➡➡CLICK HERE for my $100k Farm Business Plan: bit.ly/farmprofit

I learned the hard way. Get your fencing secured prior to getting goats. I use a 6 wire electric perimeter fence. I rotate goats with moveable nets.

I'm glad the algorithm sent me this channel. I was just looking at raising sheep or goats on a small hobby farm. Good stuff and looking forward to watching more of your videos. God Bless.

This was absolutely brilliant. Vital data and facts explained in such an easy-to-understand way. Excellent format and presentation. Thanks so much. I just retired from the military at 60y/o and bought a ten acre homestead. I plan to get a few sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. This video was extremely helpful. Thank you. I have subscribed to your channel.

My step-dad had hundreds of both when I was growing up, I agree with your opinions.. the last time I went to a sale was about 13 years ago & was in west tennessee.. no1 sheep brought around a dollar and no1 goats brought $1.20-30.. it's crazy how much prices have went up since then.

Excellent Video 6:30 is the most underrated explanation of what is happening in America today in regards to the small farm and homesteading movement!

This is some Awesome info Thank You And God Bless. Didn't know this about San Angelo and the subsidies. Have a Blessed Day

Lots of great info on this video. Thanks for sharing!

Great job on this video!

You are one of the best out there. Nice analysis.

Very good information and run down of the market prices in TX. thanks for putting that together.

I had thought the last few years I would raise goats but after watching your and Greg Judy videos I am leaning toward sheep.I live on the FL/GA line so plenty of rain and sounds like do a better job staying in their fence but first have 20 acres to clean old fence line and put in a new one.

We raise both and have a good pasturing system. Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

You are the data master when it comes to farming. Love your approach and organization.

@timmmmmmmmmmy1

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, watched 1 video and subbed months ago. Thank you girl you do a awesome job putting out intel and info. My hats off to you.

I love the financial analysis. You are the Stuart Varney of the sheep business.

As always, great research and video. I appreciate the shout out.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

That’s more informative and beneficial thanks

SUPER content. Glad I found your channel. New sub.

Very useful. Many thanks.

This is the first time I've seen your video and it was refreshing to hear someone talk sheep. I'd love to see your other videos

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great info

New subscriber to your channel as of last month.... really really really like the content your putting out 👍Thanks

Thank you......I'm running 78 goats right now....most I've ever had....160 acres.....living in northern british columbia so still have a foot of snow on the ground still. Listening to your podcast tonight that your sending me so thank you again and I'm running kiko goats by myself lol.....i have a goat squeeze so that makes it easier....cheers!

Great info!!

thank you for all information!

I just started my goat operation in western Oklahoma. Mobile shelter inside electric netting on pasture.

Very specific tangible examples of everything, better than a college class. Mad props. Also the free e-book is very analytical and well thought out in a way that minimizes other's getting a partial idea of what they're up against.

Big thanks for such an excellent presentation of info and markets.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the encouragement!!

Great stats! You made it easy to make a decision. Go girl!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, sir! 😄

Thanks for your thoughtfulness! Keep it up!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Robert!

Awesome channel.

I have no clue why the algorithm led me here but I came upon some land from my father and I have some elsewhere. I love goats as animals and as food. It's always good to open your horizons.

Great information! So excited about starting our sheep journey. We will be adding a few goats for clearing some wooded areas and milk purposes.

@FLPhotoCatcher

2 жыл бұрын

We raise Katahdin sheep. They are very hardy. We recently had 28 lambs, and only lost 2. At least one was because of unseasonably cold weather, and both the lambs were the runts of triplets. The sheep eat lots of weeds and shrubs, seemingly more than 50% when they are available.

@ab935

2 жыл бұрын

There are dairy sheep and their milk supposedly tastes better.

