Fw: [Jacob-list] Re: Fw: Color woes

[sbennett]

This happens to us at the local shows as well. We show anyway, to educate 
the public. Last year, we were thanked, there were fewer problems and 
complaints from animal rights activists (who sometimes let animals out of 
their pens among other forms of protest) because several breeders of rare 
sheep were actively educating and promoting conservation.

Maybe we're swimming against the tide and maybe not. I've almost talked a 
couple breeders into trying a Jacob ram over some of their 
Suffolk/Dorset/whatever commercial breeds. Their thinking smaller = 
easier lambing, hardier = less feed and vet expenses, wool color doesn't 
matter anymore - the market fell out from under the wool industry and it 
costs more to shear than they can get for their wool. While I'm not 
thrilled about Jacob half breeds running around, still it would be great 
to get the "point" across.

Debbie Bennett  
Feral Fibre

>
>Over here, the Jacob Sheep Society encourages showing. Lots of the judges 
>have
>a commercial background and look for big, commercial sheep.
>
>I raised the point at the Scottish section agm that anyone who lambs 
>naturally
>in April hasn't got a chance if they show lambs against  the big commercial
>farmers who lamb indoors in January, whose older lambs are bigger and 
>appeal to
>the judges who are looking for big commercial sheep.
>
>I was told that I could aspire to one day being able to sponge my sheep and
>lamb indoors in January..... I think they missed the point. I was going to go
>on and complain about the way all selection is forcing Jacobs towards big,
>commercial sheep but my blood pressure wouldn't take it. Perhaps next 
>year, if
>I am not blacklisted by then.
>
> I don't like showing - I  turn up at a couple of local shows purely to show
>the flag for jacobs.
>
>I love my jacobs and am trying to select for smaller, hardier sheep. I 
>think I
>am swimming against the tide.
>
>I lambed 5 jacob ewes this year and had 3 sets of triplets and two pairs of
>twins. Don't think I fed them too much in the autumn. Any ideas?
>
>Gordon.
>
>Wester Gladstone Native Breeds.
>