I have a hair cross sheep and love them. I think some of the cross is a barbados, but they aren't pure barbados. Some of them have no barbados markings. I have milked the colostrum, but nothing more. I have learned that if I bottle feed the ewes, they are so gentle. Otherwise, they are crazy. I think that's why so many people don't like this breed. I use cow's milk to feed them. It is working super well. They shed their wool "hair", and I have thrown it over in raised beds, just because it is an organic product, and I hate to waste anything that could make compost. I didn't realize why until now, but maybe that's why that bed of tomatoes is doing so well.
yes, using wool in your garden is a thing! For a simple version of more info on that, go to Blossom and Branch Regenerative Gardening (that's just where I learned about it, she's not my relative or anything), she uses it in her potting soil for seedlings and in her soil. It not only holds both moisture and air (the holy grail), but also has biological-matrix properties (soil life loves to grow in it) and it lasts, like, forever-ish in your soil (like biochar made from sheep?). We use it here in the desert (from friend's sheep), it's hard to get enough of it!
My daughter is part of the youth conservationist program and is promoting the Leicester Longwool breed. They have a really rich history and are very sweet- easier to handle than our Shetlands. We are in Vermont and will be breeding them this fall. I'm excited to see all the ways they can use their products.
Great episode! I have had sheep since 2018 and have wondered about milking some of them as they have enormous udders. I am inspired to build a stanchion and get to great training them! There is the option of purchasing wool pellets. Those may be more convenient for incorporating into your garden (great in pots!) though you will pay more obviously, for that convenience.
Thanks for that! I've thought about sheep over goats for all the reasons mentioned. But, I hadn't really thought about dairy sheep. Also, I was leaning toward hair sheep because I don't want to get into the wool management...but wool for mulch is a brand new idea for me!
So interesting ! I have been starting to compost with wool - digging in to dirt and I've seen some amazing results on roses. There are folks making pellets out of wool for ag but I think just breaking it up into small pieces and digging in works just fine. Great to use the skirting (messy ends) of a fleece for something.
I have mainly hair breeds of sheep (Damara, Dorper, White Dorper, Meatmaster) and have done some crossing to Awassi rams then breeding the daughters to the hair breed rams. Not set up to try milking but a ewe that milks well is good for raising lambs but yeah I don't want to have to shear. Getting mostly clean ones in the F2 that are 1/4 Awassi.
Typically the ‘rule’ is 4-6 sheep per acre. If your sheep go into estrus monthly, then you’ll have to separate your ram for part of the year so you aren’t continuously having lambs drop. If they only go into estrus when the weather gets cold, then you can leave him with the ewes. However I have found rams get very territorial over their girls. I have a whole chapter on ram management and breeding in my book
Hello Jill, I was wondering if you have a video on rendering beef fat? I got some from my favorite place in Wyoming. I want to process it soon. It looks great and I love my genuine beef as it is the best place I have found. It is so worth the wait as well as reasonably priced. I can never go back to the grocery store for my beef. I urge everyone to search out this wonderful place. You not only get a great product you support a USA farmer and their family. I know where my meat comes from and I will be with them forever. Thank you Jill 👍💖
@@bnelson2180 historically they have been used for milk, but they haven’t been improved specifically for longer lactation and larger milk yields. I don’t believe they are technically considered a dairy breed, but plenty of people milk them. Some family lines are more milky than others
You have excellent topics, Jill, and always great guests where together share new and valuable information. Thanks again and again!
Any kind of wool/ hair makes great mulch. We have used husky hair, LGD hair, and also used angora rabbit wool.
I have a hair cross sheep and love them. I think some of the cross is a barbados, but they aren't pure barbados. Some of them have no barbados markings. I have milked the colostrum, but nothing more. I have learned that if I bottle feed the ewes, they are so gentle. Otherwise, they are crazy. I think that's why so many people don't like this breed. I use cow's milk to feed them. It is working super well. They shed their wool "hair", and I have thrown it over in raised beds, just because it is an organic product, and I hate to waste anything that could make compost. I didn't realize why until now, but maybe that's why that bed of tomatoes is doing so well.
