U.S. Sheep Inventory Up
 
According to the American Sheep Industry News, the Missouri sheep population has increased by 15% in the last two years! The overall national average increase is 2%.  I believe this is based in part on the USDA incentive that was paid for the last two years to retain ewe lambs , but mostly on the steady improvement in sheep and goat prices at auction.  If you need another reason to buy sheep , how about gas prices?
 
With gas prices at an all time high, it is a good year to let the sheep cut the grass for you.  I plan to use them extensively for that very purpose this year. 8>)  Lets do the math:  One wether purchased for $50 and kept for one year, will produce a 6 lb fleece worth $12-$14/lb and (in addition to saving you a bundle on gas for the lawn mower this summer) will sell at auction (at around 80-100 pounds) for about $1 per lb. Thats a return of $120 (plus gas savings). Let them turn that grass into money in your pocket or food in the freezer!  
 
Sheep Salelist for May
 
Wow.. do I have LAMBS!  Lots of them... most arriving in these last few weeks. Out of three different herdsires:  HMFF Jupiter (silver Border Leicester)  BeechTree Parker (black Bluefaced Leicester) and HMFF White Knight (white Border Leicester).   Ones that are ready to go now are out of Jupiter and Parker. The younger lambs are listed, but cannot go until June unless they are going with their dams.  I am also downsizing the herd and will be offering some of my older ewes this year.
 
As I am doing with the goats, I will also offer in the sheep.  Ram lambs will sell for half price if wethered. An additional $25 off if they are sold in a package deal with their dams. This deal is good through the month of May.
 
 
Ram LAMBS out of HMFF Jupiter (silver Border Leicester)
 
#225y  White ram lamb  born 2-9-06 Twin out of HMFF Danielle (BL x BFL) and HMFF Jupiter (BL) $100 SOLD
 
#220y Silver ram lamb born 2-9-06 . Twin out of HMFF Danielle (BL x BFL) and HMFF Jupiter (BL) $100
 
#217y Silver ram lamb born 2-25-06 out of HMFF Guenevere (BL) and HMFF Jupiter (BL)  $100
 
Ram LAMBS out of BT Parker (black Bluefaced Leicester)
#213y White with black spot on side, ram lamb born 2-22-06 . Twin out of BT Hetty (BFL) and BT Parker (BFL). Registerable with BLUNA. Bottle fed and tame.  $250
 
Rapunzel's boy  black ram lamb born 3-8-06 . Out of HMFF Rapunzel (BL) and BT Parker (BFL). This will be one of those gorgeous Hybrid Leicesters.  $200
 
Ram Lambs out of HMFF White Knight (white Border Leicester)
 
0201w black ram lamb born 4-14-06 . Twin out of HMFF Raven (Hybrid) and HMFF White Knight (BL) $100
 
175y white ram lamb born 4-14-06. Out of HMFF Beltane (Hybrid) and HMFF White Knight (BL) $100
 
0203w white ram lamb born 4-15-06. Out of HMFF Gertrude (BL) and HMFF White Knight (BL) $100
 
0205w white ram lamb born 4-18-06. Out of HMFF Jasmina (BL) and HMFF White Knight (BL) $100 or See package deal below.
 
0207w white ram lamb born 4-18-06. Out of HMFF Golden Ticket (Hybrid) and HMFF White Knight (BL) $100
 
0209w white ram lamb born 4-19-06. Out of HMFF Moonlight (Hybrid) and HMFF White Knight (BL) $100
 
0211w white ram lamb born 4-19-06 Twin. Out of BT Aster (BFL) and HMFF White Knight (BL). This will be one of those gorgeous Hybrid Leicesters! $150
 
EWES for Sale
 
HMFF Ganymeade a 2 year old silver ewe out of HMFF Gertrude (white BL) and HMFF Jupiter (silver BL). Twin. Open. $150  SOLD
 
HMFF Madame Mina 6 yr old white ewe out of a white dam and a silver sire. A twin and a twinner. Good mom. Bradford count 46-48  $125  SOLD
 
Jasmina on shearing day
 
HMFF Jasmina  7 year old silver Border Leicester ewe out of a white dam and a silver sire. A twin and a twinner. Good mom. Has produced lots of silver lambs for me. Bradford count: 44-46  $150 She has a young lamb at side, so cannot go until later in June, but if you take the package deal, she can go immediately:  Package deal with a white wether at side $175
 
HMFF Guenevere  9 year old white ewe A very prolific ewe... had triplets last year! Good mom. And has produced some of my best replacement lambs. Her son, HMFF White Knight, is a spectacular ram and was retained for herdsire duty. She is out of a white dam and a silver sire. She produced a silver ram lamb this year. Reduced price due to her age... but she should be productive another two years or so. $100 to the right home. SOLD
 
Yearling Rams -
These guys will be ready to work for you this fall!  Don't wait until fall to buy a ram... they need time to settle in to their new homes. Breeding time is NOT the time to introduce stress into their lives.  I have three beautiful prospects that I held over from last year . All are out of a registered Bluefaced Leicester. Photos were taken on shearing day 2006.  Additional photos can be sent upon request.
 
HMFF Galahad #202yellow 
A beautiful BFL Hybrid out of HMFF Gertrude (white Border Leicester) and Beechtree Danforth (white Bluefaced Leicester).  Sheared 4.5# this spring with a 7 inch staple!  Gorgeous...  just look at those locks!  He is a twin and as choice as they come.  $300
 
HMFF Rook #205yellow 
A black BFL Hybrid out of HMFF Raven (black BL) and Beechtree Danforth (white BFL).  Sheared 5# this spring. All the classic features of the BFL Hybrid. Looking very nice. This photo is a bit deceiving, but Rook has nice purled locks. $250
 
HMFF Jack Be Nimble #207yellow
  A 3/4 Bluefaced ram out of HMFF Jacinta (white BFL Hybrid) and Beechtree Danforth (white BFL).  The fleece is just like a Blueface, but a bit denser. Blue skin.  If you want to introduce fineness into your herd , try this ram! Superfine purled locks Sheared 3.25#   $250
 
 
5 generation pedigrees are available on ALL sheep from HMFF. Photos and health & production info available upon request.  A 50% deposit will hold your choice for 30 days .  Prices good through the month of May.  hmffarm@fidnet.com