I have just started thinking about sheep, mainly because I don't think we can afford to get and raise a bottle calf this year like we did before. I do raise goats right now (commercial meat). But I enjoy lamb and was thinking it might be more affordable (and managable) for me to do sheep. Living on SS, I have to be careful how I spend my money. Not going to be making much of a profit on the goats this year as I need to keep back all doelings for breeding stock and so far I only have 2 bucklings on the ground (only 1 doe left to kid will probably give a single). Have a of thinking to do.
I think sheep have been a good piece of farm for us and will end up being a good long term investment in the future of the farm as well. You are right about bottle calves though ... the prices are going through the roof! Thanks for watching and taking time to comment!
That’s great to hear! We’ve had them about half that long, but have been pleased with them … especially compared to the handful of wool sheep we’ve raised. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Thanks! We do enjoy the sheep and they are starting to be a close second to the pigs on our farm! Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!
We do daily rotations with our cattle and in the past have do what is more like a weekly rotation with the sheep. With our new land base we are planning on daily (at least rotations) for both the sheep and the cattle. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Wow nice fat ewes. I love the red colored ones. Any idea what the wool ram breed was that they’re bred to? I wonder if it’s texel or Suffolk. Maybe Dorset but I can’t imagine any other breeds that someone would use on hair ewes. Yes you don’t wanna keep those wool crosses!!! Not a fan of shearing either!! Mine are dairy woolies unfortunately. Wish there was a shedding dairy sheep available
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! We love the ones that are different colors and sometimes find ourselves keep back a ewe just because they are something different :) I don't know what breed the wool ram was, just something that was found at a neighboring farm I believe. I think I saw a picture of it on the previous owners Instagram and I wasn't completely excited about what I saw ... but, we'll just raise them out for meat.
Hot is always important when it comes to sheep. We have a 6 joule fencer and keep it between 8k and 9k typically. On our new land I think I'm going to go with a 12 joule fencer because it's not in my front yard and I want it as hot as possible!
Cattle can make money for sure, but lately when we run the numbers we see more profitability in the sheep for our farm. That is the great thing about farming ... there is a lot of room for different and diverse operations. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
European ship do not belong on mast American landscapes. If your farm is in an arid climate avoid this. In that situation the manure will never compost. It will dry out and flake away in the wind. Sheep belong in a temperate environment that is pushing rain forest levels of precipitation. A good way to think about it is tall weeds in your pasture. If you have that issue then sheep might be a good choice. If you have patches of dry ground then stay away from sheep. You will lose your soil.
scrolling through the video further the only thing that is supporting your farm is the import of organic matter from other people's land. That is not regenerative Ag. Stop buying hay. See how long your soil can survive. That's not regenerative. Your soils don't look great. I can help you
@@kathleenredick275 All domesticated sheep are derived from Eurasian sheep. If you want to know what they can do to a landscape you need to look no further than the "Fertile Crescent". Have you ever wondered why it is not so fertile anymore? Yep, domesticated sheep. They are simply inappropriate to graze in many environments where they can contribute a great deal to desertification.
Nice video, awesome to see you grow your sheep flock.
Thank you for watching and taking the time to leave a comment! We are excited about the future of the sheep flock for sure ... and a little nervous.
Never had any experience with sheep. I hope things work out for you.
I have just started thinking about sheep, mainly because I don't think we can afford to get and raise a bottle calf this year like we did before. I do raise goats right now (commercial meat). But I enjoy lamb and was thinking it might be more affordable (and managable) for me to do sheep. Living on SS, I have to be careful how I spend my money. Not going to be making much of a profit on the goats this year as I need to keep back all doelings for breeding stock and so far I only have 2 bucklings on the ground (only 1 doe left to kid will probably give a single). Have a of thinking to do.
I think sheep have been a good piece of farm for us and will end up being a good long term investment in the future of the farm as well. You are right about bottle calves though ... the prices are going through the roof! Thanks for watching and taking time to comment!
There a great breed, I've been raising Katahdins for 25years now
That’s great to hear! We’ve had them about half that long, but have been pleased with them … especially compared to the handful of wool sheep we’ve raised. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Great video I miss having sheep I used to have fat tale sheep can’t wait to see the lambs get born 🇳🇿❤️
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!! We are always excited and a little nervous about lambing 😁
great video, good luck.
Thanks! We do enjoy the sheep and they are starting to be a close second to the pigs on our farm! Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!
Do u rotate your Fields
We do daily rotations with our cattle and in the past have do what is more like a weekly rotation with the sheep. With our new land base we are planning on daily (at least rotations) for both the sheep and the cattle. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Wow nice fat ewes. I love the red colored ones.
Any idea what the wool ram breed was that they’re bred to? I wonder if it’s texel or Suffolk. Maybe Dorset but I can’t imagine any other breeds that someone would use on hair ewes. Yes you don’t wanna keep those wool crosses!!! Not a fan of shearing either!! Mine are dairy woolies unfortunately. Wish there was a shedding dairy sheep available
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! We love the ones that are different colors and sometimes find ourselves keep back a ewe just because they are something different :)
I don't know what breed the wool ram was, just something that was found at a neighboring farm I believe. I think I saw a picture of it on the previous owners Instagram and I wasn't completely excited about what I saw ... but, we'll just raise them out for meat.
how hot is your electric fence, what voltage, it should be at least 7
Hot is always important when it comes to sheep. We have a 6 joule fencer and keep it between 8k and 9k typically. On our new land I think I'm going to go with a 12 joule fencer because it's not in my front yard and I want it as hot as possible!
Cattle make money, everything else is a pain in the ass.
Cattle can make money for sure, but lately when we run the numbers we see more profitability in the sheep for our farm. That is the great thing about farming ... there is a lot of room for different and diverse operations. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
European ship do not belong on mast American landscapes. If your farm is in an arid climate avoid this. In that situation the manure will never compost. It will dry out and flake away in the wind. Sheep belong in a temperate environment that is pushing rain forest levels of precipitation.
A good way to think about it is tall weeds in your pasture.
If you have that issue then sheep might be a good choice.
If you have patches of dry ground then stay away from sheep. You will lose your soil.
scrolling through the video further the only thing that is supporting your farm is the import of organic matter from other people's land. That is not regenerative Ag. Stop buying hay. See how long your soil can survive. That's not regenerative. Your soils don't look great. I can help you
Katahdin are American hair sheep.
@@kathleenredick275 All domesticated sheep are derived from Eurasian sheep. If you want to know what they can do to a landscape you need to look no further than the "Fertile Crescent". Have you ever wondered why it is not so fertile anymore? Yep, domesticated sheep. They are simply inappropriate to graze in many environments where they can contribute a great deal to desertification.