Sheep Ranching Newbie

[Lamb Lover]

Hello there! I've posted on this website about my personal sheep and rabbits and you've all been very helpful so I hope you can help me with this little issue.

I work with legal immigrant Peruvian sheep herders at a ranch about an hour from my house. I've worked with them for two years now and they're more like family to me. The rancher that employs them is not treating them or the animams correctly so we're trying to buy a ranch and then employ the herders and buy all the sheep, dogs and horses from the rancher. I advocate for the animals and my mom and her friend advocate for the herders and we created an Association to help raise awareness and raise money to help this beautiful men and aniamls because they deserve so much better.

So to get to the point, I was hoping you would be able to give me an idea of how to properly run a sheep ranch. Since we have been there so many times we know how this ranch is run, which majority of it is incorrect so I need to know how to properly go about doing this. The dogs used are Border Collies, Great Pyrenees and the Kangal (Anotolian Shepard) and there are about 50 total dogs. I don't know the breed of sheep or how many there are at this point, but they are shorn in March and they lamb in April to mid July, and are on the range for the rest of the year.

I know what vaccines the sheep need, how to bottle feed and help a ewe give birth, herd and all the other basics I just need to know how it works on a bigger scale. As you can imagine this is a lot for a small group of people to do on their own so any help would be greatly appreciated. My personal sheep are bum lambs from last year, mixed breed. Two ewes and a ram and they are going to be ambassadors for our association. We've also picked a dog from each breed but we plan to go through with this. (Please don't judge or hate this is personal now thanks to the irresponsible actions of the rancher and I fully intend to bring justice to the men and animals.)

Thanks for your time and help!

 

[Southern by choice]

Since we have been there so many times we know how this ranch is run, which majority of it is incorrect

So to get to the point, I was hoping you would be able to give me an idea of how to properly run a sheep ranch.

You have not mentioned the number of sheep, the amount of land, the purpose for the sheep. Also you state that the ranch is not run properly or the "majority of it is incorrect". What makes you think the ranch is not run properly? What are you thinking is incorrect?

they are shorn in March and they lamb in April to mid July, and are on the range for the rest of the year

That is normal. Small or Large scale.

irresponsible actions of the rancher

What are you seeing as irresponsible?

 

[Lamb Lover]

The number of sheep he owned when we first started was around 8,000 ewes and they would get upwards of 10,000 lambs. He has since sold a few bands so we are unclear of the current number of sheep. I do know that he has 50 bucks but I'm going to say he has around 4,000 ewes left. I'm meeting with the foreman in a few days so I can get an exact number for you. We're going to dicuss everything and see how it will all work out, get a good game plan.

The purpose of the sheep would mainly be wool. The way this rancher operates is crossing about half the ewes with Suffolk to get a multicolored lamb which they ship down to Mexico for meat in September. He gets most of his money from shipping but we want to first build our flock and then we'll ship once we have a good number. We need about 40 acres, I was assigned the job of actually finding property and I have. It's 40 acres of flat land, all healthy grass with room to build and graze which is exactly what we were looking for. This is just what we call home base, we will be applying for grazing rights but home base needs to be big enough to fit all of our needs. Room for animals, multiple houses, barns and lambing sheds and a store. The store is a part of our associationwhich has grown extremely quickly. We have more than 300 supporters at this point. I myself have also partnered with the local humane society, my entire school of almost 1,000 is on board, and I've got contacts lined up in other states. We are dead serious about getting something a complied here haha.

This rancher makes millions of dollars each year I can assure you, yet he refuses to provide proper living conditions for animals and the herders, he refuses to provide proper vaccinations and care for the sheep, dogs and horses, he quit buying the herders food so we had to take them to the food bank. We supply them with clothing, food, building materials, medical care, basically everything the rancher is not. He's also offered to illegally hire herders again once their visa expires. He's an awful human and because he does this we have decided to help everybody out.

