The Shepherdess

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

Got sheep questions?  I've probably answered them already!  This episode pulls from a live audience Q&A at my monthly Virtual Small Farmer Meetup, where I tackle everything from breed comparisons and land prep to the real costs of raising a flock.  We cover drought management, shearing, parasite control, and other skills and knowledge I’ve gained along my sheep farming journey.  If you're trying to get started or fine-tune your own sheep operation, join me as I answer some of the questions you may have!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Welcome to the Virtual Small Farmer Meetup live audience question and answer session

00:04:26 Preparing your pasture, providing portable shade and water, leasing land for sheep farming

00:10:31 Comparing large vs. small flock setup, my favorite way to consume sheep, dairy goats vs. dairy sheep

00:16:03 Differences in Dorper breeds, actual cost of raising a sheep, ideal starter flock size, acres needed to start

00:26:49 Feeding during a drought, DIY shearing vs. professional, sheep choking on feed and the CDNT vaccine

00:35:31 DIY processing vs. USDA inspection, my thoughts on registered sheep, separating rams and ewes

00:45:23 Risks of buying sheep from a different climate, choosing a lower maintenance breed, copper bolus for parasite management

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join my monthly livestream community 

Check out my YouTube videos to learn more:

• Learn how to build a DIY sheep shade structure
• 5 delicious ways to cook lamb 
• Sheep vs. goats breakdown on Shepherdess Live 
• The 15 costs of raising sheep 
• Australian White sheep in Australia with Macintyre Brook Lamb (Learn more about Macintyre Brook Lamb here)
• Raising 6 dairy sheep on 1.5 acres with Nancy 
• Butchering a lamb for the first time

Shop 250’ Polyethylene Tubing for watering systems

Find local raw milk in your area

Follow my Facebook updates at Harmony Farms Dorpers / The Shepherdess

Check out my recommended shearing tools at Premier 1 Supplies:

• Premier 4000 Shearing Machine
• Apache 9-Tooth Comb
• Spitfire Cutter

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

Deciding between raising sheep and goats on your land comes down to more than preference alone.  In this episode, I'm breaking down the differences from my own farm: grazing and browsing habits, containment considerations, copper and mineral needs, hoof care, health issues, and the best meat and dairy breeds for each.  I’m also sharing why I chose goats for milk and sheep for meat. If you're trying to decide which animal fits your homestead best, I hope this episode gives you clarity!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Overview of my farm and livestock, and why I farm the way I do

00:07:38 Sheep vs. goats on your land: grazing and browsing habits

00:14:33 Containment considerations for sheep and goats

00:22:13 Answering questions on using goats to clear land, guardian animals, and sheep as browsers

00:26:25 Copper and mineral needs for sheep vs. goats

00:30:59 Feeding dairy goats vs. meat sheep

00:36:11 Health and parasite differences between sheep and goats

00:38:29 Best meat and dairy goat breeds

00:41:09 Best meat and dairy sheep breeds

00:43:03 Why I raise dairy goats instead of dairy sheep

00:46:09 Answering more of your questions on milking goats, sheep breeds, shearing, processing goat’s milk

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Shop these products at Shepherdess.com:

• Copasure Copper boluses for goats
• Redmond Sheep Mineral
• Redmond Goat Mineral

Check out my YouTube video featuring Lydia at Harmony Heritage Farm to learn more about dairy sheep, buying breeding stock, and more!

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

Food preservation matters just as much as food production, and today’s guest is here to prove it. Angi Schneider of Creative Simple Living shares the confidence-building lesson from her grandmother that started her journey into food preservation, and we dive into the most common practical questions about canned meals.  Angi also shares her thoughts on freeze dryers, what Hurricane Harvey taught her about self-sufficiency, and her best advice for beginning a garden or a homestead without burning out.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introducing Angi Schneider and why food preservation matters as much as production

04:10 Angi’s current homestead and navigating life after her husband's cancer diagnosis

06:28 How Angi’s grandmother instilled in her confidence that changed everything

8:38 Overcoming the fear of pressure canning and canning meat for the first time

10:53 Practical questions: shelf life, nutrient breakdown, and rotating canned goods

15:01 Preserving the harvest and setting realistic goals for jar inventory

18:47 Strategies for getting picky eaters to eat canned meals

20:37 Canning gamey meats, why lamb comes out more tender, and the best cuts to can

24:21 Angi's honest take on freeze dryers and what 2020 taught her about self-sufficiency

28:42 Starting a garden without burnout: fruit trees, raised beds, and a simple soil approach

41:20 Avoiding homestead burnout by starting small and evaluating your capacity

ABOUT ANGI

Angi Schneider lives on a small homestead along the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and children. For over 30 years they have sought to reduce their dependence on commercial products and the grocery store by growing and preserving food, living a DIY lifestyle and cooking simple, tasty meals from scratch. Angi shares gardening tips, food preservation recipes and other simple living ideas on her blog Creative Simple Living (https://creativesimpleliving.com). She has also written two books on preserving food – The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables and Pressure Canning for Beginners and Beyond. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out Angi’s books:

