This year brings some new possibilities for the Icelandic and Shetland lambs!
Icelandics: This year, we were able to get a new import of frozen semen from Iceland, so I was able introduce some genetics new to North America. Those sires, as well as ones stockpiled in my nitrogen tank and some farm rams, have given me a terrific mix of AI sires and AI farm rams. This year, I will have lambs from new horned AI sire Hraunar; and from AI Leader sires Frakki, and Steinrikur. I did not breed my polled ewes this year. Additional substantial amounts of AI genetics were contributed by Burkni, Gandur, Gramann and Jonas, (horned); Geri, Golsi, Joakim, Karl Philip, Loftur. Nikulas, and Ungi (Leader), represented in the breeding ewes and farm rams. I’m excited to see what these AI genetics will bring to the flock, and the new possibilities from new and mature farm sires!
And so…..My “Who is Bred to Whom” list, can be found below. As a note – listings of crosses are based on the sire (e.g.: Hraunar, horned; Frakki, Leadersheep).
Shetlands: This year I added two rams to the Shetland breeding line up. So this winter I bred a number of ewes, using a selection of five sires, each with different colors, patterns and markings. I’m looking for a great variety of colors and patterns, and fleece types from very fine to intermediate. There should be some exciting offspring!
You can check out the possibilities on my “Who is Bred to Whom.” list, below.
THE GRAND “WHO IS BRED TO WHOM” LIST
ICELANDICS AND ICELANDIC LEADERSHEEP
Brana (F2 AI) BEL 132G x Frakki (AI sire)
Brana is my spotted moorit mouflon grand-daughter of Golsi; Frakki is moorit with classic Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Frakki, 1/8 Golsi, 1/16 Karl Philip, ~1/32 Geri, and Leifur; with Tigull, Ari, Blesi, Biskup, Prestur, Hynkill, Bambi, and some Moli, Morro, and Yeoman Blessa. (88% AI and ~86% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be gray, mouflon, gray-mouflon or solid pattern, and will be moorit and spotted..
Fláa (F1 AI) BEL 026F x Hraunar (AI Sire)
Fláa is my Burkni daughter, is white, carrying solid, but probably not moorit or spotting; Hraunar is white, possibly heterozygous.
F1 AI lambs will b:e 1/2 Hraunar, 1/4 Burkni,1/8 Drifandi, with some Kani, Flotti, and Aboti (~92% AI).
Lambs will likely be white, but may carry solid and moorit.
Jora (F1 AI) BEL 204H x Frakki (AI sire)
Jora is a black spotted Nikulas daughter with classical Leader markings, possibly carrying morrit; Frakki is moorit-gray with classic Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Frakki, 1/4 Nikulas, 1/16 Joakim, 1/32 Leifur, with Biskup, Tigull, Ari and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~87% AI; 87% Leader genetics).
Lambs will be solid,or gray; will likely be black, but must carry moorit; and will be spotted.
Kirkju (F1 AI) BEL 024F x Frakki (AI sire)
Kirkju is my black spotted Ungi daughter in the classic pattern, possibly carrying moorit; Frakki is moorit with classic Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Frakki, 1/4 Ungi, 1/8 Geri, 1/32 Tigull; with Biskup, Ari, land some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~94% AI; ~94% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be solid pattern, and will most likely have the classic leader markings, in black or perhaps moorit,
Luvisa (F2 AI) SSW 354F x Askja (F1 AI) BEL 206H
Luvisa is a spotted moorit Florgodi grand-daughter; Askja is a spotted black badger Nikulas son, carrying moorit.
Lambs will be: 1/4 Nikulas and Florgodi, 1/8 Geri, 1/32 Leifur with Biskup, Ari, Bambi, Hnykill, Tigull, Blesi, Prestur with some Moli and Morro and Yeoman Blessa (~82% AI; ~79% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be black or moorit, solid or badgerface, and will be spotted.
Myra (F1 AI) BEL 413K x Frakki (AI sire)
Myra, my Kjartan daughter, is a spotted moorit; Frakki is moorit-gray with the classical Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Frakki, 1/4 Kjartan, 1/8 Strumpur, 1/16 Florgodi, 1/32 Geri; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa. (98.5% AI and 98.5% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be moorit in either solid or gray pattern, and must be spotted.
Nuna (F1 AI) BEL 410K x Frakki (AI sire)
Nuna, a Nikulas daughter, is black spotted, perhaps carrying morrit; Frakki is moorit with classic Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be; ½ Frakki, 1/4 Nikulas,, 1/8 Ungi, 1/16 Geri; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli land Yeoman Blessa (~97% AI; ~97% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be badgerface or solid pattern, spotted, and probably black, but perhaps moorit.
