Last month I talked of the imminent process of putting the rams in. Well the job is done and the boys seem to be relishing their task. The rams were certainly ready to work as they started to smell distinctly “rammy” – a smell I cannot really describe other than quite vile! Their top lips were curling up and heads very much poised as they could certainly smell that ewes close by were coming into season. Getting the rams and the ewes in good condition prior to mating is so important – fit but not fat.
Before putting the rams in with the ewes, we mix up a coloured paste which we apply to their breast bone – commonly known as “raddle” paint. This year the first colour is yellow. After the first night we 
had a few ewes with yellow bottoms so the rams were definitely at work. However, whilst the ewes would appear to have been “covered”, there are some occasions when this is not the case. The worst scenario is that the ram is working but is infertile, or indeed the ewe is infertile. My rams are proven so hopefully that eliminates one potential problem. So as a safeguard, we change the colour of the raddle paste after a couple of weeks. If a ewe is marked a second time with a different colour it highlights that there is a potential problem as the first mating probably didn’t work. The heat cycle lasts approximately 17 days so if the ram misses a ewe the first time, hopefully they get marked with the second colour in the second heat cycle.
We normally leave the rams in for a maximum of 3 heat cycles and anything not in lamb then would suggest it is infertile or there are other unforeseen problems.
But being positive we normally have a good strike rate. Also with a nice drop of rain, lovely days and heavy dews, the grass is growing.
Walking across the field one early morning this week, was the most amazing sight – loads of white specks all over the field – I couldn’t make out what it was. On closer inspection it was masses of beautiful mushrooms – I picked so many and as I write, I am picking every morning. I thought I ought to cook a few and see that they were actually mushrooms – I am here to tell the tale so they are!
Janet
