Sheep business

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Timily Farms

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hi, my name is Tim and I live in southern oregon! I am looking at getting out of cattle and into sheep so just wondering best meat breeds. I am looking at Hampshire, Suffolk, and Romney for my breeds
 
SheepGirl

SheepGirl

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What are you looking to feed them? Hampshire & Suffolk usually need grain to get good gains. Romney is more of a wool breed, but they can be used for meat, as any breed can. I personally like my crossbred sheep, but that's just me. I have been impressed with Texels. I would like to start a purebred flock with them...but that's a far ways off.
 
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Timily Farms

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I have ten acres of pasture looking at starting a breeding program and selling the babies as butcher lambs to people and keeping maybe one or two for myself each year. I am looking at using the money from my butcher steers to buy some quality stock but can't find much locally near me in grants pass, oregon
 
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Check the nebraska sheep breeders directory. Its a national list for breeders separated by breed.
 
BrownSheep

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Hi Tim,
If you're looking for a quick selling business I would suggest the Hamp/ Suffolk crosses which are popular club lambs. I don't know about Oregon but in Idaho the minimum price for club lambs here is $150 and I mean that is bare bones for decent stock. I've been to club lamb auctions where they easily sell for 300+. These are 3-5 month old lambs.

A lot of people on here do state they require more grain but I haven't found that to be true. I have 5 year old ewe who could enter the show ring tomorrow and who hasn't been grained in well over 4 years.

Oregon has a pretty good market for fiber and I believe Romneys are a favorite among spinners but thats the extent of my knowledge
 
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