Animal Sciences Research and Reviews

Special Circular 156

Thinking of Raising Sheep?

R.A. High
Department of Animal Sciences

Introduction

With changes in Ohio agriculture, many Ohio farmers and rural residents with land or other available resources are thinking about a sheep enterprise. Many things need to be considered and questions answered before investing in a particular sheep enterprise. Hopefully, the following information will help answer some of those questions and allow for proper decisions.

Ohio as a Sheep State

Ohio produces excellent quality forage, both pasture and hay or silage. It is far enough north that the forages are highly digestible and nutritious for sheep. This also dictates that forage production is seasonal, with rapid growth of high quality forage occurring during late spring and early summer and again in the fall. The long winters necessitate an extensive period of feeding either hay or silage.

Ohio is close to the major lamb consuming centers in the United States. In fact, the eastern United States has several major lamb consumation centers. The marketing systems for live lambs are well developed, largely due to the supply of lambs produced in this region. Lamb production also tends to be seasonal, but efforts are being made to produce a constant supply of high quality lambs. While wool represents a small percentage of income from sheep, the wool markets are good with the pooling of wool clips in cooperative marketing pools.

Ohio also has available land, buildings, and other resources that could be used for sheep production. This is particularly true with the shifts that are occurring in the other animal industries, such as beef and dairy cattle. In the middle 1800s before the development of the western United States, Ohio was in the center of the sheep producing region and had several million sheep.

Evaluating Resources?

The objective of a sheep enterprise should be to efficiently convert available resources into high quality lamb and wool that can be marketed effectively for a profit. The first step is to evaluate the resources available; then design a sheep production system that will utilize those resources most efficiently. The resources needed include:

1. Land: How much land is available and what is its productivity? Assume that all the forage produced on an acre of land could be harvested as hay and expressed as tons of hay or hay equivalent per acre to estimate the land's productive capacity. Some rough, hilly lands in Ohio only produce up to 1 ton of hay equivalent (HE) per acre per year. "Average" pasture and hay land may produce 2 or more tons of HE per acre, and "good" land may produce 4 or 5 tons, if properly managed. Suppose there are 100 acres of land. Thirty of these acres are rough, poor pasture and will produce about 1 ton HE, 30 acres are average and will produce 2 or more tons of HE, and 30 acres are good to excellent and should produce 4 tons of HE per acre. Your total production would be 30 x 1 = 30, plus 30 x 2 = 60, plus 30 x 4 = 120, which equals a total estimated production of hay, or HE, of 210 tons. Under normal circumstances, an average size ewe requires about three-fourths of a ton of hay or HE per year supplemented with some additional grain. With 210 tons of HE, there should be enough forage for about 280 ewes (210 0.75). This method is, of course, only an estimate, but it is a quick, easy, and reasonably accurate method of evaluating land resources for sheep. On most farms, improvements in pasture management and forage culture can result in considerable increases in production. About half of the forage production would be consumed as pasture and the rest harvested for winter.

2. Buildings: Are buildings available that can house 280 ewes in the winter, along with their lambs, etc.? About 15 square feet are required for each ewe. Therefore, about 4200 square feet (15 x 280) would be needed for 280 sheep. Dry ewes need only modest protection even in the winter, while ewes with baby lambs in January have much higher needs. Most older dairy barns, machine sheds, etc. can be converted to excellent quarters for sheep, but remember sheep should have an open, cold, dry barn rather than a tight, warm, humid barn.

3. Machinery: Do you have the equipment and machinery to harvest hay, clip pastures, clean barns, etc., or is it possible to arrange with a neighbor to do this? Should you plan to purchase hay? If only about 100 tons of hay are required, it may be cheaper and easier to buy the hay than to make it. This also could allow you to increase your ewe numbers. Proper fences ( high tensile electric), corrals, sorting pens, and lambing pens also will be needed. Small pieces of equipment for foot trimming, tail docking, ear tagging, and possibly for shearing also are necessary.

4. Markets: What is going to be your market? Are you planning to sell hot-house lambs, feeder lambs, freezer lambs, market lambs, wool, or all of the above? Are you planning to sell on a seasonal basis or have an even cash flow with lambs for sale throughout the year? The market is a valuable resource that must be studied and cultivated.

5. Labor: Do you have the time to properly care for the sheep? Sheep probably respond more to proper care and attention than any other farm animal. The labor for the most part is not hard, but you must spend quality time and quality labor with them. Timeliness of sheep tasks is very important.

