Im leaving the military soon and I've been planning out much of my future. Much of it being how to start a small sheep farm for meat purposes. Thank you for all you knowledge over the years.
Tannin rich feeds are low on the palatability scale, but have been shown to reduce parasite loads. This is where your tree fodder comes in, many tree leaves are high in tannins. All those cool season grasses will leave you without forage during a hot dry summer if you over plant them. Thankfully, we have plenty of native warm season grasses to fill that gap if you leave them room, as you mentioned. All that seed also costs money, not to mention the lime most of them require. I haven’t done it yet, but I am interested in in the use of fire to raise Ph and stimulate the growth of palatable pasture grasses. Good stuff, PJ, keep it coming! Still lots to learn and improve on in our pastures.
The best plants are in the natural seed bank in every location. Graze properly to discover your perfect blend. Sheep like more weeds than cattle. Goats like really weedy forages.
Unfortunately it isn't as good of a resource for Canadian sheep farmers but its still a good starting point. I found a blend that is almost exactly what I've already been doing in my pastures. I also like the idea of adding some chicorie. I did the same thing with pumpkins this year too. I'm hoping some of the seeds take this spring. I'm also hoping to grow some other vegetables in my pastures this spring. Carrots, beets, radishes for the deep tap roots and others like peas just to add more diversity. The sheep will eat them but I'm more doing it to add more to the variety and to also help out the bees.
fun and informative video PJ. good job. i feel like we're such nerds when we get all excited about our pasture mixes and trying out new experiments. your pasture and sheep are looking really good. super jealous as were all snowed in now! lambing a month away so makes sense to have them in the barn, but missing our grazing days!
Thank you! I wonder, what is your pasture like? I forget what part of Canada you're in? Was it Ontario? I'd be curious to learn what works well for your pasture. I can't complain about snow, but are getting hard frosts every night. Last night was 28 degrees F/ -2 C). My sheep are on pasture all year, but now I have to add hot water to their water troughs every day. Nothing compared to your cold, but it's a shocker for people used to warmer climates.
Birdsfoot treefoil is also a legume! It fixes nitrogen like alfalfa or clover but contrary to them, it does not cause bloating. It's great, although I think ground level affects its growth a lot.
I did a keyword analysis on your video. These are the results. Primary Keywords: - Pasture for sheep: Captures the main topic of the video. - best grasses for sheep: Addresses the specific question asked. - PJ's secret pasture formula: Highlights a unique solution presented. - Nature's Seed: Introduces a specific resource for pasture blends. - anti-parasitic plants for sheep: Focuses on a natural approach to parasite control. Secondary Keywords: - regenerative agriculture: Highlights the overall approach to land management. - tall fescue for sheep: Mentions a specific type of grass recommended. - legumes for sheep pastures: Discusses the importance of clover and alfalfa. - bird's foot trefoil and chicory: Introduces specific anti-parasitic plants. - native forage for sheep: Emphasizes the role of naturally occurring grasses. Long-Tail Keywords: - best grass seed mix for sheep in North Carolina: Refines the search to a specific region. - cost-effective pasture management for sheep: Addresses a common concern. - using pumpkin seeds to deworm sheep: Explores a natural alternative. - grazing strategies for sheep on small farms: Provides specific guidance for smaller operations. - DIY pasture blend for sheep based on Nature's Seed: Offers a practical application of the resource. - planting clover in shaded areas for sheep: Shares a specific tip for optimal growth. Good luck.
I’ve been told that fescue is poisonous to sheep and somewhere I read that sheep won’t touch it, others say it is good for them and also heard a podcast that talked about how they were studying the effects of fescue mostly on cows and said that it can hinder fertility among other problems. We need to enhance our pastures so the information that I’m getting about fescue has me wondering.
i live in the netherlands and im 23 years old but when i get my own home i want to start raising my own sheep for meat consumption. do you have any tips/info to dive into so that i can already start diving into the literature so when that time comes i have a good amount of knowledge ready to be applied.
Hi from Saskatchewan, Canada! I just subscribed and don't know any of your history. We have Katahdin sheep with maybe some Dorper in their background. I was thinking of talking my husband into getting a Dorper ram. Or would it be better to get some ewes? I started by watching the video of when you were talking about the different hair sheep. Looks like you have moved since then.
