About the farm

Sheep

The property runs up to 1000 fine wool Merino sheep and some "fat lambs". Traditionally lambing commences in spring, some lambs are sold when ready for market while the rest are kept as replacements for  the oldest sheep which are then sold. Generally all the sheep are shorn between July and September.

This is always a very busy time in the shearing shed when the shearers, roustabouts and woolclasser work together to get the wool off. The fleeces are skirted, classed and pressed into bales, which are sent off to Newcastle be sold by auction to buyers from around the world, especially Italy, Japan and China.

Visitors are more than welcome to witness this busy event.

Angus Cattle

The property also runs commercial Black Angus cattle. This beef breed originated in Scotland, they are pure black and have no horns (polled). Like most cattle they are generally even tempered and very inquisitive. The cows commence calving in early spring and the big cattle muster is usually in November when the calves are branded, tagged and given their vaccinations.

Scottish Highland Cattle

Big attractions at Cruickshanks are the Highland Cattle. Originally from the Western Highlands of Scotland and known as KYLOES. They were traditionally mustered on the Islands of LEWIS (in the Outer Hebrides) and HARRIS, ferried to the Isle of Skye off the western coast of Scotland, then swum to the mainland and off to the markets. Hence the origin of the name KYLOE ... it comes from CAOL, the gaelic word for Kyle or narrow channel of sea.

These fascinating cattle are a very strong and resilliant breed, they have double coats, one a long outer coat to withstand rain and snow and the other a soft "downey" undercoat which insulates and locks in the body warmth.

The New England winters can be at times very similar to those of Scotland so the cattle seem quite at home in their adopted country.

Kelpies, horses and alpacas

There are the kelpies (the famous Australian working sheep dog) which work together obeying whistles and commands. When needed, under direction they round up the sheep then move them in a mob from one paddock to another or to the yards or the shearing shed. They are friendly to everyone but fiercely loyal and absolutely devoted to Mike.

New members to the team are the Alpacas, imports from The Andes of South America. They are used on the property at lambing time to ferociously guard the ewes and their lambs from predatory foxes. These stately animals grow wonderful soft and luxurious fibre which needs to be shorn once a year. Since pre Columbian times it has been an important textile fibre and even today it is still known as the "fibre of the Gods" and much sought after and highly valued.

The largest member of the horse team is Peggy, a beautiful bay and retired trotter. The smaller minature ponies are quite a family affair... There is Fern the matriach, daughter Jelly-bean and her daughter Honey, then Phillipe the afterthought, and also not forgetting to mention Milo, Lola and Sparkle, the latest foals.