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March 2008 Class Newsletter
Weather...(global warming?)

I do not believe in the theory that global warming is taking place. Have our weather patterns changed? There is a theory out there that we have started to enter another new mild ice age. I was driven to find out some facts. Why? Because I raise animals and what nature does dictates everything having to do with them. From availability of food to mating and how many lambs survive.

Since records have been kept for where I live by the National Weather Service this is what they show. Record Coldest: 28 degrees January 1966 by 1 degree 29 in 1937 and the Record hottest 107 September 1963, 1 degree over 1960. Some are annoyed by facts: if so I have wasted my time.

 I couldn't help but see that there has been no notable records set since 1998 (hot) and cold (1966). What happened in the 2000's? So far nothing notable!

Have they been arguing about nothing(?) or about a specific region's climate change(?) that has been recorded many times since our planet was formed and has continued since mankind has been on the planet. Mankind has always wanted to be in control of the weather , some now believe we are. Not me.

Month Rec. High Year Rec. Low Year
January 87 1983 29 1937
February 89 1954 28 1966
March 91 1951 33 1953
April 98 1989 38 1970
May 90 1967 40 1970
June 102 1984 48 1967
July 106 1960 49 1940
August 94 1991 52 1941
September 107 1963 49 1954
October 96 1965 32 1971
November 94 1950 34 1958
December 94 1998 32 1971
Keeping track of the sheep... (this lambing season)

Total -21 lambs- 8 of which are female

7 born in 2007. one was female -1 set of twins only 1 survived birth

14 born in 2008- 7 were female- 2 sets of twins all healthy

19 ewes have lambed out of 27 ewes.

Brags...

Winn- Winnifred Dixie of Alban(Sheltie) earned her first title: Junior Herding Dog (JHD) at Stonewall Ranch, Perris on February 17.  Her last test run was at 6 p.m. at night - if the sheep were not white we could not have seen them!  Thanks to Jerry and all our classmates who stuck around to support us through those late night runs.

 

ASCA ...Other Breed Trialers!

 In order to have ASCA qualifying legs tracked and to receive ASCA titling certificates, each non-ASCA registered dog will be required to have an ASCA Tracking Number. This is a one-time fee of $10/dog. At the time of applying for the tracking number, the individual owner must also be an ASCA member 
(click to see http://www.asca.org/News/index.htm) . 

Assisting at class...

 Ways you can help to assist  : get lights,  hold a sheep while it is being sheared, trim their hoofs, to name a few chores. Panel Day, Pen Day. Do not miss the opportunity to learn about the care of the animals you are  herding. Without your help class often is delayed; at least don't complain about the waiting.

Putting a course up or down, putting out the sheep feed and water in their pen, well you get the picture; there is a lot more to herding than just working your dog.