Presta (F2 AI) BEL 134G x Frakki (AI sire)
Presta is my spotted black Karl Philip grand-daughter, possibly carrying moorit; Frakki is moorit with classic Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be: 1/2 Frakki, 1/8 Karl Philip, 1/16 Blesi, and Joakim, ~1/32 Tigulli and Prestur; with Ari, Biskup, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (88% AI and ~88% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be solid or gray pattern, and black or possibly moorit with the classic Leader markings.
Stora (F1 AI) BEL 218H x Steinrikur (AI sire)
Stora, my Strumpur daughter, is a spotted moorit badger; Steinrikur is black with the classical Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Steinrikuri, 1/4 Strumpur, 1/8 Florgodi, 1/16 Geri; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa. (97% AI and 97% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be black, carrtying moorit, in either solid or badger pattern, and must be spotted.
Thjórsá (F1 AI) BEL 420K x Askja (F1 AI) BEL 206H
Thjórsá is a black spotted Ungi daughter with classical Leader markings, possibly carrying morrit; Askja is a spotted black badger Nikulas son, carrying moorit.
Lambs will be 1/4 Nikulas and Ungi, 1/8 Florgodi, Karl Philip and Geri, with Biskup, Tigull, Ari and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~94% AI; 94% Leader genetics).
Lambs will be solid or badgerface, will likely be black but may carry moorit, and will be spotted.
Thoris (F1 AI) BEL 408K x Askja (F1 AI) BEL 206H
Thoris is my moorit badger Torfi daughter; Askja is a spotted black badger Nikulas son, carrying moorit.
Lambs will be 1/4 Torfi and Nikulas, 1/8 Florgodi, 1/16 each Karl Philip and Geri, 1/32 Blesi, Tigull, and Joakim; with Biskup, Ari and Prestur; and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (91% AI; 91% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be black or moorit, badgerface or solid, and if not spotted, must carry spotting.
Vestra (F1 AI) BEL 130G x Frakki (AI sire)
Vestra is spotted black Ungi daughter possibly carrying moorit; Frakki is moorit with classic Leader markings.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Frakki, 1/4 Ungi, 1/8 Florgodi, 1/16 Ger; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~97% AI; ~97% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be solid or gray pattern, and black or possibly moorit with the classic Leader markings.
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SHETLANDS
I set up five breeding groups this year, three with proven boys that give gorgeous lambs with stunning fleece, and two with handsome newcomers to the breeding flock. I’m expecting some real beauties in the spring!
** Bellwether Houney – a caped flecket katmoget ram. He’s the son of Bellwether Oiseval and Twin Springs x Foula, so he must carry moorit. A very calm, respectful and friendly boy who answers to the name “Monkeyshine”.
x High Bid Foula My first white pattern Shetland! There’s a 50% chance that the lambs will be white, but if not, solid black or katmoget are possibilities. Moorit may appear as they may be hidden under the white pattern.
** Gods Gn Earth Lightning– a solid moorit ram with no indication of markings in his recent ancestors. But who knows what may be hidden!
x Bellwether Hevda A striking gray yuglet flecket girl with an incredibly soft fleece, not surprising since she is the daughter of Bellwether Magnus x Bellwether Hamara. Lambs could be black, gray, moorit, or musket.
x Bellwether Vaesey – A blettet black girl carrying moorit, daughter of Bellwether Soay and Bellwether Lewis. Lambs will be black or moorit.
** Bellwether Ninian – a gray boy, with a crimpy fleece who may carry moorit. He’s the son of Bellwether Skerry who had a very black and crimpy fleece and Bellwether Hveda. A very friendly boy!
x Bellwether Esha A spotted black katmoget with a harlequin face and very fine fleece. She is the daughter of Bellwether Houney and Bellwether Hamara Lambs will be black, and may be gray or katmoget.
**EbethsHaven Updraft – a musket yuglet flecket. Expecting flashy lambs from him!
x Bellwether Hamara A black yuglet sokket flecket smirslet (HST) girl with a beautiful kindly fleece, daughter of Bellwether Holm and Bellwether Mousa. A flashy lamb in solids or grays is possible!
x Bellwether Uyea - A striking homozygous gray yuglet flecket girl with an incredibly soft fleece, not surprising since she is the daughter of Bellwether Magnus x Bellwether Urie. Lambs will be gray or musket, and will be spotted.
**Bellwether Dùn – a scurred moorit (fawn?) katmoget with excedingly fine fleece. Expecting flashy lambs from him! He is the son of Whispering Pines Neda and Bellwether Houney. His lambs must be moorit, and must have a very fine, soft fleece!
x Whispering Pines Brienne of Tarth A fine-fleeced moorit smirslet girl. Lambs will be solid moorit or moorit katmoget, may be spotted or modified, but are guaranteed to have an ultra-soft, crimpy fleece.
x Bellwether Gruna A solid moorit girl, carrying spotting, with a very soft fleece. She is the daughter of Bellwether Skerry and Whispering Pines Brienne of Tarth. Lambs will be solid moorit or moorit katmoget. They also may have modified color, and may be spotted.