This length ok for sheep?

[rhysjj]

Been given a bit of keep from a neighbour. What you think? All OK in what grasses are there or? Any advice.

 

[HarryB97]

They’ll tread most of it into the ground and waste it, definitely not good sheep grazing when it’s that long and mature. Make nice hay though and graze the aftermath.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Mow it

 

[rhysjj]

Would love to mow it but not an option at the moment. Will they get good eating from it at all? Sorry for amateur questions but never put sheep on grass that long. If they get a week or 2 out of it I'll be happy

 

[hendrebc]

Be fine. Preferably for dry ewes they won't eat it all but what they will eat will fill a belly.

 

[Nithsdale]

Sheep won't eat stem - they will eat what leafy there is in the bottom but foot problems (scald) will likely be an issue and they'll waste 90% of the grass you can see.

If you can't mow and bale it, put a topper in - at least then you're returning it back to the ground and resetting the grass

 

[Northeastfarmer]

When I saw the thread title I presumed you were welsh

 

[rhysjj]

When I saw the thread title I presumed you were welsh we f**k'em you eat em

 

[rhysjj]

Any thoughts of strip grazing? Or will outcome be the same

 

[spin cycle]

my lot would eat the seed heads....in the arid East that's all we have sometimes

 

[Henarar]

Been given a bit of keep from a neighbour. What you think? All OK in what grasses are there or? Any advice.

Are you talking about dry ewes ? if you are chuck them in there they will be fine

 

[Jerry]

Any thoughts of strip grazing? Or will outcome be the same

Strip graze it with cattle.

What they don’t eat thru tread in. What they tread in is free nutrients/organic matter.

 

[rhysjj]

Yes dry ewes. Think ill go for it then. Thanks for everyone's opinions

 

[rhysjj]

They are a mountain breed. So hopefully they are not as picky anyway

 

[hendrebc]

Any thoughts of strip grazing? Or will outcome be the same

I have done that with ewes on similar stuff. Usually when im short of feed or trying to ration it out.
They will do better if they have it I'm strips or blocks because they get a consistent diet amd not just a few days picking the best stuff and then the poorer stuff and then the last few days eating poor quality stems. You can make them eat it down harder if you strip graze it like that because of the consistency of the feed they are getting. Ewes have to be used to doing it though some ewes just sulk and try and break the fence.
But if your ewes are in OK condition and its not your land anyway then they'd be OK just turned in and made to eat it. Strip grazing is a lot of work when you don't really have to do it

 

[M-J-G]

We often chuck our dry ewes on rough grass and they'll take it to the board if they're fat and can be left on it for long enough

 

[neilo]

Yes dry ewes. Think ill go for it then. Thanks for everyone's opinions

I’ve let ewes and (single) lambs onto a couple of acres that’s not far off that this morning. They will tread a lot, but strip all the useful leaves out of the bottom.
I’ll bang dry ewes into it after to bare the stems down and reset it.
Just make sure the external fences are good, as they’re likely to ‘challenge’ it.
Nutritionally, it’s no different to feeding dry ewes on bales of hay, but without the costs of baling it and feeding it back out.
Once bared down, with all the shite being dropped back, it’ll be like a new ley come the Autumn.

 

[David.]

As alluded to above, only way is to stock it tight, and give them no alternative or means of escape.

 

[Wood field]

@rhysjj you can be a mob grazing , regen farming hero!
As above get them in it, they will tread in down and shite on it , not quite like cows but they will do it

 

[rhysjj]

Great thanks everyone for help. Neighbour has recommended clicking them before putting on there for botfly. So will do that tonight ready for the drier weather tomorrow !!