Aleza Johnson

Travis Johnson wrote:I wish others would join in on this because I don't want you to get advice only from me; no one here is smarter than all of us put together after all, and that includes sheep farmers. But atlas because no one is, I will chime in again.

I might check into 4H a bit deeper and see if the instructors intend to add sheep or not to the program if they don't already have it. I know 5 and 7 is not a good age to base future interest, but if it looks promising, it might change how I would approach getting a few sheep. I would definitely go with woolies, and I say that because your only reasoning so far not to is because of shearing costs. If you have 4 H lambs though, even hair sheep must be trimmed for the judges. If you are going to trim them (and your children learning how to trim) they minds well learn how to shear. Shearing for the show ring is much different anyway and the cost would be free for you. Instead of trimming, you would just put them on a stand and shear. Little, little difference.

And what I said holds true of the bigger breeds of sheep, they do well in the ring. You might have to take a trip a few hours away, but MN is LOADED with sheep farms. I am actually looking there for some breeding stock ewes for my farm.

As for a market, I know how you feel. I can sell 50 lambs or so locally, but most of my lambs get shipped down to new Holland, PA. That is about 900 miles away, but that is where the market is, so that is where they go.

As for improving your land, oh they will do that. Sheep LOVE weeds so they graze on them almost out of existence. Sometimes its good, like a patch of poison ivy I had...their favorite feed by the way...but sometimes not so good like a plot of raspberries we have had on this farm for generations. Yep, both grazed out of existence. Give sheep a few years and they will make an okay pasture into a great one. Their manure helps, it is twice the NPK of cows, equal to chicken litter and so is really good at fertilizing. A lot of people get goats thinking they will graze on brush and browse, but few people know that sheep love small branches and leaves too. They will clear out an overgrown pasture in record time...and sheep are easier to keep fenced in. Sheep go UNDER a fence, goats and cows go over, so keep a tight fence on the bottom and they will stay in.

I am biased I know, but I rally like having sheep. I am no expert by any means, but I will always have them around.

I'm enjoying getting your opinion.  I wouldn't mind a few more people's opinions, but I'll take what I can get, lol.  

I wonder what you think of Wiltshire horn? I just watched a YouTube video about them and St. Croix.  The woman said the Wiltshire usually have a good size lamb for butchering but are small enough at birth that lambing is easy. She also said they are the only breed to shed their wool.  I would prefer polled, just because I feel like horns are dangerous if they try to ram me or my children, but I'm willing to try a breed with horns if that's the only "fault".  Plus my hubby wants a ram skull with those beautiful yet aggressive looking horns. 😉

  What breed of sheep are you getting from Minnesota?

We are just planning to provide for ourselves, improve our land and sort of as a personal hobby.  There is just about no market for lamb meat up here, so I don't think selling it would be profitable anyway.  I talked to a local butcher and he said he rarely gets lamb meat and when he does, it just doesn't sell.  I just enrolled my 5 & 7 year old boys in 4-H so showing lambs could be in their future.  I want the breed we choose to visually stand out if we decide to show them.  Most flocks around here I think are polypay.  I know one person with Jacob sheep.

Thank you for that info, it's something to consider.  How do you find the meat tastes from your lambs?  I've heard the lanolin in the wool gives the meat a strong/bad flavor, and that hair sheep don't have that problem or at least not as bad.   Also if it only costs 6 dollars per sheep to shear what is the price of wool?  I've read it's not worth the cost of shearing to sell it.

Travis Johnson wrote:I am not from MN, but I am curious as to why you have chosen hair sheep. I realize they do not need to be shorn, but there are a plethora of reasons to have woolies. I used to have Katadins (a hair sheep breed), but ultimately had to sell them off as heir liabilities outweighed their benefits. I do not want others to make the same mistakes I did.

I'm very new to even the idea of sheep so I chose hair sheep because I wouldn't have to shear them and they would be for meat.  What are the liabilities you're talking about?  I'm pretty open minded about different sheep right now.

I'm looking for sheep breeders in northern Minnesota, preferably hair sheep.  I want to get started in sheep and need someone somewhat local to buy from and hopefully learn a bit from.

Hi I'm new to this forum, first time posting.  I live in northern Minnesota up by Bemidji.  Anyone else live near me, specifically with sheep?  I'm looking to get some sheep this spring.