The lambs which local crofters have recently been taking to market have been bringing in a good price. One Ormsaigbeg crofter averaged £47 in Friday's sales, another £55. A couple of years back they would have been lucky to get half that - if they could make a sale at all. Little wonder that some of the ewes in our fields have a rather smug look on their faces.As so often happens, the state of the market has little to do with what's happening locally. Apparently, New Zealand lamb is increasingly being sold to countries around the Pacific such a Japan, opening the UK market to quality Scottish produce.
With their lambs away the ladies will be turning their mind to the next generation. The tups who'll be doing the business are blissfully unaware of what's coming. As usual, the boys are too busy filling their stomaches with summer's rich grass. In a few weeks they'll be too busy to eat.
I brought my family to Portuairk for a blissful 2 weeks in August. We were surprised to see a couple of ginger sheep, like the one in your picture, wandering around. This is something I've never seen before. Are they a particular breed, or are they just rusty?
ReplyDeleteThey're artificially 'coloured' when they go on show at an agricultural event like the Kilchoan Show. Don't know why - I need to find out.
ReplyDeleteAt least you know they're a good specimen of their species.
Jon
I made enquiries of a crofter who colours her sheep for shows. She tells me that she brushes on an orange dye to create the ginger effect. When asked why this was done, she said it was traditional.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that! They certainly made my children laugh when we first saw them!
ReplyDelete