800-346-9140 SUSTAINABLE SHEEP

PRODUCTION
Appropriate Technology TransferforRuralAreas
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION GUIDE

ATTRA is the national sustainable agriculture information center funded by the USDA’s Rural Business -- Cooperative Service.

Abstract: This publication introduces concerns and practices specifically related to sustainable sheep
production. Topics covered include breed selection, controlled grazing, pasture lambing, alternative health
management, and innovative marketing of meat and wool products. Four enclosures and a list of further
resources are also included.

By Ann Wells, Lance E. Gegner, and Richard Earles

NCAT Agriculture Specialists
May 2000

Introduction

Integrating sheep into a farming operation

can contribute to the economic and
environmental sustainability of the whole
farm. Sheep will enhance the farm’s
biological diversity, and may fit economic
and biological niches that would
otherwise go unfilled. The relatively
small investment required, and the
gradually increasing size of the flock,
make sheep production a good choice for
the beginning small-scale or part-time
farmer. For the established farmer
seeking to diversify, sheep offer a number
publications. It is important to learn as much as
of benefits.
you can before beginning a sheep enterprise. The
General production information on sheep—such Resources section at the end of this document
as feeding, breeding, and health management provides further sources of information,
guidelines—is available through local or state including books, magazines, websites, and
Cooperative Extension Service and in many organizations. We strongly encourage you to
supplement your reading on the subject by
Contents: contacting and visiting with sheep producers in
Introduction .........................................................1 your area.
Breeds.....................................................................2
Nutrition................................................................2 Soil loss associated with erodible land used for
Alternative Health Strategies.............................4 row crops declines when such land is converted
Marketing..............................................................6 to well-managed pasture. Rotating row crops
Conclusion ............................................................8 and pasture every three or four years offers both
References .............................................................8 fertility and pest control advantages, so long as
Enclosures .............................................................8 the pasture is not over-grazed. Sheep waste can
Resources...............................................................9 replace some purchased fertilizers, and the
rotation can help interrupt various weed and

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parasite life cycles. Sheep can be incorporated will be adapted to the climatic and forage
into existing grazing operations with goats or conditions of your region. Sheep coming in from
cattle. In fact, multi-species grazing with sheep, a distance will be less productive and may
cattle, and goats is useful in increasing pasture require a year to adapt. For information on the
efficiency. It has been demonstrated that grazing various breeds, contact the American Sheep
sheep with cattle can increase meat production Industry Association (ASI), or visit the Oklahoma
by 24% compared to cattle alone, and by 9% State University livestock breeds Web page (both
compared to sheep alone (1). ATTRA has more are listed under Resources).
information on multi-species grazing available on
request. Nutrition

Forage from brush, pasture, and range can be Pasture Grazing

maximized as low-cost feeds. Sheep, as
ruminants, convert forage that would otherwise Improving pasture and extending the grazing
be unusable to humans into high-quality fiber, season are important in a forage-based sheep
meat, and milk. Like cattle, sheep are grazers; operation. Depending on the climate, it may be
like goats, they also consume woody browse (tree possible to improve pastures with cool season
forage and shrubs) and forbs (herbaceous plants). perennials (tall fescue, orchardgrass), warm
Sheep are less dependent on harvested grains season annuals (crabgrass), cool season annuals
than are cattle, swine, and poultry. Of all (annual ryegrass, oats, wheat), and a few warm
domestic livestock, sheep raised on forage require season perennials (bahiagrass, bermudagrass) to
the least use of fossil fuel (2). provide year-round forage. The addition of
legumes (alfalfa, clover) to a pasture provides
Breeds high-quality protein, and reduces the need for
nitrogen fertilizer. Sheep may also be pastured
Breed selection is based on the market being on small grains or root crops. Feeding harvested
targeted by the producer, and on local climatic products such as hay and concentrates is a
conditions. The breeds are divided into six basic higher-cost practice. The term “grass-farming”
groups: fine wool, medium wool, long wool, reflects the understanding that the livestock
meat breeds, dairy breeds, and hair breeds (3). grazier’s primary product is high-quality pasture,
While over 40 different sheep breeds have been the prerequisite for healthy animals and healthy
identified in the U.S., current economic profits. The Stockman Grass Farmer is an
considerations dictate the use of only a few important source of information on innovative
breeds that produce sheep with high production grazing and forage production practices (see
traits and uniformity. According to Dr. Don Resources for subscription information).
Bixby, executive director of the American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy, only four breeds The best grazing system for efficiently utilizing
make up two-thirds of the sheep population in pasture is controlled grazing, or management-
the U.S.—the Suffolk, the Hampshire, the intensive rotational grazing. In controlled
Rambouillet and the Dorset (4). However, many grazing, pastures are divided into smaller units
of the other 40 breeds’ genetic differences need to called paddocks. The stock are kept in a paddock
be preserved, because each breed may have genes until they have grazed the forage down to a
that will be valuable in the future, for resistance predetermined height, and then are rotated to the
to disease or for sheep products not yet next paddock. They are not returned to a
anticipated. If you are interested in helping paddock until the plants have re-grown to the
conserve heritage breeds and genetic diversity in height needed for availability and quality. Sheep
sheep or other livestock, contact the American prefer to eat forage no taller than 6 inches; forage
Livestock Breeds Conservancy (see Resources). should be grazed no lower than 2 inches.
What breed you choose to work with will depend Controlled grazing reduces both selectivity and
on your needs and interests. If possible, buy repeated grazing pressure—letting plants
sheep raised in your area. Locally raised animals develop more foliage before being grazed