I have Dorper/Katadhyn cross and have planned on starting to milk them.
yes, using wool in your garden is a thing! For a simple version of more info on that, go to Blossom and Branch Regenerative Gardening (that's just where I learned about it, she's not my relative or anything), she uses it in her potting soil for seedlings and in her soil. It not only holds both moisture and air (the holy grail), but also has biological-matrix properties (soil life loves to grow in it) and it lasts, like, forever-ish in your soil (like biochar made from sheep?). We use it here in the desert (from friend's sheep), it's hard to get enough of it!
My daughter is part of the youth conservationist program and is promoting the Leicester Longwool breed. They have a really rich history and are very sweet- easier to handle than our Shetlands. We are in Vermont and will be breeding them this fall. I'm excited to see all the ways they can use their products.
I could listen to Rachel for hours!!! I have her book!
This was fascinating! Thank you. Val C
Great episode! I have had sheep since 2018 and have wondered about milking some of them as they have enormous udders. I am inspired to build a stanchion and get to great training them!
There is the option of purchasing wool pellets. Those may be more convenient for incorporating into your garden (great in pots!) though you will pay more obviously, for that convenience.
Thanks for that! I've thought about sheep over goats for all the reasons mentioned. But, I hadn't really thought about dairy sheep. Also, I was leaning toward hair sheep because I don't want to get into the wool management...but wool for mulch is a brand new idea for me!
I have a dairy sheep flock in Idaho!! They're the best! ❤❤❤❤
Hey Jill Cottonwood Creek wool in Crowheart Wyo will even make your wool into pellets for gardening mulch.
So interesting ! I have been starting to compost with wool - digging in to dirt and I've seen some amazing results on roses. There are folks making pellets out of wool for ag but I think just breaking it up into small pieces and digging in works just fine. Great to use the skirting (messy ends) of a fleece for something.
Interesting video. Love listening while at work.
The sheep and cattle dispute reminds me of the Drag-A-Long Droopy cartoon.
🎉😂 I picked Icelandics, because they are a three-for: wool 🐑, meat 🥩, milk 🥛 🎉🥰
I believe MSU Bozeman has been doing some stuff with the woolboard in Montana with making wool pellets for mulch.
I have mainly hair breeds of sheep (Damara, Dorper, White Dorper, Meatmaster) and have done some crossing to Awassi rams then breeding the daughters to the hair breed rams. Not set up to try milking but a ewe that milks well is good for raising lambs but yeah I don't want to have to shear. Getting mostly clean ones in the F2 that are 1/4 Awassi.
How much land would a person need for four sheep? Would we need an extra paddock to separate the Ram when we are not using him?
Typically the ‘rule’ is 4-6 sheep per acre. If your sheep go into estrus monthly, then you’ll have to separate your ram for part of the year so you aren’t continuously having lambs drop. If they only go into estrus when the weather gets cold, then you can leave him with the ewes. However I have found rams get very territorial over their girls. I have a whole chapter on ram management and breeding in my book
@@whoopsydaisyfarmaren't sheep estrus cycles closer to 17 days than monthly?
Hello Jill, I was wondering if you have a video on rendering beef fat? I got some from my favorite place in Wyoming. I want to process it soon. It looks great and I love my genuine beef as it is the best place I have found. It is so worth the wait as well as reasonably priced. I can never go back to the grocery store for my beef. I urge everyone to search out this wonderful place. You not only get a great product you support a USA farmer and their family. I know where my meat comes from and I will be with them forever. Thank you Jill 👍💖
You can make a beautifully, creamy feta with sheep milk.
Is that a real thing? I wish I could try that soap on my chemo skin 😊
I have sheep tallow moisturizer available on my website!
which state are you in ?
We have hair sheep, only because we can’t get anyone here to sheer for us!
The hair should shed in the spring.
Would you consider Icelandic sheep a dairy breed!
They can be great but the short stature and long wool make them a little more difficult to hand milk. 👍👍
@@bnelson2180 historically they have been used for milk, but they haven’t been improved specifically for longer lactation and larger milk yields. I don’t believe they are technically considered a dairy breed, but plenty of people milk them. Some family lines are more milky than others
@@whoopsydaisyfarm thank you for your insight I appreciate it! Your information was very helpful and I actually ordered your book on Amazon