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Hi Friends, Here is the replay from last night’s meetup, alongside a link to the special offer I provided for the extended training (available through Sept. 5th)! Email me with any questions :).
-the Shepherdess “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:7 |
🐑📚🥳(26 hours left)
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A final message about BIRTHDAY WEEK + a few sample pages from the BOOK!! Thank you all so much for making Birthday week so special. Let me know how you like your books once they arrive! Already own the book, but want access to the $30k Side Hustle Planner? Leave a review and I will send a digital copy of the $30K Planner!
-the Shepherdess “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:7 |
Recession.
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The word strikes fear in many, but I actually started my first home-business during the Great Recession of 2008. I was in 9th grade. I used a $14 allowance and supplies from around my house to get started. By the time I graduated high school, that side-hustle had become (by God’s grace) a full time income for me. I outline the planning process for a side-hustle in my $30k Side-Hustle Planner (+Video Class) — which is my GIFT with every order for the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture through Thursday, 8/22!
I am including the $30k Side Hustle Planner (+Video Class) with each copy of the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture (through Thursday, 8/22).
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I believe God gives the increase, so I am not promoting any income guarantees… This planner designed to help you apply wisdom to the planning process :)!
| BUY THE BOOK, RECEIVE the $30K PLANNER BONUS! |
$30k Side Hustle Planner is FREE with EVERY ORDER FOR THE Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture through Thursday 8/22!
Thanks for helping me celebrate Birthday Week for my book!! 🥳
I so appreciate you all,
-the Shepherdess
“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Isaiah 48:18
the names…
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(If you can’t purchase a book right now, scroll to the bottom for links to my FREE resources) I’m continually humbled when names float across my screen that have been with me since (nearly) day 1. Names like Doug, Judah, George, Jessica, Tessa, and dozens more. This morning, so many of you (old and new) showed up to support the First Birthday Celebration of the Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture. I am offering Birthday BONUSES this week, including:
Whether you are an old friends or a new one: THANK YOU. Your support of my paid products allows me to continue to create resources for this community. Can’t spend the money on a book right now? Most of my resources are actually free. Here are links to what I have to offer:
Thank you all so much! -the Shepherdess “I wish I had bought this book Before I bought my sheep. I think the book is UNDER priced because of the amount of information in it.” -Will P.
“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:7 |
🥳📚LIVE NOW!! (bonus for first 20)
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🎉1st BIRTHDAY EVENT IS LIVE!! (Small Farm Revival Tee for the first 20 to orders, and the $30k Side Hustle Planner comes WITH EVERY BOOK!!) the Basics Raising Sheep on Pasture (BOOK), Birthday week bonuses:🎉
Already own the book, but want access to the $30k Side Hustle Planner?
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| LEAVE a Review |
Here is a video of how this book came together:
-the Shepherdess
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:7
1 year old. 🎉📚🐑
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The celebration starts on Thursday (8/15) at 8am CST!! Free tee for the first 20 orders on Thursday Morning. DETAILS HERE ⬇️⬇️ the Basics Raising Sheep on Pasture (BOOK), Birthday week bonuses:🎉
Already own the book, but want access to the $30k Side Hustle Planner? Leave a review at the website and I will give you a digital copy!
Interested in how this book came together? Here is a look at the self publishing process: -the Shepherdess “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:7 |
BREEDING DORPER SHEEP ON PASTURE (My Small-Scale System)
(Click Here) PRINTABLE BREEDING-PREP CHECKLIST!
Interested in purchasing my Dorper Lambs? Subscribe to my waitlist below!
An Overview of My Breeding Program for Dorper Sheep
Welcome! Today, I’m sharing a quick overview of my breeding program for my small flock of Dorper sheep, which I manage on 30 acres.
Topics I’ll Cover:
- Selecting a Breeding Ram
- Preparing Ewes for Breeding Season
- Essential Minerals for Flock Fertility
- Timing the Breeding Season for Optimal Pasture-Based Lambing
About My Farm:
I farm in Northeast Texas, where winters are mild and summers can be extremely hot. We raise purebred Dorper sheep, primarily for meat, alongside a small number of stocker cattle for grass-fed beef. The area receives about 45 inches of rainfall annually, making it ideal for regenerative, pasture-based farming.
My farming system is simple and low-input. Beyond pasture, feed supplements are reserved for emergencies. I don’t engage in broad-based pasture planting or cover cropping. My sheep graze whatever grows naturally, and we see forage quality improve year over year with good pasture management.
I practice rotational grazing using electric fencing, moving the sheep to new paddocks at least twice a week during the growing season. This regenerative approach has been crucial in taking our sheep and land from merely surviving to truly thriving.
While we have a simple two-sided shelter for protection against freezing rain and occasional snow, I aim to keep my sheep on pasture as much as possible throughout the year. I market Dorper sheep for breeding stock to other small farms, and what isn’t sold for breeding is raised as pasture-raised lamb.
Selecting a Breeding Ram:
The ram, or flock sire, is pivotal in upgrading or downgrading the quality of a sheep flock. When choosing a ram, I consider his physical characteristics and the system from which he comes—factors like grain versus grass feeding, climate, and flock health are crucial.
I recommend taking your time to find a high-quality ram, as he can significantly impact your flock. I once traveled 1,000 miles and spent around $3,000 to acquire an exceptional Dorper ram, and it was worth the investment.
Key traits I look for in a Dorper breeding ram include:
- Lowline Body: eg. Short legs.
- Muscular Build: Especially in the hindquarters, which is a prime meat area.
- Long, Deep Body: Ideal for premium cuts of meat.
- Parasite Resistance and Good Hooves: Essential in a high rainfall environment.
Ram-to-Ewe Ratio:
A good ram can service up to 40 ewes per cycle. However, I prefer one ram per 30 ewes to ensure no ewe is missed and to maintain a tighter lambing window. If you only have one high-quality ram, one per 40 ewes is sufficient.
Line Breeding:
I am often asked if you can breed a ram to his female offspring. Yes, you can breed a ram to his daughters, known as line breeding. I do this without hesitation up to 2-3 generations to enhance desirable traits. While some breeders go as far as 8 generations, I currently sell all third-generation ewe lambs rather than retaining them.
Ram Management:
When not breeding, my ram stays in a clean pen with fresh hay, minerals, and water. If you have only one ram, consider keeping a wether for companionship.
Preparing Ewes for Breeding:
Body Condition: Ewes should have a body condition score of 3 to 4 on a 1-5 scale before breeding. Poor condition can lead to complications such as pregnancy toxemia, hypocalcemia, and low milk production. It’s crucial to either cull thin ewes or supplement them before breeding.
Age for Breeding Ewes:
While ewe lambs can start cycling as early as four months, I prefer to breed them at six months, when they’ve reached half their adult weight. This simplifies management as I keep all sheep in one group.
