A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE OLD RAM

G'day folks, i thought i would share an experience from the last week about the new group.So i start "digging" around and i found out that our little band is a "derivative" of the Persians,it seems that some years ago someone had the "bright idea" of breeding a small type of Persian sheep (why you would do it eludes me though) and he used a small W.H. Dorper over Persian ewes to create this "little version".So i apply and join this group dedicated to the breed? It turns out their is "no" studbook and the bred standards are pretty obscure and all of the base line genetics are held by a few breeders who seem to run the whole show and the site warns that "new breeders should be aware of anybody but them supplying animals".......Anyway in all "innocence" i suggest that what they have is not a new breed ,but just a animal type...The result of this post was that I was immediately "banned and shut out of the group/site",but was contacted by another member of the group via PM to say she thought i was extremely "brave" to make such a comment and although others feel the same way they would never express it on the site.

This was an interesting outcome for me and shows how unlike myself and my sites just how dictatorial some folks can be........T.O.R.

The truth don't hurt but it sure makes people mad!

G'day folks, i was wondering if any of you subscribe to SHEEP mag in the USA?Does an article still appear in the letters section titled "view from downunder"?..In recent times i have had "no reply" from Nathan (editor) and i wonder if they do not appreciate the fact that stuff i send to them may have already been posted on-line.The fact is that due to other pressures i cannot send them articles written "just" for the mag,anyway if over the last 3/4 issues they have continued would it be possible for someone to send me a copy of same via PM...T.O.R.

I don’t subscribe to it. I used to buy it at Tractor Supply and enjoyed it. They stopped carrying it. Thanks for the reminder, I’ll subscribe to it. That won’t help you now though.

Baymule said:

The truth don't hurt but it sure makes people mad!

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Like hornets!

TOR, I love it that you point out the obvious...I too have been subject to that very thing for much of of my life. Doesn't make you any too popular. Got kicked off a FB page just the other day for pointing out the obvious truth...and I don't belong to too many FB groups at all.

G'day folks, latest news on the first controlled lambing.The Suffolk maidens were joined to an Australian White a breed that i have never had before.As most of you would be aware Suffolk lambs are usually born "jet black' and the tip grows out over time and they become white with black skin points.So to my surprise these lambs which when born are about the size of the average "rabbit"and are snow white with little black spots on the head and lower legs.Which to my mind shows the strength of the Australian White genes,from the "get go" they are highly active and seem to put on weight at a quite alarming rate (based on the first one anyway).Because of the paddock lambing with almost no intervention and the fact these ewes are "maidens" pic's will be a couple of days coming so we do not disturb the new mothers during the important "bonding " process.So far about half the group has lambed 8/16 all singles and all from what i can tell all"rams".Because of the conditions prior to joining and the "tough" season i expect that male to female could be as high as 80/20 ,but we will see over time i guess....T.O.R.

Interesting that the Australian White has such strong genes. Maiden ewes and easy lambing sounds like a winner to me. Can you further discuss the male to female ratio because of tough range conditions? Does it take more nutrients to develop female lambs?

There is a producer just south of us in Alabama who is part of a group that has imported the Australian White sheep. He is doing a major PR campaign but I don't know how much success he has had since he is doing a large amount of his promotion on Katahdin sites.

Are they similar to the Royal Whites here in the states? I know they have different breed contributions, but similar traits?

Beekissed said:

Are they similar to the Royal Whites here in the states? I know they have different breed contributions, but similar traits?

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From their description I would think so but I don't know. I was talking to Daniel at our last Katahdin meeting but I haven't been to their farm to see them. It's Fagerman Farm in Alabama but I just looked at their web site and it doesn't have any info. Daniel does most of his PR on Facebook.