Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
planning skills to improve the fl ock or even just to keep it from deteriorating.
Beginners are best advised to start with less-expensive sheep to minimize the
losses that may result from inexperience.
After a year or two of raising no-breed-name sheep, it is much easier to
decide on the breed that offers you the most potential for profi t, taking into
account your particular interests. Knowing how much time you can spend
with them helps you decide whether the most prolifi c breeds, which require
more attention at lambing time, would be suitable for your situation.
If you are buying purebreds and plan to sell them, try to select a breed
that would appeal to a market with which you are familiar, if possible, as well
as one suited to your area. For example, some unusual breeds are in great
demand for noncommercial raising, with good sales for breeding stock. Some
breeds thrive at high altitudes, some do well in heat, and others prefer cooler
climates. Some graze well on rolling hills and some are more at home on fl at
meadows. Some breeds can tolerate abundant rainfall; others would suffer
with hoof problems and fl eece rot if there was too much rain.
Club Lambs
Club lambs are those that are heading for youth-program participants — espe-
cially 4-H members. They look for carcass characteristics, as opposed to spe-
cifi c breed characteristics, so club lambs don't necessarily have to come from
registered fl ocks. If you are raising lambs that show good carcasses, then you
might want to get the word out to Extension personnel.
Club lambs can increase your income because they sell for higher prices
than market lambs at the same weight (at weaning, usually about 30 to
40 pounds [13.5 to 18 kg]). But remember, this generally isn't a very big mar-
ket (go to your county fair and see how many kids are actually showing lambs
to give you an idea of the potential market in your area).
The competition will be among established club-lamb producers, many of
whom are quite well known in sheep circles, with strong followings of buyers.
If you do want to pursue selling club lambs, you'll fi nd the best way to build
a clientele is to compete in the show circuit yourself (and perhaps sponsor
some young competitors), and have ribbon winners. Few producers make a
living from club lambs, though some do handsomely marketing this way.
Mowing Services
This is defi nitely becoming a more viable income stream for owners of
various-sized fl ocks. It also reduces costs for many shepherds by providing