Mineral Management:
Loose minerals should be available year-round. I recommend Redmond Sheep Mineral, available on Shepherdess.com. Selenium is particularly important, especially in high rainfall areas like mine, where the soil is selenium-deficient. Ensure your mineral mix contains at least 45 PPM of selenium to prevent breeding issues, weak lambs, and white muscle disease.
Grain Flushing?
While grain flushing can increase twinning rates, I don’t practice it. Instead, I ensure my ewes are in good condition and graze them on the best pasture available. My focus is on long-term pasture management and culling ewes that can’t twin on pasture alone.
Timing the Breeding Season:
Lambing with the pasture is the safest choice for a pasture based lambing. To “lamb with the pasture,” calculate the breeding time by identifying when your pasture begins to grow and counting back five months. In Northeast Texas, I typically join my rams with the ewes in early October for March lambs.
Breeding Duration:
I leave the ram with the ewes for 51 days, covering three breeding cycles. This tighter window reduces the risk of lambs being born in parasite-heavy months and shortens the duration of lamb watch.
Adjustments in Breeding Timing:
This year, I bred a month earlier, resulting in February lambs. This adjustment yielded several benefits:
- Reduced Parasite Issues: Lambs gained weight before the parasite bloom in June-July.
- Simplified Management: Lambing was complete before spring grazing began.
- Improved Ewe Health: Peak lactation coincided with peak pasture quality, and ewes had better immunity against summer parasites and diseases.
I hope this overview of my breeding program provides valuable insights. If you found this helpful, please give it a thumbs up and check out the next video for a complete look at a pasture-based lambing season on my farm:
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?” Proverbs 27:23-24
HOW TO RAISE SHEEP (without pasture) | Feed Ration, Minerals, and Parasite Management
Most of you know I raise my sheep on pasture (almost) 24/7 – even in the winter. However I often receive questions from viewers who (either due to climate or small acreage) have to figure out how to feed and raise lambs when pasture is not available.
Today I’m talking with Tim at Linessa Farms who raises sheep in a blended system: 50 percent dry lot and 50 percent rotational grazing. Tim going to provide some answers to your questions: including to affordable feed rations for sheep, minerals for sheep, the best hay for sheep, creep feeding lambs, and more! Enjoy!
Q&A with Tim from Linessa Farms: How to Raise Sheep in a Dry Lot System
Q: Do you graze at all or are you 100% feed supplementing?
Tim: We run a blended system here. During the winter months, from October to May, we use a closed dry lot system. From May until October, we practice traditional rotational grazing. This is common in northern climates.
Q: You mentioned parasites. Are there specific ones that are particularly challenging in a dry lot situation compared to pasture?
Tim: Yes, you need to consider a broad spectrum of parasites, not just the commonly known ones like barber pole worms. In a dry lot, you also have to deal with lice, mange, and the often overlooked coccidia. Cleanliness in your water and bedding is crucial in a dry lot to prevent these issues. If you wouldn’t drink the water, neither should your animals.
Q: Let’s talk about coccidia. What have you found to be the most effective treatment?
Tim: The most effective and safest treatment for coccidia is Toltrazuril, known commercially as Baycox. It’s not FDA-approved in the U.S., so always consult your veterinarian. Unlike Corrid, which can cause vitamin B deficiencies in sheep, Toltrazuril is very effective without such side effects.
Q: How do you detect coccidia? It seems sneakier than other parasites.
Tim: Coccidia often causes unthriftiness, a failure to thrive, and subclinical levels might not show obvious symptoms. Clinical signs include diarrhea or scours. It’s a protozoan parasite that can cause long-term damage to the small intestine. Regular fecal samples are the best way to detect it.
Q: Does using feed in your system cut into your profit margins compared to full-time grazing?
Tim: Absolutely. Any additional costs, like feed or hay, impact your margins. You need to budget and plan for these expenses as they can fluctuate.
Q: What is your feed ration in the dry lot when you don’t have any grass?
Tim: This depends on the breed, but a general guideline is one flake of hay per head per day and about half a pound to one pound of corn per head per day. Adjustments can be made based on the body condition of your livestock. A flake is a segment from a small square bale of hay.
Q: What are the protein requirements for sheep?
Tim: Protein requirements vary by breed. You can use corn, which is about 7% protein, or feeds up to 16% protein. Anything above 16% is usually unnecessary unless you have show animals.
Q: Should you perform regular treatment for coccidia regardless of symptoms?
Tim: There are two main strategies: preventative and treatment. Preventatives like decox, bovetech, and rumensin keep coccidia from growing and are often added to feed. For treatment, Toltrazuril is effective for both preventing and treating coccidia. Regular preventative measures, especially in a dry lot, can be beneficial.
Q: What type of feeder system do you use for your wool sheep?
Tim: We use a creep feeding system, which allows smaller animals to access their feed while keeping adults out. This system ensures that smaller animals get enough feed and helps prevent the bigger animals from dominating the food supply. From birth until weaning, we use a full feed creep system where feed is always available to the young ones.
Brenda asks a good question. Do you supplement additional for better fiber?
Tim: Nutrition is key for good wool. Use a quality free-choice mineral to provide all necessary nutrients. Shampoos are secondary to a good diet.
Let’s talk about minerals just a little bit. This could probably be an entire two hours of its own, but just generally give a little minerals 101. And what do you use at your farm?
Tim: We created our own mineral mix with help from a Purdue University nutritionist. Free-choice loose minerals are better than blocks as they are easier on sheep’s teeth. Ensure a good calcium to phosphorus ratio (2:1) to avoid urinary calculi, especially in males. Avoid all flock minerals and use specific sheep minerals.
Okay. Where can we find your specially blended mineral? Do you sell it?
Tim: Yes, you can find it on the linessafarms.com online store. We even have a no-phosphorus mineral for castrated males.
Alright. Daniel asks: “what about barley? Is it cost-effective versus corn?“
Tim: Barley has higher protein (11-12%) than corn (7%) but is more expensive. I use barley as a supplement, not a staple. Cost-effectiveness depends on your local prices.
Aiden asks, what do you use to stop ticks?
Tim: For wool breeds, wool and lanolin create a natural barrier. For hair sheep, use pour-on insecticides like Silence or permethrin (Ultra Boss). Diatomaceous earth can be an option but has respiratory risks and is less effective when wet.
When you mention “consequences” is it the respiratory risks that you’re thinking of?
Tim: Yes, diatomaceous earth irritates the nose, throat, and lungs. Use it dry and with caution, but chemical treatments are more reliable.
Brenda asks another great question. What type of hay mix? Most alfalfa mixes are going to be 20 percent protein. We and the sheep like rye grass.
Tim: Hay quality varies. A grass mix with some alfalfa is preferable for sheep. Too much alfalfa can be overkill and may cause issues like cud spilling.
Alright, Tamlyn says, I can’t get my lambs to eat from the creep. What do I do?
