Category: Farmers

Frisco’s guarding surpassed my fondest hopes! One day the flock of 160 sheep and the llama were grazing the farthest pasture, next to the highway, when a passing dump truck suddenly backfired. Frisco instantly rounded up the entire flock, brought them in on the double, and herded them into a corner near the buildings where they would be safe.

As the time to sell the feeder lambs neared, Sean and his friend Dennis approached me with the idea that they might buy the feeders this year. I really tried to dissuade them, as feeder prices were high at the time, and I feared that prices could drop by the time the lambs were ready for market. However, they wanted to try it. Dennis’ uncle had a nice lot near Eitzen with a covered shed for feeding and Sean could build a Hi-Tensile fence around the lot, so they bought the lambs and moved them down to the lot.

Following the capture and return of Frisco, the llama, I was currently working daily on my plan to reconcile Frisco and Sheba to a working relationship. It took nearly a month, but it worked!

Since Frisco could cross sheep guards with gay abandon, climb hog panel gates, jump high fences, and probably leap tall buildings with a singe bound, he left the premises repeatedly! When he went I usually found him in my neighbor’s pasture with the cattle.

I had an excellent group of feeder lambs, and planned to sell them at the end of the month. They were on a lush fenced pasture next to the highway with plenty of forage to last through the month. I did not intend to bring them in until just before the sale. An early morning phone call from a neighbor caused me to change my plans! He was on his way to feed cattle on his parents’ farm, and as he passed our driveway he saw a female coyote, along with one pup, sitting just outside our sheep guard, waiting for the chance to grab a lamb.

Farming, especially where animals are concerned, does not allow one to spend a lot of time grieving. After a few days when friends stopped in to help with chores, it was time to get back into my shepherd’s role and do what needed to be done.

After the chaotic lambing season was over, and the sheep flock was out on pasture, I managed to pull myself together, get my veggie garden in, and pay some attention to my house…which badly needed it! Of course, there were still fences to be moved, and bottle lambs that needed feeding, but life was settling down into its usual routines.

1995 – Early February No sooner had I advertised my bred ewe lambs, than a local veterinarian, who also raised sheep, came  to look them …