Dang! That was the most useful set of facts anyone could ask for. The Shepherdess. I second Albert's (next comment) astute observations. We are in a very challenging project rehabilitating a high desert parcel with a circle pivot and decent water. The ground has been fallow since 1996. We are planning to use goats to address a bumper crop of tumbleweeds, so We can eventually have some hay and a tree farm (food forest) around the edge of the sprinkler. Your presentation is excellent would you consider mentoring us.

This is very interesting information. In Indiana based on my experience, the situation is reversed. On average sheep and more expensive than goats in the state when I go to livestock auctions or private sellers to improve my herd and flock. I believe that goats and sheep will continue to grow and possibly surpass other meat markets. Great information!

Absolutely great video thank you so much

Thanks- this was terrific!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome, Dan!

Wow, finally someone who can explain the actual reasons behind the jump in prices. Wish my customers can hear this. Will share. Thanks!

Great video

It's been a STRAIGHT TO THE POINT VIDEO.... THANKS 👍

Had both lamb and goat's, 5 strand electric is the way to go. Goat's will test a fence, but the benefits to having them clean up pastures is amazing.

Great info, getting ready for my business

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Wow. Thanks for the great info!!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks, Matt.

This is a great video. Thank you!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Thanks for the video! Ill be following to learn more ❤🐑

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

This was EXCELLENT! Thanks very much.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Dan!

You are a beast with your numbers and fact skills? Great Work.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Greg!

Thank you! I love your videos. We are considering turning our 10 acre farm into a business primarily raising some sheep to sell in the Fall, hopefully, for a profit. Your videos are a treasure trove of knowledge. Thank you!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

I’m so grateful to have you watching, Lee!

@scottowensbyable

2 жыл бұрын

I dont know how good your land is but I would suggest planting pecan trees while your raising sheep. You will have to protect the young trees to get started.

@zfotoguy71

2 жыл бұрын

@@scottowensbyable We are too far north for pecan trees, however we are considering apple and pear trees. Southern Michigan here.

3 things I like about KZread: people making food content, People making fun review memes (they’re kind of funny on some vids) but your content is amazing. I truly say that madam. Animal knowledge content are amazing and I keep enjoying this more than anything

Hi great job

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

thank you!

You are awesome. Like Rolling O as well.

Once more, really good analysis. I definitely look forward to adding sheep to our farm and lamb to our farm stand in the next couple of years as we clear acreage. I might keep a goat or two on tethers to knock down weeds and clear brush but that's about it, I have no interest in investing in goat proof fencing ;)

@thomasjcorson4758

2 жыл бұрын

Now is the time to get sheep you really need to clear acreage just clear brush and some trees where the fence will go sheep will clear brush and girdle trees just put wire around trees you want saved

Good morning from the frozen north 🥶 I’m glad you are a numbers person. Yes goats are a handful and require a lot of work. I’m in the building process with my herd and trying to figure out KZread and all of the technology that goes with it. If you grew up with tech it’s doable . Me on the other end 🤬!!!!!! Keep up the great work

Thanks for the evaluation of the two species. Keep up the good work.

Thank you

Can you do Colorado, some guy told me the opposite just two weeks ago

Very impressive, I trade for a living and do realestate so im very into economics. Your video was fantastic, full of outstanding points and very useful information, thank you!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Rain comes in handy to grow the forage in abundance, but I learned to pen my goats up and only let them forage on very dry days.

@ziggyc4474

2 жыл бұрын

I'm new so what is this practice here how does it help?

@KennyRider137

2 жыл бұрын

@@ziggyc4474 I let my 11 boer goats have free choice access to pasture 24/7 and 8 of them died from parasites. Wet grass harbors parasites easier than dry grass. Parasites swim up the grass stems. I keep them in a pen now and feed them only store bought hay and forage I cut when it's high and dry. I will let them forage again in the future when I set up fences and rotate the pastures but will only let them out when it is absolutely bone dry. And you still need a vet to get them on the right dewormer.

