Highland Cattle are climatized to the NC area because our mountains are literally previously part of the highlands that they originate from. The climates are incredibly similar, and so the breed thrives here. There are a few Highland breeders in the state, if you change your mind. They’re not only great for marbled meat, but their milk is higher in butterfat, making them great for products. We operate a small homestead and aspire to Highlands as well. Aside from that, I’d say that you were pretty spot-on with this video ❤ Rooting for y’all.
Yay! Someone in the camp of Highlands in NC! Funny you mention the Scottish Highlands being the same range as the Appalachians. I just learned that fact a week ago! If I lived further west (in the mountains for NC) I think I'd pull the trigger right now and buy some Highland cows!
I have an urge that i am fighting now that would probably lead to a money pit. I have the urge to start a bunch of different and new livestock at once. I know i need to get my infrastructure in place, but the allure is strong. I have started with runner ducks and im realizing how much time it is taking to build pens, coops, runs, constant water management and security.
loads of good points man. i laughed about the name. our kids every year name a black lamb midnight. midnight one, midnight 2, midnight 5... i forget what number were on now. funny thing happened this year too... in ontario we cant get meds unless a vet has come to our farm once a year. i needed antibiotics so had to have them come, say hello to the sheep and hand me the bottle. 300 bucks. the bill came a week later on a same day i pulled a lamb. guess the lamb is gunna pay for the vet bill...
I suppose I should confess that my current sheep have "names", but they are just to identify them. I have: double dark chocolate (all black) chocolate milk (reddish brown) cookies and cream (white with black spots) skim milk (all white, average build) whole milk (all white with a fat neck) So I guess that's another caveat to this "rule"...
Maybe try to order them from India, places like IndiaMart and others. Not simple, they do email contact, not just 'click and buy", but my one order so far was smooth, now I am ready to order again. Not sure if Canada will allow the package to you, just as they were stopping Ivermectin at a certain time (ahem).
About the vet... It usually isn't worth calling them especially for sheep. It is better to learn from your mistakes and to eduacate yourself about what to do so that animal doesn't become sick in the first place and what can you do to help it yourself if it does. If I don't know what to do I observe the simptoms, go to the vet and tell them what is wrong. They usually give some medicine and it usually helps to at least prevent healthy looking animals to go sick
So many good tips! Thanks for letting us learn from your experience. While "nail it - scale it" is great advice for homesteads, it might not should apply to relationships. LOL
Thank you! Funny story, that's how I originally thought to pronounce it. And then, a really old cattleman I know said "here" - "ford", and I changed because I thought if anyone knew, he would know better than me. Going back to "her" - "ford" now 🤣
Haha I have a guy up the road (same guy I got my jacobs from) who raises highland cattle and he keeps trying to get me to get some. I'd love to but I'm 28 weeks pregnant and in my 3rd year of my bachelors xD maybe when I'm done my degree and no longer pregnant.
Ahh, good call! After 2+ years, my camping tarp is ripping a little. Didn't know that shade tarps were different, but I just Googled them and they look like a good fit for this purpose. Great idea!
You had me dying at the seed catalog 😂 that's my wife 100% Quick question if you have time, what measures do you take to protect your sheep? Or maybe you haven't had any problems with coyotes. I would like to get some sheep but I've heard coyotes around here before I was wondering if you have had any problems with predators. Thanks!
Knock. On. Wood. I've never lost a sheep from coyotes. I credit that to having neighbors with dogs everywhere who walk, and sometimes roam free (which isn't great for the sheep's health...). I wish I could give you better advice here, I've just been lucky. I only have 4' tall, 4" x 4" woven wire fencing.
If your not calling the vet until the last min you are right. They are a waste. But we have saved a whole litter of pigs because of the vet when we had strep throat come through.
I've never been to Maine. The closest I've been is Boston... BUT, if you can find someone within 100 miles doing Dorper sheep, buy from them rather then across the country. If you can find someone near you making it work, I'm sure you can! I see that there's a Maine sheep breeders Facebook page. Maybe start there? facebook.com/groups/331285921205/ Good luck!
After sitting through an extension program recently I thought to myself “I should be getting into ag sales, there’s so many dumb people out there willing to part ways with their money”
... Why... Why are you burying sheep? I had a dog kill my best dairy goat in December, and that beautiful girl is in my freezer. It breaks my heart to eat any part of her, but that's what I signed up for. Why. The fuck. Are you. Burying sheep?
Hello! Thank you for your concern, I realize I may have failed to clarify in the video - these sheep died from parasites. They were accustomed to the dry climate in UT, and when I brought them to NC (huge mistake) their genetics couldn't handle the environment. They had no resistance to the parasites in the humid NC climate, so they got sick and died. I completely agree that I would have brought a sheep killed by a dog to the butcher. A sudden death like that would have included no illness. So sorry for your loss by the way. A dog killing an animal still merits putting that animal in the freezer in my book too. But these sheep were sick, and there was no part of me that wanted to sacrifice my health or my family's health by eating them. Anyone else feel differently?
Highland Cattle are climatized to the NC area because our mountains are literally previously part of the highlands that they originate from. The climates are incredibly similar, and so the breed thrives here. There are a few Highland breeders in the state, if you change your mind. They’re not only great for marbled meat, but their milk is higher in butterfat, making them great for products. We operate a small homestead and aspire to Highlands as well. Aside from that, I’d say that you were pretty spot-on with this video ❤ Rooting for y’all.
Yay! Someone in the camp of Highlands in NC!
Funny you mention the Scottish Highlands being the same range as the Appalachians. I just learned that fact a week ago! If I lived further west (in the mountains for NC) I think I'd pull the trigger right now and buy some Highland cows!
