Vigilance and preparation are key to a profitable production system
Sheep farms across the region are preparing for the demanding breeding and lambing season that defines their year.
For farm hands and shepherds, spring season is a time for vigilance as lambing and pasture preparation all merge. The success of the season hinges on labor, timing and management.
Spring lambing is often considered a more profitable production system than fall or winter lambing as it aligns with the natural forage growth cycle. The spring flush of grass helps to lower feed costs tied to processed feeds, allowing producers to take advantage of inexpensive pasture gains, as the rapid growth of cool-season grasses emerge.
“When the grass starts coming in during early spring, that’s free feed,” said Prairie Grove farm hand Conner Belew.
Conception rates tend to be higher under a spring-lambing system since breeding can coincide with the sheep’s natural mating season, which typically occurs from late September to November. Spring lambing occurs from March to May, allowing farm operations to utilize overlapping pasture systems by letting lambs graze with their dams until they reach market weight.
According to Belew, relying on pasture gains is more economical than using supplemental feed programs. He said keeping lambs with their dams through August supports natural weight gain and reduces the need for costly feed inputs.
Rotating pastures is key to preventing overgrazing and reducing parasite pressure as lambs begin grazing in the spring. Belew stated that internal parasites remain a constant concern for producers, especially during wet, warm conditions.
Belew mentioned that farm workers should watch closely for signs of infection such as weight loss, diarrhea, anemia and bottle jaw.
“Parasites can take hold fast once lambs hit fresh grass,” he said.
Maintaining ewe condition is another focus this time of year. Fresh water, mineral supplements and occasional grain feed help support fertility and milk production. Belew said that you’ll see improvements in the lambs’ growth as ewes are kept in good shape.
Accurate recordkeeping also helps to track performance according to Belew. Farmers tag lambs, log weights and monitor health to follow growth rates and improve flock genetics.
Belew added that some farms are turning to artificial insemination to enhance genetics and synchronize lambing. While AI is challenging because ewes have short fertility windows, he said newer techniques are improving conception rates. Combining AI with estrus synchronization, which uses hormones and controlled exposure to rams, has further increased breeding efficiency.
Belew described the AI process as tedious but “it pays off in the end,” he said.
The success of spring lambing does not fall solely on management practices but also on the hands of who carries them out.
Belew described spring lambing as never-ending long nights and early mornings.
“You’re checking the ewes every few hours, making sure the sheep bounce back strong and lambs begin nursing,” said Belew. “If a lamb fails to thrive in those first couple of days, there’s very little room for error.”