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again—while increasing pasture diversity. While supervision. Another 40% of sheep are produced
rotational systems require initial expenditures for in fenced pastures in semi-arid rangelands with
electric fencing and watering facilities, many no supervision. The remaining 20% are
producers report increased profitability based on produced in pastures in the Midwest and East (5).
lower input and feed costs, less dependence on
machinery, and improvement and better While public concern exists about the agricultural
utilization of pasture. use of rangelands, rangeland health can be a
difficult topic to define, and the term
In high rainfall areas, rotational grazing can be “rangelands” covers a broad number of different
carried out with as few as 5−10 permanent land types. Rangeland conditions have been
subdivisions plus the use of temporary fences. In improving since the 1930s as a result of better
arid areas, irrigated pasture can support such a grazing systems, brush control techniques, and
system. On large expanses of dry rangeland, a reseeding. It is important to note that grazing by
less intensive, slower rotation—which allows animals is a natural process on rangeland, and
more re-growth time—can be used to increase properly managed grazing of livestock can be
plant diversity and ration existing forage. beneficial to the ecology of these unique Western
landscapes (6).
A three-strand electric fence is suggested for
sheep in the enclosed "Pasture-Based Sheep Sheep have been used as an alternative to
Production" from the 1999 Missouri Grazing herbicides for rangeland weed control. Since
Manual. ATTRA has several publications on sheep eat more forbs than cattle, sheep have been
grazing topics that should be read in conjunction useful in control of leafy spurge, spotted
with the present document (see Resources for a knapweed, tall larkspur, and tansy ragwort. In
full listing). one study, leafy spurge made up 50% of the
sheep diet. A 90% reduction of leafy spurge has
Low-input sheep production makes use, as much been obtained by continuous grazing of sheep
as possible, of year-round grazing even in very through four growing seasons in Montana (7).
cold climates. At the 1994 North American
Grazing Conference (sponsored by The Stockman Sheep have been used in western forests as well,
Grass Farmer) speaker Janet McNally explained as an alternative to herbicides for suppressing
that sheep need to be in good condition going weeds and encouraging young tree growth.
into winter grazing in Minnesota. No housing is Grazing also provides nutrients to trees in the
provided in her system—only sheltered areas. form of manure (8). Forest grazing is a form of
Sheep are able to graze stockpiled forage even agroforestry, a practice that combines trees with
with 12 inches of snow on the ground, with hay livestock and crop production. For more
bales provided as supplementary feed. Grain is information request the ATTRA publication
fed the last five weeks of pregnancy. Since ewe Agroforestry Overview.
lambs are still growing, they are not winter-
grazed. Graziers in southern climates will have Riparian Zones
fewer days of very cold temperatures to worry
about, but protection from wind and rain will be Proper grazing management of riparian areas—
necessary. (The enclosed Fiberfest magazine ecological zones around streams and lakes—
article “Wintering Sheep Outdoors” provides within pastures and range is very important for
ideas and suggestions for producers interested in environmental protection. Prolonged grazing of
this practice.) riparian areas in the growing season can do
significant damage, though total exclusion of
Range grazing livestock can also be detrimental. Grazing of
sheep can be timed to enhance regeneration of
About 40% of sheep produced in the U.S. are vegetation important for shade, habitat, and
raised on western public rangelands, where the erosion control. Late-season or dormant periods
sheep are required to be under herder are optimal for grazing of riparian areas (5).

