This year brings some new possibilities for the Icelandic and Shetland lambs!
Icelandics: This year, there was no import of frozen semen from Iceland, but I was able introduce some genetics new to North America from straws stockpiled in my nitrogen tank. In addition, farm rams have given me a terrific mix of AI sires and AI farm rams. This year, I will have lambs from horned AI sire Grettir and Böggull; and from polled AI sires Steinn and Loki. Additional substantial amounts of AI genetics were contributed by Burkni, Gandur, Gramann and Jonas, (horned); Frakki, Geri, Golsi, Joakim, Karl Philip, Loftur. Nikulas, Torfi and Ungi (Leader); Hnaller, Brusi, and Höttur (polled) represented in the breeding ewes and farm rams. I’m excited to see what these AI genetics will bring to the flock, and the new possibilities from new and mature farm sires!
And so…..My “Who is Bred to Whom” list, can be found below. As a note – listings of crosses are based on the sire (e.g.: Böggull, horned; Loki, polled).
Shetlands: This winter I bred a number of ewes, using a selection of four sires, each with different colors, patterns and markings. I’m looking for a great variety of colors and patterns, and fleece types from very fine to intermediate. There should be some exciting offspring!
You can check out the possibilities on my “Who is Bred to Whom.” list, below.
THE GRAND “WHO IS BRED TO WHOM” LIST
HORNED ICELANDICS
Böggull (AI sire) x Presta (F2 AI) BEL 134G
Bogull is badger-mouflon, carrying both moorit and spotting; Presta is my spotted black Karl Philip grand-daughter, possibly carrying moorit.
F1 AI lambs will be: 1/2 Bogull, 1/8 Karl Philip, 1/16 Blesi, and Joakim, ~1/32 Tigulli and Prestur; with Ari, Biskup, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (88% AI and ~88% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be badger, or mouflon pattern, in black or possibly moorit, and may be spotted.
Grettir (AI Sire) x Torfa (F1 AI) BEL 606M
Grettir is solid moorit; Torfa is my moorit mouflon who must carry spotting.
F1 lambs will be: 1/2 Grettir, 1/4 Kurdo. 1/8 Jonas with some Flotti, Haenger, Bambi, Kani and Aboti (~92% AI).
Lambs will be moorit in either mouflon or badger pattern, and may be spotted.
Jukur (F2 AI) x Fláa (F1 AI) BEL 026F
Jukur is a spotted black badger; Fláa is my Burkni daughter, who is white, carrying solid, but probably not moorit or spotting.
Lambs will be 1/4 Burkni; 1/8 each Drifandi, Loftur, Geri and Nikulas, 1/16 each Florgodi and Tigull; with Biskup, Ari, and some Moli Kani, Flotti, and Aboti (~88% AI).
Lambs will likely be white, and will carry solid or badger.
Kurdo (AI sire ) x Akra (F2 AI) BEL 032F
Kurdo is moorit mouflon, carrying spotting; Akra is a black-gray Gramann and Gandur grand-daughter, possibly carrying spotting and moorit.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Kurdo, 1/8 Gramann, 1/8 Gandur, 1/16 each Kani and Flotti (~88% AI).
Lambs will be mouflon, gray, gray-mouflon or solid pattern, may be black or moorit, and may be spotted.
ICELANDIC LEADERSHEEP
Askja (F1 AI) BEL 206H x Brana (F2 AI) BEL 132G
Askja is a spotted black badger Nikulas son, carrying moorit; Brana is my spotted moorit mouflon grand-daughter of Golsi.
Lambs will be 1/4 Nikulas; 1/8 Golsi and Florgodi; 3/32 Geri; 1/16 Karl Philip; ~1/32 Tigull and Leifur; with Ari, Blesi, Biskup, Prestur, Hynkill, Bambi, and some Moli, Morro, and Yeoman Blessa. (87% AI and ~83% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be mouflon, badger, badger-mouflon or solid pattern, will be spotted, and may be either moorit or black.
Askja (F1 AI) BEL 206H x Thjórsá (F1 AI) BEL 420K
Askja is a spotted black badger Nikulas son, carrying moorit; Thjórsá is a black spotted Ungi daughter with classical Leader markings, possibly carrying morrit.
Lambs will be 1/4 Nikulas and Ungi, 1/8 Florgodi, Karl Philip and Geri, with Biskup, Tigull, Ari and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~94% AI; 94% Leader genetics).
Lambs will be solid or badgerface, will black or moorit, and will be spotted.
Askja (F1 AI) BEL 206H x Thoris (F1 AI) BEL 408K
Askja is a spotted black badger Nikulas son, carrying moorit; Thoris is my moorit badger Torfi daughter.