Awesome video. I am primarily an alfalfa hay producer in eastern NM. We raise sheep and did raise goats for a while. Fencing cannot be overstated for goats they are harder on fences than cattle in my opinion. Another point, and this is simply my experience, every fall I buy lambs to run over winter on our algae fields. When I tried to do the same with kids they gained 1/4lb per day to the lambs 1/2lb. These were just a mixed load that came from the auction.

@brewsterly2927

2 жыл бұрын

Algae fields sound about as far away from goat the best fodder as you can get.

Here locally (subtropical) I've been told goats are easier than sheep when it comes to parasites. I want to try both though and see if it's possible to have a few of both.

I'm in western Ky and have about 70 head of goats, Boer, Kiko, savanna and dairy mix. They do great, they are cross bred and have no parasite problem, they have 179 acres to roam on. Also have 15 head of horses, mules and ponies. I have only fed around 75 square bales of hay all winter. My property is reclaimed mine land. Haven't had to worm my goats in three years and this is the best looking herd that I've had. Love watching the information you put out.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic info! What’s your annual rainfall? Thanks for watching my vids!

@timsigers5602

2 жыл бұрын

@@theShepherdess 48-58 inches, I also real rocky ground, so I only have an occasional hoof to trim. We are thinking of branching out to other animals, probably some cattle and pigs and getting rid of the horses since no one rides them

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

That’s some great success with the goats in such a high rainfall area!

@timsigers5602

2 жыл бұрын

Where do you sell most of your sheep, as of right now I sell mainly at auction, and a few to individuals, but have been thinking of branching out to other markets. I have also considered sheep and the rotational method that you do. About 100 acres of my land is pasture, mainly serecea grass which really takes off as the weather gets hotter. I haven't had it checked but have been told the protein content is very high

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

@@timsigers5602 I sell my stock at ShepherdessDorpers.com . Craigslist has also been a good place to find local buyers.

What I was wondering if you have to clear brush would you want goats first, as they can get higher clearing. The other thing I wonder if if working with cattle, if one or the other. There is a guy north of Dallas who found a niche leasing in cattle area. A lot of hilly area that the goats are suited for. Leasing with cattle opens another regenerative path, whether like you said you choose one or the other.

I raise Kiko goats. I am raising them in an area that has lots of browse and very little pasture. What I have heard is that the goats will have more of a problem with parasites if they are forced to rely more heavily on grazing than on browsing. I still monitor my goats for parasites because I do see them grazing occasionally. I did lose one of my first does to worms. I purchased her from a farm that was mostly pasture, and I was new at goats. When they are on full browse they cost me next to nothing. However, come winter, the cost is a lot higher than I would like. I am trying to figure out a way to reduce my winter feeding costs, yet keep my goats healthy. That has been my biggest struggle. Like you mentioned in the video, cattle are subsidized which translates to a lot of support for cattle producers and next to nothing for small ruminant producers. I live in a very heavy cattle producing area.

@edgarfriendly5081

2 жыл бұрын

I also raise Kikos and have experienced the same thing. They will usually choose to eat away from the ground (browse from branches and tall weeds). That coupled with their natural parasite resistance I very rarely have any issues.

@coryb8987

2 жыл бұрын

Cattle are not subsidized. There is price fixing with the large packers that monopolize the industry. There is subsidies with grains/forages.

@brewsterly2927

2 жыл бұрын

I am looking into Coppicing trees for storage of winter feeding, there is a utube of a couple doing it too. Read that you can do this in goat paddocks just leave a gap past there browsing height.

I agree completely.

Lots of info. Thanks! Where can I find out if I have a market for sheep and goat? I don't see it in stores or my farmers market.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

I’d look for your closest livestock sale barn. While I always encourage people to buy off farms rather than at sale barns, the prices at your local sale barns will give you an idea of local demand. Lower prices = lower local demand.

Nice

Your show is amazing and would love for my wife and I to visit you some day. Seriously thinking about changing from cattle.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos, Chaney! Thank you for commenting!

We just picked up our first goat today :) she's bred so hoping for babies in July!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Congratulations!

