The Big Lambing Thread

This is a bit of a silly question, but if you are staying at accommodation on site at a placement how do you knows it's safe? I was saying to my mum yesterday about some farmers providing accommodation and how I wanted to go and stay on a farm for my lambing next year and she said she'd want to check that they were safe and not crazy axe murderers or something but surely there's no way to prove that

You have to make that call yourself. Personally I was just picked up from the station by a farmer I'd only spoken to a couple of times on the phone, but I appreciate that not everybody would be happy to do that. One of the people that came lambing at the same time as me last year was dropped of by their mother, who then got the chance to look around the farm, speak to the family etc. Could your mother come with you to drop you off?

If you/your mother are still worried then would you be more comfortable to go to a place personally recommended by someone? There are Facebook groups etc for vetty people who are more than happy to talk about their experiences at different farms. I'm sure that all reasonable farmers would be more than happy to speak to your family about it before you go, too. And it goes without saying that you should take your phone, meet in a public place etc etc if you end up going alone.

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Is anyone else in year 13 (going to vet school in September) and struggling to find free time to go lambing? I've booked one Weekend on a local organic I usually help out with but I usually do like two weeks :'(

Would anyone happen to know a farm happy for me to help with lambing even though I've never done it before? I'm nearly 17 going into lower sixth and I'm very much aware that this coming spring 2016 is my last chance before application next year. I live in the SW of England so anywhere around there ideally, thanks in advance

Would anyone happen to know a farm happy for me to help with lambing even though I've never done it before? I'm nearly 17 going into lower sixth and I'm very much aware that this coming spring 2016 is my last chance before application next year. I live in the SW of England so anywhere around there ideally, thanks in advance

It's probably a bit far for you but I could get you in touch with a great organic farmer in Cumbria who can give you free accommodation whilst you are getting your work experience with her. She's used to people coming from all over the place and has had people from London and even abroad before.

That sounds amazing! If it was a short placement during a school holiday, I would be more than happy to travel! If she has an email, would you be able to send it over - [email protected]. Thanks so much for your help

The NSA lambing list went live today

Not today Almost a week ago

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to put some feelers out for potential help with lambing this Dec. The farm I lamb with is looking for help with winter lambing of their pedigree flock.

Our ewes are all AI'd and due to lamb over the first weekend in Dec. However we get lambs coming from around a week before, to a week after these dates. As the farmers also have full time jobs and I am back at Uni we were hoping to potentially find someone who could help oversee the ewes over the week before/after the busy period.
There is also potential to return to help lamb the returns at xmas and the commercial flock in the spring.

No experience is needed, they are excellent teachers! (I started with them as a complete beginner) This would definately suit someone taking a year out to gain experience/resit exams! I started with them in my gap year and never really left the farm! I still go back every year to lamb with them and other routine work with the sheep and pigs.

We are based in Chester. Accomodation and food provided (and the food is superb!) This would be a fantastic opportunity for someone to gain a lot of practical skills an knowledge with farm animals and a very friendly environment!

If interested please contact me in the first instance and I will put you in touch with the farmer.

Thanks

Emily

Does anyone have any contacts for farms which lamb over christmas/new year? I've got a pretty packed schedule over easter so it'd be nice to have lambing over and done with by next term. Cheers

There is one on the NSA lambing list - he's called Bill Hobbs in Dartmoor (just looked it up, I'm not that sad that I remember) and it says: We also lamb over Christmas starting 15/12/15 if anyone isn't a celebrator of the festive season and wants some experience."