This man is only in it for the money and once his father retired and he wasn't getting whatever he wanted he decided to take it out on the men who made it possible for him to even operate. He knows nothing about his business the herders do EVERYTHING and he would be nowhere without them. His father cared for them and kept everything in good condition. It's just extremely upsetting to see this happen.

 

[Latestarter]

Only hearing one side of this story the term PETA comes to mind... You say you know all about sheep and then state that you need instructions on how to run a sheep ranch while simultaneously stating that the rancher doesn't know what he's doing... How can you say that when you obviously don't know how to do what he's doing? You then state allegations with no obvious way of knowing factually the stuff you are stating as truth. You are throwing numbers around without knowledge of what the real numbers are. You're making accusations without stating or backing up with proof, making specific allegations with no meat on those bones. Everything you've posted is nothing more than hearsay. Your opinion.

Honestly? IMHO? You had best be careful you don't end up in court with a slander or libel suit against you, or a defamation of character suit. And if this rancher is as "rich" as you seem to think he is, he can very easily take you on and squash you. In addition, if you ARE able to raise these funds you will need to buy him out, he'll have the resources (provided by you) to easily replace whatever you've purchased and then some, and just resume where he left off! You are doing all his hard work for him! You have now become his best customer, congratulations for supporting what you wish to destroy.

OK, now for a reality check: You wish to purchase 40 acres of land to put these animals and shepherds on. You then want to build all the required buildings to house and manage the animals you intend to purchase, as well as the people and dogs required to manage them. You'll be supporting all this through donations?? (really??) Oh, wait... there'll be a store... and what will this store sell? Do you intend to make millions selling what you buy from this rancher?

OK 40 acres of suitable land... let's say $500,000.00 (probably much more if it's all you say it is). Then 4000-#,000 head of sheep at $500.00 each average comes to a mere $2-3,000,000.00. We'll include the rams (they're not bucks). Then we need to build barns and birthing sheds and housing facilities and a store front, and storage, and fencing that shouldn't cost more than another say $2,000,000.00. (including all permits etc?) Oh, and then there's FEED/HAY because the forage on 40 acres of PERFECT land won't last 4000 sheep a week. So figure 4000 head of sheep at 2 pounds of hay/day is 8,000 pounds of hay/day or 56,000 pounds per week. So basically 28 tons of hay per week... What is hay going for per ton right now? "alfalfa prices in northeastern Colorado are at about $150 per ton ..." Not sure where you're located but twice that in CA. So $5-10 grand a week for hay here in Colorado. Then there's maintenance and upkeep of all facilities. Did I mention vehicles? Yeah, you're gonna need a bunch of those as well!

Oh you're going to lease open range for them? Who will you lease it from? If it's public lands, they are already leased by others. You'll have to bid and wait. The range you're going to lease has what carrying capacity? How many acres will you need to lease for the number of sheep you'll be putting on it? And during what months will you be allowed to use this range? And what of the wild animals who will be displaced and not fed because your sheep are eating every green plant down to dirt level? And who or what is going to be looking after all these sheep when they're out on the range? the shepherds? the dogs? both? And how will they be supported with food, clothes, maintenance, living quarters?

Then we need to feed and house and care for all those dogs, because "one of each breed" won't be able to handle 100 sheep, let alone 4000! Then we need to pay for and feed and house and clothe those shepherds (and their families?).

Don't forget vet bills for all these animals, and medical support for all those people!

So now that all of that is covered, what will you do with everything you've acquired? sell it? gift it? support it until death do it part?

So essentially I see an initial outlay of upwards of 4-5 million dollars. Then (without a biz plan or excel spreadsheet and comprehensive, all encompassing breakdown) carrying costs of upwards of $50,000.00 per week or another $2.1 million a year. Now, some of these costs are tax deductible against PROFITS. So I guess somehow, you're going to need to make several million dollars a year right? And you'll be different from the present owner how?

I guess I just have a LOT of questions here. Preying on emotion will only get you so far.