Tim: Try adding soybean meal to the creep feeder; it’s fine-textured and attractive to lambs. Older lambs will eventually teach younger ones to use the feeder. Adding molasses or sweeteners can also help.
Daniel asks, are you able to get commodity prices on grain where you live?
Tim: Yes, contact local farmers to buy directly and save money. Use containers like 55-gallon barrels or mini bulks for storage. This approach cuts out middlemen and reduces costs.
So you are suggesting going direct to the farmer and essentially finding a way to store in bulk.
Tim: Exactly. Whole corn stores well if kept dry, and buying directly from farmers is cheaper. It benefits both the farmer and you.
Is there any harm in using an existing ram for new flocks?
Tim: It depends on your goals. For genetic diversity, bring in new genetics regularly. Using the same ram is fine for terminal breeds if you’re not keeping offspring.
Alright. Let’s talk about transitioning from dry lot to pasture. Any best practices for that?
Tim: Feed them their usual diet before turning them out to pasture. This prevents gorging and reduces the risk of bloat. Gradually introduce new forage over several days.
Are you still looking to breed out of season?
Tim: Yes, we use an accelerated lambing program and breed year-round. Success depends on your breed; for example, Polypay and Dorset breeds adapt better to out-of-season breeding than Katahdins.
Details on 2024 Dorper Lambs for Sale
Hi friends,
On May 28th I am announcing the winner of the Dorper Dream Flock Giveaway(8 days left to submit your grant application if you have not yet!).
May 30th Lamb Sale Details:
On May 30th I will be selling a handful of ewes lambs and rams lambs from my flock. They will be for sale through this link at 8 am CST (bookmark that link for quick access on sale May 30th). Here are some details about the sheep I am offering:
- The Dorpers I am offering for sale are purebred. Their sire (father) is registered, their dams (moms) are commercial purebred ewes.
- These are some of the most solid grass-based Dorper genetics you will find. These Dorpers will thrive on a well-managed pasture based system. At my farm, grain is reserved for emergency situations and is not a baseline feed for my flock. Quality pasture is our baseline!!
- Pickup dates will be scheduled for June-July in Northeast Texas (more information will be provided directly to the buyers after purchase).
- Rams and ewes are half brothers/sisters this year, so I do not advise breeding them together.
-the Shepherdess
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2
Dorper Dream Flock Grant
Hello Friends,
I want to make sure you know about my 2024 Dorper Dream Flock Grant. Through this grant I am giving one of you 3 sheep from my flock to start your own! (1 ram and 2 ewes)
I am accepting applications for 2024’s flock grant through May 28th! Tap the button below for more information on how to submit your grant application:
-the Shepherdess
“Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3
“Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3
THE $1.5 TRILLION QUESTION | Update on the 2023 Farm Bill (with PRIME ACT)
The $1.5 Trillion Dollar Question: Will the Farm Bill Equal Food Freedom?
I am going to ask you to weigh in on a $1.5 trillion dollar question in the comments below, but first, I have to rewind and share something that happened last summer.
Food Freedom and The Viral Video
Last August, I made a 60-second video that went viral, and in it, I petitioned viewers to call their state representatives on behalf of the PRIME Act, a bill that (if passed into law) would allow me (and small farmers everywhere) to sell meat products processed by our local butchers… something that (believe it or not) is currently illegal.
The Cost of Compliance: USDA vs. Local Butcher
In fact, if I try to sell you this beautiful pasture-raised leg of lamb, which was grown here on my land in rural East Texas and processed by my small-town butcher 15 miles away, I could be federally prosecuted, hit with massive fines, and potentially go to jail.
This is because this meat is missing this: a USDA inspection stamp. This stamp comes when a meat product is processed at a USDA-approved facility with a USDA agent overseeing every step of the processing.
If I have this stamp, I can sell this leg of lamb to anyone in the USA, but without it, I can sell this leg of lamb to no one.
Navigating the Farm Bill
Which seemed like a major win, UNTIL I started to dig into the Farm Bill itself… and found that using the Farm Bill to pass food freedom legislation might be like renting office space in a burning building… but I want to know if you agree… So listen to these facts and give me your honest opinion in the comments section because many of you have asked for an update on this legislation since I posted that viral video last summer.
Understanding the Farm Bill: Historical Context
The first Farm Bill was constructed in 1933 as part of FDR’s New Deal, in response to the economic collapse of the Great Depression and the simultaneous agricultural collapse during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. To this point, agricultural subsidies did not exist, and the USDA’s power was largely limited to seed collection and the distribution of information. The Farm Bill of 1933, otherwise known as the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, was aimed at regulating commodity (which is mostly grain) prices by subsidizing farmers to grow or not grow certain crops based on projected market demand. It also granted the USDA a huge amount of power as the USDA largely became the intermediary agency through which a massive amount of funding flowed.
The Modern Farm Bill: A Fiscal Giant
The Farm Bill has become a true behemoth over the past 100 years. From a dollars standpoint, the Farm Bill is now the second largest piece of legislation regularly passed by the US govt. The 2023 farm bill proposed a spending budget of $1.5 trillion over the course of 5 years, up from roughly $800 Billion in 2018.
But I found out that only 10-15% of these funds are directly designated to farmers.
So something like the PRIME ACT, which is actually asking the USDA to not be involved in local meat processing, might not work so great.
The Influence of Special Interests: A Disturbing Reality
The article goes on to cite that “Rather than solving agricultural problems, the Farm Bill ‘artificially, arbitrarily and harmfully distorts a beneficial exchange of goods and services. Instead, we get political gamesmanship controlled by special interests who pay for access to politicians using the excess profits they’ve earned from their government-granted privilege.”
A Dilemma: To Engage or to Protest?
So, this is the $1.5 trillion question that I want you to answer: Should we participate in the Farm Bill by trying to cobble together favorable legislation for food freedom, or should we protest the Farm Bill in favor of a total remapping of legislation; maybe spending a little less based on the fact that the USA is running a $1 trillion per year budget deficit?
Reflecting on Personal Stance: Reconsidering Support
For me personally, what I know of the Farm Bill now has me retracting my support of pursuing favorable legislation for my small farm through it. I realize that if the Farm Bill passes, a majority of the funding will go to 4-letter agencies who are, willfully or not, making it increasingly difficult for local farmers to thrive.
Your Voice Matters: Vote Below
Vote below, and I’ll be interested in your opinion.
What happened to the 2023 Farm Bill?
For those wondering: The 2023 Farm Bill never passed, and all hopes for progress with the PRIME Act died with it. Currently, the US Govt. has sort of extended the 2018 Farm Bill, and funds are continuing to flow under 2018’s legislative framework.
CALL about the PRIME ACT!
✅THE PRIME ACT IS UP FOR DISCUSSION!! This will alleviate restrictions on custom exempt meat processors and allow small farmers to sell meat processed through them.
