Comments on: The Status of My 100% Grass-fed/Low-Labor Sheep Program http://www.moorgatefarms.com/the-status-of-my-100-grass-fedlow-labor-sheep-program Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:32:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Phil http://www.moorgatefarms.com/the-status-of-my-100-grass-fedlow-labor-sheep-program/comment-page-1#comment-225 Phil Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:41:15 +0000 http://www.moorgatefarms.com/?p=77#comment-225 Hi Amy, I do give my sheep minerals. I do not give them shelter, and they seem to do just fine, even in the extreme weather in the winter here in Iowa. I'v seen them out in the middle of a blinding blizzard, all huddled up together, chewing their cud. I've also seen them go without water (water that I would give them) for weeks at a time (they eat snow). I don't necessarily have a sheep/acre ratio in mind yet, but I do know I can grow my herd more. The biggest thing that I monitor is the recovery of the grass in sync with the cows during the growing season. I don't want the sheep to overgraze my pastures after the cows have just been through - that's the biggest challenge. thanks for the comments! Hi Amy,
I do give my sheep minerals. I do not give them shelter, and they seem to do just fine, even in the extreme weather in the winter here in Iowa. I’v seen them out in the middle of a blinding blizzard, all huddled up together, chewing their cud. I’ve also seen them go without water (water that I would give them) for weeks at a time (they eat snow). I don’t necessarily have a sheep/acre ratio in mind yet, but I do know I can grow my herd more. The biggest thing that I monitor is the recovery of the grass in sync with the cows during the growing season. I don’t want the sheep to overgraze my pastures after the cows have just been through – that’s the biggest challenge.

thanks for the comments!

]]> By: Amy Pulliam http://www.moorgatefarms.com/the-status-of-my-100-grass-fedlow-labor-sheep-program/comment-page-1#comment-224 Amy Pulliam Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:05:52 +0000 http://www.moorgatefarms.com/?p=77#comment-224 Hi, We have a small family farm (with just 3 acres of pasture for animals) in central NC. We just got 3 St. Croix ewe-lambs this week! They are in our 1-acre front pasture with 3 cows and a small laying flock of chickens that I rotate around. I found your post in looking for pasture management ideas. I've already learned a lot! What kind of shelter do you have for your sheep? How many sheep per acre do you keep during grass-growing and dormant seasons? Do you supplement with sheep minerals or feed during any time of their life cycle? I love your idea of supporting local, sustainable food-systems by lessening your dependence on diesel! I assumed we'd need to offer hay in winter, but maybe not! We are also making decisions about what kind of shelter the animals will need. Up to now, our poultry has made-do with the trees or very simple hog-wire and tarp hoop-houses. Animals are SO hardy! I especially appreciate your thoughts about when to breed. Our lambs will be 1 year in March 2012, but perhaps it would be wise to breed them in winter 2012-13, instead of right away. Thanks for sharing your thoughts/experience. Best of luck, Amy Hi,
We have a small family farm (with just 3 acres of pasture for animals) in central NC. We just got 3 St. Croix ewe-lambs this week! They are in our 1-acre front pasture with 3 cows and a small laying flock of chickens that I rotate around. I found your post in looking for pasture management ideas. I’ve already learned a lot! What kind of shelter do you have for your sheep? How many sheep per acre do you keep during grass-growing and dormant seasons? Do you supplement with sheep minerals or feed during any time of their life cycle?

I love your idea of supporting local, sustainable food-systems by lessening your dependence on diesel! I assumed we’d need to offer hay in winter, but maybe not! We are also making decisions about what kind of shelter the animals will need. Up to now, our poultry has made-do with the trees or very simple hog-wire and tarp hoop-houses. Animals are SO hardy! I especially appreciate your thoughts about when to breed. Our lambs will be 1 year in March 2012, but perhaps it would be wise to breed them in winter 2012-13, instead of right away.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts/experience. Best of luck,
Amy

]]> By: Phil http://www.moorgatefarms.com/the-status-of-my-100-grass-fedlow-labor-sheep-program/comment-page-1#comment-186 Phil Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:20:03 +0000 http://www.moorgatefarms.com/?p=77#comment-186 Hi Kare, I think my type of grazing is very doable in your neck of the woods. Couple of things to contemplate: 1. I think your rainfall and humidity are much different there than here. That said, your recovery times (grass exposed to grazing pressure) will be longer. The key to mob grazing is animal impact, time of exposure, and recovery. 2. Your goats would be prime candidates for grazing, however, remember that they graze differently than sheep or cows. The ultimate grazing system is to have all three in some sort of relationship with each other. That said, its best to start trying and learning. thanks! Hi Kare,
I think my type of grazing is very doable in your neck of the woods. Couple of things to contemplate:

1. I think your rainfall and humidity are much different there than here. That said, your recovery times (grass exposed to grazing pressure) will be longer. The key to mob grazing is animal impact, time of exposure, and recovery.
2. Your goats would be prime candidates for grazing, however, remember that they graze differently than sheep or cows. The ultimate grazing system is to have all three in some sort of relationship with each other.

That said, its best to start trying and learning.

thanks!

]]> By: Kare http://www.moorgatefarms.com/the-status-of-my-100-grass-fedlow-labor-sheep-program/comment-page-1#comment-185 Kare Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:54:36 +0000 http://www.moorgatefarms.com/?p=77#comment-185 I am fascinated by this idea and wonder how practical it would be for someone in my neck of the woods? I have Nigerian Dwarf goats, which are very hardy goats… my goal is to learn rotational grazing for my goats and chickens… Thank you for your interesting posts! Kare PS My first post had the incorrect website I am fascinated by this idea and wonder how practical it would be for someone in my neck of the woods? I have Nigerian Dwarf goats, which are very hardy goats… my goal is to learn rotational grazing for my goats and chickens…

Thank you for your interesting posts!

Kare

PS My first post had the incorrect website

]]> By: Kare http://www.moorgatefarms.com/the-status-of-my-100-grass-fedlow-labor-sheep-program/comment-page-1#comment-184 Kare Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:53:35 +0000 http://www.moorgatefarms.com/?p=77#comment-184 I am fascinated by this idea and wonder how practical it would be for someone in my neck of the woods? I have Nigerian Dwarf goats, which are very hardy goats... my goal is to learn rotational grazing for my goats and chickens... Thank you for your interesting posts! Kare I am fascinated by this idea and wonder how practical it would be for someone in my neck of the woods? I have Nigerian Dwarf goats, which are very hardy goats… my goal is to learn rotational grazing for my goats and chickens…

Thank you for your interesting posts!

Kare

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