FROM THE EDITOR animals and a happier farmer. I think they are MID 2016 happier because they made smart decisions IN THIS ISSUE Saying goodbye can that resulted in a more productive operation and less maintenance work for themselves. GRAZING be the hardest part A lot of farmers ask me what to do with the Kimberly Hagen gives advice By Mary Lake, Bethel, VT animals that n’t are working for them. Some for smart grazing. suggestions I make are: Page 2 After reading through this issue several times, there is a bit of advice I keep coming • REHOME: Become a member of the FIBER back to from Dr. Joe Emenheiser’s article in his VSGA and post on the listserv or on Jessica Dillner shares fiber tips new column, Breeding Matters on Page 10. He the Web site mals the ani you need to in the form of a series of wrote: “Beware the difference between rehome. An animal that doesn’t work articles. In this issue: Washed breeders and marketers. The breeder seeks to for you, might work for someone else and Dyed Locks. change their animals to better serve the needs because they have a t differen Page 3 of human society. The marketer seeks to management style or different goals. change human culture to be more receptive to Use the animal’s positive traits to sell ON THE FARM what they have to sell. If s you want animal that it to a more appropriate fit. Wendy Mae shares her love work for you and not the other way around, • PROCESS: If the animal you want to for livestock guardian dogs. seek animals that are bred to work.” cull is under a year old, you may be Page 4 Being a shearer, I get to see a lot of farms able to process it into retail lamb cuts. and a lot of sheep and goats, all sorts of breeds If the animal is older, or the carcass BOARD OF DIRECTORS and breed combinations. There is a common isn’t worth the cost processing of for Newly elected icers off and conversation I have with farmers I shear for meat, the hide, skull or horns may still directors. who have multiple breeds in After their flocks. be valuable. Tanned hides or bleached Page 7 their animals are sheared, with the fiber all off skulls can be meaningful ways to and the body exposed, it is easy to see who is honor an animal or bring in a small FARM PROFILE doing well and who is struggling. profit. If you will be consuming the Meet Kristin Plante and her Often, the farmer will say, “I feed them all meat yourself or taking the carcass to farming family in Hyde Park. the same thing. I don’t know why they don’t all a composting facility, on -‐farm Page 8 look the same.” slaughter may be more appropriate We could stand there all day and talk about and affordable. UPCOMING why they look different: some are old, some The VSGA’s annual Wool Pool I haven’t been in this business long, but th have big lambs nursing on them, some are from what I’ve seen so far, whether you run a is June 24 in Randolph. recovering from being sick. Often I’ve seen in a large or small operation, it is important that it Page 9 flock or herd of mixed breeds, the animals of be efficient and oyable. enj Your quality of life the same breed will look similar: similarly and that of your animals is key to having a BREEDING MATTERS skinny, just right or fat. And I say, “I think it’s successful farm. I hope this issue of the The first installment of a just a breed thing.” newsletter is helpful for you and your sheep or column from Dr. Joe Tongue-‐in-‐cheek, I’ll point to the best-‐ goat operation. Emenheiser. looking animal, “you should breed more of that Page 10 kind.” But seriously, they ld shou breed more of GET INVOLVED what works, right? It’s easier said than done. It The Vermont Sheep & Goat Association Newsletter is Ways to participate in the means making tough decisions and saying edited by Mary Lake ([email protected]) and VSGA community. goodbye to animals that aren’t working for Kristin Plante ([email protected]). It is a venue Page 12 you. What I have seen from the farmer who for sharing stories, images and reports heep related to s and goats. If you enjoy writing, reporting or determines what works and weeds out what photography and have content of your own or are doesn’t is more consistency amongst the looking or f an assignment, contact Mary or Kristin.
