After a long winter, the fields and gardens are finally greening. The tulips planted last fall are beginning to push through the earth. I am hoping that last years strawberries have survived the winter. I have no doubt that the rugged raspberry bush will have made it through, and will be producing abundantly once again. Most years by this time I would have incubators full of hatching eggs and trays of heritage tomato seedlings beginning to sprout. Unfortunately, this was the harshest winter in decades, so my usual pre-spring preparations have been hindered.

Oysterbed Farm’s working dogs in winter of 2014/15.

I have been partnering with UPEI as part of their Lamb Survivability Study. There was disappointing news about the sheep test results in the afternoon, and I realized that an ewe that I thought was just a bit lame actually has a bad case of mastitis. I also have a lamb with a rattly chest who is not gaining weight. I thought he was getting better, but now I regret not giving him antibiotics sooner. Sometimes medications will save them and sometimes they will kill them. In the end all you can do is make a decision and then hope for the best.

First batch of Black Welsh Mountain lambs.

Thankfully, I have a throng of healthy, vigorous lambs frolicking in the pasture. There are also plenty of duck and chicken eggs this spring with customers eagerly awaiting them.