The Shepherdess

Grace is an entrepreneur, Shepherdess, and rotational grazing enthusiast. This eclectic mix converges here on the Shepherdess Podcast where we talk about regenerative farming for profit, raising Dorper sheep, and daily life as a small-scale, regenerative farmer.

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The Shepherdess

COMPLETE GUIDE TO BREEDING SHEEP (for Beginners)

April 28, 2026 • Grace

0:00 | 1:06:07

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When it comes to breeding sheep, most problems that show up at lambing actually started months earlier, long before the breeding season. In this episode, I’m running through the basics of breeding sheep and answering the most common questions I receive. We’ll focus on getting your flock in the best condition possible to go into breeding, setting your farm up for a productive and low-stress lambing season. If you’re looking for a low-input, pasture-based approach to breeding sheep, improving flock health, and avoiding common mistakes, this episode will start you off on the right foot.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to my pasture-based sheep operation

07:44 What to look for in a meat ram

15:42 Considerations for healthy breeding ewes

17:15 The importance of ideal body condition

19:40 My controversial opinion on breeding age for ewes

21:32 Optimal minerals for breeding pasture-raised sheep

29:46 What happens if you breed a ewe in poor health

34:10 Why I don’t practice flushing to increase my twinning rate

36:13 Knowing when to cull less desirable ewes

39:12 Keeping a strict breeding timeline

50:02 Audience Q&A