VERMONT SHEEP & GOAT ASSOCIATION GRAZING Smart pasture planning can yield better crisis management Kimberly Hagen especially), but plants will ow regr much faster University of Vermont Extension Grazing Specialist with greater leaf rea a to utilize photosynthesis, or solar energy, which is free. It’s spring and time for the annual reminder about • Residue is – OK Especially if pastures are being good grazing practices. It won’t be long now before we reclaimed or renovated – think in terms of grazing turn our four-‐legged livestock out onto pastures for the season. From the perspective of winter’s chore of 20% and leaving 80% trampled material to add providing the daily feed in the form of thrown hay bales, organic matter. the thought of our small ruminants harvesting their own • REST, REST, – REST allow paddocks time to fully feed is enough to bring on the smiles. And now before any recover from grazing. In early grazing months fence posts are set in the ground – is the time to make a you’ll need somewhere between 12 to 18 days plan for a grazing system. Think about how your farm rest. By mid to late August you need to allow 35 works, and how you move the animals around. Where to 40 days rest between grazing periods. does it make sense to put permanent fence and where • Sacrifice Paddock -‐ For exceptionally wet or dry does it make sense to have r temporary fence o flexinet? periods, put animals on sacrifice paddock with hay You want to make it as simple as you can on your and allow pasture time to recover. This will often landscape. If you keep the daily chores as low input as bring a gain in grazing time elsewhere. possible, you’ll have the energy to deal with crises when Remember, if the forage has been rested and they come along – as they always do. Good grazing management will go a long way to keep allowed to grow, it can be grazed h even throug both land and livestock healthy. There are formulas for snow. The nutritional value is still there. calculating how many livestock a piece of land can support Grazing provides us with a vision of lovely pastoral -‐ but all too often I find there are so many variables with harmony, universally adored. But like all lovely things, each farm it’s better to look at these viding formulas as pro there’s yin to the yang, an opposite to the beauty. Lurking a starting place or guide. Roughly an acre can support 4 to in that chomping of the the green feed is ever-‐present 6 grazing sheep and a few more goats, for the season. But population of parasites, ready to take whatever here are some basic rules for good grazing management opportunity presents itself for finding a hosting place for no matter where your farm is located. Once you have reproduction, feeding and continuation of its species. observed and learned the capacity and production level of Good grazing management is your frontline proactive your farm, you can make your adjustments accordingly. control of parasite impact on your flock herd. or As we all know, small ruminants and especially their • Divide and subdivide your pastures into paddocks young, are particularly susceptible to ites. internal paras – as many as you can for your time and labor For the shepherd that cares for them, it is a constant limits. worry and -‐ time consuming health issue. Yet, ironically, it • 3 Day Rule – Try to not leave livestock on a is the shepherd (and veterinarian) that has probably paddock beyond 3 days. Forage ts and plan will try exacerbated the problem most with the intensive use of to initiate re-‐growth after 3 days of being clipped powerful anthelmintics developed in the 1960’s. The or grazed. A second grazing on the plant will parasites particular to these animals have co-‐existed since require it to draw on reserves to regrow, thus their beginning. Without human intervention, they tend moving your pasture from resource the available to develop a mostly balanced existence since those column into expense the column of your farm. It without resistance to the parasites , die ending that will also encourage the reproduction of weeds, or genetic thread. Such ( as the sheep of St. Kilda islands off worse, invasive species. the coast of Scotland – a separate story). The anthelmintics (chemical wormers) provided a • 4 inch – rule Avoid grazing lower than 4 inches or reprieve, making this problem go away quickly, and it even better -‐ not lower than 6 – inches not only is this parasite territory (Haemonchus contortus Continued on Page 11
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FIBER can be further processed into a roving/batts, etc .). The selected wool can be handwashed carefully to How to sell your wool preserve the fleece structure. A series of articles exploring the ways to make money from Here is the method I use to wash your fleeces by Jessica Dillner, fiber artist and sheep and fleece: (There are many other good goat breeder, of Dillner Hillside Farm in Montgomery Center. ways to wash wool, too!)
#4: Washed and Dyed Locks and mohair to make unique novelty Using two 5 gal. buckets and 1-2 lbs. of handspun yarns. A colleague of mine wool, alpaca or mohair, fill the first who is a -‐ doll maker, carefully bucket with 120 F water for wool or I can’t help but admire the perfect alpaca and 160 F water for mohair. curls of a pretty longwool fleece at attaches the base of wool or mohair any Sheep & Wool Festival I go to. locks to a dolls head to make very Add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of Dawn There is a certain beauty in a freshly realistic “hair”. Beautiful sheets of dish soap (or some Power Scour for mohair). sheared, well-‐presented crimpy raw wet-‐felted fabric or wet-‐felted wool eece. fl The curls themselves scarves can be accented with thin Add the fiber to the hot soapy water add dimension and structure to the layers of fiber curls dd to a texture and move up and down gently. Use fiber. There are quite a number of and dimension to – a 2 D piece. Wool rubber gloves to protect your hands. and mohair locks are a favorite You can allow to soak about 30 artisans and crafters that work with minutes. washed uncarded wool and mohair among needle-‐felters. Tight small to preserve those pristine locks. As a white curls for bearded “Santa” Meanwhile, prepare the other bucket fiber producer, washed and figures and wide open curls to with same