 

[Bossroo]

Ditto to what Latestarter said. So what activist group are you a spokesman for ?????? What is the legal status of this group ???? If it is run by you with a few groupies ... You obviously are WAY OVER YOUR HEAD in comming even close to achieve your stated goals ... on 40 acres- REALY ??? DREAM ON !!! 50 dogs ??? 10 dogs will do the job. Call peta to rescue the rest. Raising 4,000 sheep for wool? Check out the costs of shearing wool verses the value of the wool. Loosing proposition!!! Without a COMPETANT CPA specializing in livestock, you and your group will be in deep water with the IRS. Bleeding heart groups such as aspca,peta, etc. have gone after many a horse breeder and managed to put them out of business . So now you are going after sheep ranchers ???

 

[Lamb Lover]

Ok first of all, this rancher doesn't talk to us and it's not like we go out and count each sheep. Second of all, he's selling them at an extremely fast rate so how are we supossed to keep up? He wouldn't take us to court and "squash" us because he doesn't want sheep any more he wants to go into the cattle business. We aren't buying all 4,000 sheep from him because that's obviously too much to start out with and where would we house these sheep until we have fenced the land? Also, we have the ability to apply for grants to purchase this land not to mention the facts that the cost is being split between at least two groups of people. We are completely capable of purchasing the land and building the houses, and everybody involved owns a truck and at least one stock trailer.

As for grazing the only time they would be at home base is during shearing and lambing. The foreman applies for all the grazing rights and has memorized the paths they take when they're out on the range. We also have family with more than 100 acres that are willing to let us graze there. Also the whole thing about bucks, the herders refer to them as bucks not rams so we just go with it.

We do not expect the store to make all the money, it's for raising awareness about the herders as well as selling some of their artwork. (They're incredible artists)

They have 50 dogs because the rancher didn't have them fixed and they bred and you need that many to take care of the number of sheep he had especially during lambing season. Each band is assigned 2 to 3 herders with 3 Border Collies and 3 guard dogs of either breed. Then they also what they call extras at the ranch as well as working ones because they house a few small bands at the ranch mostly older sheep or lame sheep. And we can't just get rid of the rest because these men are all they have ever known and they only respond to Castillon Spanish.

The group has been around for about three months now but we have had the supporters for a long time. It's been a friend of a friend telling their friends and so on and it grew enough that we decided we needed to have an actual association. The Humane society has our backs 110% so we don't need to worry about vet bills or anything like that I've already worked it out with them.

I feel like I'm debating here and we aren't getting anywhere. All I want to know is how a proper sheep ranch operates. One that follows all the rules and regulations. I only mentioned what I did so you would know why we are doing this and to give you an idea of what we don't want to do. I'm not attacking this rancher I'm simply stating that he is not following laws and these people and animals deserve better.

 

[Southern by choice]

I feel like I'm debating here and we aren't getting anywhere

One that follows all the rules and regulations.

I'm simply stating that he is not following laws and these people and animals deserve better

So far in your posts you have not stated ONE thing that says the owner is not.
What "rules and regulations" are you referring to?

This is where you are running into the "debate" aspect. Everyone on this forum believes in caring well and humanely for their animals. Many here have a great deal of experience and although you have great passion so far there really isn't a great deal of factual information.

I understand you are asking for help in the management of a large scale operation and you are not getting the answers you'd hoped for. Simply put it cannot be laid out in several paragraphs. There is so much more information needed to actually be of help.

100 sheep, 400 sheep, 1000 sheep, 5000 sheep.... location, breed, purpose all of these things matter in your management.

Lamb Lover I am not trying to criticize you, demean you, or put you down. Please know that.

It is also not meant to discourage you but rather show you where you are. It would be quite different if you had years in the sheep business and saw things that were wrong, but where you are now I don't feel you have a real understanding of what is right or wrong in the situation. You still cannot even say what is “wrong” with the way the sheep are being managed.

So far... In May of this year you got your first sheep.

You were not quite clear on how to give them proper nutrition. What kind of supplementing etc.