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Call your U.S Representative as well as BOTH of your U.S. Senators (Cornyn and Cruz here in TX) by September 5th and urge them to sign on to H.R. 2814/S.907 which will remove restrictions on resale of meat from CUSTOM EXEMPT meat processors
Here is a quick 101 on MEAT PROCESSING RESTRICTIONS!!
Small farmers have 2 options when it comes to meat processing: USDA and Custom Exempt meat processors
To sell their meat to the public, small farmers have to process through a USDA meat processor. These are facilities with USDA agents on the premise at all times.
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If processed at a CUSTOM facility the meat is stamped “NOT FOR RESALE” and prohibited from distribution to the public.
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While it is often argued that USDA oversight is required in order to assure food safety, there are no records of any foodborne illness traced to any custom slaughterhouse since 2012.
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See this link to find your legislators contacts. Please share this video to spread the word!!
#smallfarm #smallfarming #localfood #foodfreedom
Pasture Raised Sheep For Sale
🔹ARE YOU A BREEDER wanting to be a part of the directory? CLICK HERE
I am so excited to be launching the Shepherdess pasture based breeder directory: a place for sheep buyers and sheep breeders to meet.
I receive two kinds of emails every week: emails from individuals looking for pasture raised sheep to purchase, and sheep farms looking to sell or market their pasture raised sheep to an audience that appreciates what they have to offer.
The Shepherdess Breeder Directory is designed to provide the missing link that will connect these two parties.
For the breeder: I will market your farm. And for buyer, I will provide a platform for you to find what you need.
What’s more, is this directory (and subsequently the breeders who choose to participate) will be listed as a primary resource in my upcoming book: The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture. This book will be distributed nationally, providing even more exposure for pasture based farmers in the Shepherdess Breeder Directory.
If you are a buyer looking for sheep, please bookmark shepherdess.com/breeders
If you are a breeder who is interested in being listed in the Shepherdess Breeder Directory, click on the link below. Annual fees apply, however for July and August, I am waiving the signup fee in hopes that you will join.
-the Shepherdess
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3
“$1000 CALVES ARE HERE.” Cattle Market Update for 2023
FULL 35 MINUTE PODCAST: https://bit.ly/CorbittWall23
Corbitt Wall: @cattlemarketsummary8392
Here is a summary of the Beef Cattle Market in 2023 after extreme drought and input costs caused a crash in July 2022.
Join my Newsletter: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessNWSLTR
BUY THE BOOK HERE: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH
EMAIL: shepherdess (at) harmonyfarms.blog
the Shepherdess: All right. Joining me now is Corbitt Wall of National Beef Wires Feeder Flash We are speaking to those who follow the cattle market which crashed in July. Could you kind of give a month to month summary from basically where we left off in July to where we are now?
Corbitt Wall: Well, it came through July with extreme drought. in some of your biggest production areas. Mainly central Texas but also in the, in the northern plains and slightly in the Midwest too in your big cattle areas of, Missouri and Arkansas and places like that. A lot of producers had to cull their herds a lot more than they had planned to, a lot more than they wanted to.
Hay has become extremely high and not affordable to people that are just having to feed hay to keep their cows. So a lot of people had to get rid of their cows, which is resulting in lighter numbers. And our market has come to us in a big way.
In the last six months and is as high as it has been since 2015, and that’s when it was retreating from the all-time record highs of 2014.
the Shepherdess: So going into fall, has there been a category that’s pulled stronger?
Corbitt Wall: Our fat cattle market has, come up a bunch. We’re right in the $1.55 to $1.57 range right now, historically the highest your cattle market has ever been on direct basis is $1.72.
We’re nearing that. I have my doubts if we’re going to hit that. Our, our light calves are, are selling very well and they’re selling very well early. We normally see your grass grazers come into the. early in the year, maybe in January and February because they wanna avoid the rush of the March and April market.
And so they’ve already come into the market because they know that numbers are gonna be tight. They just have to find something to keep those calves alive until the grass turns green. And that’s basically what they’re wanting to do.
Our cow numbers are probably the tightest right now. And then that will lead to our calf numbers being extremely tight. We’re just gonna be a lot lower on our spring born calves than we have been
the Shepherdess: Has there been any behavior in the market from either the producer. Or the Packer side that has people scratching their heads within this last six months.
Corbitt Wall: I haven’t seen as many people looking to take advantage for the big demand that there’s gonna be for replacement stock, for breeding stock. We are just now in the last few weeks, Starting to see more producers keeping heifers back, but a lot of ’em couldn’t afford to, you know, they needed to sell those heifers to, to pay bills.
And the markets come up a little bit affording some producers the option to, to keep more heifers back to rebuild their, their cow herd.
But I thought that a bread heifer or replacement quality open heifer would be higher now than, than what it is. It’s just taking longer. And most of that’s due to your input and, and, and lack of feed. But normally we would see that.
I think our high market may last three years we might have a better window to make some money for a while because your producers weren’t able to reload as quick.
the Shepherdess: In your opinion with that longer window, are we just gonna see a continuation of pretty good prices rather than what we expected… you know, short blitz.
Yeah. within the last six or eight months people say, how good’s this thing gonna get, you know, how high is it gonna get? I think we’re in it now, you know, a a 500 pound steer calf, which is what a lot of people try to raise is bringing you.
$2.25 a pound. That, that’s pretty good. A lot of top quality 600 pound calves are bringing $2 a pound. As a rule of thumb, producers usually want to yield a thousand dollars ahead from their calves. they’re doing it now. But like we said several times already, the input costs and the lack of feed is, is taking fun out if it.
the Shepherdess: And a thousand dollars today would be. something like, you know, $800 two years ago with just the cumulative rate of inflation. Yes, exactly.
ENROLL NOW!!!
Here is what’s included in the Shepherdess Masterclass!
•LAMB FOR LIFE: How to avoid common causes of death on sheep farms. (With hands-on tutorials on how to give shots, medicine, etc)
•GRAZING SHEEP 101: How to setup a grazing system that only takes 1 HOUR PER DAY to maintain. (With Hands on tutorials on how to install charger systems, ground rod systems, what fencing to use, etc)
•MARKETING SHEEP+: How I market sheep (and more) for a full time income without leaving the farm.
6 Farm on the Web Marketing classes:
•How to setup a Newsletter for your farm.
•How to setup a Website for your farm.
•How to sell products on your website.
•How to advertise on social media without paying for ads (3 classes for YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.)
In summary you receive:
9 One-Hour Masterclass Video Sessions
3 EBOOKS (80 pages each)
14 hands on TUTORIAL VIDS (average of 5 minutes each)
2 Supplies Lists (with links to best-price sources)
5 Worksheets
1 Shepherdess Photo Filter for professional quality iPhone shots.
Enrollment BONUS:
First 20 Students to enroll receive 2 hardcopy books.
