From the privilege of being there at birth, the elation of saving a life when things don’t go as planned through to the desolation of losing that same battle.
There is great joy at this time of year with the improving seasons, watching lambs racing and jumping in the hedgerow and also the quiet moments spent watching your flock with a huge sense of achievement and joy.
Pride mixed with a sense of deep responsibility to animal welfare and the health of the flock. That pride runs deep.
Here in Yorkshire and across the UK we have some of the highest welfare standards in the world – not just mandated ones but those self-imposed by an industry conscious of giving the best care. We always want to be better and to be the best.
So, it is gut-wrenching when your read something written about your job, your vocation and your outstanding level of care that bears no resemblance to the reality on the ground and that hits really deep.
In relation to shearing is simply a haircut like you or I get carried out by skilled and experienced people.
Shepherds and shepherdesses are giving their all
Our wonderful county is full of hard working, compassionate farmers who are responsible not only for the food we eat but the countryside and biodiversity all around us. The sheep we care for have nutritionist approved diets, they are watched day and night by tired shepherds and shepherdesses to make sure they are safe and births are successful. Every tiny newborn lamb is monitored to ensure it has 200ml of colostrum or first milk within two hours – packed full of antibodies, energy and essential nutrients that benefit newborn animals.
That first milk is even tested on a refractometer - a fancy bit of field kit to determine things like composition, purity, concentration and protein content.
Pedicures are given, body condition monitored, vaccination programmes administered.
Shepherds and shepherdesses are giving their all to make sure flocks are safe, content and healthy and that level of care and the need to do the very best by our animals is in our blood, our very DNA.
I love my sheep, many have names and multiple generations of families live with me.
And yes, come the summer we will clip, or shear if you use the posh vernacular, our sheep. Give them a haircut and watch them skip out of the shed lighter, cleaner and cooler. Safe from pests, safe from overheating.
Another jigsaw piece of the excellent careful care that farmers provide.
We have excellent support from Yorkshire shoppers, we hope you enjoy seeing the lambs out in spring, take in our superb landscape that our sheep are so integral to creating and enjoy British produce - be it vegetables carefully grown or lamb reared with the best possible care.
We are always here to talk farming, it’s what we do to feed the county and wider country. We love it so just ask us.
Our only vested interest is wanting you to love our sheep as much as we do.