Lambs will be 1/4 Torfi and Nikulas, 1/8 Florgodi, 1/16 each Karl Philip and Geri, 1/32 Blesi, Tigull, and Joakim; with Biskup, Ari and Prestur; and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (91% AI; 91% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be black or moorit, badgerface or solid, and if not spotted, must carry spotting.
Grundir (F1 AI) BEL 511L x Mora (F1 AI) BEL 513L
Grundir is a moorit badger Torfi son, carrying spotting; Mora is spotted black Nikulas daughter possibly carrying moorit.
Lambs will be: 1/4 Nikulas and Torfi, 1/8 Ungi, Florgodi and Strumpur; 1/16 Geri; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~97% AI and 97% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be badger or solid in either black or moorit, and may be spotted.
Grundir (F1 AI) BEL 511L x Vedde (F1 AI) BEL 417K
Grundir is a moorit badger Torfi son, carrying spotting; Vedde is a moorit Stumpur daughter with classic leadersheep markings.
Lambs will be: 3/8 Strumpur; 1//4 Torfi; 7/32 Geri; 1/16 Florgodi and Loftur; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa. (~97% AI; 97% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be morrit, either solid or badger, and may be spotted.
Grundir (F1 AI) BEL 511L x Vestra (F1 AI) BEL 130G
Grundir is a moorit badger Torfi son, carrying spotting; Vestra is spotted black Ungi daughter possibly carrying moorit.
Lambs will be 1/4 Torfi and Ungi; 3/16 Florgodi; 1/8 Strumpur; 3/32 Geri; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~96% AI; ~96% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be solid or badger pattern, in black or possibly moorit, and if not spotted, must carry spotting.
Jukur (F2 AI) BEL 630M x Kerling (F1 AI) BEL 620M
Jukur is a spotted black badger with classic leadersheep markings: Kerling is a moorit gray Frakki daughter, also with classic leadersheep markings.
Lambs will be: 1/4 Frakki, 1/8 Kjartan, Loftur, and Nikulas; 1/16 Strumpur, ~3/32 Florgodi and Geri; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa. (95% AI and 95% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be badger, gray, gray-badger or solid, moorit or black, and will be spotted.
Jukur (F2 AI) BEL 630M x Myra (F1 AI) BEL 413K
Jukur is a spotted black badger with classic leadersheep markings; Myra, my Kjartan daughter, is a spotted moorit.
Lambs will be 1/4 Kjartan, 1/8 each Strumpur, Loftur, Florgodi , Geri, and Nikulas; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa. (94% AI and 94% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be moorit or black, in either solid or badger pattern, and must be spotted.
Jukur (F2 AI) BEL 630M x Stora (F1 AI) BEL 218H
Jukur is a spotted black badger with classic leadersheep markings;; Stora, my Strumpur daughter, is a spotted moorit badger.
Lambs will be 1/4 Strumpur; 3/16 Florgodi; 1/8 each Loftur and Nikulas; 5/32 Geri; with Tigull, Biskup, Ari, and some Moli and Yeoman Blessa. (93% AI and 93% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be moorit or black, , in either solid or badger pattern, and must be spotted
Keldur (F1 AI) BEL 419K x Frida (F1 AI) BEL 405K
Keldur is a moorit Kjartan son with classic Leadersheep markings; Frida, my Nikulas daughter, is a spotted black-gray.
Lambs will be 1/4 Nikulas and Kjartan; 1/16 Joakim and Florgodi; 1/32 Leifur and Geri; with Ari, Leifur, Tigull, Biskup;, Bambi, Hynkill, Blesi, with some Prestur, Morro, Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~84% AI; 80% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will likely be black, may be gray or solid pattern, and must be spotted.
Keldur (F1 AI) BEL 419K x Nuna (F1 AI) BEL 410K
Keldur is a moorit Kjartan son with classic Leader markings; Nuna, a Nikulas daughter, is black spotted, perhaps carrying morrit.
Lambs will be; 1/4 Nikulas and Kjartan; 1/8 Ungi, 3/32 Geri; 1/16 Florgodi,; with Leifur, Tigull, Biskup, Ari, Bambi, Hnykill, Blesi, and some Prestur, Moli, Morro and Yeoman Blessa. (~90% AI; 88% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will be solid pattern, spotted, and probably black, but perhaps moorit.
Viti (F1 AI) BEL 615M x Jora (F1 AI) BEL 204H
Viti is a solid black Kjartan son with classic Leader markings; Jora is a black spotted Nikulas daughter with classical Leader markings, possibly carrying morrit.
Lambs will be: 3/8 Nikulas 1/4 Kjartan; 3/32 Joakim, 1/32+ Leifur, with Biskup, Tigull, Ari, Bambi, Hynkill, with some Morro, Moli and Yeoman Blessa (~90% AI; 88% Leader genetics).
Lambs will be solid, will likely be black, but must carry moorit; and will be spotted.
Viti (F1 AI) BEL 615M x Krima (F2 AI) BEL 507L
Viti is a solid black Kjartan son with classic Leader markings; Krima is spotted black badger.
