"The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein." Psalm 24:1     

          MeatSheep.org newsletter
                                                 August 2004

MeatSheep.org exists to provide the youth of Florida with Cultural Market Lambs for fitting and showing and to keep youth leaders and sheep breeders informed of sheep husbandry issues and the needs of 4H and FFA youth statewide. The Organization is an internet show lamb information source that puts Florida-bred lamb buyers and sellers together.
 

                                            View Our Newsletter Archives:

                                 December '03 Newsletter -- Famacha Works!/Zinc/Show Lambs
                                 October '03 Newsletter -- Famacha      
                                 June '03 Newsletter -- Grafting Bummer Lambs
                                 March '04 Newsletter -- Feeding Show Lambs/Lambing                

SHEEP AND SUBTROPICAL DEGENERATION
Why Most Sheep Don't Do Well In Florida

Jan Bonsma, the South African animal geneticist, is probably the most profound thinker about tropical degeneration in livestock. His contribution to livestock breeding is briefly descried in my book, The Meat Sheep Shepherd Manual, chapter two. (Download from our home page for $10.) In short, Bonsma's thesis is that farm animals that are not native to the tropics will degenerate in size and productivity over time.

Two sheep breeds that do not show signs of degeneration in size are Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix. These breeds are from the tropical Caribbean islands and probably descended from African hair sheep. As a result of centuries of adaptation, these breeds do not struggle under the warm season high temperatures and high humidity. In addition these breeds are generally parasite resistant.

Despite the history of sheep farm failures in Florida hope springs eternal and sheep fanciers continue to import breeds from around the nation. Some of the sheep die almost immediately from stress or disease. More hardy specimens linger on for several generations. Each generation is smaller than the original importation. In some cases the surviving progeny have changed in body type and breed characteristics to the point that they are barely recognizable as representatives of their breed.

The Florida Native is also an example of this phenomena. It is a breed that survived Florida conditions for decades if not centuries. It has been preserved by the University of Florida and other enthusiasts for the mere reason that it has survived. It is not a productive breed. Rather than promote the Native breed, Florida small ruminant professors have argued for controlled-environment sheep rearing using more productive breeds, while promoting goat husbandry to the small farmers of Florida.

Sincere sheep farmers who do not want to be soon parted from their money will invest in the hair sheep breeds that are well-adapted to Florida. Since the Barbados Blackbelly is a truculant animal that does not make a good investment, that leaves the St. Croix and St. Croix based sheep.

SUMMER AND WINTER GRAZING

Florida is a fine place for sheep and their shepherd.  Our St. Croix and
St. Augustine do well in the heat and humidity of summer and tolerate the
coldest days of winter well (much better than the shepherd...). 

One of the wonderful things about Florida is that our sheep enjoy winter
pasture.  At Calovine we spin spread rye grass around October 15.  Prior
to seeding the sheep are allowed to tightly graze the last of the summer
grass.  This gives the rye grass a good start.  We apply calcium and then
put the seed down.  When the grass starts to come up we apply fertilizer.
Then we pray for rain.  Between the time we seed and the time the pasture
is ready for grazing, about 4-6 weeks, we feed hay and corn.                                 Winter Pasture

Our perennial summer pastures are Tifton 9 and coastal bermuda.  We spin spread an annual, millet -- brown top and pearl -- in summer and have found it to be fast growing, nutritious, and
very   palatable.  It comes up before the perennials and provides pasture
until we get a good stand of summer grass.  There is a 3-6 week period of
hay feeding until the pasture is ready to graze. We feed good quality
Coastal rolls until we can get the sheep out on pasture.

We have a rotational grazing system so we can monitor the amount of
grass grazed. Getting the sheep off the grass at the right time keeps the
paddocks lush and healthy. During times of drought we have a "sacrifice
paddock" where the flock is held and fed hay until we get enough rain to
get the grass up to grazing height. Read about rotational grazing in Ron's
book, The Meat Sheep Shepherd Manual. You can download this from
the home page for $10.

                                                                                                                                  Summer Millet