All students will receive 3 student-only LIVESTREAM Q+A’s with the Shepherdess.
… a $985 value.
THE COSTS OF RAISING SHEEP
ROTATIONAL GRAZING SUPPLIES LIST: https://bit.ly/GrazingWaterSUPPLIES
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15 COSTS OF RAISING SHEEP
Here are 15 costs you need to put a pencil to if you are considering sheep ranching for profit. I am going to give you 10 startup costs, 5 annual costs, and then I am going to tell you the exactly what my sheep farm’s expenses are on a 30 acre scale.
But quickly to answer a major question that popped up in last weeks video: “Why do you focus on a gross of $100k? What about net profit?”
The simple answer is that I have already costed every enterprise on my farm.
Every enterprise on my 30 acre Micro-ranch is on track to earn a net profit minimum of 30% by 2027, with all capital costs paid off.
For me, costing comes first and not last. Long time followers of this channel will know that I have spent the last 17 years in business management for the retail apparel industry. In that industry you do not get the green light to do anything unless you can guarantee satisfactory margins.
So when I became a farmer, I followed the same rules. My goal was to convert 30 acres of grass into a desirable and profitable finished product. So I put pencil to paper and ran the numbers. It is one of the reasons I switched from beef to sheep and you can watch a video that goes in depth about that by tapping here.
Costing first allowed me to get aggressive about my goals. And I have to acknowledge here that it sometimes really painful to be honest about the costs. Like this summer when I spent over $4,000 on hay because we had the 2nd worst drought in 100 years.
I want to encourage creativity in the startup phase. There are a lot of ways to build out these 18 elements. If you don’t have a huge budget straight out of the shoot, there are low cost ways to approach some of the elements on this list. There are a few things that I would not cut corners on at the onset, but for the rest: do your best and make improvements as you go!
Startup Costs:
1. SEEDSTOCK:
Seedstock refers to the sheep (or cattle) you start your flock with. Prices for Dorper seedstock can be anywhere from $350 for quality commercial ewe, to $1,500 for a registered ewe. If you are a beginner, my advice would be to avoid registered animals for your startup. Start with a quality commercial sheep.
2. LAND
Land can either be bought, leased, or bartered for… and I have done all three. The unfortunate reality is that the price of grazing and farm land in the USA has inflated to such an extent that (in most states) you can no longer pay for the purchase of that land with any agricultural enterprise. The bright side is that leasing land is now a more viable solution that ever. The American farmer is aging and the land needs young people to maintain it. For $35 per year I can graze my animals on an acre of land that would cost me $12,000-14,000 to buy. If you are looking at ranching for profit in the 2020’s, you will want to pursue land lease and not land ownership.
3. WATER
Water is an expense to consider, as all livestock needs it. Ponds, wells, hose access, and portable tanks are all options. If there is no water access on your land, ponds and wells drilled on site can cost $15k+. A water tank on the back of a pickup truck is a great solution for sheep farming as sheep consume very little water. A 65 gallon tank costs $230 and one will provide a day’s worth of water to a flock of 60-120 sheep.
4. PERIMETER FENCE
When it comes to small scale sheep farming you need to invest in a good perimeter fence. The fencing at my farm is 6″ woven wire field fence. This costs about $478 per 330 linear ft (materials only).
5. HANDLING SYSTEMS
You will need an area to sort and care for your sheep. If you are just starting and have a very small flock, I would recommend a square pen that will pack your sheep in tight. As your flock grows consider adding a formal handling system to your farm. The tight square pen I started with cost about $500 in materials to construct. The handling system I have now runs about $10k.
6. SHELTER
Your sheep will need a place to escape freezing rain and predators. There are variety of options when it comes to how you can construct your shelter. Prices on these options range from a $500 carport from Facebook marketplace to a $20,000 custom built shed. If you bootstrap a shelter make sure you add gates to the front for predator protection.
The next 4 items are expenses tied to rotational grazing your sheep. I would not recommend starting a sheep farm unless you are able to rotational graze. Moving your sheep a minimum of once a week will cut down on a ton of health problems and save you a lot of money in medicine, mortality, and supplemental feed.
7. FENCE CHARGER
A fence charger for a small system of 10-20 acres will be $250. Larger units for hundred of acres can hit $1000+.
8. ELECTRICAL ACCESS
Solar chargers typically do not have enough power to contain a sheep. For this reason I recommend using fence Chargers that plug in to the wall.
9. ROTATIONAL GRAZING SUPPLIES
Electric polytape, step in posts, etc are fairly inexpensive. I started a really intensive rotational grazing program on 23 acres with about $300 worth of step in posts and polytape.
10. WATERING SYSTEM
If you are paddock grazing, you will need hoses that will reach the various paddocks.
Annual Costs:
11. VET BILLS
On my farm I budget in $7 per head in vet bills. It is not sustainable to haul your animal to the vet for every little emergency, however there are some big ones you will not want to handle on your own. I have about 1 sheep per year that needs vet care. Last year it was a rectal prolapse, the year before it was a c-section. Neither are conditions I am equipped to treat on farm.
12. MEDICINE
Dewormer, vitamin shots, CD/t, and the selective administration of antibiotics are the three medicines I administer within my flock. In my flock, each ewe has a medicine budget of $17.30 and this covers everything both she and her lambs need for one year.
13. SUPPLEMENTAL FEED
If you are feeding hay for the full 90 days of winter, you can expect to feed each sheep $35-45 worth of hay overwinter. This is one area that can really be reduced through management. On average I only feed for 20-30 overwinter.
14. TRANSPORTATION
You will need some way to haul your sheep.
15. MORTALITY
Sheep die, so you will need to factor mortality a a cost.
November Farm Update
Hello Friends,
November was beautiful. However, we had our first predator attack in 3 years. It was pretty bad, but not as bad as it could have been. Details on the attack below (as a warning, there is a censored image at the bottom of the email).
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We had enough grass to graze through November! The drought really cut back on my stockpile this year. I am currently feeding hay as the winter grasses get a head start.
The predator attack was pretty nasty. They killed a ewe overnight and left nothing but skin and bones by the morning. This was the first attack in 3.5 years (the flock spends 24/7 on pasture). We have tight fencing and a mama cow that runs K9’s out of the paddock. However, I moved the cows to my grazing lease 10 days before this attack. I also found areas where the dogs had dug under the fence.
“What about a guardian dog?” I had a really bad experience with my first dog (he bit, chased, and acted in a predatory way toward new lambs). I am open to the idea of a mature/proven guardian dog, but will probably not start with a puppy again. Email me if you have leads.
As a result of the attack, the flock will be spending nights in our gated shelter.
Until next time… Thank you for your support!
-the Shepherdess
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.”
A huge opportunity.
“RIGGED AGAINST THE RANCHER?” Why aren’t cattle prices going up?
