How to run a LEAN SHEEP GRAZING operation.
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- čas přidán 15. 08. 2023
- One of the first things many potential graziers do is start shopping for all the expensive farming "necessities". Take a look at our Lean Grazing operation to see how we accomplish our goals of raising an increasingly high quality flock of hairsheep as well as using regenerative agriculture to improve pasture health without all of the expensive equipment and infrastructure!
The channel name alone is fantastic
Thanks! My wife Laura came up with it.
This confirms my intentions as I build my operation. Developing silvooasture with tree forage species solves all the problems you mentioned :)
Looks good Mike the field looks alot more healthy than it did on the first few videos sheep look big also a very healthy looking flock its a plus with the breed not having to be shear from what I understand God job take care.
Thank you!
Its Amazing what you've accomplished
Thank you sir. Wife and I have 4 very weedy….rocky…rugged….tropical rainforest agriculture zoned acres. I have been researching care needs and management for goats and sheep, and have come to the conclusion that we will be getting a parasite resistant breed. I know our biggest problem will be the fencing as our budget is limited and the portable electric fence will not go into rocky ground we have. I’m thinking maybe of spacing concreted end posts every hundred feet and stringers in between.
You got this!
Diamond is Beautiful...little Joy doesn't seem to be as friendly as she was
New sub. Keep’em coming! You guys are unique!!
Thank you! We appreciate you watching and your comments and questions!
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Have you considered puttin a few steers in with them? They'd be complimentary since they prefer different forages, plus they might help ward off predators who dont want ANYTHING to do with a 600# animal.
I absolutely have for those reasons and for the extra hoof trampling power on the pasture. I would need to invest in some handling equipment for animals that size, which has been the deterrent. Thank you for the question!
Thanks for sharing, we are trying a few sheep ourselves on our 5 acres. How much land do you have and how big are your paddocks? Where are you located?
We're in Missouri on 30 acres. Our paddocks are typically quarter acre although can vary from an eighth acre to half an acre depending on intended results and conditions.
I’m about to start the same thing on our farm. No perimeter fence yet. Has the electric netting worked well against predators? Do you have an LGD?
We have coyotes all over but have not had any problems. We do not have a lgd. Just the electric fence.
Looks like you could increase your stock density.
Depends on goals. Stocking density changes for us with conditions and other factors. Gotta be flexible!
What type of net fencing you use?
Gallagher sheep net
Mike, what do you do when it’s really cold?
First let's talk cold vs COLD. Believe it or not, the sheep are conditioned for the cold weather. Even snow. They prefer to be on pasture even in those conditions. But in severe cold and freezing rain, sheep do need some shelter. See our BLIZZARD video czcams.com/video/0gYFeUPTV_8/video.htmlfeature=shared
Have you had much problem with parasites? Tried sheep milk yet?
We had a few at the beginning that had issues. We have the flock narrowed down to healthy sheep. We have not tried their milk. Probably won't lol.
We had a broken area in our wire fence and a coyotes came thru and took a lamb. Didn’t eat it, just killed it 😡. We mended it but they’ve been back. Climbed over the fence this time through tight brush (non electric). Followed its tracks through snow to our electrified bungy gate (9500 volts) and it squeezed between the electrified chords (6 inches apart) seemingly without issue… buggers! Do you think it’s because they have a thick coat or desperate enough to get out fast?
…. I think we need a gun 🤔
From what I've learned, best defense against predators is 2 layers. First is very very 🔥 electric sheep net style fence. Barb wire, high tensil, these won't keep anything out. And may not be great at keeping sheep and especially goats in for long. The tight squares of sheep netting is what's needed. Along with a very hot charger and taking the time to ensure tight fence every time you check them. 2nd is a good, trained guardian dog. We don't have one by the way but eventually may get one. We have not suffered any losses with our electric sheep net. But that would be my next step.
🔥arm is Absolutely necessary.
Id like to ask a few questions. We just got our first bred herd a few weeks ago . Already lambing. I was worried about leaving them out all year round of the unknown and no experience, but living in ohio we would have similar weather. Also when leaving them out all year, when do you aim to start lambing? Thanks
On very high heat days they need shade for sure and lots of water. If you end up with something like freezing rain, they will need a way to get out of it. For us, we utilize the treeline during the hottest days of summer. And can utilize the trees during stormy weather. We also have a medium size shed that we can put them by to get out of freezing rain for the day. Otherwise it's just a pretty typical rotation all year long with little changes for size and paddock shape depending on the conditions and situation.
@@eweandmeranch4024 thank you! I will aim for this vs keeping them inside im starting to read can lead to parasite problems.
Missed one of your questions, end of March was our starting date for Lambing this year. Spring flush starts around first of April so perfect timing and weather warms up a little.
How many fence do you have the sheep in? and how many sheep are in the paddock?
Typically 2 sections of fence per paddock, so I would need a minimum 4 total sections to also set up the next paddock. When all are in one paddock, 18 sheep.
@eweandmeranch4024 how long do they stay in that one paddocks? A day? 3 days?
Depends. They are moved every day or sometimes twice a day depending on Forage, mud, etc. In spring when there's an abundance I may leave them for 1.5 days. Usually not longer than that though.
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