Sheep – Homestead on the Range

Pros and Cons of Raw Wool as a Garden Mulch

Pros and Cons of Raw Wool as Garden Mulch

Before jumping on the wool-mulching bandwagon, it is best to take a look at the pros and cons of mulching with wool. What works well in one situation may not be desirable in another.

Cotswold

The modern Cotswold is a dual-purpose breed, excelling in both wool and meat production. Many feel that the Cotswold has a regal bearing that adds to the breed’s charm.

Corriedale

The Corriedale still has a strong following and is one of the most common sheep breeds in the world, with an estimated global population of just over 5 million.

7 Livestock Guardian Animals

The most common livestock guardian is the dog. However, farmers have other animals to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Cheviot

Today, the Cheviot is one of the top mutton breeds in the United States. There is also an American Miniature Cheviot developed for homestead use.

Barbados Blackbelly

The Barbados Blackbelly is a hair sheep used almost solely for meat. Some are raised and marketed as purebred lamb, but crossbreeding is common for commercial meat production.

Grazing Management by Species: Sheep

While sheep consume grass as 60% of their diet, they more than any other type of livestock will also eat forbs (non-woody flowering plants, commonly known as “weeds”).

10 Animal Breeds Important to American History

While many animals breeds have been important to our nation throughout the years, a few stand out as iconic.

5 Unconventional Draft Animals

For truly small farms, these draft animals can be quite useful in their own way, transporting tools, produce, firewood, small children, or whatever else is required.