In North Central Texas farmers and ranchers have been experiencing a drought. The amount of hay produced is less than previous years. The cost of the hay is extremely high. I am perplexed with which choice to make, find some money to keep going or sell off my sheep flock. I do not have the…… Continue reading When “Failing” is Not Failure
Author: amtolle
Change of Plan
I am a goal setting type person. I make plans to reach certain number of sheep, when to do specific tasks and for family functions. Labor Day weekend I planned on getting ahead on my sheep schedule as I am going to be busy with family during September and October. My daughter is pregnant with…… Continue reading Change of Plan
Price of Hay
With the drought in Texas, the grass did not grow in August, and hay was not harvested. The past two years we have purchased our hay from one farmer. We informed him we would need a certain number of bales of hay for this winter, last spring. He said he would hold them for us,…… Continue reading Price of Hay
Heading into Fall
Photo by Tetyana Kovyrina on Pexels.com September is upon us, are we ready? I have been working on being ready for fall. With the summer drought, my concern is hay. Although we purchase from one hay grower, my husband has not talked with him about the price this year. I was set to not need…… Continue reading Heading into Fall
Raising Breeding Rams
I raise Dorper sheep for meat and breeding stock. I currently have three ram lambs that I have been feeding and watching to see if they will make breeding stock quality rams. The first evaluation of culling ram lambs from being breeding stock is they have to be fullblood Dorper registered rams. I do not…… Continue reading Raising Breeding Rams
Lamb Pie
I have been watching a series on Britbox, Victoria Farm. Life on a farm in England during the Victorian Era. The meals were a lot of pies and puddings. Not what Americans think of pies and puddings, but simple nutritious meals, with whatever was on hand. I decided to test my cooking abilities by making…… Continue reading Lamb Pie
“Roll of the Dice”
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I went to the sheep and goat auction a couple of weeks back. It was good to see old acquaintances and catch up with friends. I had taken three ewe lambs, a ram lamb and a young billy goat to sale. As I do at any auction I walked through…… Continue reading “Roll of the Dice”
Is It a Good Time to Buy Sheep?
With the summer drought in my area, people are selling their sheep. They are not just selling lambs or old ewes, selling every sheep they own. The cost of feed for winter has many sheep farmers lowering the number of their flock or just selling all the flock. And yet, I have had three calls…… Continue reading Is It a Good Time to Buy Sheep?
Equipment For The Sheep Farmer
Daily chores the past two days has been work, before the work. I have been receiving some much needed rain the last two days. When doing chores in the rain and mud, I have to put on my equipment – mud boots, raincoat, and wide brim hat. As I was doing the work of getting…… Continue reading Equipment For The Sheep Farmer
A Little Rain
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Last night and today it has been raining. Much needed rain as the pastures are short, tan, dry grass. I have had my sheep in pens feeding hay since last month not wanting to over graze the dry grass, waiting for the rain. Overgrazing the short dry grass will only…… Continue reading A Little Rain
Granny's Homestead 