6. Capital: Do you have the capital or money available to get started and to sustain you until the sheep are in full production? Financial resources must be evaluated carefully before starting a sheep enterprise, and sheep should be compared with other alternatives.

7. Attitude: What is your attitude toward sheep? Do you like them? Would you be willing to brave cold rains or snow storms to feed and care for them? Would you willingly miss a ball game or a social event to ensure that the sheep are protected from marauding dogs or coyotes? Do you enjoy late night checks in the lambing barn? A positive attitude is needed.

Establishing Production Goals and Management Systems

Once you have an understanding of your resources, an overall management or production system can be established that should utilize those resources most efficiently and, hopefully, will be profitable. Sheep are amazingly adaptable, and by using different breeds and systems, they can produce at a vast array of production levels. For example, Australia often is thought of as a sheep- producing country. Many of the sheep in Australia are actually wethers (male castrates) that are kept only for wool production. From 10 to 20 acres may be allowed per wether per year. Their entire production may be only 10 pounds of wool per wether or per 10 acres per year. This amounts to only one pound of wool per acre per year or a gross income of maybe $1.00 per acre. By our standards, this level of production would be unthinkable, but it is the level that can be sustained by the level of resources available. The feed supply simply is not adequate to provide for higher levels of production. In west Texas, lamb crops of 70% to 80% are expected, because that level fits with the level of resources available. In the corn belt, there is sufficient feed to sustain any level of production the sheep can attain. In Ohio, most farms have excellent forage and concentrates which provide the resources for sheep to produce at high levels. The exact level of production for which one should strive depends on available resources and the abilities of the sheep and the shepherd. This is why resources must be evaluated properly before the management system is developed with expected levels of production.

Production goals also depend on the products to be produced. These can be outlined as follows:

Product	Use
Lamb a. Market lamb (100 to 130 pounds) b. Feeder lamb (40 to 70 pounds)	1. Sell to lamb feeder 2. Keep and feed to 100 to 110 pounds 3. Custom feed in feedlot
Wool	1. Probably sold at wool marketing cooperative
Milk	1. Sheep's milk for cheese, etc. is popular in some areas of the world. Some of the milk breeds are being brought into the U.S., and interest is increasing in dairy sheep.

The level of production, especially of lamb, can be varied from less than one lamb per ewe per year to over three lambs per ewe per year. Selection of the product to be produced and the level of production are attained primarily by selection of the breed of sheep and by the management system. Each breed of sheep represents a given genotype that is better in some situations than in others. For example, if one wished to produce only fine wool, the Merino or Rambouillet would be the breed of choice; for medium wool and reasonable levels of lamb production, the Targhee and Columbia are ideal; for rapid growth, the large Suffolks and Hampshires are hard to beat; for out of season lamb production, the Dorset has long been considered; and for fecundity or large litters the Finnsheep excels. Many production systems use a combination of these breeds or other breeds with similar traits.

In Ohio, three management systems basically are used.

Management System	Description
Early-lambing	Lamb in January or February and sell hot-house lambs on the Easter market or sell 100- to 130-pound lambs by early summer.
Late-lambing	Lamb in April or May and maximize summer and fall pasture and sell feeder or market lambs in the fall. Production costs may be lower, but lambs are sold on a lower market. Summer parasites and predators also are more of a problem.
Accelerated lambing	Lamb several times a year with each ewe lambing 3 to 5 times in 2 to 3 years. Increases production with frequent lambing but requires the right sheep and careful management. Cornell recommends the STAR system or variations of it.

The production system chosen will depend on many factors, but most Ohio farms have the resources to strive for the higher levels of production, and economic studies indicate the higher level of production and increased use of facilities attainable with the STAR system make it the system of choice. The primary limitation of establishing a STAR sheep production enterprise is the lack of sufficient numbers of the proper type of sheep. Producers must consider developing their own flock over several years.

Markets for Lamb and Wool

As stated earlier, most wool is marketed through one of the wool marketing co-ops; although, some is sold to other buyers, hand-spinners, etc., and small quantities are custom- made into yarn, cloth, and blankets.

Lamb markets need further development that require a large and more consistent supply. Lamb can be marketed through Ohio local auctions, the spring hot-house lamb pool, the freezer trade, or direct to large slaughter houses. Some producers sell directly to restaurants or retail outlets on a weekly basis.

Where Can Sheep Be Obtained?