• Pressure Canning for Beginners and Beyond 
• The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables

CONNECT WITH ANGI

Website: https://creativesimpleliving.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeSimpleLiving/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_simple_living/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/creativesimpleliving/

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

I was so excited to sit down with Carolyn of Homesteading Family, whose videos gave me a huge head start on my first pressure canning project.  We cover water bath vs. pressure canning, the most common mistakes that lead to failed seals and siphoning, and how Carolyn shapes her family’s diet around what actually grows and preserves well instead of trying to stock her pantry like a grocery store.  If you're new to food preservation or looking to simplify a system that's become too much work, this episode is full of practical, tested advice you can begin using today!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction to Carolyn’s North Idaho homestead and how she arrived at this lifestyle

00:06:20 Why community sufficiency beats total self-sufficiency

00:08:03 Shaping your diet around what you actually grow instead of stocking every ingredient in your pantry

00:10:25 Practical tips to streamline your growing, preserving, and eating

00:14:12 Fighting homestead burnout by giving up the pressure to “do it all”

00:17:20 Water bath vs. pressure canning, and the pH science behind food safety

00:22:54 Signs that your canned food has gone bad, and what's actually safe to eat

00:26:35 Troubleshooting failed seals, fat layers, and siphoning in the jar

00:34:45 Nutrient loss in canned vs. freeze-dried food and how to build a rotation system

00:40:16 Practical ways to fit canning into your schedule and choosing the right canning equipment

00:44:21 Troubleshooting liquid loss and when to choose freeze-drying instead of canning

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Shop the All American Pressure Canners—Carolyn’s top choice for pressure canning

Check out the Presto Electric Canner she recommends for beginners

Get step-by-step guidance from Carolyn’s canning class on water bath canning, pressure canning, safety, and recipes

Subscribe to the Homestead Kitchen Magazine for tested preserving recipes, homesteading tips, and more!

CONNECT WITH CAROLYN

Website: https://homesteadingfamily.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HomesteadingFamily

Podcast: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcasts/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homesteadingfamily/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily/

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

I sat down with Bowen Troyer of the Rational Ranchers, and I'll be honest, I brought him on knowing we'd have a little bit of a friendly feud over Katahdins vs. Dorpers.  Bowen runs Katahdin ewes, South Pole cattle, and Royal White sheep across two ranches in Arkansas and Missouri, and we get into his hair sheep vs. goats decision, his no-blanket-dewormer parasite protocol, and his surprisingly fascinating sheep-to-silver and cattle-to-gold ratio videos.  He’s intentionally building his ranch as a family legacy, and I know his story will inspire you in your own farming or homesteading journey.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction to Bowen’s ranching operation in Arkansas and Missouri

00:04:20 Stats on Bowen’s flock, grass-fed lamb weights, and sale avenues

00:06:26 How Bowen built his full-time ranching operation from the ground up

00:09:38 Why Bowen chose hair sheep over goats and what he recommends

00:14:12 Parasite management protocol and livestock breakdown

00:17:31 Bowen’s predictions on the near future of the cattle market

00:19:07 The curiosity that started Bowen’s popular video series exploring the livestock-to-silver ratio over time

00:22:43 Bowen’s long-term vision for his family ranch

CONNECT WITH BOWEN

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RationalRanchers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Ranchers-Rational-61580788962777/

Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/rationalranchers/

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

Rotational grazing is about as close to a silver bullet for parasite control as you'll find in sheep farming, and in this episode, I'm breaking down my complete grazing system.  I cover how regular rotation builds pasture health and keeps feed costs low, plus the practical details: paddock rest, pasture recovery, fencing setup, and more.  I’m also diving into some audience questions on stocking rates, deworming, minerals, and grazing sheep alongside other livestock.  My goal in this episode is to help the beginner shepherd avoid some of my own early mistakes, so listen in!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 What’s the big deal about rotational grazing?

00:05:48 The importance of taking seriously our own food security

00:07:40 Diving into the transformation in my flock since implementing rotational grazing

00:08:51 How rotational grazing significantly improves pasture health, not just flock health

00:13:00 Addressing the pushback: “I don’t have time for rotational grazing”

00:15:19 My recommendation on how often to move sheep and how long to rest paddocks

00:22:39 Choosing the right electric fencing and training sheep to respect it

00:27:40 Exactly how I stockpile pasture to ease the burden of winter feeding

00:32:41 A walkthrough of my exact fencing setup, including perimeter fencing and electric-wire paddocks

00:40:35 Prioritizing flock health through deworming and culling for disease

00:42:24 The first line of defense against predators

00:43:38 Creating the right paddock size for the size of your flock

00:44:41 Evaluating the health of your soil and providing proper mineral access to your sheep

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

Healthy lambing starts long before delivery day.  In this episode, I'm walking through how to prepare your ewes in the months and weeks before lambing, what normal labor looks like, how to recognize and assist with common malpresentations, and the critical components of a successful first 24 hours.  If you're new to lambing or want a refresher before the next season, this episode will help you walk in feeling prepared.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction to successful lambing

