The Baaaaasics of Raising Sheep
(Page 3 of 4)
June 25, 2008
By Alison Rogers
In addition, grass-fed meat benefits us humans because 100-percent grass feeding of ruminant animals gives their meat much higher concentrations of good, heart-healthy fatty acids, such as omega 3s. The meat also tends to be higher in concentrations of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, and higher in conjugated linoleic acid, which has been shown to have protective effects against cancer and some autoimmune diseases. A good resource for more information about grass-fed meat is Eatwild.com.
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Sheep’s milk is higher in butter fat, protein and minerals than cow or goat milk. In fact, nearly all the milk components are present in higher concentrations in sheep milk. It is very rich and sweet. (Each state has different regulations regarding whether the milk must be pasteurized and where and when it can be sold. The federal regulation regarding pasteurization requires that all raw milk cheeses must be aged a minimum of 60 days before they can be sold.)
What’s the best way to start marketing sheep products?
The first thing I would do is find a good meat processor that is close to my farm. Then I would visit some of the local farmers markets and talk with the vendors there to see which market is a good fit for you. Check with your state’s agriculture and health departments to find out what regulations and permits you might need in order to sell at farmers markets. Nationwide shipping through a Web site is a good marketing tool, but it’s a good idea to first develop a local customer base, and farmers markets are the best place for that.
What characteristics should I look for when purchasing sheep?
If possible, get an experienced person to help you select your sheep. Look for sheep that are bright and active. Look at the entire flock that belongs to your breeder. Choose a reputable, honest breeder — it is a very bad idea to buy your starter flock at an auction barn. You may get very inexpensive sheep but you will also likely be bringing home problems and diseases. Also, ask your breeder about how they protect against the prevalent sheep diseases, what they have done to prevent infections, and how they have managed any disease outbreaks.) Ask them if their sheep have, or have been exposed to, diseases such as caseous lymphadenitis, ovine progressive pneumonia, Johnes disease, foot rot and scrapie.
How do I protect my new flock from predators? Do I need a herding dog?
