Lambing Update

The first group of ewes are now over halfway through their lambing with only about 60 to go.  Things have been going really well and the weather is almost perfect for putting young lambs and ewes out into the fields.  Fortunately we have avoided the Schmallenberg disease which is a real worry in the back of our minds all the time.  Every time a ewe lambs, it's fingers crossed to see what appears.  There is absolutely nothing we can do for the lambs or the ewes if they have been bitten by the midges last year and contracted the disease.  There is no vaccine available so we have to just wait and see what happens.  It appears that the time of infection is during the first trimester of pregnancy and is affecting sheep lambing now.  There are currently cases that have been identified in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire so it really is pot luck whether or not we escape.  I guess with climate change, resulting in warmer drier weather ,we can expect to have more disease outbreaks like this in the future but it makes it very hard work to plan for our industry going forward.  The last outbreak with similar threats would have been blue tongue about 4 years ago.  The good news is that it is not transferable sheep to sheep, there are no restrictions on livestock movements and it can't be contracted by humans.

Fingers crossed we have many more healthy lambs born on the hill this year.

Late Arrivals

At long last the ewes have started lambing. They were due to start lambing on the 8th February and usually there would have been a few early starters but not this year.

Hopefully now they will be in full swing. If only the weather was a bit warmer then the grass would be growing and the ewes could be turned out onto lush green pasture, but as it is at the moment they will need to stay indoors for a few days longer than normal. This will make the lambs stronger and able to keep themselves warmer during the cold nights. If you want to come and see what happens in the lambing sheds we have arranged our lambing day again this year. Tractor and trailer rides will be leaving the village hall in Overbury on the 11th April 2010, between 10 am and 3pm. Adults will need to pay £5 but all the children get in for free. Billy and Michaela will be serving up delicious Overbury lamb Casserole in the village hall from about 12. Get there early before it all goes! Check out the farm website http://www.overburyfarms.co.uk for up to date details. I look forward to seeing you all there!