As a sheep farmer, I felt I needed to learn some about economics. It is good I have accounting experience and knowledge of managing a business. Economics was touched on slightly when I was obtaining an accounting degree. This year I felt I needed to learn more than a basic idea of economics. I wanted…… Continue reading Sheep and Economics
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Quality vs Quanity
“The more you sale, the more money you will have.” A common thought of the sheep farmers, goat farmers and cattle ranchers in the area where I live. But is this thought true? I used to think just selling a lamb as a market lamb would make me a profit. Then at the sales, I…… Continue reading Quality vs Quanity
Forging Ahead
The lack of rain in Texas resulted in drought conditions. Not as much hay was harvested in our area, creating a shortage and raising the prices of hay beyond the profit margin for most sheep farmers and cattle ranchers. I am forging ahead despite the increase in hay. I took three lambs to the sheep…… Continue reading Forging Ahead
Anticipation
Beginning in March, I scheduled the breeding of sheep, dates for lambing around one event, one day. In March, my youngest daughter informed me she was pregnant. News I was excited to hear. Most grandmothers are happy to hear of another grandchild coming into the family. A month later I received another phone call, with…… Continue reading Anticipation
When “Failing” is Not Failure
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
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
Granny's Homestead 