How long to keep them on replacer etc.
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/please-help-new-owner.31235/

You had lambs grinding teeth but in your words “there is nothing wrong with them”
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/lambs-grinding-teeth.31242/

You claim the ewe was not nice because of where she came from...
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/lambs-grinding-teeth.31242/#post-392569


This is a ridiculous notion. It was not her lamb and not all ewes will foster. Ewes will also reject a lamb they know will not thrive or if there is something wrong. You the human may not see anything wrong but the momma knows and best not to interfere. Most sheep are not in your lap like a puppy friendly. They are sheep... flighty and would rather people NOT touch on them all the time. Livestock is livestock... having a few sheep can be "pets".

You saw a sore but didn't know what it was til a seasoned shepherd pointed out Soremouth.
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/lambs-grinding-teeth.31242/#post-392563

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/lambs-grinding-teeth.31242/#post-393233


Shots as you mention are not required. Some do vaccinate some do not.

I think the concern is more that people are feeling like
you are in way over your head and it is irresponsible of you to gather so many volunteers as well as their financial resources when you clearly are not qualified to take on such an undertaking.

AGAIN this is not to criticize you.

As far as the shepherds are concerned... if they are unhappy in their arrangement they can find other employment, return to their homeland, file a grievance etc.

What happens when you cannot pay them either? As it is clear you have no idea of the cost/financial responsibilities. What about their VISA's … what if they are not renewed and they leave? Who will care for said sheep?

Are you even aware of the dangers of a ram? You are going to have a bunch of other inexperienced volunteers and someone is going to get killed by a ram.

You mention shelter... sheep don't need shelter and most states do not require shelter. Small scale farmers use them but most sheep won't go into shelter.

Please educate yourself first. Don't be like so many that “want to save the world” yet their good intentions do great harm because of ignorance. Many old timers have seen this play out many times... and sometimes those trying to do something good find themselves at the center of someone else that now feels about you and your operation the way you do about this current owner.
This is a reality.

On a side note- you mention the LGD's that there are 50 on the current farm. For 4000 sheep that is not necessarily too many. Bossroo is wrong here when he says 10 will do the job.
The amount of land, the predation problem, as well as the # of livestock are all considerations as far as how many are needed.

I think you are wise to contact the Universities, extension agents, and those that can help walk you through.

Remember all the volunteers you have now... some are in it for the "I have to save something" but they disappear and move onto the next thing they feel needs saving. IOW they will rally for the "cause" but not stick around for any actual "work". (Witnessed this many a times)

You are going to need a great deal of education on parasites, disease, parasite management, Scrapie, testing, lambing, shearing, external parasites , castration, mastitis, behavior , culling, meat safety, marketing, slaughterhouses... gosh the list is long.

Lamb Lover don't take what the posters, too include myself, say as an attack. Many of us have seen over the years people setting themselves up for failure and disaster... when we see that we do want to spare that person and the livestock as well... many will heed from those with experience, many won't.

Truth is many will start with livestock and within 3-5 years they will leave livestock.

 

[Latestarter]

Again I'm confused here. Once again, you've made statements and don't back them up. What laws? What "rules and regs" are you referring to that he's not following? If that is indeed the case, the solution is so much simpler than what you're making it: report this (with documented evidence) to the proper authorities and you're done. If the Humane Society has your back on this, PAY THEM (donations) TO DO THE JOB THEY ARE TRAINED TO DO. Why are you trying to reinvent the wheel?

You say: "Ok first of all, this rancher doesn't talk to us and it's not like we go out and count each sheep." Why doesn't he talk to you? You stated that you've been visiting and helping out at the ranch for two years? I wouldn't allow you on my property with what you're doing. Why don't you TALK TO HIM! Find out the truth before spreading all kind of negative allegations.

Followed by: "Second of all, he's selling them at an extremely fast rate so how are we supossed to keep up?" If he's selling off all his stock (sheep) so he can go into the cattle business, then what's your problem? He'll be done with the sheep and you won't have to worry about his "mistreatment" of them or the shepherds... the sheep will no longer exist, and the shepherds will no longer be employed or be needed. Problem solved. And then you state that he's going to "hire them back illegally" Why would he do this if he no longer has sheep and no longer needs them...

