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Hands-On
Small Scale Sheep
Production
Held
every summer in June or July
As
background for this workshop, you may want to see SkyLines
Farm's website Management
Practices
for in-depth discussion of my organic approach to sheep
production. Write
to get on the mailing ist for workshops.
Background
I've been raising sheep by organic methods since
1992
and slowly growing the flock to my current size of about
sixty vibrantly healthy ewes and their lambs. The sheep
generate three major products that I direct-market to
consumers:
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Premium natural-colored and white wool for
handspinners
> Hardy & productive breeding stock for
other shepherds
> Lean, healthy grassfed freezer lamb for
families.
Workshop
Overview
This daylong workshop is designed specifically for beginning
small-scale farmers. Whether you're just considering raising
sheep or have already started your flock, you'll get a broad
overview of all aspects of keeping your small flock healthy,
happy, and productive using organic methods. You'll also get
up-close and hands-on with the SkyLines sheep as you learn
and practice some of the basic sheep care procedures such as
drenching for internal parasite control (worming with
garlic), trimming hooves, and giving shots.
A SkyLines
Romney ewe nurses her chunky twin
lambs.
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Discussion
Topics
-
Overview of SkyLines Farm's operation
- What a healthy happy sheep looks like and how to tell when
something's wrong
- Management principles and practices for maintaining superb
sheep health
- Sheep nutrition & feed requirements
- Basic sheep health care - dealing with minor wounds,
internal & external parasites, bloat, hoof care
- Simple and functional sheep facilities - barns, sheds,
fencing, gates, feeders, water
- Rotational grazing principles and advantages
- Using Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) for predator-friendly
flock protection
Hands-On
Activities
- Low-stress sheep
handling - moving sheep, restraining sheep for treatment
- Drenching sheep with garlic for internal parasite
control
- Trimming hooves
- Where and how to give shots if they're needed
Farm
Tour
We'll start or end the day with a walking tour of the farm.
We'll view and discuss:
- Examples of fencing styles and materials...woven wire
field fencing, permanent electric, portable electric, rigid
panels, fence charging systems
- The SkyLines runway system that allows the sheep access to
water and lets me maintain precise control of how long and
where the sheep are grazing
- Pasture divisions for rotational grazing
- Moving the sheep to fresh pasture (this is fun!)
- Plus you'll meet the team of five Great Pyrenees Livestock
Guardian dogs, Peaches the guard donkey...and of course the
sheep themselves!
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Leading the
flock down the runway from pasture #13 to pasture
#1, to begin another grazing rotation.
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THE DETAILS . .
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What to Wear
We'll spend most of
the day outside in the barns and walking through the farm's
woods and pastures, so wear sturdy walking shoes or boots
and dress for the weather. You may want to bring a light
jacket, sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellant if you use
them, and perhaps a water bottle.
Note: Biosecurity
is an important aspect of managing any farm, and it's
particularly important to me. Please respect my farm
management practices and wear clothing and footwear that
have not been worn on another sheep farm.
Food
Lunch is included in your registration fee. We'll eat lunch
as a group either in the house or on the deck, depending on
the weather.
Cost
One person $75 per day. Two people registering together $65
per person. Nonrefundable advance deposit to guarantee your
reservation $35/person, with balance due by workshop day.
Pay via PayPal or personal check.
Housing
Overnight camping is available nearby, and on-farm housing
may also be available. Contact me for details.
To register or
for more info
Call me at
208/875-8747 or write me at
melissa@skylinesfarm.com
SkyLines'
Angus
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SkyLines
Farm employs working
Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs.
Please leave your dogs at home.
SkyLines
Farm 4551 Highway 6 Harvard, ID 83834
208.875.8747
Purebred Romney & Romney-Cross
Sheep
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