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Treating the riparian area as a separate paddock ewes and lambs when the weather turns cold and
is perhaps the best way to prevent overgrazing or wet (9). Again, southern flocks will have less
other damage. difficulty with inclement weather than those in
colder climates. Disease occurrence is usually
Supplemental Feeding lower with pasture lambing than with shed
lambing, because disease agents are not
Wintertime or dry-period feeding may include concentrated as they are in confinement.
supplements in addition to hay. Grain (corn, Disadvantages of pasture lambing include
barley, oats) is used as a supplement to provide greater risk of losses from bad weather and
energy. Soybean or cottonseed meals are used to predators. Conventional lambing likewise has its
provide protein. Trace-mineralized salt or other disadvantages. The enclosed article Pasture
mineral supplements are also needed. Other Lambing—A Viable Alternative For Michigan
potential feedstuffs include crop residues such as Producers? discusses the pros and cons of these
cornstalks, crops spoiled by wet weather, cull two management options.
vegetables, and by-products from cereal milling,
wheat milling, and food processing. Some New Zealanders have developed flocks of
easy-lambing ewes by going on vacation during
Ration-balancing ensures that animals receive the lambing season. This extreme is not
necessary amounts of nutrients (energy, protein, recommended, but culling of ewes that require
vitamins, and minerals). By using the National assistance when lambing is suggested. Culling
Research Council’s The Nutrient Requirements of allows genetic selection that reduces lambing
Sheep (see Resources) and their chart of the difficulties. After several generations of culling,
nutrient make-up of various feedstuffs, the the New Zealand flocks had reduced lambing
producer can determine the amount of nutrients difficulties by 90% (10).
the sheep should receive. If laboratory feed
analysis is available, it should be used instead. Alternative Health Strategies
Advice from a local Extension agent can be
helpful in balancing least-cost rations. Preventative health care includes good nutrition,
vaccination programs, and the isolation of sick
Pasture lambing animals. See the Resources section for
information on the American Holistic Veterinary
Many sheep producers lamb in sheds, but Medical Association, a referral service for
pasture lambing, which reduces investments in veterinarians who practice alternative and
buildings and equipment, may be more complementary medicine, and The Complete
appropriate for the sustainable low-input Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable, which
producer. Lambing should coincide with the discusses herbal remedies for livestock.
spring flush of growth in the pasture. The lambs
should be born about two weeks before forage Most sheep will avoid most toxic plants unless
production reaches its peak, in order for the ewes there is nothing else to eat. Still, browse
to be at full milk production when the lambs can containing toxins can be problematic, and
utilize these quantities of milk. This is especially producers should be aware of toxic plants in their
important for ewes to successfully raise twins or pastures. Local Extension agents or veterinarians
triplets. By changing the lambing dates to can provide information on toxic plants for a
coincide with pasture production, the amount of particular region.
feed purchased for the ewes can be drastically
reduced. Management is the key to improving and
maintaining the health of sheep. The nutritional
Pasture lambing may be done on nearby enclosed and behavioral effects of controlled grazing serve
pastures with some assistance from the shepherd, to minimize stress on the animals, and low stress
or on the range without any assistance. Tents or keeps their immune systems functioning at a
similar makeshift shelters can be used to protect high level. Intensively managed livestock

