Starting up rotational grazing with sheep

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Member for

3 years 11 months
Last seen: 04/23/2020 - 13:57
Joined: 04/23/2020 - 13:49

Starting up rotational grazing with sheep

We've just acquired our first sheep (Dohne) for our 85 acre property located in Dubbo. The grasses have gone crazy since the rain and there's alot the horses won't touch...hence the sheep to help manage the paddocks . We are keen to rotational graze but need to figure out temporary fencing that will be suitable for them, but I wanted to ask if the grasses are quite established (the paddocks are around knee height and up to waist height in some areas) would we be best to slash it down a little or just let them at it?
Also would 5 strand barbed wire be suitable for containment for our internal (permanent) fences?
Any tips for a sheep newbie would be greatly appreciated.

Forums
Last seen: 03/28/2024 - 10:29
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi Lelliot,

Welcome to the small farm forum and thanks for the question.

I’m based in Dubbo also so know the area well. Unless you have improved pastures (lucerne, tropicals) a lot of the recent pasture growth has come from annual Summer grasses. They are quick to grow, go to head rapidly and loose palatability and quality quickly.

If you are grazing sheep I would be inclined to slash the grass down, this will help open it up and encourage annual clovers to grow.

Regarding fencing, if you plan to run sheep I would be using steel posts, top and bottom wires or barb and ring lock. Barb wire and plain wire may be cheaper but they will require more upkeep as they will need to be kept tight to ensure they keep the sheep in.

We also have a Facebook group which you might like to join, the link is below
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FarmStyle/?ref=bookmarks

Regards,
Charlie

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