I sat in a crazy-long sale barn last weekend, amid the rush to sell cattle in drought conditions here in upper East Texas. Here is what I sold the cows in my trailer for… These cows were bred, but old (I’m guessing around 7-8 yrs) and 10 productive years is about what you can expect from a good cow. They bred late our off season which is why they were the first to go in my drought destocking process. Here are some photos and videos of those cows for reference. These cows brought an average of $720.38 each or 69 cents per pound. By the way, if you follow cattle prices in your area, please take to the comments section and let us know how they are holding out this week.
Despite the fact that cattle receipts were up 2 and 3 times at nearly every local sale barn, live cattle prices were not hit too hard. In fact, after paralleling cattle prices for this very same weekend at this very same auction in 2020-2022 some categories of cattle were actually bringing more than in previous years, despite the glut of inventory. For example a 500 lb steer brought $638/hd in 2020, $625/hd in 2021, and $700/hd in 2022. So there is an apparent increase in live cattle prices here in 2022.
But is this price increase really a price increase? The unfortunate answer is no. We have seen a whopping 14.5% (cumulative rate) inflation since 2020. If you adjust 2020’s prices for that 14.5% inflationthat steer would be $715.56 in 2022 dollars… meaning that adjusting for inflation those steers are bringing $15 less per head than in 2020.
“There are 11.85 million head of cattle on feed as of June 1, 2022. This is the highest on record for any June 1st since the series began in 1996 (since the “cattle on Feed” record keeping series began in 1996).”
Another disaster currently brewing is that breeding stock is being pulled from production and put on feed lots for the food supply chain. Feed lot numbers are at their highest since 1996, while Cattle inventories are at their lowest since 2016. In fact an article by Beef Magazine reports that a record number of heifer calfs (which are young female cows that would typically be put into breeding programs) are being put on feedlots for freezer camp instead of out to pasture for breeding.
In fact to quote beef magazine directly:
“…an increase in heifers in the feedlot mix means higher feedlot totals now but fewer replacements to produce calves later.” -beefmagazine.com
https://www.beefmagazine.com/beef/feedlot-inventories-another-monthly-record-high
What this means is that if the Lord does restore rain to our ranges, we will see a surge in live cattle prices in coming years. The natural resources necessary to support beef cattle at a lower cost will have ranchers increasing their herd size to increase the ranches revenue.
I believe in 2024, the buyers will be searching the market for the heifers that were (unfortunately) put on feedlots and into freezers back in 2022… as the laws of supply in demand dictate: if demand outweighs supply, prices will be better for the supplier.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe live cattle prices will go up enough to amend for the current rate of inflation… not to mention the increased input costs. Stocking rates required to make a conventional ranching operation profitable relies on pasture yields produced by fertilizer inputs and diesel machinery. Historically, chemical fertilizer costs have been relatively inexpensive compared to the yield increase. However, 2022 pricing makes the cost of fertilizer less justifiable… unfortunately most ranches have become dependent on higher yields to support the stocking rate necessary to turn a profit in ranching.
Despite the dismal outlook for the conventional market, I am fighting to keep a small amount of cattle in my diversified ranching operation for two reasons.
#1. In the book Quality Pasture, Allan Nation makes the statement that at the commodity level, beef and sheep as a diversified operations is economically a smart move. The sheep market tends to run in 5-7 year cycles, and the beef in 10 year cycles. A cycle refers to the time it takes for market prices to ascend from their low to reach a high, and vice versa. According to Allan Nation, these two species rarely hit their lows at the same time. In 2022, sheep may be hitting a peak, and cattle a valley. In the coming years the sheep market may soften a little while cattle strengthens a little. Running both species makes you less vulnerable to the highs and lows that each one experiences.
#2. Despite using my local sale barns to escape a drought-induced crunch: I believe that the real money in beef cattle lies solely in direct to consumer marketing: Selling beef small-scale, straight to consumers, straight off farm. And that is simply a model I want to continue to build out on my farm. It is slower going to develop a customer base for beef, but for me, as a small scale rancher, starting with 3 or 5 head the time I can spend time marketing and building a customer base: things like building my website, growing my newsletter, building a social media following, is way up here. If you are intimidated by the marketing I have outlining a 6-step marketing formula for selling products that I would love to send you if you click on the link below.
By the grace of God and with the help of a local rancher I was able to locate the round bales I need to overwinter what remains of my small beef herd. So long as I have the resources, I will be running a small amount of cattle alongside my sheep flock.
-the Shepherdess
2022 Catalog
March Farm Update
Hello friends,
It’s March!! Lambing has kicked off and 40% of my ewes have given birth so far. I apologize: if you have emailed me this month, I have been living on pasture or at the lambing shed and have been slow to respond. That said, join me for Small Farmer Virtual Meetup on Thursday and we can talk there! It is a FREE 1 hour livestream where you can chat with me and 70+ farmers across the globe. REGISTER HERE.
Lambs are dropping! If you saw this video last summer you will know I traveled cross country to bring some new and improved Dorper genetics to the farm. I am super impressed by the quality coming out of my new ram!!
Lamb crop is at about 75% rams and 25% ewes. If the trend continues, I will have plenty of ram lambs available for sale next month! I will send out an email with details on how to place your deposit for 2022 lambs once the final count is in.
Spring grazing is kicking in hard this week! Our growth has been slower than normal due to erratic freezes and a winter drought. But, praise the Lord, we have had about 5″ of precipitation since the beginning of February. It is enough to pull us out of the extreme drought zone and kick start the spring grazing season!
Finally, I want to give a shoutout to one of my favorite grazing resources. It is the book Art and Science of Grazing by Sarah Flack. (Available at ShopShepherdess.com)!
This book is worth it for the images alone! It shows you all you need to setup a grazing plan for sheep, cows, and goats.
Thank you all for supporting my work on the farm!
I appreciate you very much,
-the Shepherdess
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11
YOU’RE INVITED!!!
YOU’RE INVITED TO THE SMALL FARMER VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!
DECEMBER 9TH at 7PM CST!!!
••••WE’VE GOT THE FOLLOWING ON THE ITINERARY•••
🎁CO-HOSTING The North Pole’s leading advocate for holistic management: Eli Elf // @Mackfarms .
🎁Regenerative-ag TRIVIA for prizes!!!
🎁Virtual Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest.
🎁1-1 LIVE CHAT with Small farmers worldwide.
🎁 AND MORE!!!
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PLEASE JOIN US!!!
This will be a LIVESTREAM where you can interact LIVE with other small farmers for a whole hour. Share SKILLS, RESOURCES, and encouragement! Ask questions and build relationships with fellow food growers. 🌱
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INVITE A FRIEND AND JOIN US!
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If you are not yet a farmer, YOU ARE 100% WELCOME. It will be a great opportunity to get to know the community and ask questions!
