Hello everyone.

This year, New Year's Day got off to a calm start, and it feels like there have been more warm days than usual here in the Tategamori area.

Currently, it is the so-called "mid-winter" according to the calendar, which is considered the coldest time of the year, but it is still warm as it is raining rather than snowing. However, it can still get chilly in the mornings and evenings, so it is a time when you need to be careful about the health of your animals.

Now, under these circumstances, sheep birthing has begun again this year.

Many of you may be wondering, "Why is a lamb's body grey?"

The sheep at Ark Tategamori are called Suffolk sheep, and are naturally black.

But my fur is white.

Newly born lambs have short, thin wool, allowing the black color of their skin to show through.

Don't worry, after about a month it will take on a cute, fluffy white shape!

This year, lambing will begin in January, and approximately 80 ewes are scheduled to give birth over the four months leading up to April.

It is not uncommon for sheep to have twins, so there will probably be a baby boom with more than 100 lambs being born!

The lambs born this January are scheduled to be shown to visitors around Golden Week in 2025, so please look forward to it!

Agricultural Department Takumi Makino