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Kelly and Mike Bartels own OK Acres Shetlands near Monroe, Wisconsin. Both have off-farm jobs. Kelly Bartels is the office manager for Davis Welding in Monroe and Mike Bartels works for the Dane County Highway Department. Abby, a 3-year-old Australian Shepherd, is one of the couple's three dogs. She took time away from her farm duties to pose for a photo.
Sheep at OK Acres Shetlands display the variety of colors and markings found in the Shetland breed. Names used to describe markings are originals used by Shetland Islanders to describe their sheep, according to the North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association.
Shetland sheep at OK Acres Shetlands have 11 acres on which to graze. They are sheared once annually for their wool.
Mike Bartels spends time with a few members of the flock. He raises and harvests hay to feed the animals during winter months.
Kelly Bartels sends fleeces to the Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Research Laboratory housed at Texas A&M University for objective measurement of her sheep's fiber. Fine Shetland wool has a good wave or crimp structure that is suited for spinning yarn with good memory and bounce, according to the Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association.
Wool from Shetland sheep is available in several hues.
A tartan showcases natural colors of North American Shetland wool.
The Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association's Traditional 1927 trademark has been developed to assure consumers of the high quality of Shetland wool and wool products.
A photograph of a sheep flock in the Shetland Islands and a roomful of grand-champion ribbons reminds Kelly Bartels of where her passion for raising Shetland sheep has taken her.
Kelly Bartels visits with a Flecket Shetland lamb. Flecket refers to the marking; the tips of the animal's wool are sun-bleached and appear brown, but the sheep is black-based.
A flock of sheep roam gently-rolling slopes at OK Acres Shetlands. In the background are the Bartels' two horses, a Tennessee Walking Horse and a Fox Trotter.
MONROE, Wis. – What began as a pleasant trail ride on a friend’s farm has turned into “an addiction” for Kelly and Mike Bartels, owners of OK Acres Shetlands near Monroe.
Lynn Grooms writes about the diversity of agriculture, including the industry’s newest ideas, research and technologies as a staff reporter for Agri-View based in Wisconsin. Email lgrooms@madison.com to contact her.
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Kelly and Mike Bartels own OK Acres Shetlands near Monroe, Wisconsin. Both have off-farm jobs. Kelly Bartels is the office manager for Davis Welding in Monroe and Mike Bartels works for the Dane County Highway Department. Abby, a 3-year-old Australian Shepherd, is one of the couple's three dogs. She took time away from her farm duties to pose for a photo.
Sheep at OK Acres Shetlands display the variety of colors and markings found in the Shetland breed. Names used to describe markings are originals used by Shetland Islanders to describe their sheep, according to the North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association.
Kelly Bartels sends fleeces to the Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Research Laboratory housed at Texas A&M University for objective measurement of her sheep's fiber. Fine Shetland wool has a good wave or crimp structure that is suited for spinning yarn with good memory and bounce, according to the Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association.
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