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Attendees are required to keep it family friendly. Inappropriate conversation and/or 4-letter words will be muted.
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Hope to see you there!
-the Shepherdess
FULL RECAP: 4 SEASONS OF ROTATIONAL GRAZING SHEEP
On August 15th 2021 I put what is now my flock of Dorper Sheep into an intensive rotational grazing program. I kept my sheep out of confinement and moved them relentlessly across 23 acres of pasture for 4 full seasons. What I did not expect, however, was that my first year of rotational grazing sheep would contain historically extreme weather conditions. In this post I am going to share with you how I (by the grace of God) managed my natural resources as well as a few minor inputs to keep my sheep on pasture for 358 of 365 days in my first year.
But why this obsession with avoiding confinement? For 2 years my family had owned this flock of Dorper sheep and their health had been an ongoing struggle. Internal parasites had taken over and we weren’t sure the flock would make it. When I began managing the flock I knew that in order to get the sheep’s parasite load under control 2 things had be avoided at all costs: confinement of any sort and allowing the sheep to graze any paddock longer than 7 days.
Until I began the intensive rotational grazing program with the sheep, my family would move the flock to a gated paddock to sleep at night. This was to keep predators at bay. Unfortunately the predators within this sleeping area were more harmful than the ones outside of it. This gated area contained a significant amount of grass that could be grazed. This, combine with the pile up of manure from bedding down every night meant the flock had a huge amount of daily exposure to parasites. So we took the risk and stopped using the gated coral at night, leaving the sheep in their pasture paddocks. (**Sidenote, we have not lost any to predators this year. This is likely the result of a lot of prayer, a tight woven wire perimeter fence, and 3 mid-large size pet dogs that bark all night).
So with a bit of the “why pasture only” answered, I am going to jump straight into how I managed my Rotational Grazing System to keep my sheep on pasture for all 4 seasons.
Here are three resources that proved invaluable in my first pasture rotation:
Strategic use of paddocks with tree coverage.
Lean-to shed
Autumn:
Challenges: None to note.
As a rule, I make sure my sheep have shade from the sun when temperatures exceed 79 and shelter from the rain when they dip below 65.
I began my Rotational Grazing Program on the cusp of Autumn which was the perfect season to start with. Temperatures were cool enough to where I could paddock the flock without shade, yet warm enough to where I did not need to worry about too much cover for rainfall.
Winter:
Challenges: Rain, ice, off-season lambs, and historic snowstorm.
Resource management:
- Use of lean-to for bred ewes and off season lambs during 7 day snowstorm.
- Avoidance of low-lying swampy areas (cold and wet are killers when it comes to off season lambs).
Inputs:
- Feed for overwintering (which I actually went way overboard on!)
- Bedding for one week of shelter.
In east Texas our winter is not extreme, or at least it was not until the week of February 15th. Thanks to winter storm URI we received close to 11″ of snow and ice, which was more than this area of the country had seen in 30 years. We toughed it out during the ice, but I ultimately pulled the flock off pasture for 7 days during the snowstorms and housed them in a lean-to style shed that we have on property. I was asked what I would have done if I did not have the shelter for my sheep. I would have left them on pasture and moved them to the most dense tree covered area I had. The ewes were heavy bred, and some may have miscarried if I did not have the shelter. It was not as much the weather that would have caused the stress, but the sudden shift from 65 degrees to sub zero and 11″ snow fall.
Spring:
Challenges: Lambing during abnormally high rainfall, leaving lambs on pasture during extreme thunderstorms, managing parasite loads, and hoof care (the pasture was a puddle from February-July which is not good for sheep hooves).
Resource management:
- Using the forecast to decide where to paddock my sheep.
- Planned moves to paddocks with dense tree coverage for the days when intense thunderstorms were scheduled.
- Using paddocks on high ground when rainfall exceeded 5″ in one week.
Inputs:
- Loose minerals.
- Hoof care.
- Dewormer.
This spring took a lot of forward thinking to keep the flock on pasture 100%. Using the forecast I moved the flock to high ground and/or tree coverage when significant thunderstorms were on the radar. When the forecast showed cloudy but no rain, I would graze the paddocks that had no shade whatsoever (this was a bonus because during the summer I would have to skip or haul shade to those paddocks). During significant downpours the temporary shade structures were put way and I made sure every paddock had significant tree coverage. My pastures are really open, so at some points I actually ran out of tree coverage. At those points in time I would open up the back fence onto a previous paddock to allow them shelter in an area from a previous day.
Summer: Extreme uptick in heat (108 heat index for 10 days straight), providing enough shade, watering, managing over mature forage, treating a selenium and electrolyte deficiency in the flock, and providing a small protein supplement on pasture to compensate for over-mature forage and low-rainfall.
Resource management:
- Enlarging my paddock sizing to provide more natural shade and allowing the flock more selectivity in grazing and allowing me closer access to watering points.
Inputs:
- Loose mineral + Selenium Specific Mineral.
- DIY portable shade structures.
- Vitamin/protein/electrolyte recharge.
- Small protein supplement to compensate .
Every season is going to hold both challenges and reprieves. The is to not wish away one season for another, but work day to day to produce solutions.
-the Shepherdess
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:13
All things.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
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All things.
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I lost a ewe last week… and a lamb the just before that.
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The ewe jumped out of the chute during the last inspection and didn’t get the treatment she needed on time. The lamb had a mom with bad udders and didn’t transition to a bottle in time (huge thanks to my little sis for attempting to save her while I was out of town).
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I can go from optimist to fatalist really quickly. I zoom in on the disappointments and forsake the bigger picture. It threatens to crush me sometimes.
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But today, I was leading the flock to a new pasture and turned around. In that moment the Lord gave me eyes to see the bigger picture… and it is a beautiful one.✨
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I hope you don’t face failures or disappointments in this work, but you probably will. When you do, zoom out to the bigger picture.
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God’s grace is sufficient and “all things” include hard things.
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-the Shepherdess
Anniversary
One year ago this month I decided I wanted to make a business out of raising beef cattle.
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“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
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I had no experience in farming, barely spent any time outdoors, and would have been voted “least likely to touch an animal” by anyone who knew me in person.
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But I looked out my window and couldn’t move past the desire to convert 30 acres of grass into quality meat.
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Under one condition: it could NOT be sheep. I watched sheep live on my family’s property for 2 years and wanted nothing to do with them.
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But as I pursued an education in beef cattle, I discovered this neat concept called rotational grazing.
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In preparation for buying my beeves, I wanted to see if I could manage a rotational grazing program… So I asked my parents if I could practice on their sheep.
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One year later, I now own the flock I wanted nothing to do with… and I’m loving it.
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It’s mostly about sheep around here, but tonight I wanted to pause and commemorate the beef cattle that turned me into a shepherdess.
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I am so grateful for the way the Lord used them to direct my steps. 🐂
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-the Shepherdess
REGISTER FOR THE SMALL FARMER VIRTUAL MEET!
