- IFR Blog

IFR Annual Meeting a Success

10/26/2015

IFR members attended the 2015 meeting in the beautiful mountains of Washington state. Solace Farm served as the host site and members were treated to a very special sight. Solace Farm has a black based, English Blue patterned ewe! While this pattern has been confirmed in Finland and suspected in North America, this ewe is the first one reported and viewed by our board members who were able to confirm the pattern. In this instance, the pattern confirmation was fairly simple as the ewe is only carry one allele for pattern.

The meeting was educational, fun and highly social! Members were able to hear presentations about the IFR Breed Improvement Program (highly increased the desirability of the breed; many participating members have waiting lists for program graduates); Parasite Management; Soil and Pasture Management; and Marketing Finnsheep Products.

IFR Annual Meeting is This Saturday!

10/5/2015

The IFR Annual Meeting will be held this Saturday at Solace Farm in Deer Park, WA! All members are welcome to attend. Those needing additional information should contact the IFR secretary, We look forward to meeting you at the meeting!

IFR Annual Meeting/Eastern Parasite Clinic

9/1/2015

The IFR Annual Meeting will be held in Deer Park, WA (a short drive from Spokane) on October 10, 2015. All members are encouraged to attend. Lodging accommodations are listed in your e-blasts and newsletters. Please contact the IFR secretary with any questions.

Our junior membership continues to grow! The IFR has seen a marked increase in junior members during 2015. The organization has various programs that encourage enjoyment of Finnsheep ownership for youth. Some of our junior members have reached active adult member status and we are dry excited to see them continue with Finnsheep ownership into adulthood.

The IFR Eastern Sheep Parasite Clinic, conducted on August 8th was a success. Members from the east coast attended and had an opportunity to learn about parasites as well as participate in lab activities designed to allow them to identify parasites specific to their farm. Very special thanks to Sarah Bean and Ange Treherne for their work in organizing and administering the event!

IFR Annual Meeting Update

7/17/2015

The IFR will be holding its annual meeting in Washington state this year! The meeting will be held on October 10th at Solace Farm. Members will receive their meeting agenda in the August E-Blast. Additional details, along with places to stay in the Spokane, WA area are enclosed in the the June newsletter. The IFR Board of Directors is looking forward to meeting western region members in person! See you at the meeting!

The Good Stewardship of Breed Improvement

4/11/2015

Good stewardship for a sheep producer requires diligent selection of stock for continual improvement, and hence preservation. IFR Board Director and Co-Founder, Dr. Mary-Anne Ost shares a brief history of various improvement programs with our members.

March 01st, 2015

3/1/2015

Lambing season has arrived! The photo above shows warm spring pastures but this year, many parts of North America are unusually cold and snow-filled! The IFR reminds all breeders to make sure ewes have protected, clean, dry, draft-free areas in which to lamb. IFR members can refer to organizational publications for additional tips on successful lambing. To learn more about the educational materials available to IFR members, contact our office at: [email protected]

The IFR Wishes All a Healthy 2015. Remember to Vaccinate Pregnant Ewes!

1/10/2015

Winter's cold seems to fastened its grip on many Finnsheep farms this time of year and yet, the days are getting longer (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) indicating that spring is just a few short months away.
The IFR would like to remind everyone participating in winter/early spring lambing that ewes should be vaccinated approximately four weeks prior to lambing and lambing ewes should be provided with safe, clean, dry and protected areas in which to lamb.
A potential Finnsheep buyer recently asked the IFR the following question regarding its registration papers: Are Certificates of Registration issued to sheep that are not purebred?
The IFR issues Purebred Certificates of Registration only to sheep that meet the requirements for purebred registration. The IFR does issue Certificates of Pedigree to sheep enrolled in specific IFR programs. Certificates of Registration and Certificate of Pedigree are not the same and are very different in appearance from each other. Certificates of Pedigree are offered as a service to members to assist them with keeping accurate breeding and culling records. Please contact the IFR if you need additional clarification; we would be happy to assist you!
The IFR wishes everyone a healthy 2015!

Finnsheep in the Fall

10/8/2014

The cool snap of fall has arrived; some of you have had snow! The spring Finnsheep lambs are now preparing for breeding season. Yes, Finnsheep mature very early, maximizing your profits! New fall lambs can be found in the fields of many and the demand for IFR Finnsheep fiber products exceeds availability! Wow! IFR Finnsheep truly are a unique breed with unlimited potential. Contact the IFR to learn more.

Summer Activities

8/4/2014

While summer usually signals a slow down in lambing for most of us, other events of interest pop up at the IFR! This past spring has seen the arrival of several interestingly colored Finnsheep lambs! Currently referred to as "Red Cream," these lambs are being genetically reviewed by our genetic specialist team. Photos have recently been sent to our members for review.
All members have received the latest USDA/APHIS Scrapie Program Updates so all IFR members participating in the program can make any necessary changes. The IFR Breed Improvement Program has allowed breeders to seriously pursue full scrapie resistance in their Finnsheep flocks! Many IFR members now have scrapie resistant genetics in their flocks, preserving their livestock investment and the health of their flock!

Prevent Heat Stress in Sheep

7/9/2014

Summer is heating up! Prevent heat stress in your sheep by taking the following precautions:
- Always make sure your sheep have a source of shade
- Always make sure your sheep have a clean, fresh source of cool water, some may stand in water
- Sheep will seek to cool themselves by resting on a cool surface such as dirt.
- Transport your sheep during the cooler hours of the night or use an air-conditioned van
- Wool is insulating against heat and cold but a heavily wooled animal should be sheared
- A wet sheep will heat up quickly. If bathing your sheep for a show or event, due so in the evening and use a fan to keep the animal cool while the wool dries.
- Animals kept in barns should have continuous fresh, moving air. Use fans to increase ventilation.
- If you suspect heat stress, call your veterinarian immediately.