Our
flock consists of Targhee type range ewes that have proven
to be easy fleshing, thrifty sheep that can adapt to whatever
the season brings. Our low rainfall climate (12" total
avg. precipitation) produces good hard grass but not much
of it. Ewes raised in these conditions have developed an excellent
foraging ability and will thrive where other breeds will fail.
All
of our breeding rams are sourced in Miles City, Montana at
the Montana ram sale, held every September.
We
generally have ewe lambs for sale in the late fall around
November, and in some cases will sell yearling ewes that we
have grown out and kept back for our own flock replacements.
We do not breed our ewe lambs but prefer to allow them to
reach maturity before getting them into production. Our feeling
is that they generally have a longer life span by doing this
and can accommodate the stress of raising lambs when they
can physically handle it.
We
have competed in a few commercial sheep shows over the years
but because we are not a purebred outfit the sheep aren't
fitted and are judged strictly in their working clothes. No
washing, trimming, halter showing allowed.
Black
wooled sheep also have a place on our ranch, and our daughter
is in charge of this operation. They raise some nice lambs
and produce a light chocolate brown and dark brown fleece
which is in high demand by spinners and weavers.
Select
white and black wool fleeces from our best ewes are carefully
bagged at shearing time in the spring and are marketed throughout
the year on the internet through eBay.
Fresh
lamb, which is the money maker on any sheep ranch is something
we also sell off the ranch. We try to have butcher lambs ready
to sell most times of the year but find that late winter is
when most of the grain fed lambs are "ready to go".
We do offer grass fed lamb in the fall for anyone that prefers
lamb the same way the coyotes eat it - fresh and right off
grass. Lamb by the whole or half carcass is offered to our
customers who know that good eating always involves some type
of lamb dish.
