PROFITABLE SHEEP MANAGEMENT 



Plan For Keeping Bunch of Ewes One Year, Commencing 



November 1st 



Up to November 1st the ewes can pasture in the different 

 fields and lots. 



If they are in good flesh and the pasture plentiful they can be 

 kept in the Corn Belt up to this time without grain feed. 



Light Grain Feed Ear Corn 



It is well, however, to begin about the middle of October, 

 sometimes sooner, to give them a light grain feed once a day. This 

 can be one-half ear of corn to each ewe, fed on the grass or in 

 a wide, flat-bottomed trough, allowing the ewes to shell the corn 

 themselves. Oats can be fed if they are grown on the farm. 



The amount of grain to feed in the fall depends on the pasture 

 and condition of the ewes. 



Flat-Bottomed Troughs 



All grain troughs for sheep should have flat bottoms. V-shaped 

 troughs allow the sheep to get too much feed in their mouths at 

 once and they will waste much of it when changing places at 

 the trough. 



Time to Breed Ewes 



If early lambs are wanted the ewes will be bred before Novem- 

 ber 1st. 



Ewes bred November 1st will begin lambing about April 1st. 



It is the practice of many farmers to breed their ewes in Novem- 

 ber so that the lambs are born in April, when the weather is getting 

 warm and the pastures are beginning to furnish grass for the 

 ewes. 



Advantages of April Lambs 



It does not take as much feed or shelter for April-born lambs 

 as for earlier ones yet there are good sheep men who claim that 

 where there is warm shelter, plenty of clover or alfalfa hay and 

 good silage to feed the ewes, the lambs are more profitable if born 

 in February or March. 



Advantages of Early Lambs 



In Winter and early Spring the outdoor farm work is not so 

 urgent. More time can be spent caring for the lambs. Early 



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