The Smallholder Magazine No.4 Lambing & Kidding Back Issue

For the flock keeper, this time of year is about new life and a new beginning. To reflect this Practical Sheep, Goats and Alpacas brings you a lambing and kidding special to help you get the best from this time. It’s important to look after your stock now but don’t forget to look after yourself as well – it’s so easy to neglect your own needs in the 24/7 world of lambing and kidding. Tiredness is a real challenge as there is no doubt that the more observation you give your flock, the more successful the safe delivery of youngsters. Try to get someone else to at least check your stock while you get some rest, even if they have to wake you if help is needed. Eat properly and keep warm too. Remember you are a very important member of the flock! Without their keeper, the flock will be in trouble so you need to look after you as much as you do them. Show Time With spring comes the beginning of the show season and there are some fantastic events in the early spring such as the British Alpaca Society’s National Show and Wonderwool Wales. For alpaca owners who want to take part in shows, we have a guide to starting showing from an expert. I love going to shows and learn a lot just watching the judges in action, and I try to work out before they place the animals who will be the winner. People are so helpful and if you ask a steward they will
explain the criteria by which the judges make their decision. Out and about in Africa I’ve included a report about goats in Uganda as I visited this country in November. I was picked by the British Guild of Agricultural Journalist to be one of a party of 15 journalists from around the world
to look at some aspects of Ugandan agriculture. Naturally the goats caught my eye and I was struck by the importance of the goat at all levels of society.