Spring Lambing

March 27, 2018

By Joseph L. Murphy, Iowa Soybean Association

Our “Pictures of the Week” takes us to Wilton where Dave Walton is expecting new lambs on his farm daily. Walton is in the midst of spring lambing, a time on his farm that celebrates new life and other seasonal changes. He expects 120 new lambs this year with most them delivered before May 15. As Walton walks through his barnyard, it is not uncommon to see ewes giving birth to twins. The twins usually come 20 minutes apart, and the lambs are usually up on their legs within 10 minutes. Walton said that is a product of Mother Nature making sure that the lambs can fend for themselves if they were born into the wild. Luckily for Walton's lambs, they are protected in the farmyard and under the watchful eye of their dog, Tilly.

Spring on Walton’s farm also means an annual sheep shearing. The wool that grows throughout the year is typically removed in the spring in anticipation of warmer weather. Long fleece can also decrease the mobility of a sheep and become dirty. Walton sells the wool, but unfortunately, it isn't a high paying commodity these days. Enjoy the following photos of spring on Walton's farm.