t understand farming. But the sheer number of sheep you run it’s never going to be financially viable. We (2 of us) run 600 ewes and we work of that we need to sell 500 ‘good’ lambs to just cover of costs for running the farm for the year then the rest are ‘profit’ so ultimately it’s not a shock that you’re not getting the financial return you’re expecting

[@DaleFarm]

Hi , no need to apologise , the farm is supported by our campsite business, my dad also had the campsite and stabling horses as well as working for other people so the farm has for a long time required additional streams of income !

[@DaleFarm]

We have expanded the campsite in the last 9 years and for a while dad was around it would keep the 3 of us busy working on the farm and running the site, my dad had a job for us mowing the grass and helping with the bins and recycling. We all worked 7 days a week. Now we are doing it all , but having to pay wages for the help we need which makes the sheep farming aspect pretty much unviable because it takes us away from the campsite which is also 7 days a week and demands a lot of time

[@jg5520]

That’s completely understandable and I do appreciate that wholeheartedly and apologise if it came across wrong. I just wanted to add an input from a farm where we don’t diversify like yourself and how I view the numbers game of sheep farming

[@DaleFarm]

@@jg5520it definitely came across in the right way I’m sure and I don’t take any offence! I just thought I’d explain how things were working before and how it’s changed over the last few years

[@philtorr-vo5lj]

If the camp site makes money, then farm people, perhaps have a smaller flock, pedigree ?, showing , to have days away from the farm, meet like minded farmers. Sheep are hard work and time consuming, have a short holiday break and an idea , opportunity will appear . As one door closes another always OPENS. GOOD LUCK.

[@DaleFarm]

I like your ideas , yes definitely there are options ❤️

[@philtorr-vo5lj]

@@DaleFarm New to your site therefore dont know your situation , just be very POSITIVE ,U will be OK.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you 🤩

[@cheryl8913]

❤❤

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you x

[@sggibson62]

Typical of most farming produce all the financial reward is at the supermarket end 🤬, good luck in whatever you decide to do but as you know when your born into farming anything else rarely hits the spot 🙂 .

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you, still got the cattle and the land and options to think of going forward. The sheep were feeling like a huge burden with little return for it and a lot of the time needing support from Nick so taking 2 of us away from the camp business! Not an easy decision but it felt necessary

[@aaronwolverson850]

One chicken can make more cashflow than one sheep if you sell eggs

[@Menapho]

Have you included the wool of the sheep?

[@stevebriggs1746]

@@Menapho sadly shearing a sheep for its wool is now heading to a negative cash flow operation for many farms

[@Menapho]

@ no really! That is sad news. Any glaring issues that are causing this? Less wool in textiles for example.

[@DaleFarm]

The wool makes nothing

[@aaronwolverson850]

@@DaleFarm You and your man will do great things I wish you lots of luck.

[@JohnCritch-tf4mb]

😢

[@adrianbew9641]

We all have to take stock of our lives at some point often more than once. Farming is having a rough ride at the moment but my gut instinct tells me things are going to get better. As i said in my last comment take time to rethink the future sheep although traditional in the dales have not really been viable as such for decades. If you want to raise sheep you need to be looking at the rare breeds but highlands or shorthorns would be a better option. Good luck with your decision.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you! It’s definitely good to have a bit of time and headspace to think about what to do going forward

[@karencopelen6967]

You are doing great. Stop second guessing yourself.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you xx

[@russellpetrie119]

can you lease land out

[@DaleFarm]

I don’t want to do that at the moment , xx

[@yellowlabrador]

Maybe you could make some quality hay for sale. Sheep are hard work during lambing.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you , yeah we have options !!

[@richardlewis5391]

Takè then on a thursday they sell them after the fat lambs if not happy with friday sales

[@DaleFarm]

I know what I would do differently in the future if I was going to continue but for now, I have to accept the decision I made lead to disappointment!! I could have brought them Home ( others were ) but it’s more time out to take them again and no guarantee of them doing better

[@jimmason1072]

Go for you to realize that if there's no money in sheep it's time to move on....

[@DaleFarm]

☺️ it’s not been easy but it felt like the right thing for this moment in time

[@richardlewis5391]

I think you you might of left them far to late in year to sell as they been alot more price than you got

[@DaleFarm]

2019 until now we have always sold some lambs late and done well. The prices this year were lower than last year at the same time. Previous years the late sale lambs fetched more so I can only go from my previous experience. I think that it was an unlucky draw on the day and I paid the price

[@DairyManShann]

Sheep are a waste of time on a good day. Best thing you could have do. 1 word for you. Chickens.

[@DaleFarm]

Thank you! X

[@andrewwelford7697]

Be careful of the tax man!! Buy gimmer lambs and sell or tup next year as shearing??

[@beeamerica5024]

Well the number one bird in the whole world is chicken you get meat and eggs but those pigs run a clothes run anyway with your time off you can go on a honeymoon 😁😉🐝

[@DaleFarm]

Ha I’m not sure what you mean !

[@HootMaRoot]

90 a piece for breeding sheep isn't a bad price, if we knew what age they were would know the value better

[@adamfooks7248]

It’s a crap price given a lot of current trade, especially for mules. But I would agree about it would’ve been nice to know what ages of ewes etc and weights and condition of lambs

[@HootMaRoot]

@adamfooks7248 this time last year 4 year old/1 crop ewes were between 80 to 120 quid the best money I seen for ewes was when they were in lamb after being scanned and they only made between 100 to 200 depending on twins/single and breed. Anything over 5 years old will take a big knock in price as they are nearing the end of prime breeding age

[@kitheywood4016]

First

[@mea3665]

If we all give up everytime somthing gets tough ! Nothing will ever get better !

[@DaleFarm]

I don’t see it as giving up, it’s a calculated decision based on a combination of financial factors and other more personal decisions

[@tomvalentine9985]

Or as farmers have found it might get progressively worse

[@hels2608]

We're not living in the dark ages. There is absolutely no point in blindly slogging away when the opportunity is there to invest time and energy into something more profitable and that brings more peace of mind and better wellbeing.

[@tomvalentine9985]

@@hels2608 exactly

[@SeanieD1968]

Lambs in ireland 🇮🇪 at 47kg make €170 plus Your lambs would have made a fortune in ireland 🇮🇪

[@DaleFarm]

Shame I wasn’t there !

[@briancronin8476]

Hey,life isn't disappointing you just need to find yourself again something that makes you happy 🫠..farming can take it's toll ,you're right to take a step back and mind yourself 😊

[@DaleFarm]

That's right! Thank you, I do feel a bit worn down from the last few years