Getting a ram or getting ewes definitely depends on what your plan is 😅 We have moved! We were in Utah for a few years and have been in North Carolina now for a few years. We love it out here. Good luck with your sheep!
You can't set out seed in the winter can you? ANy advice. I'm in your same ZONE for the blend and I want to oversee an area to help it grow so I can move my sheep into a newer better area in the spring. We only have a few sheep and probably a lamb or two in the spring.
I think we may be like a month too late. Also we've had a really dry year. But if you wanted to do some annuals to have an AMAZING spring pasture, something I've done during this time of year is seed some oats and vetch. They are pretty cold tolerate, and will explode in the spring. They are annuals though.
I was not raised on lamb or sheep meat, and I have alot of trouble eating it because it tastes like they smell. What can I do to get over this problem. I also cant eat goat cheese as well, same problem.
Try hair sheep. Go to a farmer's market and ask them if they raise hair, or wool sheep. Most of what you get at a store is wool sheep and tastes VERY different.
Too much bone size cuts into the meat to bone ratio. Better to have moderate sized critters. For example with cattle, look at Greg Judy's South Poll vs a long legged Holostein.
Im leaving the military soon and I've been planning out much of my future. Much of it being how to start a small sheep farm for meat purposes. Thank you for all you knowledge over the years.
Whoa! I'm honored to be part of your story. Please let me know if I can help in any way!
Thanks for your service.
Letting your personality show thru makes these very entertaining😂
Tannin rich feeds are low on the palatability scale, but have been shown to reduce parasite loads. This is where your tree fodder comes in, many tree leaves are high in tannins. All those cool season grasses will leave you without forage during a hot dry summer if you over plant them. Thankfully, we have plenty of native warm season grasses to fill that gap if you leave them room, as you mentioned. All that seed also costs money, not to mention the lime most of them require. I haven’t done it yet, but I am interested in in the use of fire to raise Ph and stimulate the growth of palatable pasture grasses. Good stuff, PJ, keep it coming! Still lots to learn and improve on in our pastures.
You clearly know your stuff!
Pasture health is the foundation of good livestock. Sounds like your animals are in good hands.
Great video PJ. It makes the “grass farmer” think and that’s super important these days. Your sense of humour is the cherry on top 🍒
Thanks, you just made my day. I'm glad somebody gets me!
Excellent information - thanks for sharing this!
The best plants are in the natural seed bank in every location. Graze properly to discover your perfect blend. Sheep like more weeds than cattle. Goats like really weedy forages.
Great points! I completely agree!
Learning a lot from your channel thank you!
Thanks so much!
Enjoying your channel. Good mindset to have for sure
Thank you! The right mindset makes the biggest difference in the longrun!
Unfortunately it isn't as good of a resource for Canadian sheep farmers but its still a good starting point. I found a blend that is almost exactly what I've already been doing in my pastures. I also like the idea of adding some chicorie. I did the same thing with pumpkins this year too. I'm hoping some of the seeds take this spring.
I'm also hoping to grow some other vegetables in my pastures this spring. Carrots, beets, radishes for the deep tap roots and others like peas just to add more diversity. The sheep will eat them but I'm more doing it to add more to the variety and to also help out the bees.
We did some field peas to break up some clay and add organic matter in the pasture. Worked like a charm!
Yes! Save the bees!
fun and informative video PJ. good job. i feel like we're such nerds when we get all excited about our pasture mixes and trying out new experiments.
your pasture and sheep are looking really good. super jealous as were all snowed in now! lambing a month away so makes sense to have them in the barn, but missing our grazing days!
Thank you! I wonder, what is your pasture like? I forget what part of Canada you're in? Was it Ontario? I'd be curious to learn what works well for your pasture.
I can't complain about snow, but are getting hard frosts every night. Last night was 28 degrees F/ -2 C). My sheep are on pasture all year, but now I have to add hot water to their water troughs every day. Nothing compared to your cold, but it's a shocker for people used to warmer climates.
Cool stuff, Brother! The bales always bring their own seed 🥰🙏🏼
Great content here. This applies to me 100% with my small pasture in central NC.
Good, glad to hear it! Sounds like we're neighbors!
Birdsfoot treefoil is also a legume! It fixes nitrogen like alfalfa or clover but contrary to them, it does not cause bloating. It's great, although I think ground level affects its growth a lot.
