K Bar K Farm

The Ewe Flock

We started with 14 foundation ewes in 1997.  Many of these ewes were aged ewes that retained a lot of the "old style" Dorset characteristics-stout, meaty, productive  animals.  We are striving to maintain these characteristics in our flock as well as the excellent mothering and out of season lambing characteristics.  Many of the older ewes have exhibited out of season breeding for the prior owner, or were fall born themselves. In addition, all sires are from accelerated flocks. 

     Our early spring lambing typically occurs in mid February for 55-60 lb. Easter market lambs. In addition, this early lambing will allow time for rebreeding for fall lambing. While we no longer supplement the late gestation or lactating ewes (offering them high-quality alfalfa hay), we do creep feed the early spring lambs in order to meet these market goals. Our ewes are excellent milkers, as the 30 day weights prove, where the lambs average over 1 lb. of body weight per day of age. Lambs that are born in fall (late Sept./early Oct.) or late spring (April/May) are not creep fed, nor are the dams supplemented (except in case of very poor forage quality and/or drought). Our lush pastures typically provides adequate nutrition for these ewes and lambs to thrive.  

We pride ourselves on our biosecurity measures. Our ewe flock is closed (since 2002), and the entire flock (rams included) has been closed since 2005. We now utilize artificial insemination to continue our genetic improvement.

Most of our ewes first lamb at 12-14 year of age. These yearlings typically produce a 150% lambing rate, and raise all lambs unassisted.  Our mature ewes typically have a 180-190% lambing rate, with very few lambs orphaned or grafted.  

      Our ewes are very low maintenance. They lamb unassisted (or else 'grow wheels') and require minimal supplemental feed. We feed the February lambing ewes grass hay in mid pregnancy (once the pasture runs out in the fall), then alfalfa hay in late pregnancy, We have not fed the late gestation/lactating ewes any grain for the last 2 years, with dairy-quality alfalfa hay available. May and fall lambing ewes are pastured, with no supplementation prior to lambing unless forage quality is very poor.

      We keep track of the flock with the Ewebyte Sheep Management software, and are enrolled in LAMBPLAN. We have been scanning loin eyes on our flock (for input into LAMBPLAN) since 2003. We are a Certified flock in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program.

     We usually have Dorset rams and ewes for sale, contact us if you are interested.