temperature water used previously. sometimes dyed fleece can be represent the waves of an ocean. I another product to offer for sale to have even seen part of a long wool Take the fiber out of the first bucket add income to the farm. fleece wet-‐felted without much and allow to drain some. If it seems like Many longwool sheep breeds alteration to create a “sheepskin” all the soap is gone, you may have to add more soap to the next bucket. grow wool that has a characteristic without the hide part! large open crimp or tight curls. Some The fiber producer can tap into Add the hot drained fiber to the breed examples include Lincoln, this artist wool market by paying second bucket for either a second Teeswater, Blue-‐faced and Border attention to the animal’s fleece wash or first rinse depending on how dirty it is. Move fiber up and down Leicester, Gotland, Cotswold, during the growing period. The wool gently to allow the water to flow Wensleydale and Leicester longwool. selected should come from healthy through the fleece but do not agitate Angora goats produce fleeces of animals without a wool “break.” The it. mohair that also have nice lock wool should be of proper usable structure and extreme luster. Some length, typically 4 -‐10 inches long; 6 Dump the hot dirty water somewhere inches being a nice average. A good other than your house septic system. primitive breeds of sheep like The lanolin and grease can be bad for Icelandic and Karakul don’t have shearing job is always very individual home systems. I dump the curly wool but straight hair-‐like important! The wool should be hot water in our driveway so as not to fleece, which is also interesting and relatively clean of hay and debris kill the grass with such hot water. (artists may have the patience to pick useful to fiber artists. Long, silky suri Prepare a third bucket with hot fresh alpaca fleece can also be fitting for out a little hay but really won’t want water and add the drained fiber. This some types of art projects. Even to pay a premium for messy wool no may be all the washing you need to some finer wool breed sheep like matter how nice the . curls) It is do but many times it may be necessary to do it a fourth or fifth rinse Dorset, Finn and Montadale can have perfectly reasonable to just use the if it is really greasy wool or mohair. some curly edges. best portions of a fleece to sell as Once the water is relatively clean, the The fiber artist may use washed washed and dyed. , Usually the chest fiber can be drained and then dried and dyed fleece in MANY creative and sides of a sheep, omitting the on racks or continue on to the dyeing ways! As a , handspinner I separate weathered topline, coarse britch area process. and spin individual locks of both wool or short belly wool. (Those wool parts Continued on Page 9
3 VERMONT SHEEP & GOAT ASSOCIATION GETTING STARTED Dog breeder explains benefits of instinctive guardian Sheep and goat owner relies on Maremmas for security and finds their companionship and devotion heartwarming
Story and Photos By Wendy Mae trusted in the word and experience of other large sheep NEK Sheep & Goat Farm, Craftsbury, VT and goat breeders we knew. With their recommendation, we chose to go with the beautiful, white Maremma. Livestock Guardian Dogs have been used for centuries There are four other breeds that look almost identical in Europe and Asia to assist farmers and shepherds in to the Maremma, yet each one is slightly different from guarding their livestock and farmland. With all the the other and vary in strengths. LGD breeds all share the mountains and hills that the livestock e, climb and graz the similar function and instinct of guarding and protecting dogs help shepherds protect them and guard from the through the bonding that happens with the livestock and predators that live and dwell in the same woods and caretakers they grow up with. mountains. LGDs are different from other breeds because of this The need for protection isn’t much different here in strong livestock bonding and guardian y instinct. The are the United States and specifically here LGD in Vermont. As also independent thinkers and very perceptive r of thei breeders, we are getting more and more calls from people environment. They like to take a role of leadership, experiencing predator problems who hadn’t had any in working with the shepherd, not for him. From their gained the past. Predators are becoming more prevalent as more experience, socializing, and general upbringing, they learn land is being developed, pushing the wild animals out of to make their own ons decisi on how to best protect the their territories. They are then forced to coexist more livestock. The shepherd trusts them to make these closely with us as humans and find other resources for choices, and the dogs ward off predators as they see fit. food. The most common LGD breeds in the U.S. are In light of this, there is the ever growing need to Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, Akbash and protect our investments and much loved livestock, be it Maremma. If you look keenly amongst the fields and hills sheep, goats, birds, of Vermont’s farms Northeast Kingdom Sheep & Goat Farm’s livestock guardian dog, Star, or cattle. Here at and homesteads, you with their Dorset sheep in Craftsbury, VT. Northeast Kingdom may find sheep or (NEK) Sheep & goats grazing under Goat Farm, we the watchful eye of a found the LGD. You may see Maremma breed them lounging in the of LGD to be an sun or shade of a invaluable asset on tree, happy to be our homestead. with their sheep or There are more goat family, but then 40 LGD always with their breeds out there, senses on alert. which can make An LGD, the decision otherwise called a making process a sheepdog, is not the bit overwhelming. kind of herding dog However, the you may think of choice was simple when the word for us because we “sheepdog” is
