Herding with the Puppies Vlog.

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Mutton Mondays - Reaction to Demand.

Lamb and wool are in high demand right now and this demand is expected to increase. This is good news for lamb and wool producers. Very good news. The question being asked is whether or not the United States can continue to meet this demand?

This year alone two US grocery stores, Super Wal-Mart and Kroger made a commitment to carry American Lamb in the near future. This is huge news considering most carry New Zealand lamb right now.

I'm happy to share with you that the U.S. military is the largest domestic consumer of wool. Pretty cool, eh?

I feel this is truly a step in the right direction. Wool and lamb producers want American lamb at the fingertips of consumers. What better place for this than at your local market? Availability is crucial for industry growth. This obviously goes for all products.

In reality, American anything filling up our grocery store shelves is a good thing, but I'm okay with baby steps. ;)

With the growing demand in both the lamb and wool industry the American Sheep Industry has asked all sheep producers to grow their flock.

They've launched a campaign called twoPLUS. I won’t go into all the strategies released to help producers do this, but there are three main goals in mind.

1. Increase the size of your operation by two ewes per operation or by two ewes per 100 by 2014.
2. Increase the average birthrate per ewe to two lambs per year.
3. Increase the harvested lamb crop by 2 percent - from 108 percent to 110 percent.

I think the twoPLUS campaign is a great industry effort. Thanks ASI!

With that being said, next time you are at the grocery store and want to make something different for dinner pick up some lamb and try this recipe! Then come back here and tell me how much you loved it!

Sources: American Sheep Industry and Grow Our Flock

A Mother's Day post for my sister.

"Your sister is your only friend."
Dad used to tell my sister, Jen and I this all the time when we were young.

As teenagers we scoffed when he'd say this and reply (with an eye-roll of course), "Okay Dad. Whatever."

He would go on to explain that you should never use the word 'friend' loosely because people you think are your friends may just hurt you.

It wasn't until high school and college that I accepted that, once again, our parents were right.

My sister, my best friend - Happy Mother’s Day to you.

You are a cook, chauffeur, a nurse and a teacher, but the list doesn't stop there.

You are a cheerleader, a referee, you are the glue that holds your family together. 

You always wear a smile.

You are patient, you are giving and you are kind. You are thoughtful, sincere and always consider other people's feelings.

I am so glad to have you by my side each and every day.

We were best friends as little girls and best friends now (we won’t talk about the years in between ;)) and for this, I am grateful. I strongly believe God made us sisters for a reason. We are so different, but I think that is a good thing - I can't imagine being exactly alike. That wouldn't be very fun.

I love the way you can make people laugh. I love how you bring the fun to every gathering. I love your quirky moments and corny jokes.

I love your laugh.

I enjoy each moment we spend together.

This is a day to celebrate your many accomplishments as a mother and a day for you to know you are loved by so many.

You are a blessing to all those that know you. We are the lucky ones.

I love you sis.

Happy Mother’s Day.

...and because I know you love the little lambies. I took this picture just.for.you.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers reading my blog! I hope your day is as wonderful as you wish it to be! How are you spending your day?

A Mother's Day post for Mom.

It took me a long time to realize this, but my mom is one amazing woman.

Not only has she successfully raised 6 children (including a stepdaughter), but she taught us so much. My mom instilled beliefs and morals in all of us that I think a lot of people lack and most importantly she taught us how to love.

She taught us that it's okay to be overly compassionate.
It's okay to show love.

It’s okay to speak your opinion as long as it's in a respectful way.

It’s okay to have a bad day (just don’t take it out on her).

Hug often.

Smile at strangers even if they won't smile back.

Give with all your heart.

Befriend often and always believe in the good in people.

This Mother’s Day my mother deserves an award. You see, she’s been raising children for 40 years and next week, her youngest, my little brother is graduating high school. Now that is a huge accomplishment, don't you think?

Mom, here is your award.  All your hard work has finally paid off!

Thank you for your support and encouragement all these years. Thank you for the love you give (and the care packages you send). Thank you for always listening to me, even when I get up on my soap box. Thank you for your honest advice each and every time I ask for it. Thank you for always being just a phone call away. Thank you for always believing in me.

I think I speak on behalf of all your children when I say, thank you for all you've done for us and continue to do for us. We love you and truly do appreciate you! 

Someday when I am a mother I hope to have the strength, courage and devotion for my kids as you have for yours. 

I love you so much. Happy Mother's Day.

Wordless Wednesdays - Make way, coming through!

Mutton Mondays - Lambing.

May is lambing time here at the ranch. This means a few things, one is that it's busy around here! As we speak J is out there working and it's decided to snow something crazy tonight! I hope those little lambies stay warm.

The last few weeks I've learned the babies we had a few months ago were just a drop in the bucket!

May is when the whole herd is due to have their babies. It began a few weeks ago on shearing day, but the past week has been the busiest by far.

Here is what lambing is all about.
First you have an open field of several hundred very pregnant ewes.

You have workers making their rounds all.day.long. They are looking for ewes that are showing signs of labor.

Don't you love Jigsy's new collar?

Here a few signs a ewe is getting ready to lamb:
1. She goes off by herself
2. Pawing at the ground
3. She passes her mucus plug
Once she starts puckering her lips like this - you know it's game time.

There are different phases in lambing. The first phase the ewe will dilate and lose her mucus plug.

Contractions will increase and the ewe's water bag will appear. This can go on anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. If a ewe is in the pushing stage for over an hour it's likely she is having trouble. This is when one of our workers will intervene.

Most ewes will not need help lambing, a good sign they are fine on their own is if their lamb's hooves and nose appear simultaneously. This is the position the lamb should be in.

Source: here.

If you can see the nose and 2 front hooves mama can take it from there. 

Once the lamb is born the ewe begins licking her baby clean. This is my favorite part. It's just amazing how instinct kicks in!

Once the babies are born and the ewes have a chance to bond with their baby, the lambs will picked up by one of the herders or J and the ewe will be lead to  pen or "jug" as we like to call them.

You carry the lamb low so the mom can see and smell it. This does not hurt the lamb.

This is where they will bond some more and feed.

I've watched a quite a few births these past few months and I'll admit my eyes well up with tears each time. These animals are so strong and it's astonishing to see their instincts kick right in. Within seconds of a lamb being born, mama is right there licking her baby. These mamas can give these lambs so much more than a human can ever provide for them.

My hat goes off to all the mamas out there. Whether it's an animal birth or a human birth I know they don't call it "labor" for nothing!

Lambing is an amazing time of year and it's become my favorite time of year. This is what I get to see and hear every day.

Here is J. He really is excited about lambing time, he's just exhausted these days.
For now, a thumbs up with have to do!
Keep up the hard work hubs! Lambing is almost done.