When starting a sheep enterprise, it is most critical where the initial sheep are obtained. At this time, it is very difficult to obtain sufficient numbers of several of the preferred breeds and types. Dorset or Dorset-type ewes particularly are in demand, as are Dorset-Finn crosses and Polypays, which are part Dorset and part Finn. Rambouillet ewes have been brought in from Texas and other western states and bred to Dorset or Dorset X Finn rams to produce crossbred ewes for modern sheep systems and are available in limited quantities. Some beginning producers simply have started with whatever sheep are available and established a breeding program to create the preferred genotypes by proper ram selection and careful culling.

Proper Feeds for Sheep

Sheep are efficient users of forage, and a large portion of their nutrients can be obtained from pasture and hay. They eat and control most weeds, and with proper pasture management, they can increase the production of most of our native pastures.

The forage must, however, be supplemented with grains or other concentrate feeds to meet their nutritional requirements, especially during late pregnancy or lactation for ewes and for rapidly growing lambs. In most cases, concentrates can be purchased either from feed companies or other farmers. All the major feed companies in Ohio have feeds specifically formulated for rapidly growing lambs and lactating ewes. Mineral or salt combinations also are available. The trace elements iodine, cobalt, and selenium are deficient in Ohio feeds and must be supplemented.

One big question is what harvested forage or method of harvesting should be used. Many dairy farms have silos and silage-making equipment available and can use hay crop silage as winter feed. Smaller farms usually use smaller square bales and, recently, more of the big round bales are used. The small square bales are easier to handle and can be transported, purchased, or sold. They can be produced with used equipment and offer more flexibility than other methods.

The big round bales are gaining in popularity and have a low labor requirement if proper handling equipment is available. Some producers successfully self-feed these in specially designed feeders to further reduce labor.

A beginning sheep producer also must decide whether harvested forage should be purchased or produced. Existing farms adding a sheep enterprise probably already have the productive capability required, but for others, it may be wise to begin by purchasing hay. Certainly, if the beginning enterprise starts with 50 or fewer ewes and only 15 or 20 tons of hay are required, purchasing hay seems reasonable.

The levels of production or number of ewes required to shift from purchased hay to making hay, from square bales to using big round bales, or from hay to using hay-crop silage are not well understood, but the level of investment in harvesting equipment must be paid for by the sheep. A small flock cannot cover the costs of large tractors, forage harvesters, silos, etc.

Some Specific Management Items

Any successful sheep producer must be able to do the day-to-day management tasks properly and timely. A list of several of these tasks, with a few comments, follows:

1. Lambing: Can you handle a ewe properly before and after lambing? Can you assist her as needed or recognize more serious problems? What do you do with a newborn lamb?

2. Docking: How do you remove a tail from a young lamb?

3. Vaccination: Know the important diseases and the vaccination schedule.

4. Ram care.

5. Weaning: This is for both the ewe and her lambs.

6. Lamb care: A few minutes here could save a life.

7. Shearing: Learn to do it yourself or hire a custom shearer - probably some of each.

8. Internal parasite control: When and with what.

9. External parasite control: Easy with a sprinkling can.

10. Foot trimming: Can be hard on the back.

Available Information

Additional information is available from The Sheepman's Production Handbook, ASI, 6911 S. Yosemite, Englewood, CO 80112-1414 ($40) and resources listed below.

Ohio Sheep Organizations

Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) is the primary Ohio sheep organization. It is an association represented by all phases of the Ohio Sheep Industry.

Ohio Sheep and Wool Program (OSWP) is the promotion branch of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association.

Sheep Publications

Banner Publications
PO Box 500
Cuba, IL 61427
PH: 309-785-5058

The Fiberfest Magazine
PO Box 112, Dept. 14
Hastings, MI 49058
PH: 616-765-3047

American Sheep Industry Association
6911 S. Yosemite St.
Englewood, CO 80112-1414
PH: 303-771-3500

Sheep Breeder Magazine
PO Box 796
Columbia, MO 65205
PH: 573-442-8257

Sheep! Magazine
PO Box 10
Lake Mills, WI 53551
PH: 414-648-8285

The Shepherd Magazine
5696 Johnston Road
New Washington, OH 44854-9736
PH: 419-492-2364

SID Research Digest
6911 S. Yosemite St.
Englewood, CO 80112-1414
PH: 303-771-3500

The Stockman Grass Farmer

The Stockman Grass Farmer
PO Box 2300
Ridgeland, MS 39158-2300
PH: 800-748-9808

Supply Catalogs

Agway Animal Health Catalog
PO Box 306
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
PH: 800-441-6007

