Commercial Shepherd Pasture Walk

A sheep pasture walk will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 1-4 p.m. Greg and Vicki Brickner will host the commercial sheep pasture walk, describing how they manage a 200-ewe flock on 150 acres in Wonewoc. Topics to be covered include preparation of the flock for fall breeding, overcoming production challenges, and the utilization of stockpiled forage for winter feeding.

During the grazing season, the Brickners rotationally graze ewes through high quality forage, in addition to growing hay and stockpiling forage for winter feed for the flock. The Brickners have selected their flock for maternal ewes, which lamb easily in the spring. Greg and Vicki are both employed off the farm (Greg is a large animal veterinarian) and have identified keys points that allow them to manage the flock on a part-time bases: perimeter fencing and pasture divisions, pasture watering system, a ewe flock with strong maternal traits, and the ability to grow and harvest high quality forage.

The farm is located at 508 County Road G, Wonewoc. For additional information, contact Gene Schriefer (Iowa County Extension, gene.schriefer@ces.uwex.edu, 608-930-9850, or Claire Mikolayunas (small ruminant Extension specialist, 608-890-3802.