Here's a series of the new sheep "tractor" working as intended. First you see the graze, lush ungrazed on the left, the current pasture on the right. Then sheep are lured into the tractor with a little oats. The fence is moved, the sheep let go, and there they are, grazing happily on new pasture, only a tiny bit of the old pasture being left inside the pen.
And Mr. Haggis sitting in the truck, services no longer required. But don't feel bad for him. We were called back to MOFGA later because a sheep had got out, and he managed to let them all get out. Probably to prolong his fun.
(As we might say in Yorkshire, it's a poor shepherd as blames 'is sheepdog!)
Hi is it possible you share more more info about sheep tractor? - number of sheep per m2 ? type of grass - last time it was grazed and it rained before moving sheeps in? number of days in each spot ? I'm in dry south of Portugal, we have 1200 merino sheep and very different context, but worthwhile to learn with you about this...
ReplyDeletethanks
João
In Maine in the summer it rains enough so the grass always grows. Sheep don't need a shelter but are happiest if they can get out of the rain and the sun. This is really just a portable shelter. It's on wheels.
ReplyDeleteIt also allows for the sheep to be penned up temporarily while the electric fence is moved.
here we have a hot dry summer, about 3-4 months without rain ... chaparrex.blogspot.com/2010/11/as-condicoes-existentes.html
ReplyDeletedo you know of people in similar conditions ?
No, and I wouldn't know where to start looking. But they do like the portable shelter in our (hot, humid) summers, for the shade.
ReplyDelete