Lambs will be: 3/8 Nikulas; 1/4 Kjartan; 1/16 Florgodi, Joakim and Geri, 1/32 Leifur and Tigull, with Biskup, Bambi, Hynkill, Ari and some Morro, Moli and Yeoman Blessa (90% AI and 88% Leadersheep genetics)
Lambs will be moorit or black, will be solid or badger pattern, and must be spotted.
Viti (F1 AI) BEL 615M x Selja (F2 AI) BEL 014F
Viti is a solid black Kjartan son with classic Leader markings; Selja is also black with Leader markings.
Lambs will be: 1/4 Kjartan; 1/8 Florgodi and Nikulas; 5/64 Geri, 1/32+ Leifur, 1/32 Joakim; with Biskup, Ari, Bambi, Hnykill, Tigull, Blesi, Prestur amd some Moli, Morro, and Yeoman Blessa (~81% AI; ~77% Leadersheep genetics).
Lambs will likely be solid black, and may carry moorit, and must be spotted
POLLED ICELANDICS
Jukur (F2 AI) x Gæsa (F1 AI)
Jukur is a spotted black badger; Gæsa is my white Hnallur daughter, carrying mouflon or solid, spotting, but not moorit.
Lambs will be: 1/4 Hnallur, 1/8 Aladin, Loftur and Nikulas; ~1/16 Geri and Florgodi; with some Hynkill, Tigull, Biskup, Ari, Serker, Dalur, Moli, and Jokull (~87% AI)
Lambs will be white , badger, solid or mouflon in black, and may be spotted.
Loki (AI sire) x Silfra (F1 AI) BEL 607M
Loki is heterozygous gray; Silfra is a homozygous gray Brusi daughter. polled ewe lamb, possibly carrying moorit and spotting.
F1 AI lambs will be: 1/2 Loki; 1/4 Brusi; 1/8 Grafeldur; with Dalur and Jokull (90% AI).
Lambs will be either heterozygous or homozygous gray.
Steinn (AI Sire) x Barna (F2 AI) BEL 909E
Steinn is solid black, possibly carrying moorit is heterozygous for the R171 protective Scrapie allele; Barna is my moorit badger grand-daughter of Höttur and Skrauti who may carry spotting.
F1 AI lambs will be 1/2 Steinn, 1/8 Höttur, 1/8 Skrauti, , with some Dalur, and Jokull (~79 % AI).
Lambs will be black or moorit, and either solid or badger pattern.
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SHETLANDS
I set up four breeding groups this year, all with proven boys that give gorgeous lambs with stunning fleece. I’m expecting some real beauties in the spring!
** Bellwether Houney – a caped flecket katmoget ram. He’s the son of Bellwether Oiseval and Twin Springs Foula, so he must carry moorit. A very calm, respectful and friendly boy who answers to the name “Monkeyshine”.
x High Bid Foula My first white pattern Shetland! There’s a 50% chance that the lambs will be white, but if not, solid black or katmoget are possibilities. Moorit may appear as it may be hidden under the white pattern.
** Gods Gn Earth Lightning– a solid moorit ram with no indication of markings in his recent ancestors. But who knows what may be hidden!
x Bellwether Uyea - A striking homozygous gray yuglet flecket girl with an incredibly soft fleece, not surprising since she is the daughter of Bellwether Magnus x Bellwether Urie. Lambs will be gray or musket, and may be spotted.
**EbethsHaven Updraft – a musket yuglet flecket. Expecting flashy lambs from him!
x Bellwether Hamara A black yuglet sokket flecket smirslet (HST) girl with a beautiful kindly fleece, daughter of Bellwether Holm and Bellwether Mousa. A flashy lamb in solids or grays is possible!
x Bellwether Esha A spotted black katmoget with a harlequin face and very fine fleece. She is the daughter of Bellwether Houney and Bellwether Hamara Lambs will likely be black, but may be moorit, and may be solid, gray, musket or katmoget. Spots are assured.
**Bellwether Dún – a scurred moorit (fawn?) katmoget with excedingly fine fleece. Expecting beautiful lambs from him! He is the son of Whispering Pines Neda and Bellwether Houney. His lambs must be (or carry) moorit, and must have a very fine, soft fleece!
x Bellwether Gruna A solid moorit girl, carrying spotting, with a very soft fleece. She is the daughter of Bellwether Skerry and Whispering Pines Brienne of Tarth. Lambs will be solid moorit or moorit katmoget. They also may have modified color, and may be spotted.
x Bellwether Hveda A striking gray yuglet flecket girl with an incredibly soft fleece, not surprising since she is the daughter of Bellwether Magnus x Bellwether Hamara. Lambs could be black, or moorit, and will be gray, musket, solid or katmoget pattern. Spotting is also possible.