4 MID 2016 mentioned. These are out he of t dogs are protectors normal. and guardians first Our Maremmas and foremost, not also know every herding dogs like the car that comes Shetland or Corgi. It down our isn’t that they won’t driveway and if bring back a ewe that there is one that’s has wandered from different from the the flock, but that ten other cars they their motivation to have grown to do so is completely recognize, they let different. Both kinds us know it. They of dogs have can even tell when instinctive behaviors we acquire a new that drive them; the barn coat for LGD always ourselves. They approaches situations Storm, a Dorset ewe, lets Lexi, a 9-month-old LGD pup, give her a kiss. may take a step from a protective back from us when standpoint. we first enter their LGDs are not the kind of dog you want to send out at space with new clothing on until they are smell that we the end of the day to round up the sheep. They would the same person they know and love. rather lead the flock home and defend against anything Their "family,” or whatever livestock they have bonded that threatens them along the way. They make themselves with as they mature, is their first priority. They won't just one of the sheep, mber a family me amongst the flock. let anyone into their space. They are extremely While living and bonding with the GD flock, the L gets to affectionate with their owners and even e children who ar know each sheep or goat by sight and smell. That is also a part of their regular lives, but they gers. are wary of stran one of the ways they can tell when something different is If exposed to children at a young age a Maremma will in their midst, even if it’s a sheep from who wanders over eagerly accept them like just any other part of their another flock nearby. protective family. Also, the more exposure they have as pups to different people the easier it is to bring strangers IS A LGD GOOD FOR MY FARM OR HOMESTEAD? into their space when they are more mature. It all If you are king thin about acquiring a LGD, there are depends on how much you want them socialized. some questions to consider. Is your homestead going to As LGDs, emmas Mar were bred to live outside year be around as long as your dog is, who may live up to 15 round with the flocks and herds they grow up with. They years of age? Do you have the space for a LGD retch to st will bond with them and stay alert to dangers and his legs and run ? around Do you have enough livestock to predators who might try to invade their r territory. In orde keep a LGD from getting bored? to do their job, they must think y, and act independentl It is also good to know that barking is part of what they because the shepherd can’t be there all of the time to tell do to warn and deter unwanted guests from checking out them what to do. They were bred to be thinking dogs, not your property. It hing is somet to consider, especially if you responsive dogs. have close neighbors. Our talk Maremmas back and forth Unlike most canine pets they won’t necessarily with the coyotes that run our borders. The dogs seem to respond to the general commands like come, sit, and lie tell the coyotes this land is staked out and they better not down, although they are capable of that. They learn to cross onto it. to Even a loud clap of hey thunder, t will bark make their own decisions by instinct and experience. back at the sky, “You’d better be careful about coming in Ultimately they will be the ones deciding how to care for my direction.” They will confront something until they their livestock. We just help guide them along the way. come to understand it, and it becomes ines familiar. Rout A LGD may or may not choose u to do what yo say. are key with a LGD, because they will react to things that They are not stubborn or unwilling, and they do want to
5 VERMONT SHEEP & GOAT ASSOCIATION please their caretaker. We may have their full attention they learn through observation, and then through one moment, but in the next they take off like a bullet to deduction of what is normal for the area ’s the live in. If it check on a new noise. We become their second , concern not normal activity they respond accordingly. They don’t as their first priority is to investigate potential threats. So, work well with someone trying to control them. whatever we were engaged in at the time, even if it was Remember, they ore are m the shepherd’s partner but much adored belly rubs, it becomes st. a thing of the pa they very much want to be pleasing too. They are After all, they are also there to protect us! intelligent, thinking dogs.
WHAT IS TRAINING LIKE? PREDATOR PROTECTION: VISIT FROM A BEAR One of the biggest concerns we hear from people who We've been using Maremmas for almost 10 years now are considering a LGD is their nervousness on what is and have been very pleased with our choice of LGD breed. involved with training them. We get asked, how much We enjoy trustworthy dogs who help us in caring for the time do I have to spend training the new puppy? What do livestock as well as caring for our personal security. I do to introduce the he new puppy to t livestock? Or, how During that time we have not lost ck one of our livesto to will I know I’m ng teachi the puppy properly so I don’t ruin predators and no one has showed up to our homestead him or her? These are all questions we hear often and without the dogs alerting n us well i advance. We do have they are easily answered. other security in place, however, we trust our dogs and Even at a young age, Maremma pups will develop most they have never let us down. We can rest easy at night of their guardian behaviors instinctively. But they also knowing that our loyal protectors, who d are not afrai to learn from watching rents, their pa as well as through confront anything that might venture close to them, relating to their litter mates in the few short months they safely guard the lambs and kids. are together. Little hands on work is necessary in teaching One day a young but mature bear strolled out of the them how to guard the livestock because it’s just who woods on our property into the cleared de area just outsi they are. It’s amazing to watch those traits come out all of our livestock fencing, specifically our right near goat naturally: like when they find the high point on the herd and the meat birds we were raising , that year. I too, property where they can keep an eye land on the most was utside o in the yard putting away some garden tools possible, and when -‐ a four week-‐old pup can who hardly with a couple of our Maremmas and our house Labrador. walk on his -‐ sausage sized legs comes up to a ewe who has It was a peaceful -‐ mid morning and I didn’t hear lowered her face to anything other than give her a -‐ puppy the wind and the The bear that came to visit the author’s farm in Craftsbury. sized kiss. They are birds singing, when truly bred to bond all of a sudden there and protect. was a loud snap of a They do need branch coming from some work on the woods 150 feet general socializing, ahead of me. In a manners, teaching flash, two of our them fencing Maremma boundaries, and to guardians took off respect the to the far corner of livestock. Gentle their paddock which but firm and ventures out about consistent 100 feet into the correction is wooded area where enough to teach the noise came them what you from. They expect. As they obviously had heard grow and mature it, but I wasn’t real
