The Rural Voice, 1981-05, Page 39Perth teacher
is giving
Iambs a try
BY DONNA THIEL
Ian Forrest of R.R. 1. Brunner is a
young farmer who divides his time
between teaching economics and history
and raising purebred Suffolk sheep.
lan and Beth Forrest bought an 87 -acre
farm north of Rostock in 1977. Forrest,
who still teaches at Cameron Heights
Collegiate. Kitchener. felt sheep raising
was within his capabilities and finances.
The initial cost of the sheep was low
compared to costs of other livestock like
cattle or hogs. The farm buildings were
suitable for sheep but would have
required extensive renovations if a cow/
calf or hog operation was considered.
This spring. the Forrest's flock consists
of 50 Suffolk ewes. two rams and 41
lambs have already been born. with more
to come.
The lambing period is traditionally
Forrest's busiest time, since the new
born mother and lamb must be placed
together in a pen immediately after birth.
so the two form an attachment. Sheep do
reject their lambs so must be watched
carefully for problems. Since lan is away
during the day Beth, a former nurse.
keeps an eye on the sheep and assists
with the lambing when necessary.
Lambing is traditionally in the months
of April and M" Ir-- r•ycr. if farmers
THE YOUNG FARMER
Ian Forrest. R.R. 1 Brunner raises purebred Suffolk sheep. hoping lamb will be an
alternative to beef and pork.
want lambs ready for the Easter market.
they must be born in the middle of
January to reach the 40 to 50 pound
required weight by the holiday.
Forrest's lambs weren't ready for
the Easter market. but he does sell lambs
that are culls as well as ewes that had
birthing problems. The evils arc sold for
meat. which is Forrest's main income
from the farm operation at present.
The price of lamb isn't affected by beef
and hog prices. Right now dressed lamb
sells for about $2 to $2.25 per pound. for
lambs 40 to 50 pounds in weight. Meat
from older sheep sells for less per pound
than beef.
When sheared, a Suffolk wool usually
weighs seven to nine pounds. It's easier if
the ewe is sheared before the lambing
process begins. In 1977. the wool sold for
40 cents a pound, compared to 10 cents a
pound in 1980. As the cost of synthetic
fibres increases, so will wool prices.
Sheep are noted for their ability to
graze on rough, stony land, but Ian
Forrest's sheep are kept in the barn.
Forrest says the land in Perth County is
expensive and he believes it's better
utilized to produce the mixed grain and
hay needed to feed the animals. Keeping
the sheep indoors also eliminates the
problem of predators such as wild dogs.
"Feed conversion between beef cattle
and sheep shows a definite difference.
For beef cattle eight pounds of grain fed
shows a one pound gain. but 31/4 to four
pounds of grain fed to a sheep shows a
one pound again." noted Forrest.
"The federal and provincial
governments support the Record of
Performance for Suffolk Sheep. In the
eight years of existence there have been
tremendous improvements." says lan.
In the distant future, Ian's ambition is
to sell pure bred Suffolk rams to
commercial herds and ewes to other
breeders. It is a hard market to get into
says Forrest. but accurate records
and good quality stock are a key to the
way.
Beth and lan Forrest's interest in
sheep doesn't end with their own herd;
they're also leaders for the St. Marys 4-H
Sheep Club.
Someday, Ian Forrest hopes his
purebred Suffolk sheep will allow him to
become a fulltime farmer. In the
meantime. believing more and more
Canadians will look to lamb as an
alternative to other meat staples, the
Forrests don't regret their decision to
give farming a try.
THE RURAL VOICE/ MAY 1981 PG. 37