Mid-States Livestock Supplies
9449 Basil-Western Rd., NW
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
PH: 800-841-WOOL (9665)

Omaha Vaccine Company
PO Box 7228
Omaha, NE 68107
PH: 800-367-4444

PBS Livestock Health
PH: 800-321-0235

Sheepman Supply Company
PO Box 100
Barboursville, VA 22923
PH: 800-336-3005

Wooltique Inc.
PO Box 537
Elm Grove, WI 53112
PH: 414-784-3980

Processing

Appleseed Wool Corp. (Wool felting)
PO Box 101
Plymouth, OH 44865
PH: 419-687-WOOL (9665)

Baron Woolen Mill (Blankets)
PO Box 340
Brigham City, UT 84302
PH: 801-734-9426

Bartlett Yarns (Yarns)
PO Box 36
Harmony, MA 04942
PH: 207-683-2341

Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill, Inc.
3776 Forshug Road
Mt. Horeb, WI 53572
PH: 608-437-3762

Bucks County Fur Products (Tanning)
PO Box 204
Quakertown, PA 18951
PH: 215-536-6614

Bullen's Wullens (ReadySpin)
Pat Bullens\5711 County Road 13
Centerburg, OH 43011
PH: 800-565-7290

Cascade CVM (Coats)
Linda Pfeiffer
31439 W. Commercial
P.O. Box 630
Carnation, WA 98014
PH: 206-333-4934

Fackler Wool Co. (Wool buyer)
65 Plymouth Street
Plymouth, OH 44865
PH: 419-687-4761 or 9665 (WOOL)

Fingerlakes Woolen Mill (Processing)
1193 Stewarts Corners Road
Genoa, NY 13071
PH: 800-441-9665

Frankenmuth Woolen Mills (Carding)
570 S. Main St.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
PH: 517-652-8121

Green Mountain Spinnery (Yarns)
Route 1, Box 54
Putney, VT 05346
PH: 802-387-4528

John Hendricks (Wool buyer)
300 Cherry Blossom Lane
Corey, OH 43316
PH: 419-396-7121

Liberty Ridge (Carding)
Lowell Greenway Road, Box 29B
Verona, NY 13478
PH: 315-446-3045

Mid-States Livestock Supplies
9449 Basil-Western Rd., NW
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
PH: 800-841-WOOL (9665)

Ohio Valley Natural Fibers (Processing)
Kent Ferguson
8541 Lauderback
Sardenia, OH 45171
PH: 937-446-3045
Email: info@ovnf.com
http://www.ovnf.com

Pleasant Home Woolen Co. (Blankets)
Connie M. King
9279 Pleasant Home Road
Sterling, OH 44276-9608
PH: 330-669-2943

Shippensburg Woolen Mill (Blankets)
Shippensburg, PA 17257
PH: 717-532-6211

Squires Fur and Wool Co. (Wool/fur buyer)
Warren Squires
3339 Chester Twp. Rd. #190
PO Box 4
Chesterville, OH 43317
PH: 419-768-2531

Stern Tanning (Tanning)
PO Box 55
Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085
PH: 414-467-8615

Woolsedge Wools (Carding)
PO Box 464
Kingston, NY 08528
PH: N/A

The Yarn Farm (Supplies & Equipment)
Dan Korngiebel
Box 333E, Rt. 103
Cuttingsville, VT 05738
PH: 802-492-3382

Zeilinger Wool Co. (Processing)
Kate and Gary Zeilinger
1130 Weiss St.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
PH: 517-652-2920

Equipment

D & S Equipment
Star Rd., Box 20
Frostburg, MD 21532
PH: 800-949-9997

Ketcham's Sheep Equipment
Ken Ketcham
6471 Miller Drive
Edwardsville, IL 62025
PH: 618-656-5388

Premier
2031 300th St., Dept. TS
Washington, IA 52353
PH: 800-282-6631

Sydell, Inc.
Rt. 1, Box 85
Burbank, SD 57010
PH: 800-842-1369

Townsend Sales
Ken Townsend
Livestock Equipment
Rt. 1, Box 43
Trafalgar, IN 46181
PH: 317-736-4047

Artificial Insemination

Cluff Artificial Breeders
Addam, Jackeye, Scott Cluff
1736 State Rt. 257S
Delaware, OH 43015
PH: 614-363-1962

Elite Genetics
17 First St., NW
Waukon, IA 52171
PH: 319-568-4551