Nitrogen fixation for the win!
I would love to see you do a video on how to seed your pasture for the common man. In other words, someone who doesn't have expensive tractors.
I did a keyword analysis on your video. These are the results.
Primary Keywords:
- Pasture for sheep: Captures the main topic of the video.
- best grasses for sheep: Addresses the specific question asked.
- PJ's secret pasture formula: Highlights a unique solution presented.
- Nature's Seed: Introduces a specific resource for pasture blends.
- anti-parasitic plants for sheep: Focuses on a natural approach to parasite control.
Secondary Keywords:
- regenerative agriculture: Highlights the overall approach to land management.
- tall fescue for sheep: Mentions a specific type of grass recommended.
- legumes for sheep pastures: Discusses the importance of clover and alfalfa.
- bird's foot trefoil and chicory: Introduces specific anti-parasitic plants.
- native forage for sheep: Emphasizes the role of naturally occurring grasses.
Long-Tail Keywords:
- best grass seed mix for sheep in North Carolina: Refines the search to a specific region.
- cost-effective pasture management for sheep: Addresses a common concern.
- using pumpkin seeds to deworm sheep: Explores a natural alternative.
- grazing strategies for sheep on small farms: Provides specific guidance for smaller operations.
- DIY pasture blend for sheep based on Nature's Seed: Offers a practical application of the resource.
- planting clover in shaded areas for sheep: Shares a specific tip for optimal growth.
Good luck.
Very informative
Love yahh videos bro..
Er'From Philippines.🐏🐑
Thank you! I feel the love from 8,800 miles away!
I’ve been told that fescue is poisonous to sheep and somewhere I read that sheep won’t touch it, others say it is good for them and also heard a podcast that talked about how they were studying the effects of fescue mostly on cows and said that it can hinder fertility among other problems.
We need to enhance our pastures so the information that I’m getting about fescue has me wondering.
Birdsfoot trefoil also has anti bloating propertis and can neautralise bloating that can happen when they eat to much clover or alfalfa
Do you have a link with this all written down?
The weeds that grow are what that soil needs to be healed.
Is fescue fresh grass bad for goats?
i live in the netherlands and im 23 years old but when i get my own home i want to start raising my own sheep for meat consumption. do you have any tips/info to dive into so that i can already start diving into the literature so when that time comes i have a good amount of knowledge ready to be applied.
Hi from Saskatchewan, Canada! I just subscribed and don't know any of your history. We have Katahdin sheep with maybe some Dorper in their background. I was thinking of talking my husband into getting a Dorper ram. Or would it be better to get some ewes? I started by watching the video of when you were talking about the different hair sheep. Looks like you have moved since then.
Getting a ram or getting ewes definitely depends on what your plan is 😅
We have moved! We were in Utah for a few years and have been in North Carolina now for a few years. We love it out here.
Good luck with your sheep!
Do you have an issue with Orchard sticking around? It seems that sometimes it can disappear over time.
Hmm, hard to tell since it's only two years now. But it's come back both years so far.
You can't set out seed in the winter can you? ANy advice. I'm in your same ZONE for the blend and I want to oversee an area to help it grow so I can move my sheep into a newer better area in the spring. We only have a few sheep and probably a lamb or two in the spring.
I think we may be like a month too late. Also we've had a really dry year.
But if you wanted to do some annuals to have an AMAZING spring pasture, something I've done during this time of year is seed some oats and vetch. They are pretty cold tolerate, and will explode in the spring. They are annuals though.
@@homesteadingwithPJ okay! Thanks for the suggestions.
I was not raised on lamb or sheep meat, and I have alot of trouble eating it because it tastes like they smell. What can I do to get over this problem. I also cant eat goat cheese as well, same problem.
Try hair sheep. Go to a farmer's market and ask them if they raise hair, or wool sheep.
Most of what you get at a store is wool sheep and tastes VERY different.
Try it in a curry
Tried their website but they don’t have Alaska on it
Ah bummer. They don't have Canada either.
I wish I knew more about that climate to offer any suggestions.
Too much bone size cuts into the meat to bone ratio. Better to have moderate sized critters. For example with cattle, look at Greg Judy's South Poll vs a long legged Holostein.