Flying Mule Sheep Company

Because of drought and related factors, Flying Mule Farm is transforming its commercial sheep operation to a small-scale demonstration flock.  Our new entity, Flying Mule Sheep Company, will focus on public and sheep producer education and the demonstration of grass-based production practices.  Specifically, we will demonstrate the following:

• Development of a genetic base designed to optimize a low-input grass-based production (with little or no supplemental feed inputs).
• Development of a grazing and nutrition management system that will result in a weaned lamb crop of 150 percent.
• Development of a record-keeping and management system designed to optimize maternal characteristics (lambing ease, lamb vigor, mothering ability) in a pasture-based system.
• Development of leasing considerations and leasing fact sheets for small-farm flocks.
• Demonstration of desirable grass-fed carcass quality.
• Demonstration of forage management, husbandry and marketing systems for small-scale, direct-market sheep producers.
• Demonstration of low-stress stockmanship techniques and handling systems.
• Demonstration of the use of guardian and stock dogs in a small-farm flock.
• Demonstration of water-efficient irrigation technology for foothill ranchers.
• Demonstration of predator-friendly management systems.
• Public outreach on a variety of topics, including meat and fiber production, targeted grazing, stockmanship and predator control.

This project will continue to evolve, so stay tuned!  Look for workshops, field days, articles (and yes, more blog posts)!