[Jacob-list] Response to Gordon, Scotland

[MarmontJacobs at aol.com]

Hi again, 
         I have huge regard for Helen Baillie, her excellent sheep, and for 
all the work she has done/does for the Society. My own viewpoint is that the 
UK Jacob is as big now as it will get, but, as for handling, my sheep are 
rarely tipped up and are shorn by me by hand in a head holder - sometimes 
even on the trimming stand, very relaxing for all concerned. 
    The larger sheep are usually less likely to vault the fence as I approach 
although there are always nutty ewe lambs around, and as Betty Berlacher says 
elsewhere the bills are the same whatever the size, though we have no trouble 
with joint sizes - just getting legs and shoulders halved and sometimes 
rolled for our smaller customers, and also triplets finish smaller in any 
case. 
    As you are on the Scottish committee presumably you have discussed your 
concerns with the committee? It is obviously in everyone's interest to 
promote Jacob stock sales to younger people or we head for extinction in all 
senses, man and beast. LOL. The "third type" that some judges talk about of 
slightly smaller Jacob resides in the Welsh hill flocks but it's a long way 
to go sightseeing at this time of year!
     I have sold 10 registered beasts very recently under Autumn Movements 
all to smallholders - indeed, additionally, as a member of the FGSC (Fenland 
Goatkeepers and Smallholders) there is never a problem selling even 
commercial ewe lambs and sometimes unregistered tups in a "normal" year...if 
we ever have one again. 
    Time to tuck in the ewes,
    TM-S