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Happy Goat Lucky Ewe Fiber Farm and Pollinator Sanctuary
About our management :
fiber farms. We generally run a sustainable operation, using mostly organic techniques to manage the sheep. They are on pasture for nine months of the year. As a result of exposure to wildlife, our Merino ewes are vaccinated and dewormed according to need. They are hardy animals, can manage most of the year without human interference and enjoy their freedom. We rotate between nine pastures under the guidance of MSU Extension and USDA. The management style is called rotational grazing, or prescribed grazing. It is better for the land and the animals as there are resting periods between grazing and the forage and soil gets a chance to recover. The result is maximum bio-mass (feed) production and increased productivity of the ewes due to less parasite exposure. In the long run, I use less money on feed, parasite management and labor. The farm offers merino starter flocks: If you're thinking about jumping into fiber production, I recommend the merino breed, there is a strong market for your fiber and the sale of the fiber easily feeds the livestock. Our stock is from Missouri and will compliment the local merinos which more-than-likely trace their genetics back to the Green Field Village stock. We have starter packages which include four bred ewes and a stud. Visit www. michiganmerinos.com for details. If you prefer bred ewes, we offer them too, but there are no livestock sales after January 15 (ewes will be pregnant), you will have to wait until summer 2019 to get your flock started. Our 50 ewe merino flock is from Genopalette Farm in Missouri. We have three rams from Missouri and a lovely merino/CVM ram from Rose Hebden's Promised Land Farm here in Michigan. We also have a homegrown Cormo ram lamb out of Vincent (our Green Field Village stud) who will be ready for breeding in 2018. Flock sales come with free consultation. Interested? Come visit the farm to help make your decision - to ensure you are a serious prospect, we charge $40 for a two hour visit, which will apply to your purchase if you buy from us. After your down- payment is received, I'm happy to offer on-farm consultation. Your fencing, feed storage, feeding areas, watering systems and housing may need review. Keeping your livestock safe (from neighbors' dogs, coyotes, deer and parasites) needs to be taken into consideration. |
years of producing fiber animals I settled on merino sheep for several reasons. 1. Their wool is the softest fiber produced by sheep. It can be worn next to the skin and doesn't cause itching. If you don't have time to market and get top prices, the wool is readily bought by mills and fetches a good wholesale price. 2. Merino sheep are good mothers, they lamb easily, are easy to handle and are all- around pretty mellow animals. 3. Merinos are hardy, they wear their houses on their backs and need little human intervention. 4. There is a growing demand for locally grown fibers in the "Farm to Fashion" industry. 5. The U.S. Military is buying merino wool for $4/pound. 6. If you are growing and feeding animals for wool, putting the same costs into them and expecting prime results, you may as well have the very best! |
Merinos are magic!