I want to get into sheep farming????

[cakadu]

rick, than answer to your question is yes, you can make money in sheep. I fact I think sheep are the best kept secret there is. If you are working as a couple then it is even better. I have had really good luck with sheep. just be aware that if you want to suceed your work load will be heavey. Ohter advice you have been given is all good too but one thing I have learned is that you have to be with your sheep. Especially during lambing. When lambing time starts around here I don't even make it to town for 6 weeks. it also took me 5 years before I started to make money but that comes with growth. Also when you are starting out make sure you choose the bred that will work for you. There is a wide variety of breeds that will accomplish a variation of goals. This alonmg with planning your markets are crutial steps. Anyway good luck and use this website to get any questions answered. Sheperds are always willing to help out when they can.

[cakadu]

Can't think of any other questions right now, but I appreciate everyones help.

Trying to get information on asparagus from fellow farmers and the Ontario aspapragus board was impossible, thus leading to the demise of my 32 yr old crop, as I got into that blindly as well. Asparagus needs to be fertilized years in advance for future crops, not knowing this, with crops yeilding high, I avoided expensive fertilizing, and eventually the soil wasn't up to par, and again, it would take years to recoperate, as the roots are very deep. The price dropped drastically too, so it wasn't nessarily a bad thing, other producers that hung on lost more.

I'm really confused as I have changed my mind about sheep inbetween your posts a few times.

I originally wanted to try sheep because I thought the wool was valuable, and I could farm an animal without it's death involved, as I am an animal lover,

However I understand that these lambs will have a good life, yet short, and thats life.

I am looking forward to reading more posts, and make a decision, there arn't many sheep farmers(shepards, lol) around here to get hands on information, and there low numbers makes me think too,
thanks again.

[jensco]

I'm a softy too Rick! Lamb deaths are hard and I had just lost two this past week. I have to agree with everyone, and although we are small and still "rookies" at it, we love them. We are in the midst of lambing - normally good in January since disease is greatly reduced and we like to be near the sheep during lambing. Much more difficult when they are on pasture. Anyway, had three ram lambs born this morning and all seem to be doing well. Must go look in on the new ones.

Have a good one!

PS. Manitobans, there is also a genetics/breeding workshop coming up in both Dauphin and Winnipeg in Feb. Check at you local Ag Office for details.

[cakadu]

Rick, loosing anything is never easy, but if you've got livestock, well...you've got dead stock too. After almost 10 years, that's still hard for me to get a grip on and it's also hard for me to see the wethers (castrated males) go in for meat, but that is what they are raised for. They are treated very well while here and that is what helps in the long run.

Another good thing is to focus more of the attention on your females because they will often be your replacements and will be around for a little longer than the boys.

Many a livestock producer asks themselves from time to time why they still do it, despite setbacks, high prices and loss. Sheep are one of these things that you either really like or you don't really like it - there doesn't seem to be much in-between.

What makes it all worthwhile, however, is when you go out walking at the end of the day - usually to clear your head - and you see all those baby lambs frolicking and playing and generally enjoying life and that's when it all feels really good.

Where in Ontario are you - I thought that there were some fairly strong sheep groups and OMAF should have some reasonably decent information available. If you check out www.agric.gov.ab.ca (which is the Alberta agriculture website, you should be able to find some pretty good information on sheep farming).

Like anything, there is risk involved, it's somewhat dependent on how much risk you're willing to take.

Cheers!

[cakadu]

Hello everyone, I thought of some questions,

1.What would be the average price to get for ready lamb, roughly?

2.How many lambs would 10 females produce a year roughly?

3. How long do females have lambs, and what do you do with them when there older?

4.Whats an average amount of sheep to have for a small business?

5.And with that amount, what expences can I expect, they must need more than grass and shelter, ...other foods? innoculations?... anything?

6. And finally, when is a good time of the year to start?

Thanks again for the help, hope your still around come sheep time.

[KathyV]

Ontario has the strongest market for lamb in North America.The provincial flock has grown by over 40% in the last few years. To answer some of your questions 1) prices vary during the year with the highest prices running around $140 hd. right now to a low of $80 hd. in the fall for lambs from 70-100 lbs. 2) 10 ewes can produce 10 - 23 lambs or more depending on breed per lambing 3) Ewes remain productive depending on condition up to 7-8 yrs.
4)Will depend on your expenses
I would suggest you check out www.ontariosheep.com and subscribe to the Ontario Sheep News, attend meetings in your area. Kemptville College has a course in Sheep Management running right now. There are over 4,000 shepherds in Ontario, and most are very willing to talk "sheep". I will say that there is a large turnover in sheep producers due to bad planning, and lack f a business plan - but there is a strong market for the product at both the public stockyards, and to sell at the farmgate for those with talents in that direction. Good Luck!

[woolpuller]

Kathy V has given some good info. Search for sheep as lots of good web sites.
The most popular sheep in Ontario are Rideau Arcott, Suffolk, Polled Dorset. Might want to critique this.