Sterling College Sheep Grazing Plan

The team from Sterling College developed a sheep plan for the property. We are now looking for farming partners.

Summary

The current land status has several beneficial qualities as well as some drawbacks. A majority of the land is open on rolling hills, while another portion of the land is situated across East Craftsbury Road and is mostly wooded. The site includes multiple water sources; a pond located to the east of the road, and a stream cutting through the edge of the property, just to the south of the pond and east of the road. The land has been brush hogged regularly in the past several years, making its quick utility relatively easy. However, the land does present several challenges, all of which can be overcome. The challenges include poorly drained soil areas, and lower fertility, as conifer seedlings were heavily abundant. The plan includes sections that thoroughly address specific strategies for overcoming each issue.

upper-section-BHF lower-section-BHF

Recommendation Summary

During the initial period, complete a grazing system and implement a small sheep operation on farm pastures.  All head would be sold live to limit processing costs and transportation expenses.  The lambs could be sold to competitors or at live meat markets in the area.

The team suggested that the amount of management at the recommended level would suit the desired time and resource inputs. If Bayley Hazen, through market changes or ownership, wishes to seek out a different product, the team also recommends a wool production system to sell fiber.  In that event, we would recommend purchase of a different breed of sheep, such as American Blackbelly or American Jacob. Within a different production setting, another option available for consideration is to add in a breeding program to sustain flock numbers.

Field Survey

Below is a listing of the principal plant species that were identified in the field found on the west side of east Craftsbury Road. The order listed below does not reflect density, nor is it exhaustive.

  • White clover
  • Red clover
  • Bedstraw
  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Meadow foxtail
  • Dandelion
  • Hairy vetch
  • Orchard grass
  • Conifer seedlings
  • Galinsoga

 

Species identification also took place in field 2, an open area on the east side of East Craftsbury Road. The order listed below does not reflect density, nor is it exhaustive.

  • Meadow foxtail
  • Red clover
  • White clover
  • Queen Anne’s lace
  • Conifer seedlings
  • Orchard grass
  • Fescue
  • Perennial ryegrass
  • Dandelion
  • Bedstraw
  • Lambsquarter
  • Mustard

Analysis

Many of the species collected and identified were indicators of low soil fertility and high acid content in soils. With the implementation of a rotational grazing system however, soil fertility will slowly begin to improve as organic matter and soil microbiology levels will increase as long as grazing is practiced. Additionally, high moisture levels were found in many of the farm pastures, which can be directly correlated to several of the species present, and to the highly acidic soil conditions. 

Grazing Plan

In order for the proposed Bayley Hazen Farm project to be successful a detailed grazing plan must be in place. The plan calls for utilizing the pastures nearest to the guesthouse, primarily because of the soil conditions. The total piece of land that is useable for grazing is six acres and primarily on hill slopes. Despite several contours that could present difficulties in infrastructure installation, the selected land presents the highest potential for high quality forage production, leading to the highest quality meat.

The plan calls for lambs to be bought in and for the operation to primarily take the form of a meat finishing business. Sheep will be bought in during the month of May at six months old and 80 lbs. and will be taken to slaughter in November, with a targeted weight of 125 lbs. The goal is for sheep to maintain a modest average daily gain (ADG) in lbs. throughout the grazing season. Several factors play into the exact science of how this will be achieved, such as weight gain targets, forage species and production, time of the summer, grazing habits, and pasture management. But each of these factors is easily overcome able, and are outlined in depth throughout the grazing plan.