AN abundance of adorable, fluffy baby lambs skipping across the paddocks at Lucy Land Merino Farm, is a definite sign that spring is here.

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The new season also brings a return of the Great Lakes Food Trial, with the Bulahdelah Merino farm one of 11 stops along the spring trail.

Owner, Julie Steepe, said 25 baby lambs have been born at the property in the last few weeks, including three sets of twins, which have all been affectionately named.

“We have got five more to go, I could even have another set of twins,” she said.

The dedicated and ethical farmer has been present at each of the births and has been caring for her growing flock around the clock for the past five weeks.

Julie said the lambs need to feed for a minimum of eight weeks, but like humans, some will feed for much longer.

“All the sheep are different, some mothers will feed for another six or eight months, but I still have a three-year-old that I bottle feed,” she said.

“One sheep, named Gentle, has twins every year and she does the bare minimum, she will do the eight weeks and not much more.”

Julie said the baby lambs’ wool will grow a little bit each day, and will have a full coat “ready for a haircut” by the time they are 12 months old.

Visitors during the Spring Food Trail will be able to explore the farm, feed the lambs and take home some chemical free and organically grown merino wool.

“It is about like minded, ethical producers who are working together to showcase this great region and everything it has to offer,” Julie said.

The Great Lakes Spring Food Trail will be held on Sunday 1 October with stops at local farms, wineries and cafes in Bulahdelah, Wootton, Bungwahl and Pacific Palms.

By Daniel SAHYOUN