I have an urge that i am fighting now that would probably lead to a money pit. I have the urge to start a bunch of different and new livestock at once. I know i need to get my infrastructure in place, but the allure is strong. I have started with runner ducks and im realizing how much time it is taking to build pens, coops, runs, constant water management and security.
Yup! Trust me, you'll be glad you waited. Nail it with one livestock, then scale it with others!
You’re really getting your shit together this year PJ. Good job man 💪💪
loads of good points man. i laughed about the name. our kids every year name a black lamb midnight. midnight one, midnight 2, midnight 5... i forget what number were on now.
funny thing happened this year too... in ontario we cant get meds unless a vet has come to our farm once a year. i needed antibiotics so had to have them come, say hello to the sheep and hand me the bottle. 300 bucks. the bill came a week later on a same day i pulled a lamb. guess the lamb is gunna pay for the vet bill...
I suppose I should confess that my current sheep have "names", but they are just to identify them.
I have:
double dark chocolate (all black)
chocolate milk (reddish brown)
cookies and cream (white with black spots)
skim milk (all white, average build)
whole milk (all white with a fat neck)
So I guess that's another caveat to this "rule"...
Maybe try to order them from India, places like IndiaMart and others. Not simple, they do email contact, not just 'click and buy", but my one order so far was smooth, now I am ready to order again. Not sure if Canada will allow the package to you, just as they were stopping Ivermectin at a certain time (ahem).
Once again, this advice is gold. Thanks, PJ!
Thanks so much, you made me smile!
Great info!!!!
About the vet... It usually isn't worth calling them especially for sheep. It is better to learn from your mistakes and to eduacate yourself about what to do so that animal doesn't become sick in the first place and what can you do to help it yourself if it does. If I don't know what to do I observe the simptoms, go to the vet and tell them what is wrong. They usually give some medicine and it usually helps to at least prevent healthy looking animals to go sick
I stopped naming my chickens several years ago ❤
Kevin, for Kevin Bacon! That's hilarious! Thank you. I needed a good laugh! I think I will name my male pigs Kevin, and the female Kevina.
Great video
So many good tips! Thanks for letting us learn from your experience. While "nail it - scale it" is great advice for homesteads, it might not should apply to relationships. LOL
😂
Thank you for all your great content.
Just FYI - Hereford is usually pronounced "her" - "furd".
Thank you! Funny story, that's how I originally thought to pronounce it. And then, a really old cattleman I know said "here" - "ford", and I changed because I thought if anyone knew, he would know better than me.
Going back to "her" - "ford" now 🤣
January seed catalogs, crack cocaine for gardeners.
😂
Haha I have a guy up the road (same guy I got my jacobs from) who raises highland cattle and he keeps trying to get me to get some. I'd love to but I'm 28 weeks pregnant and in my 3rd year of my bachelors xD maybe when I'm done my degree and no longer pregnant.
Oh man, that sounds tempting. Stay strong! There's a season for everything!
@homesteadingwithPJ absolutely! I don't need to rush into any of it. I'm a take my time and learn kind of person haha
Try a shade tarp next time. Much cheaper and last.
Ahh, good call! After 2+ years, my camping tarp is ripping a little. Didn't know that shade tarps were different, but I just Googled them and they look like a good fit for this purpose. Great idea!
You had me dying at the seed catalog 😂 that's my wife 100%
Quick question if you have time, what measures do you take to protect your sheep? Or maybe you haven't had any problems with coyotes. I would like to get some sheep but I've heard coyotes around here before I was wondering if you have had any problems with predators. Thanks!
Knock. On. Wood.
I've never lost a sheep from coyotes. I credit that to having neighbors with dogs everywhere who walk, and sometimes roam free (which isn't great for the sheep's health...).
I wish I could give you better advice here, I've just been lucky. I only have 4' tall, 4" x 4" woven wire fencing.
You should look at south poll or red poll cattle.
Thanks for the recommendation. I've heard of these breeds, but haven't looked into them. I will now!
If your not calling the vet until the last min you are right. They are a waste. But we have saved a whole litter of pigs because of the vet when we had strep throat come through.
Moving to Maine do you think Dorpher sheep would be good for my area?
I've never been to Maine. The closest I've been is Boston... BUT, if you can find someone within 100 miles doing Dorper sheep, buy from them rather then across the country. If you can find someone near you making it work, I'm sure you can!
I see that there's a Maine sheep breeders Facebook page. Maybe start there?
facebook.com/groups/331285921205/
Good luck!
After sitting through an extension program recently I thought to myself “I should be getting into ag sales, there’s so many dumb people out there willing to part ways with their money”
😂
Dude I just realized your last name!
Ha! 😂
Horses! Big mistake
Free deer
Get a Dexter
Honestly, if I found 2 Dexters for sale somewhat near me, I'd buy them today. They seem like a perfect fit. Now to look for some...
... Why... Why are you burying sheep? I had a dog kill my best dairy goat in December, and that beautiful girl is in my freezer. It breaks my heart to eat any part of her, but that's what I signed up for. Why. The fuck. Are you. Burying sheep?
You got mutton, use a Dutch oven, fella.
Hello! Thank you for your concern, I realize I may have failed to clarify in the video - these sheep died from parasites. They were accustomed to the dry climate in UT, and when I brought them to NC (huge mistake) their genetics couldn't handle the environment. They had no resistance to the parasites in the humid NC climate, so they got sick and died. I completely agree that I would have brought a sheep killed by a dog to the butcher. A sudden death like that would have included no illness. So sorry for your loss by the way. A dog killing an animal still merits putting that animal in the freezer in my book too. But these sheep were sick, and there was no part of me that wanted to sacrifice my health or my family's health by eating them. Anyone else feel differently?