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become calmer and tamer, making them easier to diligent in their management. Running cattle in
work with when tasks such as loading and pastures that have had sheep grazing on them
vaccinating need to be done. helps break up the life cycle of the sheep
parasites, since sheep and cattle do not have the
Parasites same species of worms infesting them. Flip-
flopping sections—dividing the farm in half and
Internal parasites of sheep include roundworms, allowing sheep to graze only one section—will
lungworms, tapeworms, and flukes. Coccidia, do the same thing, giving large areas of the farm
which live within the lining of the intestinal tract a chance to rest for up to 12 months. This will
and cause damage to the tract, are especially allow die-off of parasite larvae.
problematic in younger animals. Lice and keds
are external parasites that affect the quality of the Strategic deworming several times a year may be
fleece. Knowing the life cycle of parasites is necessary. However, worm resistance is
essential to their control. sometimes so high that a dewormer may not be
very effective (only about 50 percent kill).
Sheep graze close to the ground and so tend to be Induced resistance to many deworming
more susceptible to internal parasites than other medications is a serious problem for the sheep
farm animals, for many parasite larvae do not industry. Reducing the amount and the number
climb higher than five inches from the ground. of times medication is given will slow down the
Taking fecal samples to a veterinarian can give an buildup of resistant worms on the farm. The
idea of the parasite load on the animals. Fecal enclosed article, “Economics of Parasite Control;
samples taken before and after treatments More Isn't Necessarily Better,” discusses
indicate whether or not a treatment is effective. alternative parasite control methods and
worming options.
Clean pasture management and sanitation can
aid in parasite control. “Clean” pasture is pasture All livestock develop some resistance to internal
that has not been grazed by the host animal for 12 parasites, although it is not as complete as that
months. It may also be hayed pasture, new developed against viruses and bacteria.
pasture, or pasture grazed by livestock such as Resistance does not eliminate the presence of
cattle or horses that generally do not share the adult worms, but does prevent them from
same parasites with sheep (sheep and goats do producing as many eggs as they normally would.
share parasites). During the winter, some die-off Allowing an adult animal to have a small number
of parasites on pasture occurs due to freezing and of worms is a management technique that can cut
thawing; however, snow cover insulates the down on the amount of worming medications
larvae. used. For more information on parasite control,
refer to the ATTRA publication Integrated Parasite
In the heat of the day in summertime, it may be Management for Livestock.
too hot and dry for larvae to move around on the
pasture, so transmission will be lower. Internal Sheep brought from the western U.S. have little
parasites are not as much of a problem in arid or no resistance to internal parasites and have to
areas as they are in areas with high humidity and go through a period of time before resistance
heat, because the larvae dry out. Rotational develops. This causes a great deal of stress on the
grazing systems can be useful in controlling new animals, and owners must be aware that a
parasites, but the normal period between smaller amount of worms will, for a time, cause
rotations may not be long enough to have an more problems in the new sheep than they may
effect. Better nutrition from rotational grazing have noticed in their farm-raised sheep. Breeds
may aid in reducing the effect of parasites. with relatively high resistance to parasites
include the Caribbean types (Barbados Blackbelly
Knowledge of parasite control is very sheep), which are “hair sheep” and do not
incomplete, especially in sheep. At this point, produce wool. For more information on hair
the best thing producers can do is to be very sheep, please contact ATTRA.

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Diseases Marketing

Before buying a sheep, learn as much as possible In conventional marketing, the producer
about sheep and sheep diseases. It is important (whether large-scale or small) has to accept
to know what can or cannot be treated and the whatever price the market is paying at the time
consequences of bringing diseases into a flock. for the product. Direct and niche marketing—to
Take a look at the seller’s flock and ask questions, restaurants, private customers, or small meat
in order to learn about diseases that may be retailing stores—allows the producer some ability
present. Decide carefully what diseases or other to set the price for products. Direct or niche
problems you can or cannot live with, or are marketing is not for everyone, but it may be
willing to treat or vaccinate for. useful in selling sheep products from some
sustainable operations because consumers may
Major diseases of sheep are discussed in several take a special interest if animals have been raised
books listed regularly in the Sheep! Magazine book with few chemical inputs. In addition to meat
specials, as well as in the ASI Sheep Production and fiber, a growing market exists for sheep’s
Handbook (see Resources, under American Sheep milk cheese. If you would like information on
Industry Association). Find a local veterinarian sheep dairying, call ATTRA.
who is willing to work with you and your sheep.
The veterinarian can recommend a vaccination The ASI publication Marketing Out of the
and health maintenance schedule for your flock. Mainstream (contact ASI for availability and
ATTRA has information, available by request, on ordering information), explains many aspects of
some of the major diseases of sheep, such as direct and niche marketing of lamb and wool.
ovine progressive pneumonia and scrapie. Another valuable resource is The Legal Guide for
Direct Farm Marketing by Neil Hamilton (see
Footrot Resources). Before beginning a direct or niche
marketing enterprise, be sure to consult local,
While contagious footrot is a major economic county, and state authorities about regulations
problem for many sheep producers, it is also one governing the marketing of food or fiber
disease that is totally preventable. Diligent products.
examination of potential stock additions and
quarantining of new animals brought onto the Regulatory considerations include USDA
farm will prevent the contamination of pastures inspection, health permits, licenses, sales taxes,
and barns. For a footrot infection to occur, two weight and measurement requirements, sanitary
distinct types of bacteria must be present. One is requirements, zoning and right-of-way.
a common environmental organism found in all Regulations can vary for the type of product you
soils, and does not cause disease by itself. But the want to market. For example, when selling
other bacterium, Bacteroides nodosus, lives only on frozen lamb products direct to the general public,
animals and does not survive in the soil for more some general rules are: the lambs have to be
than a few days. For this reason, if footrot does butchered at a USDA inspected facility; the lamb
occur, resting an area for a couple of weeks will has to be weighed, wrapped and labeled in
kill out the second bacterium, and then the secure federally-approved packages; and the
pasture can be considered footrot-free. This meat has to be kept hard-frozen (11). Be well
resting, coupled with treatment of infected acquainted with all the relevant regulations
animals, should get rid of the disease on a farm. before planning your marketing strategy.
However, some animals are chronic carriers of Approval of your plans may take six months to a
Bacteroides nodosus, and even with prolonged and year or more (12).
repeated treatment, these animals will continue
to infect pastures and other sheep. The only way Producers who wish to develop direct markets
to deal with these chronic carriers is to cull them will need to hone their public relations skills.
from the flock. Repeat, satisfied customers are key to developing

