Tuesday 25 May 2010

It's all about the fleece

I have had a great day today having my hands on fleece, after all that is what we are breeding these magnificent animals for isn't it.

Having had everyone sheared just over a week ago I have been dying to get my hands on the bags, so far all we'd done was weigh it. We have slightly less fleece this year, 7kg's to be precise but that is really down to us selling 8 animals since we sheared last year and only having 5 youngsters from last year.

I record everything and like to see who's fleece weight is up and whose is down, it's all annualised too just so it is right. Our stud boy Legend of Spartacus cut the biggest weigh with Veruschka a very close second, they were actually the other way round last year. The two girls cutting the least fleece are the same as last year. I do find these sort of facts fascinating and it all helps when selecting their future matings.

Anyway, it think I have just about worked out who is being blended with who and what is being commercially processed and what I am going to spin (When I find the time is another matter entirely). Then there is those fleeces that I need to keep back for the Border Union composite show at Kelso in July not to mention any fleece shows that we are entering.

I now need to get on with skirting it all.....................................

4 comments:

Patou Alpacas said...

7kg's??? Is that right? Doesn't sound very much.
Surely more than that Debs?

Unknown said...

Oh yes fleece skirting...something for a rainy day. Always good to have things to look forward to!

Debbie, Barnacre Alpacas said...

Yes 7kg is correct Mark, honest. We were three animals down but the 2008 cria cut much more fleece this year than they did last now they are fully grown this helped reduce the deficit, also a couple of last years cria cut larger weights than in the previous years youngsers.

Rosemary said...

It's exciting looking through everything and seeing who is living up to expectations! . . . and seeing the result of blending fleeces is wonderful! Looking forward to seeing your spun yarn - we can't get the hang of spinning.