Scottish Halfbred Program
Regenerative grazing is becoming very popular across the northeast US. In addition to the positive environmental impact, it can make livestock operations more profitable by lowering overhead and input costs. For a regenerative grazing program to be successful, it is important to have animals that are adapted to the environment and management system.
At Alexander Farms, sheep have been out wintered, lambed on pasture, and intensively grazed for decades. The commercial flock has a North Country Cheviot base. NCCs were developed in the highlands of Scotland as the breed that thrives while others just survive. The Alexander flock has evolved through epigenetics and selection to be well adapted to regenerative production in the northeast US. In addition, rugged imported Scottish Hill Type genetics are being introduced to the flock. Scottish Halfbred ewes are also raised to provide commercial producers with a source of replacements that demonstrate a tremendous amout of hybrid vigor.
The sheep do well without winter housing while grazing stockpile or eating hay when only provided with shelter from wind. This eliminates the huge overhead cost of a barn. Manure, urine, and wasted hay are deposited on pasture by the sheep without the need for loading and spreading manure.
The ewes lamb on pasture in later May spring grass production provides the high nutritional requirements of lactation as well as giving the lambs a fresh clean environment with daily moves. North Country and Halfbred ewes lamb easily and the lambs are up and sucking within minutes of birth resulting in very high survivability and much less problems at lambing time. The ewes are excellent mothers and the lambs grow well and produce prime carcasses or females can be retained to make great replacements.
After winter feed, the second highest cost for a regenerative sheep operation is ewe depreciation and the cost of raising replacement ewes. North Country Cheviots are proven to have much greater longevity than most other breeds.
If you are interested in sheep that are well adapted to a low overhead, low input, regenerative grazing program visit
www.alexandersheepfarm.com or call Andy at (607) 582-6363.