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and sustaining direct markets. As the authors of activities on behalf of members—including
an article in National Lamb & Wool Grower put it, bargaining, grading, transportation, processing,
distribution, research, and new product
There are some basic rules when it comes to direct development. If a marketing cooperative is an
and niche marketing, and first and foremost is “The option being considered, contact the Rural
customer is always king.” If you can’t adhere to Business-Cooperative Service for additional
this motto, you best consider another career. Rule information (see Resources).
No. 2: If you learn the basic P’s of marketing—
product, price, place and and promotion—you have
a definite advantage over lesser informed. Rule No.
Although wool prices have been improving in
3: If you aren’t on the treadmill, then you are the past several years, wool production is of less
moving backward. Moving forward involves being economic importance than meat production in
open to change—such as producing products for the U.S. Chemically sensitive individuals might
nontraditional markets—which increases your constitute a niche clientele for wool products that
chances of financial success (13). have been raised organically and processed
without detergents, dyes, and other irritating
Certified organic lamb is an option to consider for substances. The Green Mountain Spinnery (see
niche marketing. Organic certifying Resources) provides custom processing services
organizations will provide certification, for a fee, for wool producers, including non-chemical
to operations that meet their strict standards. cleaning or scouring (using a vegetable oil based
These usually include raising sheep on organic soap), carding, roving, and spinning. Contact
range or pasture (no synthetic chemicals applied ATTRA for information on natural dyes.
within the last three years), giving them only
organically grown feeds, and not treating them Producing natural colored wool is a means of
with synthetic parasiticides. The ATTRA developing specialized wool markets. Not only
publication Organic Certification provides an do sheep produce white and black wool; they
overview of the certification process, including also produce blond, red, beige, brown, silver, and
the federal organic standards that are currently gray wool. Some breeders of colored wool sheep
being established, and a list of certifying belong to the Natural Colored Wool Growers
organizations. Association (see Resources). Specialty wools
such as colored wool or wool from minor breeds
Grass-finished lamb fits well into a niche market of sheep are often valued by handspinners.
that values raising meat animals in a natural Colored wool may be promoted as a natural
environment and limiting routine medication. product that does not need dye and is
Grass-finished lamb may aid in producing a environmentally friendly. And in general, wool
leaner product (less external seam fat and less can be promoted as a natural fiber alternative to
internal marbling) than grain-finished lamb. synthetic fibers often used for clothing.
However, markets may need to be developed by
the producer. Many sheep magazines publish If you plan to sell products from the sheep you
articles that describe how sheep producers raise, you might consider establishing a
market lamb and fiber directly to consumers. trademark, both to identify your products for the
The best markets for lamb have traditionally been consumer and to prevent other producers from
in large metropolitan areas. copying the look or name of your products.

