Knowra Sheep farming Sheep farming Sheep farming is the breeding and raising of sheep for products such as meat, wool, milk, and hides. It includes managing flocks, grazing, reproduction, and health.
Sheep breeding : The selection and mating of sheep to produce offspring with desired traits. Breeding shapes flock productivity, hardiness, and the quality of meat or wool.
Wool production : The raising of sheep and processing of fleece to supply textile fibers. Wool is a major output where breeds and shearing schedules suit fiber markets.
Pastoralism : A livelihood centered on raising livestock, often through seasonal movement to grazing areas. Sheep farming can be settled, while pastoral systems depend on livestock mobility.
Overgrazing : Grazing pressure severe enough to reduce vegetation recovery and damage soil or ecosystems. Too many sheep or poorly timed grazing can degrade pasture and surrounding habitats.
Sheep : Domesticated ruminant mammals raised in flocks for meat, wool, milk, and hides. The animal’s biology sets the basic requirements of sheep farming.
Rotational grazing : A grazing system that moves livestock among pastures to manage forage and recovery. Moving sheep between paddocks can protect pasture and maintain feed supply.
Lamb and mutton : Meat from young sheep is called lamb; meat from older sheep is called mutton. Meat production shapes lambing schedules, finishing, and slaughter decisions.
Intensive animal farming : Livestock production that uses high stocking densities and substantial managed inputs. Intensive systems contrast with extensive sheep production on large grazing areas.
Soil erosion : The removal of soil by water, wind, or other forces. Loss of ground cover under grazing can leave soil more exposed to erosion.
Ruminant : A mammal that digests plant material through microbial fermentation in a specialized stomach. Ruminant digestion lets sheep turn forage into products, but also produces methane.
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