Teenage day lamber in Essex is ready to take on the world

Libby lambing a 1,000-strong flock near Elmsett, Ipswich.

While the ambitious young lamber didn’t grow up on a farm, Libby is following in her mother’s footsteps who also lambed sheep when she was young. Having worked on a farm looking after 1,110 ewes near Elmsett, Ipswich until recently, she spoke to Farmers Guide about her journey into working with sheep.

“I had my horse on the same farm as a friend of mine whose family farm sheep, so I lambed with them for two seasons, and then I’ve moved on to a larger scale farm this season doing 1,100 sheep,” she explained.

An avid equestrian in her free time, Libby rides with the East Essex Hunt, where she met a lamber working night shifts on the farm near Elmsett. Upon learning they needed a day lamber, she applied for the job and soon began working with the flock.

Despite wanting to work with horses initially, Libby concluded it’s best to keep work and her hobby separate.

“I was at Writtle College doing equine, and I really didn’t enjoy it, so I’ve now taken a year out and have been doing a little bit of everything, sheep, cattle, and working with the vets,” she said, adding she aspires to become either a small animal or farm animal vet nurse.

When it comes to working with sheep, Libby enjoys spending time with the animals and being outside, as well as the challenges that come with the job.

“There’re constant challenges when working with sheep, they like to throw everything possible at you and make your day as difficult as possible,” she said with a hint of amusement.

Libby at her new job ner near Earls Colne in Essex.

Having moved on from her previous job, Libby is currently lambing a 500-strong flock near Earls Colne in Essex. While applying for a veterinary nursing apprenticeship is her plan for next year, she has even bigger plans for the end of this year.

“I’m going to South Africa to do vet conservation,” she revealed, “and then going to work with horses in Zimbabwe, but I’d also love to go to New Zealand and do a season of lambing over there.”

Aware of the pressures facing British farming and how farmers are often blamed for global warming, Libby believes more young people should get involved with agriculture. To those wanting to work with farm animals, she recommends:

“Just talk to as many people as you can, gain as many contacts as possible as the more people you know, the more chance you’re going to get on different farms, experiencing different things.”

As for the more distant future, nothing is set in stone for the inspiring young lamber. “I always knew I wanted to do something with animals, I’m not the biggest people person in the world,” she said with certainty.

“I definitely want to do my vet nursing and I want to travel with that, so like go and be a vet nurse in different countries.”

When asked what her ideal end game would be, her answer was: “I’d love to have my own farm and have sheep, I think that’s probably end end goal.”