WOW, Wish I had you around 15 years ago.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

I just got 12 black head Dorper ewes and 1 ram he is typed 4 and papered he has won some of the shows they brought him to last year

Great videos. I've just started livestock farming. There are so many variables. I am hoping I can bread my boerbok (boer goat) into a large carcase stock. As for commercial, I have just emigrated to a country which language I can't speak🤣 Now you try to sell your stock under those conditions and you'll understand the word "challenge".😩

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

Now that is a challenge I hadn’t considered! Haha! Thanks for the comment :).

I really like sheep farming, it is profitable, even though we all bought feed and we have to feed hay for 9-10 months a year and only 2-3 months with green grass and, of course, grain, since in winter we have temperatures up to minus 43 degrees, and snow lies 6 months a year. And prices are rising for sheep due to rising prices for feed and maintenance.

Wow, what an insight, very well done but all the same you must have to be a special kind of person to rear anamials.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Very true… it is a lifestyle!

great thoughts. up her in canada, think toronto ontario. im about 1 hr from that big city. immigration is high and keeps going. there's a large ethnic population who thinks soul food-- it isn't mashed potatoes and roast beef its roast lamb or goat. up here, in the early winter we're looking at almost 5 bucks a pound. my pharmacist joked with me the other day and said if his ewes even look at him the wrong way, they're headed to market. for sheep and goat producers, the future expected demand looks pretty good. pretty exciting time to be getting into the sheep or goat industry!

Well depends Texas has many Mexicans and there are a few dishes that are popular to make with goat or sheep.

When sheep escape the herd might be found ten miles away, when goats escape they will often be on your porch and knocking at your door to find out why they didn't get a treat....... Basically if you enjoy interacting with your livestock goats are the obvious choice. If you prefer to observe your livestock from afar, sheep is your choice.

@dominichanway6016

2 жыл бұрын

My sheep have escaped a few times and always stay within a thousand feet of our property. If it gets dark before I get to them. They park themselves in our front lawn

@LadyLithias

2 жыл бұрын

I always wanted goats. And I always wanted sheep. My favorite goat ended up being ... a Jacob sheep. Last june we fenced our ten acres and bought a small flock. I learned pretty quickly that my sheep will follow me anywhere, and have no intention of escaping. If they get out, they just nibble the grass and try to open the grain bin. Not sure how it would be possible to interact with goats more than I interact with my sheep.

Just saying there is a HUGE pet market right now. A dwarf Nigerian kid can sell for 300+ if selecting for colorful parentage and that billy or nanny is only going to require half as much overwinter feed.

Where would we find goat meat? Can't recall seeing it in any grocery store (I live in central Indiana) nor any of the local butchers that I patronize. It is obvious goat meat is out there but wonder if it is a niche or custom product. Last two questions which are related - any well known restaurants that offer goat meat? If not, what keeps them from offering it? Buffalo and Elk are becoming more common.

every thing we raise is up this year! but still can't pay off loans and afford to produce more for next year =, consumables have doubled or tripled. thanks JOE many small producers around here are going belly up

What you are missing is that producers do not farm with livestock that are the most profitable. Producers farm with what suits their climates, their circumstances, etc, and mostly what they love to farm with. I breed Simmentals. And even if I could make more money with sheep or goats I will never keep sheep or goats. I love Simmentals.

Do you have a video on predator protection?

Ive heard there are folks on the Navajo Nation that wont even sell their sheep right now. I susspect due to all the uncertainty.

Good morning. 🙌🙌🙏☝️🇨🇦🥰

How do I find a place to sell market sheep instead of private sales? We are in Southern California and don’t see a market like it seems in your area.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Good question! I don’t have a lot of info on California, but you could take to Google with the term “sheep auction in Southern California”

Thank you . Is zone 3 ( snow cold is November to end of May. Is this considered dry or wet ?