REGISTER NOW for April 22nd’s Small Farmer Virtual Meetup! Co-hosting with me this month is regenerative rancher Karl Ebel of Ebel Grasslands Ranch. Karl Ebel has worked extensively with land management practices and rotational grazing to restore portions of his 900 acre ranch to native Tall-Grass Prairie. He has leveraged his natural resources to create a profitable ranching operation. Karl Ebel ranches beef cattle and meat goats in Upper East Texas!
Bring your questions, April 22nd (at 7PM CST) is shaping up to be a great night!
-the Shepherdess
JOIN US for “the Shepherdess Small Farmer Livestream”
THIS MONTH’S CO-HOST: ELI MACK OF MACK FARMS IN PENNSYLVANIA
How to Brood Chicks for BEGINNERS
Multi-Species Rotational Grazing
Multi-Species Rotational Grazing:
Today I’m going to give you a look at our multi-species rotational grazing system. We graze sheep, cows, chickens, guinea fowl, and a mini horse all on the same pasture. On our farm we practice management intensive rotational grazing with all of our animals. We are practicing multi-species rotational grazing on a small scale. Each species of animal complements the other on pasture. Multi-species rotational grazing works with God’s ecological blueprints to stimulate and regenerate the landscape.
All Our Animals Grazing Together:
Multi-species grazing is simply the practice of grazing all different types of animals together on the same piece of land. We graze sheep, cows, chickens, guinea fowl, and a mini horse, all on the same pasture. Our animals get along very well together on pasture. When we initially joined the sheep with the cows, we put them in pastures side by side for a day. This allowed them to get used to one another before the became pasture-mates. Our mini horse, Winnie, is the only one that has given us trouble. Winnie does not like the sheep. Winnie does, however, like the cows and has adopted them as his grazing buddies!
Management Intensive Rotational Grazing:
On our farm, we have implemented a management intensive rotational grazing system. This system employs electric fencing to break up our pastures into small paddocks. We move our animals to a new paddock every 2-7 days, depending on the season. Management-intensive rotational grazing is a benefit to our animal’s health because we are constantly moving them to fresh ground. Management-intensive rotational grazing is beneficial to our land because it allows for even manure distribution and gives our pasture grasses plenty of time to rest between grazing.
Working on a Small Scale:
Our multi-species rotational grazing system is small-scale. We have 3 cows, 25 sheep, 30 chickens, 5 guinea fowl, and 1 mini horse. We are grazing these 64 animals on roughly 30 acres. At this point in time, we have more land than animals. On top of this, the practice of intensive rotational grazing tremendously increases the carrying capacity of our acreage. This gives plenty of room to increase the number of animals on farm.
Grazing 5 Species Together:
Each of the 5 species in our multi-species rotational grazing system complements the other. The cows cut down on the parasites that give the sheep trouble. The chickens and guinea fowl scrape apart the manures for better soil absorption. Last but not least, Winnie, our mini-horse, adds spunk and some defense against predators… but mostly just spunk!
Honoring God’s Design:
At the end of the day, multi-species rotational grazing really honors the ecology that God designed. If you consider it, the Lord made a variety of creatures to inhabit the earth. Each species of animals carries out a specific purpose in nature. If we were to perpetuate a mono-culture by carrying only one type of animal on pasture, our farms would miss out on so many benefits!
-the Shepherdess at Harmony Farms
“The earth is the LORD’S and the fulness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1
Dorper Sheep Characteristics
Today we are talking about Dorper Sheep Characteristics! For 3 years, Harmony Farms has farmed a small flock of Dorper Sheep in East Texas. The Dorper sheep breed is a result of cross-breeding the Dorset Horn sheep with the Blackhead Persian Sheep. A primary characteristic of Dorper Sheep is their heat tolerance. The Dorper sheep breed is known for producing excellent quality meat in arid climates. Dorper sheep are a self-shedding sheep breed, meaning they do not require any manual shearing. With this post we are going to dive deeper into these Dorper sheep characteristics!
We purchased our small flock of Dorper Sheep 3 years ago. Harmony Farms is located in upper East Texas where rainfall is above national average. This climate is more moderate and balmy than the breed is intended for. For this reason, we must intensive rotational graze our Dorper Sheep during the rainy seasons in order to keep the parasite load down. With intensive rotational grazing management, our flock of Dorper sheep is thriving in East Texas!
Dorper sheep are a self-shedding, heat tolerant breed:
The Dorper Sheep is a result of cross breeding the Dorset Horn Sheep with the Blackhead Persian Sheep. The Blackhead Persian Sheep is a breed native to the arid regions of Somalia and South Africa. This side of their genetic pool gives the Dorper Sheep their wool-less heat tolerant characteristic.
The Dorset Horn Sheep is the other half of the Dorper’s genetic line and is a breed native to south-west England. The Dorper sheep is typically a polled breed, meaning they do not carry any of the horned characteristics from the Dorset side of their genetics. Dorper sheep do, however, grow a small amount of wool which is shed by the animal in warm seasons.
When shopping for a Dorper sheep you will often see it advertised that the particular animal is an “easy shed”. While Dorper Sheep are characteristically self-shedding, some animals shed better than others, while some retain a layer of wool on their backs. In our flock of 25 Dorper Ewes, we have about 2-4 that are not good at shedding their wool on their own. These ewes retain a bit of wool year round. If you are shopping for Dorper ewes or rams, it is a good idea to ask if they shed all on their own.
Dorper Sheep thrive in arid climates:
Characteristically, Dorper sheep thrive in hot dry climates. Dorper sheep are able to convert brushy forage (aka: pasture weeds) into excellent quality meat. If you are farming Dorper sheep in humid, wet regions you will need to have a serious parasite management strategy. Since we are farming Dorper sheep in a very wet and humid climate, our strategy involves intensive rotational grazing and the use of conventional dewormers.
Intensive rotational grazing is needful to manage parasites in nonarid climates:
Intensive rotational grazing is our primary contribution to the heath of our Dorper flock. Sheep are characteristically prone to contracting parasites. For this reason, one of your main enemies on a pasture-based system will be managing worms in your flock. With intensive rotational grazing, we move our flock to fresh pasture every 2 days. This moves them away from their manure and on to fresh grass before the parasite’s infectious cycle begins again. By rotational grazing our Dorper Sheep we have seen a significant reduction (but not complete elimination) in the need for chemical dewormers on our sheep farm.
In all, the Dorper sheep breed has a variety of appealing characteristics. They produce amazing meat on sub-par forage. Dorper sheep do not require the back-breaking shearing process that most other sheep breeds do. Dorper sheep are great for arid regions, but with intensive grazing management can also thrive in humid regions. Dorper sheep are also increasing in value, making them a great investment!
-The Shepherdess at Harmony Farms
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8