It sounds to me like you are using whatever manner there is at your disposal to become a sheep baron(ess) yourself... I mean you're trying to become what you're trying to eliminate? You want to buy him out; sheep, dogs, horses, etc. then hold them and sell them yourself later. But you stated you wanted to buy them for their wool. And you want to hire the shepherds away from him... So much of what you've "stated" so far is completely contradictory, or just doesn't fit together as a cohesive unit. It doesn't make sense. That's why I said I have so many questions... You sound like a PETA activist who wants to "save all the animals". Or a human rights activist who's "fighting to save the downtrodden". I mean, really?

This all started because you posted stating:

I know what vaccines the sheep need, how to bottle feed and help a ewe give birth, herd and all the other basics I just need to know how it works on a bigger scale.

This is all fine when you own 2 or 3 sheep (pets really) in your backyard, that are not "owned for profit" and have no need to "support their own existence" or in other words, pay for themselves. You cover all the associated costs from other income or personal savings.

What you are proposing is a totally different animal altogether! You are asking:

So to get to the point, I was hoping you would be able to give me an idea of how to properly run a sheep ranch.

True husbandry and management skills (at that level) are not going to be learned via forum threads. You are not going to learn how to run a sheep ranch here. You learn how to do what your asking through years of experience and training in the field and through proper schooling on a vast array of subjects, critical to the success of the job you intend to do. If you want to successfully run a sheep ranch, it can't be done like your backyard herd of 3 sheep. It will need to be done for profit (which you seem to have a serious issue with the existing rancher doing).

You stated: "He knows nothing about his business the herders do EVERYTHING and he would be nowhere without them. His father cared for them and kept everything in good condition." Well, you also stated you wanted to hire said herders, and if they are all that knowing and capable, you again have no problems. It's all just a matter of ownership name changes. I don't get any of this...

What are you asking for... really? Money? support? Support of what kind? If you have the Humane Society etc on your side, and your whole school (whatever that is/means), and your parent(s) and (her/your) friend(s), and even people from out of state, there must be SOMEONE in that bunch who have a ranching background... a management background... an animal husbandry background... not to mention (obviously) pretty deep pockets. You also intend to run a store front to sell "artworks" and whatever else. That brings with it another whole herd of necessary new skills and requirements. Who's going to run/manage/pay for/support that enterprise? Cause if you don't have $$ support there, THAT will need to be for profit as well! You can't be a philanthropist if you don't have the $$ to be one.

I advocate for the animals and my mom and her friend advocate for the herders and we created an Association to help raise awareness and raise money to help this beautiful men and aniamls because they deserve so much better.

As @Bossroo asked:

So what activist group are you a spokesman for ?????? What is the legal status of this group ????

Those are both very legitimate questions. What are your answers?

Edit to add: What are the mission, vision, and guiding principles statement for your organization? What established entities have recognized your organization? Under what chapter of law was/is your organization founded?

Edit to add: Thank you Southern, for stating it in a much more PC way than I was able to. Same questions/concerns, different approach. Guess we were typing at the same time.

Edit to add: I have so many questions and there is so much contradiction, vagueness, that I could continue adding edits ad infinitum...

 

[SheepGirl]

I really like this thread. As a business major and a sheep producer, I love answering questions like this. @Lamb Lover, you have received quite a bit of excellent advice.

The number one thing to do is WRITE a business plan. This is not a one or two hour process. It may take upwards of a week, or even a month. Running a farm is not cheap, and neither is feeding that many sheep. With that many, you will NEED to run it as a business with profit (or at least breaking even) in mind.

I, like others, fail to see what is wrong with the situation at hand. It seems like you just want to purchase a few of these ewes you and the sheepherders have cared for for the past two years and start your own business as a rancher with essentially 'stealing' these sheepherders and offering them a new job with 'better' benefits.

