Tailing

Docking lamb tails = bedlam.

The hunter and I heading inland to friends with a farm behind Coalgate. We were part of a team of 6 (The 3 30's as that was the total of our ages) tailing lambs.

It's rolling hill country and we carted a Prattley mobile sheep yard from paddock to paddock. 5 of us would set up while Juliette slowly herded ewes and lambs towards the corner where we'd set up.

Once enclosed the noise is deafening. The pitch increases as ewes and lambs are separated, Mum's milling around anxiously. Then 2 in the lamb pen picked up and presented lambs to the remaining crew.

First comes the ear clip. Ram lambs have one ear clipped, ewe lambs have both ears clipped. When they're older it's easier to identify and separate the ewe from the ram lambs when drafting.

Then it's the tail docking. This farmer favours a rubber ring high up close to the base of the tai. Boy lambs get a bonus ring to stop their testicles dropping. This makes them wethers. They retain the leanness of rams but without the stroppy aggressiveness which always seem to lead to a few escapees living in the rough and reappearing to service every ewe in sight (and a few over the brow of the hill). Naughty.

Next is a shot of drench in the side of the neck followed by a squirt of stuff across the newly placed ring on the tail to prevent fly strike (my job).

The hunter and Juliette did the lamb lifting. The hunter worked out they each lifted 300 tonne.

Tailing isn't much fun for ewes or lambs, less still for the boys. But when it's done mum's and lambs reunite and time takes care of the stress.

Good company, good work, mild conditions and a stunning setting.