6 MID 2016 concerned, we hear noises like that often. My first thought was, “I BOARD OF DIRECTORS doubt anything would stick around long enough to be a threat after Officers hearing all that barking.” President It wasn’t unusual for our LGDs to e bark at things lik that Bay Hammond, Doolittle Farm occasionally since they were still pretty young (less then three years) 1078 Doolittle Road so I didn’t think too much of it. eact, Because I didn’t r the dogs that Shoreham, VT 05770 were with me didn’t react either, but kept hanging around a little ways (802) 897-‐2121, [email protected] from me. I decided to take a look anyway to see what the other Vice President Maremmas were confronting — just in case. Yet, while I was walking Dave Martin, Settlement Farm 416 Irish Settlement Road over there my mind was thinking that I would probably find two very Underhill, VT 05489 proud LGDs who treed a porcupine with vigor uld and passion I wo (802) 899-‐2104, [email protected] just encourage them and walk away. the But that was not case at all. Secretary Without a sound, this young Vermont ched black bear approa the Mary Lake, Mary Lake Shearing back side of our goat paddock and much to face his surprise was met 326 Abbott Road to face with our LGDs. By the time I got there to observe all of this the Bethel, VT 05032 bear was already up a small e beechnut tre with my Maremmas barking (802) 338-‐2250, [email protected] continuously at him. Treasurer My heart started beating immediately in and double time I turned Shirley Richardson, Vermont Chevon right around and ed head back towards the house. The three dogs that 173 Crystal Avenue were with me hadn’t caught wind of what quickly was going on yet, so I Danville, VT 05828 took them with me to a safe place. g I didn’t want our do s chasing a (802) 535-‐4110, [email protected] bear into the woods; I wanted them with me. I wasn’t concerned at all Directors about our goats and left them in the hands of our other two Elaine Fortin 144 Sugar House Lane Maremmas who were strongly discouraging m the bear fro hanging Morrisville, VT 05661 around. (802) 851-‐8357, [email protected] Eventually, he did climb down out of the tree and wandered back Kimberly Hagan into the woods, never to return again. s However, I wa able to take his Osprey Hill Farm, 28 Norton Road picture as he was on his way out. Putnamville/North Middlesex, VT 05682 I was very grateful knowing that the Maremmas had my back that [email protected] day, as well all our beloved livestock. They are great guardians! Michael Hampton Hampton Fiber Mill & Spinnery IT’S WORTH THE INVESTMENT PO Box 275, 664 East Main Street The other thing to look into when searching for a good LGD breeder Richmond, VT 05477 or even a rescue dog, is where did the ood LGD come from? It’s g to (802) 734-‐8615, [email protected] make sure the dogs are from true livestock guardian bloodlines and not Meg Hendrick just a pet breeder. The imprinting r on a LGD pup thei first few months High Gambol Farm, 376 Randall Hill Road Springfield, VT 05156 with mom, dad, litter mates, and livestock ortant is very imp in laying a (928) 848-‐3429, [email protected] good foundation for a LGD’s life. Nick Michael We cannot express how much we LGDs love our Maremma and Homespun Farm, PO Box 26, 6565 US Rt. 7 have been more than happy with the investment we made. They are Pittsford, VT 05763 valuable assets on our homestead, as ur well as being o friends and (802) 725-‐8299, vt0574 [email protected] companions. Their devotion to us is amazing and heart warming. At Northeast Kingdom (NEK) Sheep & larly Goat Farm we regu work Join the board with first time LGD owners to help resolve n any uneasiness i acquiring If you are interested in joining the board, a LGD pup and to make their investment h of a LDG as smoot and contact VSGA President Bay Hammond. enjoyable as possible. Being on the board is a great way to support and lead our growing sheep and Contact Wendy Mae: [email protected] goat community. Or, visit her Web site: neksheepandgoatfarm.com
7 VERMONT SHEEP & GOAT ASSOCIATION FARM PROFILE Goat farmer uses animals for education and so much more The VSGA Newsletter staff (AKA Mary Lake) the opportunity to learn what the goats had to teach. She would like to introduce our new content learned husbandry ractices, p biology & midwifery (goat editor, Kristin Plante of Sugartop Farm in breeding & kid birthing), anatomy (butchering), Hyde Park, VT. She will be helping Mary by parasitology (fecal analysis), chemistry (soap making), culinary skills (cheese, ice cream, and yogurt making), and compiling and sourcing stories for each issue. so much more. What happened next was no more than a Welcome, Kristin! For our readers, here is a science experiment turned unexpected opportunity. little about her and her family, and to learn Mallory and Kristin tried making goat was milk fudge. It more visit www.sugartopfarm.com delicious! They felt this was a product that would change the minds of many people who have a stigma associated Kristin Plante and Mark Boudreau come from a long with goat milk. So, they decided iment to exper with line of farming ancestors, Kristin’s are some ten flavors and packaging and marketing. The fudge was a hit generations strong. Mark and Kristin live t on land tha and began winning awards right away. They created Sugar Mark’s grandfather purchased when he first moved to Top Farm, LLC – a name perfectly fitting for their hilltop Vermont from Canada in 1947. The original sted farm consi location, their sweet confection, and their ose first goat wh of over 180 acres. He subdivided the land several times name is Sugar. during tough financial