Number one thing I would do is write out a budget. How many ewes are you looking at running? You said that there were 8000 ewes with 10000 lambs (millions of dollars a year? Doubt it unless you're talking gross profit... 10,000 lambs - 15% replacement rate = 8500 lambs x 90 lbs x $1.65/lb = ~$1.3 million.... subtract from that hay, wages, utilities, mortgage, taxes, food for the dogs, handling equip, etc etc ... that would be a 125% lambing rate. A family of four can get by on $58K/year based on my Google search. Do you really think a sheepherder's salary is worth $58K/year? What about your own salary? And how many sheepherders are you hiring?

Any more insight you can give as to your plans so we can help you?

 

[Latestarter]

@SheepGirl It would HAVE to be run/managed for a "profit" or there would be nothing to draw upon when "bad things" happen. There would have to be some sort of cushion to fall back on. Even non-profits have some "profit" (not CALLED that) that they hold back for operational contingencies... I think there's a lot more behind the scenes than what the OP expressed/revealed. Your post popped up while I was writing this, so I added this para at the top.

Look, I LOVE helping others. I generally go out of my way to do so. Especially if there's a compelling reason. But upon re-reading (over and over) trying to fathom what the OP is really doing/attempting from the scattered and somewhat misleading/confusing statements and revelations, I'm still more or less completely baffled. NONE of it makes any sense... It's difficult... no, impossible, to provide valid help/assistance/guidance when the person asking for such isn't completely upfront and honest about what they are trying to achieve/accomplish (and WHY!).

From all the info provided, the best rationalization I can come up with is that the OP feels the Peruvian herders have been "wronged" somehow: "I work with legal immigrant Peruvian sheep herders... I've worked with them for two years now and they're more like family to me." (The only logical alternative is that the OP is trying to "steal" this ranch from the rightful owner for themselves via deceitful/illegitimate means...)

And therefore wants to "punish" the owner/rancher for his (perceived) misdeeds. "...this is personal now thanks to the irresponsible actions of the rancher and I fully intend to bring justice to the men and animals." (So many INJUSTICES have happened because of misguided efforts/affronts by well intentioned but misguided or illegitimate concerns. This is something that I despise and expose if possible.)

To do this, the OP is spreading allegations:

Of law breaking; "I'm simply stating that he is not following laws and these people and animals deserve better."

Of rules and regulations not being obeyed/followed; "All I want to know is how a proper sheep ranch operates. One that follows all the rules and regulations."

Of ranch mismanagement; "This rancher makes millions of dollars each year (contradictory to the term mismanagement) I can assure you (the OP obviously has access to ranch financial documents?), yet he refuses to provide proper living conditions for animals and the herders, he refuses to provide proper vaccinations and care for the sheep, dogs and horses, he quit buying the herders food... They have 50 dogs because the rancher didn't have them fixed and they bred..." Etc...

And slandering the owner: "He's an awful human" then states "I'm not attacking this rancher I'm simply stating..."

But has yet to provide any proof, examples, explanations, or ANY true basis for ANY of these statements/allegations!? And asks for/expects our help because he/she is asking for it.

The only thing I can come up with is that the OP is an (immature) school kid lashing out at something unknown or not understood, for perceived wrongs, with little to no comprehension of what would be required to achieve a/the stated/desired goal. It seems more of a personal vendetta. (I'm still not sure what the real goal is):

"...my entire school of almost 1,000 is on board..." What grade are you in anyway? The "entire" school? Yeah? Teachers and administration too? If all 1000 are on board, then how is it that "We have (only) more than 300 supporters at this point." Pretty big difference in numbers there...

"The Humane society has our backs 110% so we don't need to worry about vet bills or anything like that I've already worked it out with them." Really? What story line did you feed them? Who did you get this promise of complete support from? Do you have it in writing with specific care to be provided documented? You think the Humane Society is going to provide free vet care for your ranch? For 4000+ sheep? REALLY?! LMAO! They can barely afford to care for what they are already handling, let alone covering the cost of your little scam/dream/sheep "rescue"/ranch... That may be why they are always advertising for people to donate/contribute money to them! That's where their money comes from.

