We do sell ewe lambs for breeding in commercial flocks.  These will be from the current year's lamb crop that we feel have the potential of being selected as replacements for our own flock.

A few ram lambs from our top producing ewes are kept and sold as crossbred rams to commercial producers.

The 2011 lamb crop is sired by either the Suffolk, Texel or Targhee ram.  We bring in rams for breeding that are strong for traits we want to increase in our flock.  Occasionally there will be a mature ram for sale.

At times, good mature producing ewes from our flock are available.  These ewes would be generally kept in the flock and are not cull ewes.

Feeder lambs

Some of our lamb crop is sold by mid May to mid July as feeder lambs and average about 45-50 pounds each.  These lambs will have had creep feed before going out on pasture and are still with the ewes, so some are nursing and all have had overeating shots and were dewormed.

In past years, the University of Wisconsin has purchased some of our feeder lambs, and have included them in nutrition studies and in ultra sound trials to assess carcass traits of live animals.

Freezer Lambs

Our list of freezer lamb buyers continues to grow each year.   Several factors are responsible for the growth:

• More people want to know where and how the meat they eat is produced.
• Were the animals raised and managed in a humane manner?
• People are learning about the benefits of pasture-raised meat;  great flavor, high in cancer fighting Omega 3 and CLA's.
• People value the knowledge of knowing the animal was raised by a local farm family who own and operate the farm.
• Pastured on grasses and clovers, no chemicals used in the feed or on the pasture.
• Word of mouth from satisfied customers.

We grow pasture-raised lambs without using hormones or growth stimulants.

Our customers usually prefer a 50 pound carcass.  Whole or half lambs are available. We can provide variations as to size, cutting preferences, ethnic requests and when the meat would be available.  Individual cuts and lamb brats are now available. Please call before coming for individual cuts and brats.

Cutting instructions are determined in discussion with the buyer, the lambs are delivered to a state inspected facility for processing, the meat is cut and wrapped, frozen and ready for the buyer to pick up.

Price is determined by the current market and costs we encounter beyond the farm expenses.  Lambs are selected from our current lamb crop.

Mutton

The meat from sheep over one year of age is called mutton.  Mature sheep for mutton may be available.  They need to be trucked to a processor, and can be made into brats, sausage or prepared for ethnic requests.

Wool

Wool is available for spinning, weaving, crafts and blankets.  Because of the various breeding of the sheep in our flock, we do offer a variety of quality wool.  We follow management practices to produce a clean, high quality wool for our buyers.  The greatest offering of wool would be at shearing.  See the current calendar for date and times.  In 2009, the Festival Wool Show was the largest in the State.  The A-Z Farm entries placed Champion and Reserve Champion fleeces in the Commercial Market Division (not covered), both of which came from Targhee-cross sheep.   The fleeces entered in the Wool Show were purchased by spinners from four different states.

Wool Blankets

Wool blankets are available. Click here for More Information.

Pelts

Lamb pelts are the tanned hides from a lamb.  The hides start the tanning process in the fall and are completed in three months. We generally have some available.  These natural colored pelts make great covers for chair seats, miscellaneous furniture covers, back pads for beds and covers for motor cycle seats, saddle pads, wheel chair seat covers, pet pads, throw rugs and they can be used to help prevent bed sores.  The high quality of the wool fiber on the pelts relate back to the good quality of the wool produced by our sheep.

Yarn

Yarn made from wool grown by our sheep and spun at a local mill is available in natural colored 4 oz. skeins.  Wool blankets are available.