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

I would recommend researching your average rainfall/precipitation. This will give you a good gauge of wet or dry. Anything over 35”-40” is wet in my opinion. 👍🏻

OMG I AM FORM SAN ANGELO TX

As soon as Scottish lamb is available in the USA I will be switching over to that product and dumping USA product. US farmers have ruined lamb over the last 30 years taking a carcass weight of 45-50 lbs with less than 3/16" of cover to 80-90 lb. carcasses with 1.5-2" of cover and 3-5 lbs of kidney fat making the product for the retailer completely unprofitable and losing it's counter appeal with the heavy amounts of seam fat. I used to cut and trim and entire lamb carcass weighing 45 lbs into it all the cuts for the counter and have less than 1.5 lbs of fat. Today you get a 82 lb carcass and trim and cut the same way and you end up with 22-26 lbs of fat and excess cutting to remove heavy seam fat areas. So when you pay $6.09 lb for an 82 lb lamb carcass it's more like $8.61 lb. This does not account for any boning out to make ground lamb which will raise the price per lb. of the carcass. And finally with the explosion of restaurants offering domestic rack of lamb the price of buying racks completely puts 99% of all grocery stores out of range for selling domestic lamb rib chops. That's why most sell aussie or kiwi. PS I have cut and sold more than 2 million pounds of lamb in my 34 years of being a butcher.

Thank you for your very informative videos! What minerals do we need to feed sheep? Are there brands you like?

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Juliana! Thank you for asking. I give some details on the mineral I use in my free ebook. Here is the link: harmonyfarms.blog/13-things-you-need-to-raise-sheep-free-e-book/

@craigbrown8275

2 жыл бұрын

Purina makes a good sheep mineral in a white n lime green bag. It’s a chelated mineral, around $30 per 50 lb bag

@hopeisorange

2 жыл бұрын

@@craigbrown8275 do I need to add salt to it? If so, what kind?

@craigbrown8275

2 жыл бұрын

@@hopeisorange No, it has the salt already in it to get the target consumption of 1oz per head per day. If they way over consume, you could add just a little plain stock salt, but normally it’s not needed. They might over consume the first few days until they get used to it. Offer it free choice for about a week, and give them a measured amount (it should weigh around 9 pounds per gallon, or 2.25 per quart, etc) and see how long it takes for them to eat that amount. Then calculate what the average consumption was per animal to see if it’s close to 1oz per day. There’s also feeding directions on the tag. And, it’s a good idea to ask a local vet for tips for your area. Good luck!

Why not use a mobile goat/sheep tractor fence with wheels to free range grass feed nd grass finish them easily? Just move/push it to new grass every day and just add water.

How about if I want to target export to Asia and the Middle East. What's most profitable cattle, sheep or goats. I'm in southern Africa where my costs are very low Does anyone know how to access the market please?

We have an extremely large sheep farm and I have friends that raise goats. I am marrying into this family so I'm new to the whole sheep and goat thing but this is very interesting to learn

Hi great video! As I have said I raise cattle and am pretty unfamiliar with the goat world… what are they primarily sold for? People food, dog food, or other products? Thanks!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Ethnic markets buy the live animals to process and eat as a meat product. 👍🏻

@zenjamin6262

2 жыл бұрын

Goat is the most nutritious and fine dining meats on the planet

Love your content. Is this whole comparison based on good boer meat goats. Because like a dairy crossed steer and a dairy crossed wethers will not bring half what “beefy calves and kids” will. So I guess question is how much does it cost to get the seed stock to get those prices or are they salebarn stats????

@michaelswenson6599

2 жыл бұрын

I think it's a meat goat thing. The pic showed a boer.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Meat goats for sure. Karl Ebel runs a boer/Spanish cross.

Shepherdess, based on a video that you made a couple months back speaking of the upcoming fertilizer shortage, I put 1000 dollars into 5 different fertilizer companies on 2/9 and that 5000 has grown approximately 20% in a month. Conversely, the other items in my portfolio have dropped an average of 10% since 1/1. That vid speaking of the upcoming fertilizer shortage informed my 2022 investment strategy. My only regret is that I didn't transfer my full portfolio to fertilizer stocks.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

WOW! Thank you for sharing!

