This year I experienced a hot year on the farm. Most days were above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The lack of rain turned my pasture to dry soil with parched grass stubble standing. The weeds were not even growing. I stopped letting the sheep graze the pasture in May.
With the heat, and not much green grass to nibble, my weaned lambs have not been growing very fast. The weaned lambs have plenty to eat, hay and grain. Sheep do not eat much when the temperatures are hot during the day and night. The few market lambs I have are not ready to sell or butcher.
I have selected the rams we will be showing in Duncan next year. I was hoping to have two or three rams ready for a Dorper breeding stock sale in October, but they will not be up to condition to bring a good price. I will sell them later, when I like their condition better.
I have been busy working on rebuilding pens, feeders and shelters. I am redesigning the majority of my pen locations and alley ways for moving of the sheep. I will have pictures posted soon of the changes I have made. I am excited and very pleased with the way the pens will be situated making the movement of sheep to the pasture lots or the working chutes in the future. I am even building an area with a ramp for loading sheep into trailers when sold or being taken to a show.
I am going to plant some winter wheat as a cover crop in the pasture in October. I am hoping we have moisture for the seed to sprout and grow for winter forage for the sheep. This will be the first year I have planted a cover crop for winter forage.
The sale of our sheep this year is more than last year. But the extra money has gone to purchase hay for summer feed. Due to the sale of sheep in Duncan and to a person adding to the flock, I am able to purchase the hay I will need this winter and into the beginning of next Spring. It is a relief to have feed ready for the winter, before winter arrives.
The past three nights, we have received a little rain. So far, 1/4 of an inch has fallen with more in the forecast. The nights are a little bit cooler. The cooler temperatures, partly cloudy skies and the moisture is a relief from the very hot temperatures of the summer. The rain brings hope for the grass to turn green and grow, and for sheep to start eating more in order to gain weight, and the winter wheat will grow well providing green forage this winter.
November I will be expecting lambs to start arriving. With new lambs arriving, new hopes spring that next year will be a more profitable year than this year.
I think farmers carry hope for tomorrow even when they are struggling with the problems of today. I know I do.
Granny
Granny's Homestead 