How Much Land is Needed to Raise Sheep?
The number of ewes that can be fed throughout the grazing season on an acre of land depends on pasture quality and management, and the amount of rainfall. A rule of thumb is to graze five sheep for each cow. Sheep and cattle can be pastured together. Cattle tend to graze taller grasses and legumes. Check with an agronomist for proper pasture management procedures. How to Get Started Raising Sheep Begin with small numbers of 2-5 for a 4-H or FFA member and 25-30 ewes for an adult. The first year, buy a small number of ewes from a reputable breeder. These names can be obtained from your State Sheep Industry Directory. Commercial ewes can be purchased from $30 -$125 per head. A good idea is to buy highly productive ewes from a reliable producer. Questions to ask when buying sheep include, “Are the sheep productive? Ask to see records. Are there signs of footrot? Will the seller guarantee the sheep? Avoid buying rams and ewes at sale barns. Often, these animals may have been culled because