"Also, we have the ability to apply for grants to purchase this land..." I'm just a layman here and have questions that you refuse to/can't/avoid answering. How many grants have you applied for and received to date? Grant givers don't just "give away" money because you feel you need it. You're going to need to meet grant requirements and provide DOCUMENTED PROOF. And you'll need to PROVIDE answers, not more diatribes... And most importantly, grants don't happen over night... some take years to attain. You can apply for grants all day, but that doesn't mean you'll get one.

"...not to mention the facts that the cost is being split between at least two groups of people..." OK, that's nice because those "facts" WEREN'T mentioned... how were any of us to know that? Oh, and just so you're aware, any time multiple/different groups are involved, "team" concepts can be lost causing all sorts of problems between groups down the road. Differences of opinion, miscommunications, changing or altered goals... Be aware, be prepared.

"...We are completely capable of purchasing the land and building the houses..." Then why are you talking about grants? and WHO is capable of purchasing the land? Who or what name will be on the deed? Who will own this land? Where is the money coming from (cash?) or where is the financing coming from? Very difficult (OK, impossible) for a new group to get a loan for ANY reason as the group has no established history or background for a lender to determine credit worthiness. NO lender will give your group money just because you feel you deserve it. As for building these houses and facilities? Who is "we"? Your parents? All of these other school kids? The teachers? Who is going to decide/determine what buildings will be required and what sizes will be needed? Are you sure that it is even legal to build on this 40 acres of land that you've found? Is it legal to build multiple residences and multi-family residences (owners/herders/ranch hands/foreman/etc)? Who is going to apply for the permits and all that's associated with building? Where will the water come from? Well or city? Who's paying for the water tap, if you can even get one? What about sewerage/animal waste? You have licensed contractors for Construction? Plumbing? Electrical? and they are all working for free? What about the actual building materials? Concrete/lumber/plumbing/electrical/the list goes on....

"...and everybody involved owns a truck and at least one stock trailer." You think all these people (everybody) are going to be there every day with their trucks and trailers to run/operate this ranch? You'll simply contact all these people and they'll be there when these animals need to be moved? You're going to move 4000 plus animals with pickup trucks and stock trailers? REALLY?! At least 4 times a year, possibly many more? LMAO... again... How about ranch equipment like tractors? Bucket loaders/backhoes? Hay handling equipment?

"...As for grazing the only time they would be at home base is during shearing and lambing. We also have family with more than 100 acres that are willing to let us graze there..." The (shearing and) lambing process is going to last over a 3-4 month period, possibly longer. If they'll be on the "home base" during that time, they will need to be fed. Those 40 acres where all your housing and birthing facilities are will only support food/grazing for that herd size for a few days. It will be 40 acres of mud/desert in a week's time. And the 100 acres plus you talked about is only good for a few days as well. And since it will have no facilities, you'll need to move the sheep back and forth after lambing and then monitor/care for/control all these animals at multiple locations. What you are implying as possible, is a nightmare in the making!

"...The foreman applies for all the grazing rights and has memorized the paths they take when they're out on the range..." It doesn't matter who "applies" for the rights... they have to be PAID FOR, and I assure you, the foreman doesn't do that! As for memorizing the paths... the foreman is responsible for running/managing the ranch & employees, not for being out with the sheep on the range... that's the herder's responsibility. The herding dogs help move the sheep at the bidding of the herders and the guardian dogs protect the sheep, collies and shepherds from wolves, coyotes, bears, lions, etc., and thieves.

As I stated in a previous post, it takes YEARS of experience and training to run a large ranch operation, be it sheep, cattle or whatever else. What you are proposing/asking for here is not feasible and with the info you've provided, is sheer lunacy (or an outright lie). Either way, I have wasted too much energy and time trying to address this... Sorry.