Another niche marketing option that you may There are state as well as federal trademark
want to consider is a marketing cooperative. registrations. Getting a trademark can take from
Cooperatives are businesses owned and several months to over a year and cost several
controlled by the people who use them hundred dollars, even if there are no problems. But
(members). Cooperatives operate for the benefit it may be worth the trouble to make sure the
of their members by reducing costs or providing trademark belongs to you. As an article in The
services that might otherwise be unavailable. A Stockman Grass Farmer advises, “If you choose not
marketing cooperative may engage in many to register your products, at least add the  symbol

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE SHEEP PRODUCTION Page 7

to the name on all of your goods, to provide 6) Havstad, K. M. 1994. Sheep grazing as a
yourself some common law protection” (14). range improvement tool. Sheep Research
Journal, Special Issue: 1994. p. 72−78.
Conclusion
7) Olson, B. E. and J. R. Lacey. 1994. Sheep: A
method for controlling rangeland weeds.
A sustainable approach to farming seeks to Sheep Research Journal, Special Issue: 1994. p.
strengthen family farms, protect community 105−112.
values, provide good profits to the farmer, and
enhance rather than simply exploit the 8) Sharrow, Steven H. 1994. Sheep as a
environment, renewing our natural and silvicultural management tool in temperate
economic resources for the generations to come. conifer forest. Sheep Research Journal, Special
With these goals in mind, sustainable sheep Issue: 1994. p. 97−104.
production combines low-cost feeding and
housing, controlled grazing, creation of high- 9) McNally, Janet. 1995. Dialogue—pasture
lambing idea. Sheep! Magazine. April–May.
quality pastures, and integrated management of
p. 3–4.
diseases and parasites. Many small-scale
producers will increase their economic 10) Fichtner, John. 1993. Sustainable sheep
sustainabilty by pursuing alternative marketing production. The Stockman Grass Farmer.
strategies, including the cultivation of local or June. p. 15.
regional direct markets. Once you have done the
research and come up with a detailed plan for 11) Evangelista, Anita. 1992. Couple opens meat
your enterprise, there will be a lot of room for market; nets $60 profit for each lamb sold.
creativity and experimentation. The information Sheep! Magazine. November. p. 24–25.
and resources in this publication will get you
started, but experience in the field is the real basis 12) Anon. 1995. The marketing edge. Acres
U.S.A. November. p. 36–37.
of sustainability.
13) Grauberger, Janice and Laura Gerhard. 1996.
Sheep producers flock to direct, niche
References: marketing conference. National Lamb & Wool
Grower. November. p. 7–11.
1) Walker, John W. 1994. Multispecies grazing:
The ecological advantage. Sheep Research 14) Evans Jr., Lawrence E. 1997. Have you
Journal, Special Issue: 1994. p. 52−64. neglected corporate trademarks? Small
Farm Today. February. p. 40–41.
2) Ely, Donald G. 1994. The role of grazing
sheep in sustainable agriculture. Sheep Enclosures:
Research Journal, Special Issue: 1994. p.
37−51. Bowen, Joan S. 1994. Economics of parasite control;
more isn't necessarily better. Sheep! Magazine.
3) Phillips, R. L. et al. 1985. A Handbook for December. p. 15.
Raising Small Numbers of Sheep. Leaflet
1389. University of California Cooperative Gerrish, James R. 1999. Pasture-based sheep
Extension Service, Berkeley, CA. p. 4−8. production. In: Missouri Grazing Manual, University
of Missouri, Forage Systems Research Center. Manual
4) Yaguchi, Hiroshi. 1996. ALBC teaches ABC’s 157. p. 129–133.
of livestock conservancy. National Lamb &
Wool Grower. April. p. 28–29. Kruesi, William K. 1994. Wintering sheep outdoors.
The Fiberfest Magazine. Winter. p. 16–17.
5) Glimp, Hudson A. and Sherman R. Swanson.
1994. Sheep grazing and riparian and Rook, J. S., M. Kopcha, & B. Bartlett. 1996. Pasture
watershed management. Sheep Research lambing—A viable alternative for Michigan producers.
Journal, Special Issue: 1994. p. 65−71. In: Great Lakes Grazing Conference, February 19–20,
Battle Creek, MI. 10 p.

