Winter Sheep Grazing

[1982]

Any wintering about in Shropshire/Herefordshire till the end of february?

 

[cattleman123]

Old John always said it was better eaten by sheep than mown but the March wind. When he was milking he always wanted us off the 3rd week of Feb. As you say, it helps too be friends with graziers. Luckily over the years I’ve become good friends with pretty much every wintering spot we go too. “It’s their farm, got too do what they say.” One of grandads sayings. It’s amazing how many sheep men forget this and wonder why they don’t get invited back a second winter!

Seems you are just like myself...your a guest on their farm and without the keep you could not keep the sheep..i fence everything .....they dont want to be out in spring repairing barbed wire fences that sheep have torn down... and believe you me hogs running under a fence soon much it up and you have wire everywhere...my motto hrs fencing saves 1/2 a day chasing round after them

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Seems you are just like myself...your a guest on their farm and without the keep you could not keep the sheep..i fence everything .....they dont want to be out in spring repairing barbed wire fences that sheep have torn down... and believe you me hogs running under a fence soon much it up and you have wire everywhere...my motto hrs fencing saves 1/2 a day chasing round after them

I did send him 300 blackies 3 years ago. They did absolutely famous. 2.5% mortality. Sold 240 finished straight off grass in the spring. That was the first year after he stopped milking so let me stay on until 1st week of April.
When I loaded the last bunch up and paid him I said the usual “see you next autumn John?”
“Yes definitely” came the reply “but DO NOT send me anymore of those horned things. I know they pay well, but they spend more time escaping than grazing!” he hadn’t told me he’d been recovering escapees and patching fences every week through the winter! Sent him Cheviots ever since and he’s been chuffed too bits with them.
I’m putting Grandads pride and joy blackie bred mule ewe lambs there this year as he won’t be bothered about shifting them until lambing. Give him something nice too look around all winter!
Got too know how too play the game with these semi retired farmers!