harley livestock

Geri called at about 11:30 their time. They had just returned from dinner. Geri's crew doesn't think much of the food so far. I know Patrick mentioned on his site that it was good. They all felt like they would not be gaining weight on this vacation. Amy is madly working on getting up the scores from day. It is a long lengthy list of info but I can say that no one from the US or Canada made the cut today. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Check the web site www.bordercollies.com for updates. Amy will have them done soon. Geri did mentioned it could be late again tomorrow before she calls again. Mandy

The only reason I asked about notiching is there is a lady near me who raise Suffolk uses this system. I have used ear notches to identify easily from a distance who a father is of a ewe but not for numbering. I agree that notching for permanent identification is tricky to learn but it is more permanent than the tags and could be read without handling the sheep like a tattoo. I appreciate all this food for thought.

Pat, I am sorry to hear of his condition. I understand your pain. My dog was injured with significant brain trauma. She was fine(really I placed at a big trial less than 3 weeks from the accident) just after the accident but 6 months later. She started missing little things. So little that my husband who also runs dogs could not even see. 1 year from the accident she was still trying and he could see when she missed flanks. 1 1/2 years from the accident I had her BAER tested and they said she was at that point 95% deaf. I was not ready to give her up yet she was my first dog I had trained to the Open and probably the best dog I have owned to this day.One day she went out the drive way and It took me 45 minutes of frantically calling and serching before I found her. I knew at that point she needed a more controlled environment. I hate to think if she had gone the other way she would have been out on the highway. I found it hard to explain to my local vet that she just was not the same. He checked everything from Lymes to hips and all between. I keep complaining that it was like she didn't even know when she had screwed up. I even took her to a large teaching hospital 6 hours away. They to did not understand. I kept saying she is just not the same. Her energy is good and attitude was good but she had not connection to my commands and seemed confused. When we finally diagnosed the problem it was a relief. I guess there is something to that. At least you have your answer. Best of luck

Thanks Rebecca for going above and beyond on this issue. I have to say even in the light the tattoo is difficult to read. Perhaps ear notching is the best answer. What do the rest of you think? I was just out looking at the lambs and most are ok but a handful of them are really droopy. I will have to look into other options for next year.

I have used the 2x tags for a couple years now. I haven't had one fall out. I tag them when the lambs are quite young 3 to 5 days old. For those of you who have used them, were do you put it in the ear? I put it where it shows in the catalog (which is on the top of the ear) and have been left with a bunch of limp ears. I wonder if a person should put it lower on the ear and as close as possible to the head. Not that limp ears are a bid deal just wondering. Anyone have any suggestions?

Amy should have added but didn't that in order to run at the Western States Regionals you must be a member of the USBCHA. I wonder how many memberships are sent in because of Geri and Amy's Regionals concept?