times, and eventually decided to The Farm Today Kristin and Mallory continue to sell the remaining 23 acres including d the farmhouse an homeschool and run Sugar Top Farm, LLC. Their main barn to Mark’s father and mother. Mark’s folks raised business is goat related. Kristin makes nd goat milk fudge a replacement dairy heifers until 1989 when they decided to sells it at local farmers’ markets. so They al sell humanely take a hiatus from farming. In 2004, with baby Mallory on raised cabrito (goat kid meat), da m and pasture fed. the way, Mark and Kristin thought it ife was time to bring l While the farm is not certified organic rict they follow st back to the farm. It began with just a few pigs to grow organic practices, which include 100% organic feed for through the summer but blossomed into a large their animals with never any GMOs, hormones, steroids or multispecies family farm again in no time. Their goal s wa antibiotics. They follow holistic husbandry practices to provide their family and their friends and neighbors including: herbal and homeopathic remedies for with humanely raised, naturally fed meat and eggs while nourishment and medical care, intensive pasture rotation also educating the community about buying locally. to eliminate the need to deworm chemically and to Life Happens After just a short amount of time, Mark revitalize the land, dam rearing of the young, and and Kristin purchased a small two-‐acre parcel from the maintaining a disease (CAE, CL, Johne’s) ive tested negat original farmland and began their own homestead. Kristin herd. The modest goat herd consists of Alpines from was a certified veterinary technician and Mark was a outstanding and diverse genetics. They breed for disease lumber salesman, so they had time to continue to grow resistance, cooperative demeanor, milk production and this hobby farm. Eventually, life morphed. Mallory conformation. became very ill stin and Kri changed professions to allow Mallory has a special interest in ducks; for eggs, meat, her to care for Mallory more easily. Mark purchased a and Muscovies for fly control. She also has begun a quail property maintenance business , in 2007 which resulted in business. much longer hours and harder , labor. In 2009 when They grow a large organic garden each year, and sell Mallory was well and old enough for proper education, garlic and excess veggies wholesale and retail. They they chose homeschooling. Farming was able to be part of continue to raise and sell pastured poultry (chicken and the picture again. This time the journey began slowly with turkey) and pork as well. laying hens, and then only animals who could be raised on Sugar Top Farm, LLC is a proud member of the pasture through the summer and butchered in the fall American Dairy Goat Association and the Vermont Sheep (pork, chicken, lamb). In 2013, Kristin and Mallory decided and Goat Association. to get a couple of Alpine goats as a homeschool project. Beyond The Farm In addition to being the new Content What happened next no one could anticipate. Editor for VSGA the Newsletter, Kristin also serves on the Sugar Top Farm, LLC, is Born Mallory was excited for Board of Directors for the Hardwick Farmers’ Market.
8 MID 2016
UPCOMING Mary Lake, shearer and Wool Pool organizer, ast said the l three Wool Pools have supplied -‐ Mid States Wool Growers because they have offered the l best overal deal: They pay for Wool Pool to collect again wool and do not charge the producer or VSGA for collection or hauling. And, some wool that might otherwise be thrown June 24, 2016, at VTC in Randolph, 10 am – 3 pm out is plugged into the American wool industry and used for a variety of things. Individual shepherds mor may receive e By Katie Sullivan or less favorable prices, so she is always on the look out for Sheep and Pickle Farm, Williston, VT other buyers who can best support Wool Pool participants. The first time I volunteered at the VSGA Wool Pool, I was At the Wool Pool, bags are label with lot numbers that amazed to see carload after carload of wool arrive. Where correspond with a producers invoice. A Mid-‐States Wool was all of this wool coming from? Garages and barn bays Growers representative said, once in Ohio at Mid-‐States emptied out before us as ags we numbered b and loaded warehouses, each bag of wool is graded according to them in a waiting semi trailer. As the day went on, the trailer cleanliness, presence of hair or kemp, and fiber load grew until the wool could barely be thrown to the top or diameter. The more uniform each bag is, the more valuable compressed into the bottom. We were all a little greasy and the wool is -‐ to Mid States. More valuable wool receives a a little smelly by the end, but the gathering of shepherds better price. The representative noted that most Vermont from across the state, swapping stories and advice made the wool has been used within the United States in recent years labor fly by. and scoured in Jamestown, South Carolina, ing instead of go Vermont has plenty of hair sheep, who l produce no woo to China for processing. Even bellies and tags are valuable at and require no shearing. Such sheep allow the shepherd to the wool pool any as grade of wool can be used for oil spill focus on meat or milk production. Vermont also has a share cleanup. of dedicated fiber-‐growers, who put tremendous effort into Some Wool Pool participants are unsure of the value of keeping their wool clean so that it can be sold raw to their wool and some of that wool could easily fetch higher handspinners, or spun into yarn. prices than -‐ Mid States offers. Last year, Michael Hampton, But what about farmers with wool sheep who are focused owner of Hampton Fiber nd Mill a Spinnery, set-‐up a on meat or milk and don’t want to dd or can’t afford to a collection at the Wool Pool for fleeces of higher value to be wool products to their farm output? For these farmers, the sold at a fleece sale for handspinners and yarnmakers for a Vermont Wool Pool can be a great way to market raw wool premium over its value -‐ to Mid States. without cash and time expenditures of making yarn or other When I dropped off my own wool for spinning at products. This year, the Wool Pool will th be on June 24 at VTC Hampton’s, I got a look at some fleeces from David Martin’s in Randolph, VT. flock that Hampton had purchased for spinning. While they Dave Martin of Settlement Farm in Jericho is one such weren’t fine wool by industry standards, Hampton couldn’t shepherd. He raises -‐ mixed breed sheep with medium wool. wait to get them spun into yarn. His wool is clean, but not pristine. He has too many sheep to For more information on the Wool Pool visit hand-‐sell fleeces to handspinners, and selling yarn would vtsheepandgoat.org or contact Mary Lake, (802) -‐ 338 2250, distract from his mb la -‐selling efforts. He appreciates having [email protected]. the Wool Pool as an outlet for the p. bulk of his wool cli
