Early Spring Summer Late Fall and Early Winter Animal Management Considerations Grazing Management References Feed costs account for approximately 80 percent of all costs in many dry lot feeding programs for sheep. These costs can be reduced to 50 percent in the total cost with effective pasture programs. Sheep can be efficient at converting forage into meat and wool. The following pasture alternatives and combinations allow the development of a pasture program where sheep can be on pasture for approximately 10 months of the year, if weather permits. Most pasture programs for sheep must be based on perennial pastures.
Perennial pastures provide a solid sod and good footing, even in wet conditions.
Annual forages leave open ground where trampling damage and mud can cause severe damage to the crop during wet conditions. In addition, mud lodged between the toes of sheep eventually dries, cakes and leads to lameness. Even with these limitations, the key to extended grazing periods is plantings of annual forages. Numerous alternatives are available as sheep pasture during all times of the growing season. Evaluate your resources and requirements to select the alternatives that best meet your needs.