sheep farming
Sheep farming made easy – Part 2: Production cycles and reproduction management
Reproduction is one of the most important factors which determine profitability when farming with sheep. The reproductive rate varies by farm, production system, and geographic areas. An ewe's production year can be divided into four distinct critical periods. The ewe is mated during a mating season of about three[...]
Sheep farming made easy – Part 17: Slatted floors, gates and wool equipment
The sheep farming series comes to an end. In our last edition, we discuss a few odd topics like slatted floors, gates and wool tables, bins and presses. We thank the ARC Agricultural Engineering in South Africa for making their manual on sheep production and facilities available to the[...]
Sheep farming made easy- Part 16: Fences
Five types of fences are used in sheep production. In this edition each of these types of fences will be discussed and examples of typical constructions and construction materials will be given. This is however not the alpha and omega as other requirements than those discussed here are also[...]
Precision farming gives Merino breeder 100% live lambs
The success of a sheep famer depends on the percentage of lambs which goes to the market eventually in relation to the number of ewes which dropped them. A farmer already has a continuous fight against drought, vermin and crime – he cannot afford not to ensure that there[...]
Sheep farming made easy
Part 15: General equipment: Water, feed and shade The welfare of your sheep depends mostly on the obvious, like sufficient water, feed and shading. When putting in some effort and care in designing these sources properly, most of your basic and day to day problems will disappear. We thank[...]