@Dalthos2

2 жыл бұрын

@@theShepherdess Mosaic stock is up 36% this month, Israel Chemicals is up 21.44%, nutrien is up 33.77%, cf is up 30.67% and corteva has more or less broken even. The rest of my stock portfolio, well, let's not dwell on that.

I think you can also sell the sheep's wool, too, to increase profit.

@34tab

Жыл бұрын

I raise wool sheep- they have to be sheared - the wool does not pay for the shearing. There are breeds of sheep that produce fine wool that is more valuable - but there is always a trade off.

@lewis2553

Жыл бұрын

@@34tab Thanks for the info. We're still trying to decide if we want to get sheep or goats.

Hi! Just wondering - do you have any book recommendations for raising sheep and/or goats? Thanks!

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

I have a free ebook about sheep farming here: harmonyfarms.blog/13-things-you-need-to-raise-sheep-free-e-book/ As far as further reading I recommend, here is a video I made on the topic: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aGeFra2yicjZiJs.html

I'm a seasonal shepherd who's managed large herds of goats. When it comes to electric fencing for goats, you will want the ElectroFence 48" single post fencing sold by Premier 1 fencing. I'd highly recommend using fiberglass posts from tractor supply to shape the fence on hills. You can make that fence work on any terrain as long as you keep the fence itself clear of direct debris. If your goats already know how to repeatedly jump or sneak under the fence, your options are limited and you'd be better off using permanent fencing for them. Others in the herd will learn from their habits very quickly. I agree with you 100% re: the inflation and market AND the soil restoration benefits of goats specifically.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

Great information, Joseph! Thank you!

@brewsterly2927

2 жыл бұрын

That stuff would cost a fortune with large herds, my well trained goats won't breach two hot wires. Big energize (min 6 joule, mine is 8) that never gets turned off is also essential.

@sandwichsupernova

2 жыл бұрын

@@brewsterly2927 That sounds like it would work well for large goats on pasture. I should probably clarify that our goats are nomadic most of the year - we use them to clear fire brush.

@sandwichsupernova

2 жыл бұрын

@@theShepherdess My wife and I love your channel! Your journey has been so inspiring. God bless! 🙏🙏🙏

@brewsterly2927

2 жыл бұрын

@@sandwichsupernova When you say "nomadic" you're saying no fence?

I think it depends where you are in the world. I know where I live Goats are definitely in demand for meat. But I know in other parts of the country it would be hard to sell goat meat.

you should be thinking about ducks and geese. Low key it's a market that keeps giving. More so if you are on the west coast or north west. Due to the high Asian markets. It doesn't have to be pekin duck wither. Which i don't recommend on pasture. The best part about ducks is once they are a big bigger they don't need the kind of overhead protection chickens do. Honestly, I never got why folks got so caught up on chickens. Ducks and geese herd.

@MistressOP

2 жыл бұрын

then again I thought about it. The reason why it's chicken is the huge government-supported infrastructure. I kinda already knew the answer just didn't think about it enough.

In response to the tougher learning curve to producing sheep/goats. If you don't have a "mentor" or someone direct to ask questions to, we had heard when starting that you'll know in 3 years if you can hack it or not. 3 years is about the amount of time for someone to kill off their herd due to bad management or find out it's not for them. On the goat end of things, you need a good local experienced mentor because in our area the vets just don't have the experience. You end up using medications off-label as nothing is really listed for goats.

@theShepherdess

2 жыл бұрын

This is golden info!

@leonardcatabay5926

2 жыл бұрын

@@theShepherdess hello can you tell me where i can buy boer goat to be ship in philippines

@leonardcatabay5926

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, im planing to start a goat farming.. can you tell me where i can buy boer goat and ship to Philippines and how much it cost.thanks