Farm TrailsTeacher's NotesAbout Organic Farming
South Penquite FarmMore about the farmArrange a visit
Galloway cattle
1

Galloway cattle

   Bronze age hut circles
2

Bronze age hut circles

   De Lank river
3

De Lank river

   Standing stone
4

Standing stone

   Cheviot sheep
5

Cheviot sheep

   Gas-power
6

Gas-power

   Camping & cycling
7

Camping & cycling

   Visitor centre
8

Visitor centre

  
South Penquite Farm map Visitor centre Camping & cycling Gas power Cheviot sheep Standing stone De Lank river Bronze age hut circles Galloway cattel

Cheviot sheep

The Cheviot sheep are a hardy hill breed and they give birth to their lambs in the spring. The number of sheep on the farm (or stocking level) is low as this helps to prevent the build up of internal parasites such as worms. Wormers can only be used if these preventative methods fail to work.

  • The female sheep (or ewes) produce either a single lamb, twins or even triplets. The lambs are reared for their meat and sold locally.

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» COUNTING SHEEP

The farmer often needs to work out the average number of lambs born to each ewe. This 'lambing average' shows how the flock is performing.

If you visit a farm soon after lambing, you too can work out the average. Look for ten ewes and then count the number of lambs in their group.

For example if the total number of lambs born to ten ewes is 15 then the lambing average is 15 divided by 10, which is 1.5.
© Soil Association 2000-2004