00:06:46 Preparing your ewe before lambing: nutrition and minerals

00:11:20 Why deworming matters at lambing time and which products I recommend

00:17:36 Evaluating your ewe's udder before lambing, plus troubleshooting tips

00:23:38 What normal labor and delivery looks like in a healthy ewe and lamb

00:28:55 How I decide when to intervene during birth

00:34:38 Lambing troubleshooting: placenta issues, catching and handling ewes, post-delivery support

00:41:53 The critical first 24 hours: setting your lamb up for a healthy life

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Sign up for my Raising Sheep 101 Course to get the comprehensive guide on raising sheep and building a successful flock

Enroll in the Lamb for Life Course for step-by-step help in raising your lambs past their critical milestones

Watch the full tour of my friend Roberta’s farm, where she raises 300 hair sheep in Louisiana

Check out my recommended sheep supplies:

- Redmond Sheep Mineral

- Cydectin Dewormer

- NutriDrench

- CL Ewe Replacer

- Tube Feeding Kit for Lambs

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

📦 Explore my Shipping Products 101 e-book for a complete list of all my recommended resources and links to run your home-based shipping operation

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

I've been selling and shipping products since 2004, and in this episode I'm walking you through the basics of shipping in your business.  We'll cover setting up a simple, efficient shipping operation for your farm products: supplies, packaging, and pricing your shipping the right way. Tune in to learn how a smart shipping system can open the door to a whole new income stream for your farm!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 My story of selling and shipping products since 2004
00:02:45 Why you need a newsletter, website, and e-commerce BEFORE products
00:08:03 Finding a low-ticket item to sell alongside your farm products
00:10:45 Basic shipping supplies for small-scale orders including polymailers, bubble mailers, and stay-flat mailers
00:16:34 Thermal label printers and shipping software for higher volume
00:20:41 Use your packaging as a way to market your offerings
00:23:09 How to ship frozen meat with dry ice
00:25:16 Flat rate vs. free shipping vs. calculated shipping costs
00:29:20 Why building an online income takes time

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out my Shipping Products 101 e-book for direct links to all of the shipping supplies referenced in this episode

Sign up for my Marketing Farmer Masterclass to learn my step-by-step strategy for setting up your website, launching a newsletter, and generating traffic through free social media marketing

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

If your goal is to raise low-input, grass-finished beef cattle, this conversation with 20-year regenerative rancher Karl Ebel is packed with practical grazing tips that work on any acreage. From stockpile grazing and year round pasture management to keeping your cost per cow well below the industry average, this episode will change the way you think about your land as your most valuable resource.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to low-input cattle ranching and tonight's topics

03:06 How Mr. Ebel got started and why regenerative ranching takes time

07:10 Choosing the right breed and seed stock for a grass-based operation

12:45 The land is your resource — not the livestock

17:03 Audience Q&A: cold climates, goat weed, herbicide use, transitioning off supplemental feed

23:25 Preconditioning calves and selling direct vs. commodity market

28:35 Stockpile grazing and year round grazing without depending on hay

36:39 Annual cost per cow and keeping inputs low

45:39 Matching your animal to your forage and low-input systems in cold climates

52:52 Surviving drought, body condition management, and treating bloat

57:49 Best timing for calving and troubleshooting pasture problems

01:00:33 Financial planning and realistic expectations before you jump into farming

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Grab your copy of Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep by Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head

📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage 

Karl Ebel had no farming background, bought exhausted go-back land, and built one of the most intentional regenerative ranches I've ever seen… right down the road from me!  In this episode, we talk about rehabilitating depleted land, the importance of grass-based genetics, pairing the right livestock to your resource, and answer your questions on starting small, guardian dogs vs. donkeys, running cows and sheep together, winter feeding strategies, knowing your WHY, and more.  If you want to farm smarter, not harder and actually see the numbers work out, you don't want to miss this conversation.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Getting started in cattle even if you think you can’t afford it

04:15 The process of rehabilitating the land and becoming profitable

10:21 How livestock quality impacts sustainability and profitability

15:36 Pairing the right type of livestock with the land you currently have

17:06 A discussion on marketing strategies and considering your own capacity 

20:08 Answering your questions: how many cattle to start with, grain finishing, keeping pastures clear of forest encroachment, guardian dogs vs. donkeys

27:14 Weaning calves to minimize stress, running cows and sheep in the same pasture, 

34:25 Using outside resources for consultation and economic support

37:20 Karl’s strategy for feeding his herd over winter without hay

38:49 Questions on calving season, electric fencing management, starting a flock of sheep on small acreage

44:36 The importance of knowing your WHY behind farming

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out Karl’s preferred agricultural resources:

- National Resources Conservation Service

- Noble Research Institute

CONNECT WITH ME

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon 

Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG

Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Watch this episode on YouTube

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show

Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode!

Support the show