FELL SHEEP FARMING CALENDAR

The sheep farming calendar has changed little over the years. The 'year' starts with tupping in late autumn, followed by lambing in spring, dipping and shearing in summer, then selling of the older ewes and surplus lambs before 'tup time' comes round again.

Working with nature is the key thing - though the weather can always catch the farmer out.

 

 

Lambing coincides with the arrival of new spring growth. The wetter conditions and poorer terrain of the western fells mean that lambing time is considerably later on the Lake District farms than on the farms of the Howgill and Orton fells and the Pennines. In spite of new developments in veterinary medicines, improved nutrition and farm technology, things are still recognisably as they have been for centuries.

 

FELL SHEEP FARMING CALENDAR
(timings may vary according to altitude and location)




Late Oct-Nov

Tups put in with ewes on fields near the far (in-bye land).

December

Ewes taken to fells where they generally stay until lambing time.

Late Mar/Apr

Ewes brought down from the fells for lambing. Lake District fell sheep tend to lamb from mid-April to mid-May; eastern fells sheep lamb in late March and in April.

May

Lambs given their flock marks. Ewes with single lambs put to the fell in May. Ewes with twin lambs kept on the in-bye until sheared.

July

Sheep shearing. Ewes with twin lambs put to the fell.

September

Lambs weaned; sheep dipped to protect against parasites, ewes returned to fells if young and fit enough. Older ewes 'drafted' (taken out) from the fell flock and either sold or put to a lowland tup.

October

Wether lambs (castrated males) either sold as 'stores' (for others to finish) or fattened on the home farm and sold at between 6 and 12 months old. Tup sales begin.

November

Gimmer lambs (young females) sent away to winter on lowland farms. Returned at the end of March to be put back to the fell to find their 'heaf'. They, in turn, will teach their own offspring where to graze on the fell.