#4 Washed and Dyed Locks By Jessica Dillner From Page 3 weight so it is essential to have a and Wool festivals, farmers’ markets, The washed and dyed locks can be decent scale.) Bags or fiber kits can yarn or fiber ores, st online with Ebay, packaged and sold as is at this point. contain both roving and locks in Etsy or Ravelry, to school art Depending on the cleanliness, breed, different colors. It may seem like a departments, art supply stores, to length, color and “beauty,” one lot of work to package locks but individuals who know you have e nic ounce of locks can be sold for $4 to realistically there is less money wool, etc .! Recently, I was in Sweden $8. Locks can be sold in little bags invested (since you are not sending and I bought a small bag of dyed with the animal’s name on it or big fiber to a mill) and there is a nice Gotland wool for 35 Kr ($4.50) at an bags with multiple colors or out of return for your effort if the product is artisans’ shop -‐ a place you might not baskets for customers to choose their presented in a marketable . way expect to find bags of wool. So, be own. (Usually locks are sold by Where to sell this product? Sheep creative in finding a market!
9 VERMONT SHEEP & GOAT ASSOCIATION HEALTH county and were selectively bred for the local economy. Breeding Matters Natural selection enters to in play as well. Breeds A column devoted to the genetic that evolved closer to the equator are typically more improvement of Vermont livestock by Dr. Joe parasite resistant, because they cted are subje to Emenheiser, UVM Extension Livestock Specialist parasites throughout the year, and the ones that and advisor to the VSGA board. He also couldn’t handle it didn’t survive. Breeds that evolved farther from the equator tend to be more seasonal manages a nationally-renowned flock of breeders, because winter lambs or kids don’t fare well Suffolk sheep in Granville, VT. He can be in unprotected environments. Breeds t tha were contacted at [email protected] developed where high quality feedstuffs and/or labor What breed do I need? are readily available (e.g., the lowland counties of England) tend to be less hardy, but are larger and more Since I started my position with UVM tle Extension a lit productive when given an adequate plane of nutrition over 2 years ago, I have been asked just about every and management. livestock question imaginable. One aspect h of my job t at I Thoughts on breed preservation Just as it’s certainly love is that no two days are the same. However, I important to think about the purpose d for which a bree am often called to resolve situations that could have been was originally bred, it’s also important to realize that a avoided if producer the had simply to chosen work with “breed” is not static. Breeds are constantly evolving in more appropriate vestock. li Relatively early, I developed a response to whatever selection pressures are placed on PowerPoint slide stressing how important it was that them. To paraphrase a quote by the pioneering animal animals, resources, products, and markets are all aligned. breeder Dr. Jay Lush, “A breed is whatever the Since then, I’ve realized that nearly every problem I’ve been breeders want it to be.” Throughout history, there have called about arose from one or ose more of th four things been plenty of examples of a “breed” becoming being out of sync in the system. Sometimes it is a real train something completely different as a result of changing wreck. criteria or outside genetic influences. Breeds for a purpose Let’s start in the beginning. All Efforts to preserve the genetics of heritage breeds domestication of animals by humans was done to help often overlook the fact that all animals are a product of achieve some sort of goal. Often, that goal was in the form both their genetics and their environment. It is not of a product; e.g., meat, fiber, milk, or a combination of the realistic to bring a breed that evolved in a desert three. Sometimes the goal was a less ke tangible purpose, li environment to rainy Vermont and expect it to stay companionship, transportation, or sport. s The product and “the same” forever. It doesn’t take long under a higher purposes that certain animals were used for have evolved as plane of nutrition or management for natural selection human needs have changed, but the important part of the to start to favor different genes. Within a few relationship was that there was a reason why animals were generations, “primitive” breeds become bigger, tamer, domesticated in the first place. Over time, selection less hardy, coarser fleeced, etc. If the only goal in breeding led to animals that were more and more suited for heritage breed preservation is to preserve germplasm, that purpose, and as those specialized started animals to that goal is best achieved in liquid nitrogen. Breeds take on certain physical characteristics, they collectively should be preserved not for their looks or their became known as “breeds.” pedigree, but for their purpose, in the environment in But there’s more to the story, and that is “breeds” are which they were intended to serve that purpose. just as commonly defined by the specific they area where The Northeast seems to be ripe with barnyard flocks originated. The reason for this is that specific regions have and herds with a menagerie of breeds from across the specific resource availabilities, and the founding animal world. Not only does this present challenges with breeders sought to breed livestock that could produce the management, but it is also ng a leadi cause of desired products making best use of the resources that were inconsistency in product quality. In the UK and other locally available. One prime example is the sheep breeds in parts of the world, the idea of taking a breed that is England, where many breeds are named for their native “hefted” to a particular environment and raising it
