No, this is not Year of the Sheep according to the Chinese zodiac. This is a look at a calendar year of raising sheep on pasture.
This production calendar is presented for the purpose of sharing ideas and not presented as the RIGHT way to proceed. It is an overview of what currently works on our ranch.It is also reflective of the climate in Saskatchewan.
The flock is sheared in early to mid April. It is one of the few times during a year of the sheep that the whole flock is at the yard.
After shearing is a good time to check the condition of the flock, and do any treatment for external or internal parasites, IF needed. When emphasis is placed on land health and a sheep mineral program these two treatments become almost negligible.
During or after shearing is also the time to administer a seven or eight way vaccine. We do not vaccinate the whole flock, only the younger replacement ewes.
Grass might begin to show in late April. Spring rains will begin. The flock will show a strong tendency to migrate and begin grazing. We check the fences and then let them wander on open fields where any grass is available.
May
This is the month where we transition from a few green shoots to green everywhere.
We get the portable water station ready to go and begin setting up portable ElectraNet cross fencing.
The flock is out on pasture and we have begun our rotational grazing program. The flock moves quickly through 40 acre paddocks. Moves are accomplished with shepherd and stock dogs. Rams are in a separate pasture and moving less often since there is fewer of them.
Lambing will begin near the end of the month.
At this point in the year of the sheep schedule the daily routine involves checking the flock every day and feeding guard dogs. When checking we are looking for behavioral changes that indicate predator trouble, illness, or imminent birthing.
Topping off mineral tubs and checking the water station are becoming daily habits.
Fence building and maintenance begins and will continue until the ground freezes again.
This month we will borrow or rent the needed equipment to seed a parcel of land with millet and oats for winter swath grazing.
June
June is a graceful month. Lambing is in full swing. Chores involve a morning and evening check of the flock looking for new lambs. We take a small notebook and record births.
Nine times out of ten everything is fine as ewes raised on grass really are capable of taking care of birth on their own. Occasionally we will need to assist a ewe or graft an orphaned lamb if possible, but otherwise we do not like to interfere.
There is no bottle feeding and no helping ewes figure out who their lamb is. If lambs do not show vigor they will not keep up on pasture.
The other not so fun chore is to be on the lookout for dead lambs. We do not leave any carcasses on pasture. The guard dogs or the magpies alert us to dead lambs.
Mid month we set up a pen on pasture and move the flock into it. Then we catch lambs for tail docking and castrating. Both docking and castrating are done with elastrator rings.
Rotational grazing moves are still occurring. We move ElectraNet regularly to keep ahead of the flock. Depending on number of head and grass growth we move the sheep flock every week. With lambing in full swing we try not to move more often than once a week.
In Saskatchewan the summer is the time of ranch tours. We participate in being host to group pasture tours and individual visits from people who are curious about what we are doing.
July
The summer passes from graceful to casual. July is a steady month of moving Electranet and sheep from paddock to paddock.
The flock is checked once a day. We want to see the signs of contentment that let us know all is well.
Once more we set up a pen to do tail docking and castrating on the second half of the lamb crop.
The grass will be close to maturity and haying begins. As we own no equipment we have an arrangement with a family member who cuts and bales our hay land in return for half the feed to use for his cattle.
The lambs are a month or older and gaining weight rapidly. On their own they will begin to eat some forage.
This ends Year of the Sheep Flock Page one - Shearing to Lambing (April though July)
Go to Page Two - Grazing and Maintenance (August through November)
Go to Page Three - Breeding and Winter Feeding (December through March)
June is a graceful month. Lambing is in full swing. Chores involve a morning and evening check of the flock looking for new lambs. We take a small notebook and record births. 