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Resources: Introduction to Paddock Design and Fencing-Water
Systems for Controlled Grazing
ATTRA publications Basics of paddock design, considerations
in fencing and water technology,
Integrated Parasite Management for Livestock enclosures.
A systems approach to assess and
manage the soil, forages, and animals to Direct Marketing
decrease internal parasites and their Importance of marketing, market
effects. research, niche marketing, value-added
marketing, pricing, promotion, resources.
Rotational Grazing
How to manage pastures and grazing Alternative Meat Marketing
animals to more profitably utilize the Comprehensive introduction to producer
farm’s resources. marketing of meat products. Pitfalls,
producing and packaging for quality and
Matching Livestock and Forage Resources in consistency, direct marketing options,
Controlled Grazing value-added products, food safety and
Grazing objectives, maintaining botanical labeling, niche markets, resources.
balance, encouraging rapid growth,
compromising between yield and quality, Organic Certification
minimizing mowing, producer goals. How it works, legal requirements, types
of programs, list of certifying
Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Ruminants on organizations.
Pasture
Impact of grazing management on World Wide Web
nutrition, supplemental feeding on high
quality pasture, feed profiling, feed Many electronic resources are available to the
budgeting, matching livestock and forage sheep producer with internet access. Two of
resources for efficient pasture use. particular interest are "sheep" at
listproc@listproc.wsu.edu and "sheep-l" at
Sustainable Pasture Management listserv@listserv.uu.se. To subscribe to either,
Managing fertility and pests, grazing send a message to the above address that says
systems, conserved forages, maintaining "subscribe sheep [or sheep-l] your name." A
productivity, additional resources. search engine such as Yahoo or Alta Vista can be
used to locate other lists on the World Wide Web.
Nutrient Cycling in Pastures The following are some useful websites:
Examines elements of pasture ecology,
including soil organisms, plants, and http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/BREEDS/SHEEP
animals. Discusses their interactions and Oklahoma State University’s livestock breeds
ways to enhance nutrient cycling with page.
minimal losses to air or ground and
surface waters. http://www.teleport.com/~bsginc/links.htm
The Black Sheep Gathering. Links to
Assessing the Pasture Soil Resource companies and organizations.
How to take a soil sample and an easy
way to assess soil biological activity and http://www.anwg.org/resources/links/
water infiltration. Assessment sheet index.html
included. Association of Northwest Weavers’ Guilds.
Fiber-related links.

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http://www.dpie.gov.au/agfor/wool_vl/ breeds by educating its members and the
whome.html public about genetic diversity, by research on
This Australian site keeps track of leading on- the status of breed populations, and by
line information resources related to wool, supporting the efforts of breeders and breed
including markets, technology, spinning and associations. ALBC publishes an annual
knitting, conferences, and discussion groups. Breeder’s Directory (contact ALBC for
ordering information).
http://www.iplex.com/cgibin/var/iplex/adler/
wool/wool.html American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
Homepage of Bodega Pastures Sheep, 2218 Old Emmorton Rd.
producers of organic wool and practitioners of Bel Air, MD 21015
sustainable ranching in California. (410) 569-0795; Fax (410) 569-2346
http://www.altvetmed.com
http://www.graigfarm.co.uk/midwales.htm
Entertaining and informative homepage of Green Mountain Spinnery
Graig Farm in Wales, producers of organic PO Box 568
lamb, with discussion of their philosophy and Putney, VT 05346
practices, breed selection, descriptions of their (800) 321-9665
products, etc. http://www.spinnery.com

http://www.sheepcheese.com/aboutfarm.htm Natural Colored Wool Growers Association

Homepage of Willow Hill Farm in Vermont, Barbara Kloese, Registrar
producers of organic lamb, fiber, and 429 West U.S. 30
farmstead sheep’s milk cheeses. Includes price Valparaiso, IN 46385
list for cuts of lamb. 219-759-9665
e-mail: kloese@gte.net
Organizations http://www.ncwga.org

American Sheep Industry Association USDA Rural Development/Cooperative Services

6911 South Yosemite Street, Suite 200 Stop 3250
Englewood, CO 80112-1414 Washington, DC 20250-3250
(303) 771-3500 (202) 720-7558
e-mail: info@sheepusa.org e-mail: coopinfo@rurdev.usda.gov
http://www.sheepusa.org http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/csdir.htm
The ASI publishes a comprehensive text
outlining production practices for sheep Books and Manuals
producers, entitled Sheep Production
Handbook. Contact ASI for availability and Small-scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-based
ordering information. Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit.
By Carol Ekarius. 1999. Storey Books. 217 p.
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
PO Box 477 Raising Sheep the Modern Way
Pittsboro, NC 27312 By Carol Ekarius. 2000. Storey Books.
(919) 542-5704 The best book for the basics of raising sheep.
e-mail: albc@albc-usa.org Contact the publisher for prices and
http://www.albc-usa.org availability of these two books:
The ALBC is a non-profit organization Storey Communications
dedicated to the conservation of American 105 Schoolhouse Rd.
livestock breeds. Nearly 100 breeds of Pownal, VT 05261
livestock and poultry are now threatened with (800) 441-5700
extinction. ALBC serves to promote these www.storeybooks.com

