Under The Son Farm: 2015

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Rams used for the 2015 lamb crop

Here are this year's sires prior to shearing. I'll post the other rams later. The rams are not coated in the winter like the ewes are. I don't trust horned rams with coats on. The fleeces are in great shape, except for Mahon's. He should have been sheared a month ago as he has been trying to ditch his fleece. It is a long staple.

UTS Mahon - 2013 WSWF Supreme Champion Shetland

Mahon

Mahon's fleece. He is a milk chocolate in color.

UTS Stilton - 2014 WSWF Supreme Champion Shetland

Stilton

Stilton's fleece - fawnish moorit (varigated in color)

UTS Cameron - grey spotted

Cam on the stand.

Cam's fleece - he is very dense.

UTS Dawson - grey katmoget (19 microns)

Dawson

Dawson's fleece (sorry it's blurry).

Here are the 2015 ram micron stats. All very fine boys!! Butter soft, crimpy, fine fleeces, top quality in conformation and breed type, and great horns.

When you are choosing a fine fleeced Shetland, please remember the following: Fine fleece, when referring to Shetland wool, should mean that the wool is fine, crimpy, and soft handling.

Fine means:

a mid-side sample is tested, that is NOT separated (undercoat from outer coat)
that the microns are low - in the G1 (20-25 microns) or G2 range (25.01 -30 microns), preferably in the G1 range for very fine.
that all of the OTHER numbers are given out - the SD, CV, CEM, and SF. Low microns mean absolutely nothing without these numbers to verify that the fleece is actually fine.
pictures of the whole unsheared animal are available to verify all of the above.

When an AFD is only posted, with no indication of anything else (where it was sampled, whether it was separated or not, what all of the other numbers are) and no picture is given, it is buyer beware! With numbers higher than the following, SD above 7, CV above 25, CEM above 13, are all causes of concern. High numbers here indicates a coarse outer coat that will give even a low micron fleece a harsh handle. Note: There are a few exceptions to the rule. But this generally means that all the numbers are not high.

Here at Under The Son Farm, we always give you the maximum amount of information. With top quality, show winning Shetlands, you are assured of getting sheep that meet the breed standard with fine, soft, crimpy fleeces. We strive to have the following numbers for the best breed standard fleeces:

AFD - Grade 1 (20-25 microns) or Grade 2 (25.01-30 microns). G3 is fine for a few ewes. Rams should be G1 or G2.

SD - I like below 7. Our current average is 5.2 for the ewes, and 4.6 for the yearling ewes. Rams should be low, since the rams are half the flock.

CV - 22 or below for a premium quality fleece. Our ewe average is 18.8. Lambs can be higher (although our ewe lambs are 19). CV is the least number to worry about.

CEM - Below 12. Our ewe average is currently 9.0, yearlings currently average 8.0.

SF - LOWER than the AFD. This means it spins finer than it actually is. Around a micron lower than the AFD is great. An SF that is the same, or nearly the same, as the AFD is fine as well.

Friday, January 16, 2015

FFSSA Fleece Performance Registry Announcement

The Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association is pleased to announce the addition of a Registry to our endeavors to allow FFSSA Shetland breeders the chance to register their eligible sheep. The FFSSA Registry is based on the sheep’s performance in producing a fine fleece, according to the parameters as set by the FFSSA Fleece Grading Chart. This ensures the fleece, as well as the structure, on the registered sheep meets the 1927 Shetland breed standard as clarified by Appendix A. This will allow breeders the opportunity to serve their customers the best quality in Shetland sheep and their wool products.

To join FFSSA, or for more information, please visit the website: www.finefleeceshetlandsheep.org

For FFSSA members, go here for FAQ’s: http://www.finefleeceshetlandsheep.org/registry_FAQs.htm

For FFSSA members ready to register: http://www.finefleeceshetlandsheep.org/registry-forms.htm

Theresa Gygi

FFSSA President

Welcome to Under The Son blog!

There are about 50 Shetland sheep on our farm during the winter months and over 100 with the lambs in the spring time. Most patterns along with a few spotted sheep are here on the farm. I specialize in breeding classic fine fleeced Shetlands that are the hallmark of the Shetland wool industry and have been for hundreds of years.

