Yeah, debt but....

It's been three years now that I have had my sheep at my brother's place...  Before that, back in 2007, I had some sheep on a rented pasture, but that did not work well and I sold out of it very fast (too new to get all that was required, and too clueless).

My brother and I talked about it, and he agreed, and then after a total face warming joy... and walking out where the fence would go, I began on my journey- of increasing my debt... ah ha! no, not just that, but creating another Julie, one who could go back to where she was as a kid, at my grandparent's farm, and be out there, with the animals, and nature... 

It took forever to get that field cleared and a LOT of money, as there were a ton of trees to clear and brush hogging etc.  Lots of work, but more a labor of love, and future.  My brother had some steers in a field he had already fenced (the lower field) and once they were gone, I got permission to what I call "hard fence" that field, and so with the help of someone I hired off of Craigslist, I got it done.  Still more work to do on that....

In all this time I got more and sold some sheep.  Spent my time scheduling, accomplishing various seasonal goals, as I do now.  Spring is time for weed killing and lots of sheep moving, so grass can grow strong.  Summer is quiet, and saving money for hay.  Fall is breeding and getting hay in, and winter is caring for the girls so they can have healthy lambs... 

During all this I maintain the full time job, try and keep the house clean and orderly, and keep up with outside stuff (this is hardest this time of year when everything grows like crazy).   I am just like myriad others, poor (a lot) happy most of the time, and occasionally upset over things said to me.

But, all in all, life is very good, I am busy, some what in shape and am doing what makes me happy.

Debt=life, no debt=no life... and I want to live.

Am extraordinarily poor right now.  Thinking of selling a kidney... I am only half joking... ;)  Next month will be better, but right now, the cost of the electro net and other things... it's bad.  Keeping all my sheep for now, but...  I have to figure something out.  So far have been eating lots of left overs and rice.  Too bad I couldn't eat grass with the sheep...

Worked the dogs yest.  Joe was good, but have to keep him remembering what a stop is.  Used the whole flock which was good. 

This morning Joe and Dan had a growl at each other; first time, and I got after them....  I will have to nip this in the bud....

Update

Last week I got in three rolls of electro net and moved the sheep onto the middle field that sits behind the barn.  I started with one roll, then a second, then the third.  On Sunday morning I got a call very early that the sheep had gotten out.  Great.  So I headed out without even a shower.  Got them all in- I think it was my fault- the sheep pulled deep grass through the fence and it pulled the posts up- I did not stick them in ground deep enough.  Anyway, fixed that, and then sprayed the white snake root, to kill it before it takes over.  That hill field was so over run with it last year, but this year, the young plants coming in is way less.  I think I may finally be winning the battle on this- I certainly hope.  If this weed was not poisonous, and the sheep ate it I would let it be, but that is not the case, and it absolutely takes over in the field.


I moved the entire three rolls of electro net yesterday.  Sheep had to be moved into it, and there were myriad ways they could chose to go.  Dan was absolutely great working with me to convince them that it was a good idea to go there.  Lots of wonderful grass.   My lean ewe, the one I bred, has wool break- something happened to her at some point health wise- she never had diarrhea, but obviously she encountered a health challenge.  She has been wormed, and when I wean the lambs, she and the lambs will be wormed- the adults I will check FAMACHA scores and see what we have.  I am loathe to worm animals that do not need it.

I worked Joe the other day, and am at a point where I need to get him in a smaller area working with the sheep, he's confident for sure, but I want to get him to move between the fence and them calmly.  Dan got it very quick. 

I am trying to catch up on house/yard stuff.  Cleaned the living room, washed windows/curtains, and that sort of thing.  Yesterday I string trimmed the back yard- egads did it need it!  Too tired to do front, will finish front/side today.  I feel like I am so busy it's crazy.  But, it's a good busy. 

So, that's my update!

Accommodation

Have not been doing great energy-wise the last few days.  Basically I am back in that place where all I want is bed.  Have been having some physical issues lately, which may be the cause of this.  Have seen a Dr, and moving to get things addressed.  This all means nothing, really, because I need to get the sheep moved onto fresh grass.   Not only is the big field being mowed down, but the lambs are at an age where they will start to become susceptible to worm load and I don't want issues....