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE SHEEP PRODUCTION Page 10

Management Guidelines for Efficient Sheep Nutrient Requirements of Sheep (6th Edition).
Production (NCR240) By the National Research Council. 1985.
Cost is $3.60 per copy, plus $1.50 s/h National Academy Press,Washington, DC. 112 p.
(check payable to Extension Publications) Available for $24.95 plus $4.00 s/h from:
University of Wisconsin-Madison Fertile Ground Books
Cooperative Extension Publications P.O. Box 2008
630 W. Mifflin Street Davis, CA 95617-2008
Room 170 (800) 540-0170
Madison, WI 53704 http://www.agribooks.com
(608) 262-3346
The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable.
Handbook for Raising Small Numbers of Sheep By Juliette de Bairacli Levy. 1991.
(Pub. 21389) Faber and Faber, Winchester, MA. 384 p.
Cost is $5.00 per copy, plus $2.00 s/h Juliette de Bairacli Levy pioneered herbal
(check payable to UC Regents; CA veterinary medicine. This book, first published
residents add sales tax) in 1952 and now a classic in its field, has been
University of California thoroughly revised and updated, with a
ANR Communication Services considerable amount of new information
6701 San Pablo Avenue added. Available by special order from your
Oakland, CA 94608-1239 local bookstore, or on-line from Barnes and
(800) 994-8849 Noble for $17.56 plus shipping and handling:
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Sheep Housing & Equipment Handbook (MWPS-3) The Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing
Cost is $10.00 per copy, plus $3.50 s/h By Neil D. Hamilton. 1999. 235 p.
(check payable to MWPS) An up-to-date, well-written primer on all the
MidWest Plan Service legal considerations related to direct
122 Davidson Hall marketing of agricultural products.
Iowa State University Underwritten by a USDA SARE grant.
Ames, IA 50011 Includes a chapter on marketing of meat.
(800) 562-3618 Available for $20 from:
Drake University Agricultural
Niche Guide for Lamb Cooperatives (Research Law Center
Report 142) 2507 University Avenue
Cost is $3.00 (check payable to USDA). Des Moines, IA 50311–4505
USDA/RBCD/Cooperative Services (515) 271-2065
Program
Stop 0705 Magazines:
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20250-0705 Sheep! Magazine
(202) 720-6483 Duck Creek Publications, Inc.
P.O. Box 10
Organic Lamb at Heifer Project International
Overlook Farm Lake Mills, WI 53551
By Dale Perkins. 1991. HPI. e-mail: comments@sheepmagazine.com
(Free publication) http://www.sheepmagazine.com
Heifer Project International Subscription rate is $20.00 per year (10
216 Wachusett St. issues). Many issues have several pages
Rutland, MA 01543 listing books available on general sheep
(508) 886-2221 production.

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE SHEEP PRODUCTION Page 11

The Stockman Grass Farmer Small Farm Today
P.O. Box 2300 3903 W. Ridge Trail Road
Ridgeland, MS 39158-2300 Clark, MO 65243-9525
601-853-1861 (800) 633-2535
Published monthly. Subscription rates: Subscription rate is $21.00 per year (6 issues)
$28./1 yr.; $50./2 yrs.
Spin Off
Ranch & Rural Living Magazine Interweave Press
P.O. Box 2678-S 201 E. Fourth Street
San Angelo, TX 76902 Loveland, CO 80537-5655
(915) 655-4434 (970) 669-7672
e-mail: 2ranch@airmail.net e-mail: spinoff@interweave.com
http://biz3.iadfw.net/ranchmag http://www.interweave.com
Subscription rate is $24.00 per year (12 Subscription rate is $24.00 per year (4 issues)
issues).

The Shepherd The electronic version of Sustainable Sheep

5696 Johnston Road Production is located at:
New Washington, OH 44854-9736 http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/sheep.html
(419) 492-2364
Subscription rate is $20.00 per year (12 issues).

By Ann Wells, Lance E. Gegner, and

Richard Earles
NCAT Agriculture Specialists

May 2000

The ATTRA Project is operated by the National Center for Appropriate Technology under a grant from the Rural
Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. These organizations do not recommend or endorse
products, companies, or individuals. ATTRA is located in the Ozark Mountains at the University of Arkansas in
Fayetteville at P.O. Box 3657, Fayetteville, AR 72702. ATTRA staff members prefer to receive requests for
information about sustainable agriculture via the toll-free number 800-346-9140.

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE SHEEP PRODUCTION Page 12