Drought and Profit

I started raising sheep as a source of additional income. In order for any business adventure to make a profit the expenses have to be less than the amount from sales or services. This year with the drought, I have had to watch the expenses very closely. But each year, drought or no drought, I have to watch the expenses very closely. The largest expense in raising sheep or any livestock is the feed that needs to be purchased and/or grown.

Unlike the previous drought year, the price of hay in my area has not gone outrageously high. Two years ago, hay prices went really high in addition to not being able to find hay to purchase as the feed stores had purchased all the local hay supply. We traveled out of state to purchase hay. This year, we have found a hay grower with good quality hay.

This year for the first time, I am planting a winter cover crop of winter wheat, an annual grain. The wheat seed costs $13.00 USD per 50 pounds. Four 50 pound bags will seed my pasture, a cost of $52.00 USD. I am using no till method of seeding my pasture and small areas with hopes of enough rain to help the seed sprout and grow. No till simply means planting seed without plowing and turning over the ground. I am planting the seed within the established grass pasture I have without disturbing the grass. The winter wheat will be completing its growth cycle when the grass will emerge in the spring. The plan is to be able to graze the pasture this winter and next year. The success of the plan is dependent on the weather, moisture for the wheat and grass to grow.

The other major expense is the purchase of breeding stock. In 2024 I will need to purchase an excellent quality ram. Since I have built up my flock to produce good quality breeding stock, I need to keep improving. This year I have sold one starter flock, sold additional ewes and a ram to a previous purchaser, and sold breeding stock at a breed show/sale. There is more profit in selling quality breeding stock than in selling just market lambs. Although I still sale market lambs at auction, as I cull my breeding stock harshly.

Some sheep farmers purchase their breeding stock at the regular sheep auctions in the area. It is less expense to purchase “breeding ewes” from a regular sheep auction, but what are you purchasing? I sell my culls, those that are not good quality Dorper sheep. The other sheep I take to the regular sheep auctions are ewes that have a bad udder or some other problem to producing lambs. A person needs to be very cautious when purchasing at a regular sheep auction.

There are a few auctions during the year specifically for breeding stock. I have sold rams that I could not take to the show/sales at one of these auctions. I have also attended with the idea of purchasing more registered Dorper ewes, but found the selection and number very low compared to those wanting to purchase. From my personal experience it is less expensive to raise my own replacement ewes. Ewes I have purchased at auction did not come with a family history. The replacement ewes I raise and keep are from good mothers with a resistance to parasites. Traits that lower the expense of medical supplies and lamb milk replacer.

Can I still make a profit during the drought? It will be slim, but it is possible. I still have a few rams to sell and I will be starting to lamb in November, providing market lambs for sale in January.

Granny