I think that the prices were fair.... it was after the ideal "before Easter" optimum sale time .... they were what 3 months? When you figure in the difference in time, and feed compared to your 6-8 month old ones I think you did pretty good. If they were 3 months, maybe 4 months, they weighed what? 50-60 lbs? So you are looking at 2.50-3.00 lb. That is a decent price around here. Plus like you said, they are off the feed bill. and that many LESS mouths on the grass too.
I would go check out the other auction one day. Take a day road trip.... if the one buyer said that if you had 15 it would be worth the trip, then he must have liked the way the lambs looked. Plus, at a bigger sale like that, if the buyers have contracts to fill, there is more competition for the lambs and prices will be higher. They will pay more for quality at those kind of sales.
Hey, going to the stock yard sales is my "social life" .... don't have to have anything to sell, sometimes I just go for the conversation, interaction with other farmers... check out what is there... Stay in the loop because sometimes it is where there are flock dispersals.... Remember when
@Devonviolet was trying to sell Joe's goats, and the sale there helped with some advertisement and all.... I know that you and DH helped with all that too.... but sometimes when something like that happens, there is not a big notice of a dispersal....the sale needs to happen for various reasons like with
goats; fairly fast and quick.... you might find a bunch of purebreds....
Remember also.... purebred and papers are nice.... they give you some ability to have some quality animals.... and you will know better of what you should be getting in the quality of the lambs.... BUT .... you cannot eat registration papers. They are not a guarantee that the off spring will be outstanding.... they will not make you any more money than a GOOD crossbred ewe putting some real good lambs on the ground; if they are a purebred putting mediocre lambs on the ground. Unless you are looking to get into some showing and providing "seedstock" for other breeders... and that is a great goal.... I am not saying this to discourage or undermine you wanting to better your flock.
Example..... it used to be that a registered holstein ... with papers..... that was a good producing cow, would nearly always bring a couple hundred more than a non-registered one...... nowadays, the papers are not worth 20 dollars more except to someone wanting that particular bloodline for show reasons.... With the milk markets the way they are, and holsteins being bred for production for so long, a good producing cow is a good producing cow.....period.
It looks to me that the hair sheep in general are the same.... they are going through the stage where the holsteins were... purebred registered stock is worth more, and in 99% of the cases, a good purebred ram will improve the quality of the lambs.... BUT..... don't by pass good quality ewes even if they don't all have papers.... UPGRADE what you have... and I agree that the goal of some good purebreds is admirable... But if you have good producing ewes, that give you twins, raise them up, milk good, and really put pounds on the lambs, don't discount them. And if you can find some others that maybe are someone's "culls"... and I am thinking like
@Mike CHS sheep that look to me in the pictures are all very very good sheep.... even if they are not purebred or registered.... if they are an upgrade of what you have, don't hesitate to buy.
I am also going to say this in as positive way as I know. I know that you love your horses, and the ones you have are mostly rescued, and older.... but a horse can eat the equivalent of 5-8 sheep..... you might want to consider not replacing any as they age out...... especially if they are only going to be a "lawn ornament"... I haven't gotten back into any horses for that very reason.... and I do miss my horse....had horses since I was a kid....had my one mare for over 25 years..... but without the time, energy and all to ride like I used to, it is just not practical.... And realize that we have the grazing and the hay and the land for one horse to not be noticeable.
If my longhorn did not produce a calf, I probably would not still have her..... and again, we have way more land/grazing available to not be "put off" by one "extra cow"...
My old horse stayed here and died here with me.... we have kept a few cows past their prime and buried them here.. there will be few more in the future I am sure.... they become a part of the family and I get that... but I also will not take on another horse, unless I am going to make it a point of having a purpose and to plan to ride, or even drive, one regularly. I am just thinking that it could be a more lucrative "business" for you with the sheep and it seems like they are working out well for you and you are really getting the ins and outs figured out. Better sheep, and MORE sheep lambing and being sold at the right timing.... might really help in the future because I think we are going to get into some serious times in the next few years. Plus, you can always eat the lambs/sheep. Just like we can always eat the cattle.....
Of course.... if gas and all gets too far out of reason..... riding and driving the horses may be a cheaper alternative too.....
......HMMMM might want to rethink my not having a horse.....
In fact, I'll even buy an older buck, knowing the offspring will provide sustainability.
I do like to ride but, really no time for it....and the care some need. Heck, most egg customers gone, so downsizing my flock.
