Love Is In The Air!

[@craigpacker7171]

Everyone looks great! I assume you're planning to use CIDRs to get fall lambs?

[@norwalfarm]

Yes, that is the plan. We will use them in both the ewes and the fall kidding does.

[@KarenSmith-f9t]

You logged a lot of miles today! Love your house! I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you

[@norwalfarm]

Glad you're enjoying them! Yes, I seem to get my daily steps in with no problem.

[@PatrickMatherne]

Any tips for someone to start a part time farm

[@norwalfarm]

I'm not sure what is considered a "part time" farm. If you maintain animals year round, then it is full time. That being said, try to find someone with a farm similar to what you plan to have. Do your research, ask lots of questions. When purchasing your livestock, select from a producer that has the same management that you are planning. For example, if you want pasture/forage raised only then don't get stock raised in confinement with grain and forage. Don't be afraid to ask questions about their herd/flock health and what their preventive health program is. Find a good farm vet and use them to help you set up your health program for your livestock. It will be invaluable to you. You will have to make provision for someone to watch the farm if you travel. We have a friend/neighbor that covers for us when we are away. Lastly, remember the saying, "When you have livestock you will have dead stock" so know this will happen and have a plan for dealing with it when the time comes. Good luck and have fun!

[@norwalfarm]

@patrickmatherne for some reason your second question regarding us getting a herding dog is not showing up here. Yes, we are considering getting one however we are waiting until we are moved into our new home and living at the farm. We currently live 30 minutes away and adding another dog at this time (plus a puppy going into winter) is not a good plan for us right now. We hope to take a vacation next summer for about 10 days so, once we are back, we might consider getting one then. As far as breeds go, we are considering an Australian Kelpie. We have seen a few, like their appearance and seem to be not as "wired" as Border Collies. So, perhaps late summer of 2025 we may get one. thanks for your questions

[@CityandCountrySouthdowns]

Why do you breed the ewe lambs?

[@norwalfarm]

We breed them to lamb when they are around 13 to 15 months of age. This reduces the cost of carrying them a whole year without income from them. If we waited, then they would not lamb until they were nearly 2 years old. It does require some increased supplementation for them as they are continuing to grow themselves, but they are productive a year sooner and increases their value in our flock. Thanks for your question.

[@CityandCountrySouthdowns]

@@norwalfarm we breee our Southdowns in spring to lamb for fall. And what catches will do so and if not in the fall. I normally don’t breed my show yearlings but might next year. For us they do and sell better getting that full year plus we’re in the purbred and paperwork plus show them.

[@norwalfarm]

If we were breeding for show stock we probably wouldn't breed them as lambs either. In our commercial flock, it increases our production.