Joe is ready to get back to work now... he was all wiggly this morning.  Would like to accommodate him but will have to see what weather is like- may wait until tomorrow.

I am so looking forward to a quiet weekend.....

Over and out for now.

Ready and raring

After the trial wrapped up, I went to take a lesson with Haley Huniwell, the judge of the trial.  First thing I did was show her what Joe could do- flanks, etc.  Then she asked me to just take the leash off.  Well, that is when you see what you have!  A dog who busted through the sheep!  Haley had me work on proper cover (Joe will some times over flank on the right).  This was a great field for training and very good sheep too.  It was a great lesson and I got a lot of good advice, and I made a mental note of everything.  As I was leaving another girl who had a lesson canceled her next morning lesson, so I took that slot (how great luck is that?!) and I went back the next day.  We built on what we did previously.  Joe was so keen after each session (we took breaks every so often) it was great to see him be ready and raring to go, even after all that.


Yesterday, the electro net came in and I got one roll up.  Now it is time for my brother to get the charger going and then I can put the sheep down in middle field to graze.  This is a very good thing, because grass is at a premium, as it has been so dry.

All in all I had a great last few days and now I need some down time just to chill out.  I have to clean the house and get things organized.  Also need to get a new a/c unit as mine has issues. 

Well, that's it for now.

Finality final report

Sad to say, but this is indeed the final report of the Finality sheepdog trial, for the place is for sale, and Barbara Meyer, who so graciously allowed us the use of the field, passed away in January of this year.

Anyway, so, on my second run of the trial with Dan, I just wanted him to bring me the sheep.  I was NOT going to micro manage him at the top, and just let him bring me the sheep.  So, I set him off on the left, and although it could have been wider, he had a decent outrun/lift, and then I just let him bring him.  Gave him no commands the entire fetch, which lost us all but five points because I did not do the dog leg.  I wanted my Dan to just do his work.  This will gain him confidence.  It was a beautifully straight and calm fetch.  Nice turn at the post and good drive.  At the drive away I let the sheep veer toward the trees, as honestly, I was so happy and not focusing.  We did get both panels and timed out at pen.  Worst score we have ever had, but run felt the best ever.  I was SO proud of my boy.  We got our mojo back!

The weather was great the entire trial, it went very smoothly.  So, now off for a bit and have to get back to work at the farm.

Half way report

After a rough day on Thurs- I watched a lot of runs and spent most of that time worrying about how Dan would do. Chatham was a very major wake up call for me...  I went home that night and slept relatively well..

Friday was our first run. Before I went to the trial I went to the farm, moved sheep back to big pasture, walked the dogs and stopped to get some water.  Got to the trial, watched a bit and then went to the post as nervous as I have ever been.  All I wanted was for Dan to get to his sheep and at least attempt to bring them.

I sent him, he was a bit tight, but I re-directed twice and he kicked out.  Came in a little flat.  I whistled him on and it was slow and I now KNOW I need glasses.  So, they moved a bit, but clearly very heavy, and I have never seen Dan have such a slow lift.  So, then they were going and I was an idiot and decided to get them back on line with a come by flank.  Well, it was a tight flank and they shot over toward the barn.  Dan ran over to cover- and he was tight- and they broke around him and high tailed it behind the barn.  I half heartedly said "get back" having given up on this run.  In less than a minute, but what felt like forever, back around the back of the barn came the sheep, and Dan shortly thereafter- calm, they were all calm.  I had retired when they went behind the barn, as I figured it was a dq anyway (which I have since learned it was not), and met him halfway up the field and we exhausted out sheep.  

So, I have to say, even though by trial standards this was very bad, I was very happy that Dan went and got those sheep.  Was told by workers up there that he calmly went around them and pulled them out of the corner.  So, one + for Dan :)  

We have a run today, and then finished for the trial :)

I think Dan lacks in confidence, and this can only be corrected by getting out there to big fields and working. I hope!