There is an old saying
that is scientifically driven, sheep and cattle complement each other rather
than compete for the same farm resources.
This means that one ewe can be added per existing cow unit without
increasing the forage resources already committed to the cattle. However, we
currently find that many Virginia farms do not realize many of the benefits of
multi species grazing and many have moved to cattle or sheep only. Ironically, most farms in Virginia with sheep
have also historically had cattle and most cattle farms have had sheep.
The end of the Federal
Wool and Mohair subsidy payments and changes in farm ownership, labor
requirements and available time over the last 30-40 years have led to many
people converting their farming operation’s to single enterprise livestock production
systems. Because of their ability to consistently produce a profit from one
year to the next, sheep were often referred to as the "mortgage
lifters" during the 1940's and 50's.
The large increase in
part-time farms and the problems the sheep industry has experienced with
predators has caused a decline in sheep numbers. Despite this fact, the support
infrastructure from affiliated industry and the markets for lamb and wool in
Virginia still remain strong and viable. Virginia sits on the East Coast of the
United States where a large contingent of ethnicities, young urbanites and
significant disposable income resides.
While alternative forms
of agriculture are being promoted as replacements for more traditional
agricultural enterprises in Virginia, history has demonstrated that commercial
lamb and wool production can still make a significant financial contribution on
most forage producing farms. Never has that been more true than today, with increased
income levels of Virginia lambs grading light Blue or better selling .30-.40
cents/lb. over 2016 prices.
Sheep possess an
exceptional ability to convert a wide variety of noncompetitive feedstuffs
(forage and crop residues) into high quality meat and fiber products for human
use. They enhance environmental quality and provide a sustainable means of
production as an agricultural enterprise on most Virginia farms. Compared with
beef cows, which may produce 60 to 70 percent of their live weight in offspring
annually, ewes can produce 100 percent or more. The topography, climate, and
forage resources of Virginia make it one of the best suited states in the east
for sheep production.
Sheep make a significant
contribution to the quality of the pastures they graze. Many of the weeds
commonly found in Virginia pastures are selectively grazed by sheep. Companion
grazing of sheep with other species of livestock, such as cattle, results in
greater pasture utilization and higher quality pastures than when a single
species is grazed alone.
Because of the sheep
ability to utilize forage as their primary source of energy, less risk is
involved than where significant amounts of grain are required for other types
of livestock production. The profitability of sheep production is closely tied
to their ability to have more than one offspring per lambing. Budget analyses
have shown that other than market price, the percentage of lamb crop marketed
has the greatest impact on profitability of production.
Available labor, barn
space, weather, predators, lamb markets, and the amount and quality of
harvested feed and pasture should all be considered in determining the most
appropriate time of the year to lamb and which breeds or type of sheep to
raise. Crossbred ewes are more available and provide hybrid vigor and enhanced
production traits when compared to other ewes. Crossbred ewes have higher
lambing percentages, greater lamb survival, and wean more pounds of lamb than
the average of the purebred ewes that make up the cross. Many current producers
are using enhanced management strategies to provide a moveable lambing date to coincide
with the demands of the market.
Some important factors to
consider before buying the first sheep are predators, internal parasite
management and a health condition called foot rot. Sheep are susceptible to
predation by dogs and coyotes. To prevent losses, it is important to develop
strategies for the control of predation through the use of properly constructed
boundary fence, guard dogs, etc.(Haemonchus contortus) is critical to the
overall performance and profitability of a farm.Foot rot is an infectious, contagious disease of sheep that causes
severe lameness. Once in a flock, it is difficult to eliminate. The only way to
introduce foot rot into a flock of sheep is to purchase sheep that are already
infected. Therefore, care must be taken to only purchase breeding stock from
sources that are known to be free of foot rot.
The most predominant
breeds used for crossbreeding are Suffolk, Hampshire, Dorset, Katahdin, Dorper,
Texel and a few others if you have desires on quality wool production.
Individuals having only
limited or no experience with sheep should start with a flock no larger than 25
to 60 ewes. Virginia Cooperative Extension offices can provide up-to-date
publications on the proper care and management of sheep. For more information
on sheep production in Virginia, contact your local Virginia Cooperative
Extension office or Corey Childscchilds@vt.edu .
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