Blogs posted will be relevant to our Shetland sheep farm goals such as working towards a classic type fleece - a fine to very fine, dense, silky, lustrous, 3-6" Shetland fleece, raising conformational correct pure Shetlands and growthy Shetland cross market lambs, as well as all manner of Shetland fleece production through to the finished products.

I am a spinner, weaver, knitter, felter, crocheter, dyer, soaper and have done all manner of other crafty things such as basketry, beaded jewelry, sewing, quilting, cross-stitch, etc.

Wool for sale includes raw fleece, washed fleece, rovings, spinning batts, quilt or comfortor batts, felt yardage, handspun yarns, millspun yarns, and finished knitted, woven, or felted goods such as fingerless gloves, purses, scarves, shawls, ponchos, ruanas, vests, jackets, and blankets.

Vist my Ravelry group for even more information. http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fine-shetland-wool

About Shetland Sheep

Shetland sheep are a heritage breed dating back a thousand years or more and are related to Soay sheep. They have primitive characteristics such as a naturally short fluke shaped tail, wool that 'roos' or sheds in the springtime, small size, and fine bone. They are famous first and foremost for their fine, soft, naturally colored wool that is very lightweight and warm. This wool was one of the two pillars of the Shetland Island economy for centuries.

Shetlands, the 'kindly' (soft) wooled native breed of sheep, were preserved because the Shetland wool industry was facing extinction with the the infiltration of coarse long wooled big sheep on the island. Steps were taken, such as the writing of the breed standard and paid ram incentives, to ensure the existence of this rare native breed and the continued existence of the woolen industry that employed so many of the women of Shetland.

Garments made from breed standard 'kindly' Shetland wool can be next-to-the-skin soft scarves to warm, soft outerwear sweaters. It is a fine wool with crimp (called 'wave' by the writers of the standard) and is normally used for knitted garments with good memory such as stockings/socks, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, shawls, under clothing, and the famous Shetland sweaters. It is a 'longish' wool, around 3-6", depending on crimp. It is sometimes good for felting and some fleeces are very silky. As it is a heritage breed, there is quite a bit of diverseness found within the breed, especially in the colors and patterns that run the gamut of browns, blacks, greys, and white as well as spots and patterns. All in all, it is one of the premier handspinning fleeces to be found.

From the Shetland Sheep Society

"Shetland sheep have for generations been noted for their very soft and well crimped fleece. The wool is the finest of all native breeds and shows an amazing variety of colours and patterns. There are 11 main whole colours and 30 recognised markings.

By selecting from coloured fleeces a range of naturally coloured yarn can be produced. This eliminates the need for dyeing and therefore retains the soft feel of the natural fibre and is favoured by those who prefer a totally natural approach.

Shetland wool fibres are of a simple construction witha central cortex covered by a thin scaly cuticle, and have an average diameter of about 23 microns. However there is a range from 10-20 microns for neck and shoulder wool to 25to 35 microns for britch wool. the average staple length is 3.5 inches. The amount of crimp varies, and is most important in providing the 'bounce' required for knitwear. There is a positive correlation between fineness and crimp, with wool of the finest quality being crimped at between 8 and 12 to the inch. Wool from shetland sheep is used to produce gossamer lace, the famous 'Fair Isle' knitwear, and fine tweeds. Pure bred Shetland sheep tend to shed their fleece in sprin. The growth of new fleece can cause a rise or weak point and where this is present the fleece can sometimes be plucked or 'rooed' by hand. The timing of this can be different in each sheep, however, it is worth taking the care to get it right as rooed fleece can be amongst the softest because the fibres have no harsh cut ends as occurs with a sheared fleece.

Shetland fleece can be handspun straight from the fleece or made into rolags and then woollen spun. It can also be sorsted spun by hand, used on a peg loom or handwoven. It also felts well using either dry or wet methods. When processed commercially the wool can be made into the finest lightweight worsted cloth or heavier weight, harder wearing fabrics and tweeds."

Under The Son Farm

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Rams used for the 2015 lamb crop

Friday, January 16, 2015

FFSSA Fleece Performance Registry Announcement

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