The Sheep Show podcast

A bittersweet time for me in Ireland over the last 5 weeks. Here are all the tips and unusual strategies we used while lambing in Ireland with my brother. Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Focus on Forelimbs Forelimbs, front legs or shoulders in a sheep actually hold up to 60 per cent of the weight of a sheep! I chatted with Matt Hill from Aurora Park Hampshire Downs and Border Leicester stud recently to explore all things fore in sheep! How important are shoulders? Matt remarks that there is more pressure on the front legs as they hold up more of the animal overall. Shoulders are important for three crucial functions. These are: standing up, walking and running. As a prey animal their shoulder function is built to run away from predators—like running away from us when we walk into their paddocks sometimes! Their shoulder function is built to run and run fast! Matt Hill is a third-generation sheep farmer and stud breeder. Matt actually breeds seven breeds of sheep, three breeds being registered ASSBA stud sheep! Matt is a prolific collector and reader of sheep books and a big podcast consumer too. Matt runs Aurora Park Hampshire Down and Border Leicester stud. He also has a Shropshire stud too! Matt also runs Shepherd Tech, a Laparoscopic AI services business specialising in AI in Sheep. Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

We will all have to deal with the death of a sheep maybe from natural causes like old age or you may even need to euthanise an animal. What are the options so you treat the animal in a moral and ethical way at the end of their life. What do you do with their body. In this episode we explore some options for you to think about. Do know that there may be legal requirements that you need to follow for this in your location or state. Here is a US link which has lots of other links which may help you: https://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/mortality.htm Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

So what is the natural grazing behaviour of sheep and how does it compare to a goat or cow. When should my sheep be feeding/eating and for how long? No doubt there are all thoughts you have had while ruminating on your sheep! Well in this episode I explore my own observations and research on the topic of sheep grazing behaviour. Enjoy ruminating on this one! Here are the big words I mentioned: Crepuscular pattern - grazing at twilight and dusk Photosynthetic activity in plants in then afternoon Research mentioned: www.redalyc.org/journal/3031/303168054026/html/ Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Can a single born ram produce twins? Who makes that biggest difference the ewe or the ram? In the episode we explore who is more important in the twinning game! Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Did you know that 95% of parasites are on pasture and only about 5% are within the sheep. This means parasite larvae numbers present in the pasture are an important factor to consider for worm management. So how do you manage worms on your farm and in your fields, we explore several approaches in this episode for you. Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Want to know what drench to use and when to drench, this episode will help you explore the different types of drenches and understand more about when to use drenches on your sheep. Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Subscriber-only episode We talk a lot about the final trimester and how important it is when we are breeding sheep but the second trimester is also a very crucial trimester to understand. In this subscriber only episode we explore what happens in this trimester and what to do to support your ewes during the second trimester. Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

The biggest threat to sheep and lambs - parasites! The biggest issue we have with parasites comes from Barber's Pole Worm or Haemonchus Contortus. In this episode we explore the worm, what it does, how it is different and how to win in the fight against it. We also explore some new learnings I've had this season about our foe Barber's Pole Worm. I hope this helps you sheep well for the season to come! Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

What is flushing, how to do it and why do it - in this episode we explore all of these questions to help you prepare for joining 2024 no matter when your joining/mating season happens! Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Subscriber-only episode We know sheeping and farming can be stressful so here are some things I plan to help me reduce the mental load so I can sheep well throughout the year! Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

A common question and something to think about is what is the difference between grass and grain fed lamb both for us as producers and also for us as consumers. Scientists who compared grass fed lamb meat with grain fed lamb meat in a feedlot found that: Lambs grazing in pasture had 14% less fat and about 8 % more protein compared to grain-fed lamb. Grass fed lamb meat is also an excellent source of vitamin B-12, niacin, zinc, and a good source of iron. In this episode we explore the key concepts to help you make decisions that work best for you. More research https://regenfarms.com.au/blog/grass-fed-beef-and-lamb-vs-grain-fed-whats-the-difference#:~:text=Similar%20to%20the%20above%2C%20scientists%20who%20compared%20grass,niacin%2C%20zinc%2C%20and%20a%20good%20source%20of%20iron. Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

sSo no doubt you are in wind down mode for the year and it is a good time to reflect on all things sheep! What did you do well or what went well in 2023 and what are the takeaways from the year and area to improve for 2024. In this episode I share with you my five lessons from sheeping in 2023. Enjoy! See you in 2024! Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Subscriber-only episode I've been lucky enough to have two experts on feeding sheep come to my farm and give me some advice. Here is what we talked about and what actions I have taken and what results I have had so far! Get ready to be amazed!! Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

So what do you buy that sheep person who has everything.... something sheep related of course!! With sales in the air, birthdays, holiday and festive shopping to think about, here are some ideas on sheep presents that could just hit the sheep spot for you or for that sheep crazy person in your life. I've also included some DIY sheep related gifts that you can make yourself and give to people as presents! So happy sheep shopping! Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

So a huge question I get asked is should I go stud with my sheep? The question really relates to your WHY, why are you doing this!? Go beyond making money and breeding great sheep - what are you really wanting to achieve with your sheep, what do you really want to focus on with your sheep. There are so many reasons why we do what we do and yours will be yours so spend time working that out and that will help you make YOUR choice! While you are pondering your answer this episode will help you understand the pros and cons or going stud or staying commercial. Either way.... sheep well!! Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Prevention is always better than cure! So what can you do to reduce hoof issues, lameness and any productivity issues in your sheep? In this episode we explore the key things that you can do to avoid most sheep foot problems in the first place! Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Subscriber-only episode Yes we all make them and you know what, they are good to reflect on without fear of judgement. I found this such a good exercise to do and I am so thrilled to be able to open up and share these mistakes with you, my sheep besties! I truly hope this episode helps you learn from the mistakes I feel we have made over the last 8 years. I hope it helps you to reflect on any mistakes you have made to help you be more successful in your sheep enterprise moving forward. Enjoy and thank you for being a loyal subscriber XXX Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

So you love your sheep and want to grow and expand! Firstly - great decision!! But how do you do it? What steps do you take? How do you move forward in the right direction and do the most important thing first? In this episode we explore exactly that all the steps you need to take to grow from 3 to 30 sheep or from 10 to 100 sheep or whatever number is right for you and your land. I do hope this episode helps you grow with confidence and clarity on what you need to think about and do moving forward. Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new

Ahh the age old question - what drench do I get for me sheep? Well... it depends! This question has more follow up questions that answers. The main question to ask yourself is what worms am I trying to actually drench/kill. Once you know that or get close to knowing that you can then target the little suckers. In this episode we explore pour on drenches, injectable drenches and drenches that go down the sheep's throat. We look at the active ingredients in the drench and from that decide what is the best way to go. Support the show Want more! Want to show us some sheep love? Sign up for extra content via our sheep supporters tab ! https://www.buzzsprout.com/954910/supporters/new