10 MID 2016 elsewhere would be laughed at in the same way we might may not need to be selectively bred to the divergent laugh at a person who uses a hammer on a screw. At the extremes of beef vs. dairy cattle, or ickens, egg vs. meat ch same time, some breeds have acclimated extremely well but it is important realize to that if you Merinos are using in new parts of the world, and have ore actually become m or Alpines primarily for meat production, you are going to valuable in their new environment than e they were wher face certain inefficiencies that may compromise your they originated. It’s easy to tell when this is the case and profitability. when it isn’t, but we need to make that assessment with Good breeding is imperative Most “breeds” today objectivity and not emotion. The simple question is include a uge h variety of animals. To draw conclusions whether or not the animal is productive, with respect to about animals based only on their breed would be the purpose or products for which it was domesticated considered racism in any other context. Our selection and/or selected. criteria need to be far more sophisticated than a single Importance to the bottom line Productivity should be label. The key to finding the breed you need is to ot n only the goal of every livestock producer, but it should be select a breed that fits your resources, products, and evaluated in terms of production efficiency. That means markets, but also find to a breeder who is dedicated to that a producer needs to consider not just productive the same goals. Beware the difference between breeders outputs, but also the inputs that were required to produce and marketers. The breeder seeks to change their animals them. If you provide an unrestricting nutrition and to better serve the needs of human society. The marketer management environment, it is inefficient imals to raise an seeks to change human culture to be more receptive to that lack genetic potential for performance. At the same what they have to sell. If you want animals that work for time, it is just as inefficient to raise gh animals with hi you and not the other way around, re seek animals that a genetic potential for mance perfor in an environment that bred to work. limits their ability to realize that potential. At the end of the day, there l is no magica breed that is It is also important to realize that the genes right for everyone. The only universal rule is that if you are responsible for the production of one product are often involved in commercial production, best the “breed” is a antagonistic with the genes for another product. The crossbred. More on that in the next installment of more products you ek se to raise from the same animal, Breeding Matters. the more challenging it will be to breed an animal that produces all of those products efficiently. Sheep and goats
GRAZING: Smart pasture planning can yeild better crisis management
From Page 2 resistance to parasites, and not those that require made s u lazy. Previously the shepherd, rancher, or farmer numerous interventions and care. Sometimes that means had to work on -‐ a multi pronged approach calling on many keeping your favorite animal is not the wisest choice. ( Joe skills for prevention of parasite overload, unhealthy Emenheiser, UVM Extension Livestock Specialist, can animals and . death So here we are, 40 years -‐ later, a full educate, explain and elaborate on the finer is points of th – blown, nearly worldwide resistance to the anthelmintics, and it deserves a full article of its own. See Page 10). looming ahead and revealing a -‐ severe short sightedness Meantime, good grazing management is your frontline to the idea that we might be able to eliminate parasites proactive control f o parasite impact on your flock or herd. altogether. Nature, as always, has the stronger play. It’s Knowing how to work with the natural cycles of parasites time to re-‐visit the strategies of pre-‐1960s in the context – we can never eliminate – them so the next best thing is of the 21st Century. to figure out ways to work that fits bene livestock and not As before, multiple approaches are needed. Genetics, the bugs. good grazing practices, and a good understanding e of th Next topic: A look at some of the alternative worming life cycles of the parasites and working with those cycles substances and their effectiveness. along with strong observation skills are the tools for the modern shepherd. In the world of ortant genetics, it’s imp to keep those animals that have natural strength and
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GET INVOLVED labeling bags or directing traffic. Whatever you do, you will be fed, hydrated and highly appreciated by VSGA! This is a new section of the VSGA Newsletter Contact Mary Lake if interested, (802)-‐338-‐2250 or dedicated to ways you can participate in our [email protected]. community and help serve and get to know other sheep and goat producers. VSGA WOOL POOL Newsletter Advertising Manager & FLEECE SALE COLLECTION Years ago, the newsletter sold that ad space helped pay The annual WOOL POOL will be held for printing costs. We’d like to run ain advertisements ag at VTC in Randolph on June 24. For and we are looking for someone to collect ads from more details visit VSGA Web site. members and from any individual or business be that may beneficial to our membership. There is an opportunity to vtsheepandgoat.org make a commission off selling ad space. If you are interested contact Mary Lake, (802) 338-‐2250, If you want to drop off wool for the pool [email protected] and she can send you more contact Mary Lake ((802) 338-2250, information. [email protected]) with an estimated wool weight and she will give Wool Pool Volunteers you a drop off time. Be a part of the fun described in rticle Katie Sullivan’s a on Page 9. Wool Pool volunteers work together to do a range Contact Michael Hampton about sale of jobs. You can be there for the whole day or just part of fleeces. (802) 734-8615, the day. Jobs include: unloading bags of wool from [email protected] participant’s vehicles onto a scale and then onto a truck,
Vermont Sheep & Goat Association
P.O. Box 29 Peacham, Vermont 05862